A Safiq Rahim special gave Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bengaluru at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the second game of Group H of the 2016 AFC Cup on Wednesday night.
It was the captain's fourth strike in the competition this year as the Malaysia Super League champions try to defend their trophy, putting his team in control of the group with six points.
Bengaluru claimed that the free-kick from which the midfielder scored early in the second half should never have been given. But the reality is that the Indians, who ran their illustrious visitors very close, now sit in last place with zero points.
It was a lively opening with the Malaysians, who thrashed Ayeyawady United 8-1 in the opener, dominating possession. The best chance of the early exchanges fell to Jorge Pereyra Diaz in the 15th minute but the Argentinian shot straight at the goalkeeper from the edge of the area.
There was a better effort six minutes later from another South American. Juan Martin Lucero turned swiftly outside the area and just as quickly released a fierce shot that had Ralte scrambling to his right to push the ball to safety. That was the story of the half.
Bengaluru boss Ashley Westwood went with a five-man defence and it was marshalled intelligently by English compatriot John Johnson.
JDT had plenty of possession but rarely got behind the I-League backline. Bengaluru were managing to get into dangerous areas but just couldn't fashion the chances to stop the champions in their track.
Ten minutes before half-time, it was the Southern Tigers who came close again through Aidil Zafuan. The best opportunity came just before the break. Azamuddin actually got behind Bengaluru's backline and fired over a dangerous low cross that Ralte could only push towards the loitering Diaz at the far post. Somehow, the attacker put the ball wide from close range with the goal at his mercy.
Bengaluru had a golden chance just five minutes after the restart. Udanta Singh sent over a free-kick from the left and there was Johnson unmarked on the edge of the six yard box. The former Middlesbrough man could not get above the ball and headed just over.
But five minutes after that, JDT grabbed the lead in style, thanks to their captain marvel. Rafiq took a disputed free-kick just to the right of the 'D' and whipped the ball into the opposite top corner to give the goalkeeper no chance.
Safiq came close to sealing the deal with 10 minutes left, pulling a low shot just wide from the left corner of the penalty area. He almost rued the miss five minutes from the end as the 2015 I-League runners-up came very close.
A deep cross from Udanta Singh found Alwyn George at the far post. JDT goalkeeper Izham Tarmizi came and missed and with the goal at his mercy, the Indian substitute pulled his shot into the side netting from close range.
Bengaluru now face two vital games against Myanmar's Ayeyawady, who defeated Lao Toyota 2-1 earlier in the evening while JDT meet the team from Laos next.
Bengaluru FC: Lalthuammawia Ralte (GK), Keegan Pereira, John Johnson, Michael Collins, Thoi.Singh © (Alywn George 71'), Vishal Kumar (Rino Anto 69'), Seminlen Doungel (Daniel Lalhlimpuia 69), Siam Hanghal, V. Singh, Lalchhuan Mawia, S.R. Singh
Johor Darul Ta'zim: Izham Tarmizi (GK) , Azamuddin Akil (S. Chanturu 77'), Amirul Hadi Zainal (Gary Robbat 90'), Marcos Antonio, Aidil Zafuan, Safiq Rahim (C), Pereyra Diaz, S Kunanlan (Jasazrin Jamaluddin 84'), Hariss Harun, Fazly Mazlan, Juan Martin Lucero