ISKANDAR PUTERI, Johor: Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT) defeated Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-1 in the first leg of the 2025/2026 Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) Round of 16 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium (SSI) on Wednesday night.
The victory ensures Xisco Munoz’s side carries a comfortable lead into the return leg at the Edion Peace Wing Stadium, Hiroshima, on March 11.
Earlier, the opening stages saw a balanced contest as both teams defended their goals against several attempts.
However, Sanfrecce Hiroshima was forced to play with 10 men after Kim Ju Sung was shown a red card as early as the 26th minute for bringing down Nene.
Kim had previously received a yellow card in the 6th minute for a foul on Jairo De Macedo.
JDT’s opening goal arrived in the second half through Ager Aketxe Barrutia in the 52nd minute and about 11 minutes later, a pass from Joao Vitor Figueiredo into the penalty box set up Bergson Da Silva to fire home the second goal for JDT in the 63rd minute.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima suffered further disappointment when Marcos Guilherme’s shot easily found the net in the 84th minute, following a cross into the box by Oscar Arribas.
Bartosch Paul Gauli’s men managed a consolation goal just a minute later via an own goal by Nene but the score remained 3-1 until the final whistle.
On February 10, the Southern Tigers had narrowly lost 1-2 to the J1 League club during the East Zone group stage at the Edion Peace Wing Stadium while playing with 10 men early in the first half. -BERNAMA
