JDT Finish Group Stage With Loss to Gyeongnam

Aiman Nazirmuddin

Football Tribe Malaysia

Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) ended their Asian Champions League (ACL) campaign after losing 0-2 to Gyeongnam FC in Group E match. 

In the action that took place at the Changwon Football Center, JDT’s squad was only able to endure until the 65th minute when Luc Castaignos fired the opening goal for Gyeongnam.

Stunned by the goal, the Malaysian side opened up in search of an equalizer, but the tactical shift did not work their favor. Instead, the defense of JDT was sliced open again in injury time when Takahiro Kunimoto’s goal to secured a 2-0 win for the home side.

The defeat meant that JDT collected four points over the course of their six group games. The side won against Kashima Antlers and drew against Gyeongnam FC at home, losing the remaining four games. Only Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng were able to collect all three points in the den of the Southern Tigers. 

JDT occupies the bottom of the group E, while Gyeongnam finished third behind Kashima Antlers after accumulating eight points. Despite losing their final game 2-1 to Kashima, Shandong finish on top of the group with 11 points.