AFC Champions League holders Kashima Antlers were upset by Johor Darul Ta’zim, losing 0 – 1 to the Malaysian champion in round 5 of the group stage. The unexpected result has now thrown the group wide open for the final round showdown two weeks from now.

The heat and the poor state of the pitch played to JDT’s advantage as they seized the initiative from the start. Kashima gradually got into the game, but wasted scoring opportunities when they came their way. Then in the 69th minute, JDT forward Syafiq Ahmad cut in from the left, shrugged off defender Tomoya Inukai and fired into the bottom corner of Kashima’s goal for a 1 – 0 lead. That turned out to be the match winning goal and allowed Malaysia to score their first ever win in the competition.

Kashima will host already-qualified Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng in the last round of the group stage on 22 May. Should their match end in a draw or a defeat, their fate of progression will depend on the results between Gyeongnam FC and JDT.

Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAL) 1 – 0 Kashima Antlers (JPN)

(Syafiq Ahmad 69′)

AFC Champions League Grp. E

P Team M W D L P 1 Shandong Luneng 5 3 2 0 11 2 Kashima Antlers 5 2 1 2 7 3 Gyeongnam FC 5 1 2 2 5 4 Johor Darul Ta’zim 5 1 1 3 4

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