Johor: Johor Darul Ta’zim FC made a winning start to their debut appearance in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ on Thursday as an early João Figueiredo brace helped secure a 3-1 win over Group B rivals Lion City Sailors FC at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
The Brazil-born Malaysia international netted the opener from the penalty spot in the 11th minute and hit his side’s second five minutes later to establish an unassailable lead for Xisco Muñoz’s side. Arif Aiman scored a late third before Shawal Anuar claimed a consolation for the Singapore Premier League champions.
The hosts were given the opportunity to go in front when forward Jairo was brought down six yards from goal by Safuwan Baharudin and Figueredo stepped up after a VAR review to send goalkeeper Ivan Susak the wrong way and stroke his spot-kick into the corner.
Jairo forced Susak into action four minutes later when he controlled a high ball with his first touch before hitting a right-foot shot that the towering Croatian had to dive to his right to save.
The Malaysian Super League champions doubled their lead moments later, however. Arif Aiman drove down the right flank before pulling back a centre that the Lion City Sailors defence failed to clear and Figueredo composed himself before beating Susak.
Susak denied Jairo with 10 minutes left in the half when the forward steered Arif’s low centre from the right towards goal while JDT goalkeeper Andoni Zubiaurre had to be off his line quickly to intercept Anderson Lopes’ ball forward from the left to keep Lion City Sailors at bay.
Zubiarre then denied the former Yokohama F Marinos striker in first-half stoppage time, dropping to his right to smother the Brazilian’s close range attempt to reduce the deficit.
Bart Ramselaar threatened for Lion City Sailors 10 minutes after the interval when he strode into the JDT half to shoot narrowly wide of Zubiarre’s right post. Moments later the Dutchman bent another opportunity just wide of the opposite upright.
Susak stuck out his right hand to push away Jairo’s shot in the 59th minute and Arif put the result beyond any doubt two minutes into stoppage time when he slammed an emphatic strike into the corner as Lion City Sailors were caught out by a quickly-taken Nacho Mendez free kick.
Substitute Shawal thumped his shot past Zubiarre from 25 yards two minutes later to put the visitors on the scoreboard, but it was little more than a consolation for the Singaporean side.
Shopee Star of the Match – João Figueiredo (#25), Johor Darul Ta’zim FC
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