Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Johor Baru: Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim maintained a perfect start to the defence of their AFC Cup crown after two penalties from Safiq Rahim and a stoppage time strike from Amri Yahyah secured a 3-0 win over Lao Toyota on Wednesday in Group H.
Regular captain and 2015 AFC Cup MVP Safiq came off the bench just before the hour mark to finally break the deadlock for Johor at Stadium Tan Sri Dato' Haji Yunos from the penalty spot after Lao’s Takahiro Saito had been sent-off on 62 minutes before repeating the feat with 16 minutes remaining after Subramaniam Kunalan had also been dismissed for the home side.
And after Yahyah sealed the win following an assist from Safiq, Johor moved six points clear at the top of Group H at the halfway stage after India’s JSW Bengaluru earlier edged out Myanmar’s Ayeyawady United 1-0 to leave all three teams on three points.
“It was not an easy first half for us as we moved the ball too slowly sometimes,” said Johor coach Mario Gomez. “The moment we managed to open the game, it was easier for us.
“The good work we did after the goals gave us more options while reducing our opponents to none.
“The most important thing for us is to win. It doesn’t matter what the final score is, so long we win the game.”
Safiq was among the key players benched by Gomez, who saw his side struggle to breakdown a disciplined Lao in the first half.
Safee Sali did come close for the Malaysian champions after 19 minutes when he saw his header off a Jasazrin Jamaludin corner bounce wide at the near post.
Johor’s Nazarin Nawi had the ball at the back of the net three minutes before the break but he was ruled offside.
But with Johor continuing to struggle to break down the Laotian league champions’ resistance in the second half, Safiq and Jorge Pererya Diaz were brought on in quick succession to find a way past the visitors.
And Johor’s breakthrough came two minutes after the hour mark when Saito was adjudged to have handled close to goal, and after the Japanese defender was dismissed, Safiq stepped up to drill the resulting spot-kick into the bottom left corner.
Kunalan, though, restored numerical parity for the hosts with 20 minutes remaining when he was sent-off for a reckless challenge in midfield, which resulted in a second yellow card.
But despite being down by a man, Johor kept up their upward attacking momentum and were awarded a second penalty of the game 16 minutes from time as Chanturu was brought down by Moukda Souksavath and this time Safiq chipped the ball from the spot into the net for his sixth goal of the tournament.
And after threatening to extend the lead twice in the closing stages, Amri completed the win with a cool finish near the left post after completing a one-two with Safiq in the final third.
“I am very disappointed not to come away with a point,” said Lao coach Valakone Phomphakdy.
“We tried to get a point, but when we had the ball, we did not advance together enough.
“After the sending off, we tried to reduce the risk of fouls and salvage the situation with the substitutions.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports