Johor Darul Ta’Zim, a club from Malaysia clinched the first point after tying with Shanghai Port FC, a club from China scoring 2-2 in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 League Stage, East Zone at Pudong Football Arena, Shanghai.
Both teams fielded their strongest lineups in the pursuit of three points to kick-start their campaigns. JDT came close to taking the lead in the 22nd minute when Oscar Arribas’s effort narrowly sailed over the bar.
The breakthrough for the Malaysian champions came just before halftime. Arif Aiman, the sensational winger, unleashed a powerful strike in the 43rd minute, beating Shanghai Port goalkeeper Yan Junling to give JDT a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
Shanghai Port responded swiftly after the restart, with Brazilian striker Gustavo equalizing shortly after halftime with a clinical finish inside the box.
However, the joy for the home side was short-lived as JDT’s star and reigning Malaysian League Most Valuable Player (MVP), Arif Aiman, struck again in the 56th minute to restore JDT’s lead.
The intense encounter saw Shanghai Port equalize once more, capitalizing on a chaotic scramble in JDT’s penalty area. Willian Popp hammered in the leveller, ensuring the match remained finely balanced.
Despite seven minutes of added time, neither side could find the winning goal, and the match ended 2-2.
JDT will look to build on this result when they host another Chinese club, Shanghai Shenhua, in their second ACLE group match on October 1, 2024, at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
Credit Photo : JST
