JDT go down 1-2 to Shandong in China
Tuesday, 9 Apr 20199:39 PM MYT
by t. avineshwaran
Shandong Luneng's Graziano Pelle (left) fights for the ball with JDT's Hariss Harun during the AFC Champions League Group E match in Jinan, China. JDT lost 1-2. – AFP
PETALING JAYA: It was the "Felle and Pelle" show at the Jinan Olympic Stadium in China as Shandong Luneng beat Johor Darul Ta'zim 2-1 in the AFC Champions League.
Playing in their third Group E encounter, JDT looked devoid of ideas in the first half as they struggled to deal with Shandong's aerial strength and physicality.
Unable to cope with Shandong's physical superiority, the JDT conceded its first goal in the 29th minute when Shandong's man mountain Marouane Fellaini – despite being closely marked by La Vere Corbin Ong – managed to head the ball from a corner to beat Farizal Marlias.
Ten minutes later, JDT was
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punished again when centreback Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak brought down striker Graziano Pelle in the penalty box.
However, it was a different story for JDT in the second half.
Finding a way to cope with the physical presence of Fellaini and Pelle, the Southern Tigers looked more confident with the ball and conjured up several good movements, only to falter in the final third of the pitch.
In the 59th minute, JDT reduced the deficit when Safawi Rasid curled in a beautiful shot from the right to beat Shandong's Chinese international goalkeeper Wang Dalei.
That goal galvanised them but Shandong was up to the task as centrebacks Gil, and Zheng Zheng were rock solid at the back.
In the 93rd minute, JDT missed out on the equaliser when Gonzalo Cabrera's ferocious free-kick rattled the crossbar.
The scoreline remained 2-1 as Shandong notched their first win in the tournament, while JDT continues to look for its first win.
In the other Group E encounter, Kashima Antlers fought back from 2-0 down to beat Gyeongnam 3-2 at the Changwon Football Centre in South Korea.
The win ensures Kashima remain undefeated on top of Group E on seven points, ahead of the return leg against Gyeongnam in Japan in two weeks, while the South Korean team remain without a win after three matches.
Read more at http://bit.ly/2P0tjBz
However, it was a different story for JDT in the second half.
Finding a way to cope with the physical presence of Fellaini and Pelle, the Southern Tigers looked more confident with the ball and conjured up several good movements, only to falter in the final third of the pitch.
In the 59th minute, JDT reduced the deficit when Safawi Rasid curled in a beautiful shot from the right to beat Shandong's Chinese international goalkeeper Wang Dalei.
That goal galvanised them but Shandong was up to the task as centrebacks Gil, and Zheng Zheng were rock solid at the back.
In the 93rd minute, JDT missed out on the equaliser when Gonzalo Cabrera's ferocious free-kick rattled the crossbar.
The scoreline remained 2-1 as Shandong notched their first win in the tournament, while JDT continues to look for its first win.
In the other Group E encounter, Kashima Antlers fought back from 2-0 down to beat Gyeongnam 3-2 at the Changwon Football Centre in South Korea.
The win ensures Kashima remain undefeated on top of Group E on seven points, ahead of the return leg against Gyeongnam in Japan in two weeks, while the South Korean team remain without a win after three matches.
Read more at http://bit.ly/2P0tjBz
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