KUCHING: Ten-man Kuching City FC pushed Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) all the way before succumbing to a slender 1-0 defeat at the Sarawak State Stadium, Petra Jaya, on Sunday (Aug 24).
The spirited hosts stood toe-to-toe with the Malaysian Super League giants in the opening half, holding them to a goalless draw despite repeated threats from a star-studded JDT side featuring five national players and captain Samuel Castillejo, the former AC Milan striker.
It was an entertaining first half, with Kuching City nearly breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Ronald Wanja’s dazzling run set up Hazwan Bakri, whose strike rattled the post.
Moments later, Yuki Tanigawa produced a crucial goal-line clearance to deny JDT, before goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli pulled off another brilliant save just before half-time, adding to an earlier stop that had already kept the hosts in contention.
Kuching’s defensive pairing of Yuki and James Okwuosa proved difficult to break down, frustrating the visitors’ frontline, while Haziq impressed with a series of fine saves throughout.
The game turned early in the second half when Yuki’s robust challenge on Joao Figueiredo, who had broken through on a solo run, drew a straight red card.
The dismissal left Kuching with 10 men and handed JDT a free kick just outside the box.
JDT’s head coach Munoz Llompart Francisco Javier’s side capitalised on the numerical advantage, and in the 60th minute Jairo De Macedo Da Silva finally broke the deadlock with a well-taken header, meeting Figueiredo’s delivery to beat the resolute Kuching defence.
Yet the home side almost struck back moments later. Ramadhan Saifullah squandered a golden chance in the 63rd minute when his close-range strike flew over the crossbar, much to the dismay of the home supporters.
Figueiredo came close again for JDT, but Haziq stood tall to deny him with a sharp save, keeping the contest alive until the final whistle.
In the end, Jairo’s solitary goal was enough for JDT to secure all three points.
But for Kuching City, their disciplined and battling display with 10 men will be remembered as a performance full of grit and pride against Malaysia’s most dominant side.
