Kuwait City: Reigning champions Qadsia SC moved a step closer towards successfully defending their AFC Cup crown with a 3-1 win over Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the first leg of their semi-final meeting at Kuwait Sports Club Stadium on Tuesday.
Captain Bader Al Motawaa was the star man, setting up one and scoring from the penalty spot as the Kuwaiti club also netted through Doris Fuakuputu and Seydouba Soumah.
However, Amri Yahya claimed what could be a vital away goal eight minutes from time as JDT aim to become the first Malaysian club to reach the final of the continental club competition.
Qadsia, who defeated Iraq’s Arbil in the final last season to win the title for the first time, were in control from the start, with JDT barely making it out of their own half to threaten the home goal.
Goalkeeper Izham Tarmizi was called into action in the 28th minute when he had to clear Fahed Al Ebrahim’s header off the line following Al Motawaa’s corner before Fuakuputu’s header came back of the crossbar following another Al Motawaa corner a minute later.
Qadsia deservedly took the lead in the 32nd when yet another Al Motawaa corner caused consternation in the Malaysian club’s defence, and this time Fuakuputu made no mistake, heading past Tarmizi from eight yards out, beating the goalkeeper high and to his right.
With four minutes left in the half, Qadsia doubled their advantage when Al Motawaa converted into the top corner from the penalty spot after being fouled in the area by Mohamad Aidil Zafuan.
Thirteen minutes after the restart, Qadsia made it 3-0 when Soumah collected the ball outside the area from Abdulaziz Al Enezi and the Guinea international midfielder made no mistake, smashing his shot home from the edge of the box and beyond Tarmizi.
With eight minutes remaining, JDT claimed a goal that could have a major impact on the complexion of the second leg in Malaysia next month.
Substitute Yahya hit the Kuwaitis on the counter attack, bursting through before hitting a long-range lob that sailed over goalkeeper Ahmed Al Fahdli to give the Johor team hope of staging a comeback.
The two teams will meet again in Malaysia on October 19, with the winner meeting either Kuwait SC or FC Istiklol in the final on November 1.
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