Defending champion JDT march into AFC Cup semifinals

Defending AFC Cup champion Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) marched into the semifinals of the competition on a 3-2 aggregate score after edging South China from Hong Kong 2-1 in a second leg quarterfinal match at the Larkin Stadium, here last night.

In the AFC Cup first leg quarterfinal held at the Mongkok Stadium in Hong Kong on Sept 13, both teams had shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

In today's match, both teams started on a cautious note and focused more on defence, resulting in a goalless first half.

The tempo of the match however, changed when the second half started and JDT were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute but skipper Safiq Rahim's spot kick was saved by South China goalkeeper Tsang Man Fai.

However, the miss was swept under the carpet when JDT struck the first blow in the 57th minute through Juan Martin Lucero who capitalised on a pass from the right by Azammuddin Akil.

South China launched raid after raid but failed to find an opening and the missed chances proved costly for the visitors when import Jorge Pereyra Diaz from Argentina made it 2-0 in the 87th when he headed in a corner kick from Safiq Rahim.

The Hong Kong club coached by Jose Ricardo Rambo however, managed to reduce the deficit well into injury time through Nikola Komazec.

JDT will meet either Tampines Rovers or Bengaluru FC who play their second leg quarterfinal at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.

Bengaluru FC have a slim advantage after a 1-0 win at home. -- BERNAMA