Johor Darul Ta’Zim has clinched first victory of away match after beating Central Coast Mariners, a club from Australia scoring 2-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 League Stage(East zone) at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford.
The match ignited in first-half stoppage time when Mariners goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen was sent off for a reckless foul on Malaysia international Arif Aiman, who had been released into space by JDT’s new signing Jonathan Viera.
Peraic-Cullen raced off his line and brought down Arif just outside the penalty area, leaving referee Ko Hyung-jin no choice but to show the red card.
JDT nearly capitalized on the ensuing free kick as Heberty struck the post. Moments later, Bergson found the net, but his goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
With the Mariners down to 10 men, JDT steadily ramped up the pressure. Substitute goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic made several impressive saves, denying Bergson twice and plucking Viera’s lofted effort out of the air.
The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Natxo Insa played Arif down the right wing. Arif’s precise cutback found Gonzalez, who calmly slotted the ball past Pavlesic.
Despite being a man down, the Mariners struck back just five minutes later. A foul on Alou Kuol led to a dangerous free kick from Mikael Doka, which was headed back across goal by Brian Kaltak, allowing Kuol to pounce and equalize.
JDT responded swiftly and reclaimed the lead in the 79th minute. Heberty’s cross found Gonzalez, who cleverly directed a looping header off the inside of the post to secure the win.
The victory propels JDT to 11 points, keeping their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds alive, contingent on other results in the ongoing fixtures.
Credit Photo : AFC
