ISKANDAR PUTERI, Johor: Two-goal hero, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, inspired Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) to a stylish 3-1 over Lion City Sailors (LCS) in the opening Group B match of the ASEAN Club Championship at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium here on Thursday.
The Brazilian hitman scored two quick goals in the first 16 minutes of the game – slotting home a penalty in the 11th minute before punishing the LCS’ defence a second time five minutes later with a powerful drive.
JDT, however, had to wait until added time in the second half to go 3-0 up through 23-year-old striker, Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi.
But there was still time for Singapore outfit LCS to get a late consolation goal when Muhammad Shawal Anuar netted in the dying minutes.
The opening win sees JDT, the Super League champions for 11 consecutive times, top the six-team Group B with three points, the same as Cambodia’s Svay Rieng, who edged Myanmar’s Shan United 1-0 in another match.
The other two teams in Group B are Bangkok United and Nam Dinh of Vietnam.
JDT are slated to meet Bangkok United in their second Group B match at the same venue on September 25. – BERNAMA
