Football

JDT beat Ulsan to seal historic ACL last-16 berth

KUALA LUMPUR: A stoppage time own goal saw Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) adding a new chapter to their history-making Asian Champions League (ACL) season by clinching their first-ever round of 16 berth following a 2-1 win over South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri today.

With nothing less than three points securing their passage from Group I, the Southern Tigers displayed remarkable resolve to become the first Malaysian club to reach the knockout stage of the ACL.

JDT's home support were given a reason to celebrate in the fifth minute when Leandro Velazquez dispatched a sublime left footed free-kick to the top left-hand corner of an outstretched Ulsan goalkeeper.

The celebrations were short-lived, however, as Ulsan pulled one back almost immediately.

Yun Il Lok refused to back down from the JDT defence to find Jun Amano, who placed the ball neatly past goalkeeper Farizal Marlias.

JDT thought they had taken the lead after Fernando Forestieri, Bergson da Silva, Afiq Fazail and Velazquez combined well to string together six passes in the Ulsan penalty area before the forward found the back of the net, but the assistant referee had raised his flag for offside.

The momentum shifted to Ulsan after the restart and JDT had Farizal to thank after the Malaysian custodian displayed quick reflexes to deny Amano's powerful left-footed drive.

With time ticking away, JDT fans were sent into pandemonium after Arif Aiman's cutback into the Ulsan goalmouth was met by Park Yong Wo who sent the ball back into his own net as the Southern Tiger registered their most famous victory in the ACL.

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