Kolkata: Amri Yahyah’s early goal was enough to put Johor Darul Ta’zim into the Round of 16 and keep them firmly in the driving seat in Group F of the AFC Cup as they eliminated India’s Kingfisher East Bengal via a 1-0 victory at a saturated Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium on Tuesday.
Despite kicking off in torrential rain, the Malaysian visitors made the breakthrough on the seventh minute through forward Yahyah before the difficult weather conditions became too much for play and over 45 minutes of stoppage were needed.
After the re-start, East Bengal did their utmost to draw the tie level, with only a win adequate to remain in the competition after Hong Kong’s Kitchee defeated Bhalestier Khalsa in Singapore 2-1 in the group’s other tie on Tuesday.
But the hosts were unable to breakdown Johor’s rearguard and will be playing for pride alone in the final matchday, while Johor are not only secure of their place in the last 16 but also favourites to advance as group winners with a two point advantage over second placed Kitchee.
"We came here for a win and we accomplished our mission. So I would say well done to my team," said Johor coach Ismail Ibrahim.
"Also I am happy that we did not suffer any injuries as we played through heavy rain.”
The visitors began brightly despite the tumultuous downpour and after Luciano Figueroa had narrowly missed out on latching onto a through ball as early as the second minute, Johor went ahead shortly after.
Kunanlan Subramaniam was set free on the left and the Malaysia full-back tore forward and into the edge of the penalty area, before sending in a penetrative ball across the six-yard box which Yahyah tapped in from close range.
Singaporean midfielder Hariss Harun then tried to take advantage of the slick conditions just two minutes later with a low driven shot from outside the penalty area but East Bengal goalkeeper Luis Barreto was equal to the effort.
Barrreto was thankful, though, that Figueroa’s free-kick on 25 minutes skidded narrowly past his right-hand post with the Argentinian going close to doubling Johor’s advantage.
That effort on goal was to be the final shot of note before play was called to a halt on the half hour mark for a 47-minute interval due to the inclement conditions with heavy rain and lightning bringing the temporary stoppage.
Once the rain lessened somewhat in severity, play re-started and the hosts began to take control of the game with that improvement continuing in the second half.
With Kitchee’s win meaning East Bengal needed nothing less than a win to stay in the competition, the home side increased their urgency going forward and their domestic league top scorer Ranti Martins was thrown into the fray in the second half.
But despite the presence of the powerful Nigerian forward on the field, East Bengal were unable to find the breakthrough they needed and Johor hung on to take all three points.
"I had to take off Baljit Sahni who did not heed my instructions. It was his fault that led to the opposition scoring,” said East Bengal coach Eelco Schattorie.
“After I took him off, it was East Bengal who were in complete control.”
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