Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim leveraged their home advantage on Tuesday, securing a decisive 3-0 victory over South Korean giantss Ulsan HD in their 2024/25 AFC Champions League Elite encounter. This marked JDT’s second win of the campaign at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium and their third consecutive victory over Ulsan in the competition, having previously defeated them in the 2022 and 2023 editions.
For Ulsan, the result was a harsh setback, marking their fourth consecutive defeat without scoring a goal, leaving the two-time Asian champions struggling in the standings.
JDT’s aggressive high-pressing tactic almost paid off within minutes as a misplaced pass from Jo Hyeon-woo allowed Arif Aiman to deliver a cross, though Jorge Obregon couldn’t capitalize. Just minutes later, Ulsan’s preference for playing out from the back backfired. Arif intercepted the ball from Kim Young-gwon, surged into the penalty area, and powered it past Jo for his fourth goal of the campaign.
Despite Ulsan gradually gaining possession, they were forced into two early substitutions due to injuries to Matheus and Young-gwon. Just before halftime, JDT missed a chance to double their lead when Oscar Arribas’s link-up play with Arif ended in a wayward shot over the bar.
Ulsan showed resilience at the start of the second half, with Lee Chung-yong’s curling shot coming close, followed by Yun Il-lok’s attempt that struck the post. However, Ulsan’s push forward opened spaces in their defense, giving JDT more opportunities. Arif set up Bergson in the 60th minute, but Jo managed to block the well-hit shot.
In the 67th minute, Arribas extended JDT’s lead. Cutting in from the right, he dribbled past two defenders and unleashed a shot from outside the box, which deflected off Darijan Bojanic and looped over the helpless Jo.
Bergson put the game beyond doubt in the 88th minute, controlling Afiq Fazail’s pass and slotting a low shot into the bottom corner, sealing a well-earned 3-0 win for JDT.