It is all over for Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) in their first AFC Champions League – finishing at the bottom of the table in Group E after a 2-0 defeat to South Korean club Gyeongnam Fc.
The outcome at the Changwon Football Centre knocked both teams out of contention with JDT, the five-time Malaysian Super League champions at the bottom with four points while Gyeongnam finished third with eight points.
China’s Shandong Luneng topped the group with 11 points despite a 2-1 defeat to defending champions Kashima Antlers at Kashima Soccer Stadium. Kashima finished second with 10 points.
JDT was hoping to become the first Malaysian team to reach the Round of 16 after their shock 2-1 win over Antlers at home. However, all that disappeared in the second half.
The Korean club took the lead through Luc Castaignos who rifled the ball home past JDT keeper Farizal Marlais at the near post in a move which began off a long ball in the 65th minute.
Then Takahiro Kunimoto added the second deep into added time from an assist by Kim Seung-jun. RIZAL ABDULLAH
