Bangkok Glass FC 3-0 Johor Darul Ta'zim: Southern Tigers bow out of AFC Champions League

Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) march towards sealing a historic AFC Champions League spot came to a halt Tuesday night at Leo Stadium in Pathum Thani.

The reigning Malaysia Super League champions were swept aside by a clinical Bangkok Glass FC in the second round of qualifying. The odds were against JDT right off the bat with head coach, Bojan Hodak forced to tinker with his starting eleven due to niggling injuries suffered by first team players; Argentinian targetman Luciano Figueroa, skipper Aidil Zafuan and evergreen striker Amri Yahyah.

The Glass Rabbits drew first blood through attacking midfielder Narong Jansawek’s piledriver in the 28^th minute which proved to be too strong for Farizal Marlias. Determined to get back on level terms, JDT came out determined in the second half but were caught napping by the home side’s swift counter-attacking move. Macedonian playmaker Darko Tasevski’s inch perfect through pass was finished off by Lazarus Kiambi in the 52^nd minute.

The Namibian international striker doubled his tally soon after that with an opportunistic rebound goal in the 62^nd minute of the game. National custodian Farizal spared JDT’s further blushes with several pivotal saves denying the defending Thai FA Cup champions on several occasions.

Bangkok Glass FC will now face 13-time Chinese Super League champions Beijing Guoan  in Beijing on February 17^th in the final round of qualifying.