Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Johor Bahru: Johor Darul Ta'zim of Malaysia kept themselves in contention in Group H of the 2018 AFC Cup with a 2-1 win over Singapore’s Tampines Rovers on Wednesday.
Safawi Rasid opened the scoring in style for the hosts at the Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium, rifling home a piledriver from distance after being fed by Subramaniam Kunalan in the 13th minute.
Ryutaro Megumi fired a warning shot for Tampines three minutes before half time though, and from the resultant corner La’Vere Corbin-Ong handled to gift the visitors a penalty, which Khairul Amri gleefully converted in the 45th minute.
Ahmad Hazwan sealed all three points for Johor Darul Ta’zim 11 minutes from time though, clipping home a first time finish with his left foot after being played in behind by a delicious Natxo Insa through-ball.
The victory enabled Johor Darul Ta’zim to keep pace with Song Lam Nghe An of Vietnam and Indonesia’s Persija Jakarta on seven points, while Tampines prop up the group with just one.
Both teams will be on the road for their next matches on April 10, when Johor Darul Ta’zim travel to Jakarta while Tampines are away to Song Lam Nghe An.