Johor Darul Ta’zim’s hopes of an Asian upset were frozen in the Japanese winter as they fell 2–1 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Legaue Stage (West Zone) at Hiroshima Soccer Stadium, Hiroshima.
The match began with a shock to the system for the hosts. Just three minutes in, JDT silenced the home crowd when Marcos Guilherme pounced on a defensive lapse to fire the visitors into a stunning 1–0 lead. It was the perfect “hit-and-run” start for Xisco Munoz’s men, who looked comfortable in the early exchanges.
However, the momentum shifted violently in the 16th minute. Sanfrecce’s prolific Sota Nakamura launched a dangerous offensive that resulted in a goal-bound shot striking the arm of JDT defender Jonathan Silva. After a quick review, the referee pointed to the spot and delivered a double blow, showing Silva a straight red card. Sanfrecce’s Akito Suzuki stepped up and coolly converted the penalty in the 18th minute to level the scores at 1–1.
Playing with 10 men for over 70 minutes in sub-zero temperatures, JDT’s defensive resolve was tested to the limit. Goalkeeper Andoni Zubiaurre produced a string of fine saves to keep the game deadlocked heading into the break, but the resistance broke immediately after the restart.
In the 47th minute, Akito Suzuki haunted the JDT defense again, connecting with a pinpoint play to head home his second of the night.
While the “Purple Archers” continued to dictate the rhythm, JDT refused to surrender. Munoz introduced Ager Aketxe and Bérgson late in the game, and despite several desperate counter-attacks, they could not find the equalizer against a Sanfrecce side that now sits comfortably at the top of the East Region standings.
JDT returns to the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on February 17 to face Vissel Kobe. It is a literal “Final” for the Southern Tigers—win and they are through to the Round of 16; lose, and they must hope for results elsewhere to go their way.
Credit Photo : JST
