In a pulsating game at Mong Kok stadium, South China showed grit and mental toughness as they held AFC Cup 2015 champions, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) of Malaysia, to a well earned 1-1 draw in the first leg of the quarter final stage of the 2016 AFC Cup edition.
A rampant JDT threatened to tear South China to shreds in a first half which they totally dominated and took the lead in the 22nd minute when South China goalkeeper, Leung Hing Kit, let a relatively weak shot roll past him to give JDT the lead. Whether or not his sight was blocked or he had a lapse in concentration, it was a tame way to concede a goal.
The needless goal seemed to wake South China up and they fought back for the rest of the first half and then turned the tables on JDT in the second as they dominated possession and had most of the better chances to score. The second half saw many unpunished fouls, attempts on goal, a mini melee involving most of the players and a highly charged atmosphere.
Nicola Komazec scored a deserved equalizer deep into injury time when, on the edge of the box, he turned and lashed home a shot which was way beyond the reach of the JDT keeper, Izham Tarmizi and the stadium erupted. Mong Kok Stadium has not seen such an exciting game in a very long time and it sets up the second leg next week in Malaysia perfectly.
More in-depth analysis soon
Pictures from this incredible game from Christopher KL Lau and JRP Borthwick
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- In a second half melee, two South China players end up on the ground
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- South China team huddle
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- Komazec celebrates !
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- Nikola Komazec – The goal scoring hero for South China
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- JDT Take the lead in the first half
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- The South China goal keeper
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- South China celebrate their late late goal
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- Bojan of South China
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- It was a tough and rough game
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- Leung Nok Hang
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- South China set up a defensive wall
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- Pereyra Diaz of JDT
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- Injuries all night
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- Chan Wai Ho of South China
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- Leung Hing Kit of South China makes another save
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- The two teams confront each other
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- Ryan Griffiths
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- JDT Fans in Hong Kong
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- Bojan salutes the fans
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- Game mouth scramble
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- South China do a lap to acknowledge the fans
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- JDT Away Fans
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- Awal goes close for South China
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- Another incident in an action packed game
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- JDR Celebrate their crucial away goal
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- The South China bench goes wild
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- Another JDT attack
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- South China and JDT scuffle in the second half
