JDT FIRE BLANKS AS SHANGHAI PORT HOLD FIRM IN GOALLESS STALEMATE 

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- Johor Darul Ta'zim’s (JDT) hopes of sinking Chinese club Shanghai Port FC on home turf were dashed after they were held to a 0-0 draw in tonight’s AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) 2025/26 group stage match at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium here.

Tonight’s encounter saw the Southern Tigers, guided by Cisco Munoz, dominate almost the entire match but every attempt failed to findi its way into the visitors’ net.

The first five minutes saw JDT storm into Shanghai Port’s defensive area and almost score through a Bergson Da Silva effort, but the goalkeeper managed to make the save and moments later, Jonathan Da Silva’s strike went narrowly wide.

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Wave after wave of attack continued, with JDT producing 19 attempts, all of which failed to be converted.

Shanghai Port goalkeeper Chen Wei emerged as the standout figure in the first half with a brilliant display, denying nearly six on-target attempts and effectively forming a ‘Great Wall of China’ in front of his goal.

Despite creating only four attempts, Shanghai Port still managed to keep a clean sheet. The score remained 0-0 until the half-time whistle, leaving JDT with the challenge of finding a breakthrough in the second half.

As the match resumed, both teams sharpened their attacking play, yet the ‘drought’ of goals continued. Shanghai Port’s defence once again appeared ‘impenerrable’, blocking every effort from the Southern Tigers and making it difficult for JDT to breach their goal.

Bergson Da Silva’s golden opportunity in the 63rd minute rattled the crossbar, while Nacho Mendez’s 73rd-minute attempt struck the post.

Attempt after attempt was made, but until the final whistle, the match ended in a goalless draw.

The full match recorded 47 attempts by the Southern Tigers, with 11 on target.

-- BERNAMA