Johor Darul Ta’Zim confirm to edge spot of round of 16 stage after beating Pohang Steelers scoring 5-2 in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 League Stage(East Zone) at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
Pohang Steelers, needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive, started aggressively. Their attacking intent paid off in the 27th minute when Jorge Teixeira delivered a cross into the box, and Lee Ho-Jae headed the ball past the JDT goalkeeper to put Pohang ahead 1-0.
However, JDT responded swiftly. In the 37th minute, Jonatan Viera’s cross into the box found Bergson Da Silva, whose header was blocked. The rebound fell to Oscar Arribas, who capitalized on the opportunity to equalize for JDT at 1-1.
The first half ended with both teams level at 1-1.
JDT came out with an attacking mindset after the break. In the 52nd minute, Bergson Da Silva struck from a difficult angle, finding the back of the net to give JDT a 2-1 lead.
Just four minutes later, in the 56th minute, Arif Aiman capitalized on a defensive miscommunication from Pohang and slotted the ball home, extending JDT’s lead to 3-1.
JDT nearly secured their fourth goal in the 61st minute when Arif Aiman set up Bergson Da Silva, who scored, but the assistant referee ruled it offside.
Pohang Steelers fought back in the 80th minute when a corner kick resulted in Hong Yun-Sang setting up Kang Hyeon-Je, who finished from close range to make it 3-2.
JDT thought they had restored their two-goal cushion in stoppage time when Jese Rodriguez set up Heberty Fernandes, whose initial shot was blocked before he slotted in the rebound. However, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed due to a foul on Pohang’s goalkeeper, Yoon Pyung-Guk.
Undeterred, JDT sealed the win in the 90+7th minute when Jorge Obregon assisted Jese Rodriguez, who made no mistake in scoring to put JDT ahead 4-2.
In the final moments of the match, JDT was awarded a penalty after Oberdan fouled Jorge Obregon inside the box. Obregon stepped up and converted from the spot in the 90+15th minute, completing a resounding 5-2 victory.
With this win, JDT secured qualification to the Round of 16, finishing in fourth place in the East Zone standings. They will now face Korea Republic’s Gwangju FC in the next round.
Credit Photo : AFC
