Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dushanbe: Johor Darul Ta’zim coach Mario Gomez hailed the performances of goalkeeper Farizal Marlias and his defence as the club became the first from Malaysia to capture a continental title with victory over Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in the final of the AFC Cup on Saturday.
Argentinian midfielder Leandro Velazquez scored the only goal of the game 23 minutes into the first half to secure the win for the club from southern Malaysia, who were the first club from their country to appear in a continental club final in 48 years.
Match report: FC Istiklol 0-1 Johor Darul Ta'zim
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“Our goalkeeper and our defenders played well when Istikol created pressure,” said the Argentinian coach. “I think the players followed their instructions well and I’m proud that we have this victory.”
JDT’s defence was under pressure throughout the clash at a sold-out Republican Central Stadium, with the home side dominating much of the game but proving incapable of finding a way onto the score sheet.
The home side put the ball in the net on three occasions only for the trio of attempts to be ruled out for infringements by Japanese referee Tojo Minoru as JDT went one better than compatriots Selangor – who lost in the final of the 1967 Asian Club Championship – to claim the continental trophy.
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“I am happy with my players tonight,” said Gomez. “We created history for Malaysian football in the AFC Cup. We worked a lot and claimed the trophy.
“It was a good match and a great atmosphere in the stadium. Istiklol showed their attacking football. They had some chances in the first minutes, but we changed the game after it.”
JDT weathered Istiklol’s early storm before scoring the game’s only goal in the 23rd minute when the home side failed to clear Safiq Rahim’s corner from the left and Velazquez stepped into the area before sliding his shot home from 12 yards out.
“We used our corner kicks in important moments and the goal gave us more trust and we began to play better,” said Gomez. “Istiklol tried to score in the second half. This is why we paid attention to counterattacks.”
Photo: WSG