JDT denied in AFC Champions League bid

# JDT fail to win the ‘lottery’ in Nonthaburi as Muangthong win 3-0 on penalties

# JDT’s foreigners fail to convert their spot kicks in shootout

# Another mission for Southern Tigers in second-tier AFC Cup

Two disallowed goals in each half did not rattle Thai club Muangthong United FC as they denied Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Takzim 3-0 on penalties in a AFC Champions League playoff on Tuesday.

Extra time failed to produce a winner but on a night when luck was with them Muangthong advanced to a final playoff against China’s Shanghai SIPG for a place in the AFC Champions League 2016.

JDT’s foreigners were a flop in the shootout when Jorge Diaz Pereyra, Marcos Antonio and Harris Harun failed with the first three spot kicks – saved by Muangthong’s Man of the Match goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan.

With the defeat, JDT will carry Malaysia’s challenge in the lower-tier AFC Cup with Malaysia Cup champions Selangor.

JDT are the defending AFC Cup champions – creating football history as the first Malaysian team to win the Asian title – with a 1-0 win over FC Istiklol in the final played in Dushanbe in Tajikistan.

It was a well balanced match between Muangthong and JDT but the homesters showed why they are one of the best football clubs in this region. JDT goalkeeper Farizal Marlias had an outstanding game but his heroics in regulation time deserted him in the lottery.

Muangthong converted their first three spot kicks with Cleiton Silva salvaging his pride for a miss in the dying minutes of the match in regulation time. Peerapat Notchaiya and Sarach Yooyen made no mistakes with their kicks and the Thais romped home to stay alive for a place in the AFC Champions League.

Still, JDT can hold their heads high. The AFC Champions League exit will only spur the Southern Tigers for the 2016 M-League.

The Johor outfit kick-start their M-League campaign with the Charity Shield match against Selangor at the Larkin Stadium on Feb 13. JDT are the holders of the Charity Shield, defeating Pahang 2-0 in the curtain raiser at the same venue. 

The Charity Shield match will also count towards the Super League points.