JDT, who made their AFC Champions League group stage debut this year with some commendable performances, including a win over defending champions Kashima Antlers, defeated Melaka United 2-1 on Wednesday to build an unassailable 16-point lead over second-placed Pahang FA.

Gyeongnam finished the group phase of the Continental championship with eight points in third place in Group E, two adrift of Kashima Antlers after the Japanese side’s 2-1 win over Shandong Luneng ensured the holders take second place in the group and advance to the last 16.

Shandong top the final standings while JDT finished bottom as they proved unable to add to their four-point haul.

History was made at the Stadium Tan Sri Dato HJ Hassan Yunos on Matchday Five when JDT upset all the odds to register a maiden win in Asia's most prestigious club competition and doing it by downing no less than the AFC Champions League holders, Kashima.

Syafiq’s 69th minute stunner earned JDT their first-ever win in the group phase of the competition and it means the reigning champions will have to wait until the final round of group games in two weeks’ time to find out if they will advance to the last 16.

A draw against already qualified Shandong Luneng on May 22 could be enough to take Go Oiwa’s side into the knockout rounds, but the loss against JDT was the second in a row for the Japanese club and the second time they have missed the chance to secure their place in the next phase.

Played at a typically raucous Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium, the home side came into the match confident of a result after their impressive finish in their previous encounter in China PR two weeks ago.

And it was the Malaysians who made a bright start, with Azrif Nasrulhaq firing the first effort, but his shot was wide of the mark, as was Diogo’s effort when he tried from the edge of the area five minutes later.

JDT’s Safawi Rasid forced an early save from Lee Bum-soo as his curling shot threatened to sneak in at the far post.

Diogo Luis Santo must have impressed the watching Ronaldo with an audacious attempt in the 24th minute. After a flowing move, the ball made its way to S. Kunanlan on the right and his cross was met with an overhead kick that flew just over.

But, while the Southern Tigers made a losing start to the 2019 campaign, head coach Benjamin Mora hailed his players’ performance at the home of the eight-time J.League champions after JDT frustrated Go Oiwa’s side throughout the 90 minutes of their Group E opener.

“We are happy because we made our first appearance in the ACL group stage versus the champions, the last champion that was playing versus Real Madrid, that was playing versus Chivas, and we did very well,” said the Mexican.