KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) continued their push for the automatic qualifying spot from Group I in the AFC Champions League when they held Kawasaki Frontale to a 0-0 draw at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium yesterday.
The point gained meant that JDT remained on top of the group, two points more than their Japanese rivals after three rounds of matches with the two sides slated to face each other again on Sunday in the return leg.
Only 11 days after suffering a horrendous head injury in a domestic match against Terengganu, goalkeeper Farizal Marlias was once again called to action, returning to the JDT starting line-up in place of the injured Haziq Nadzli.
The first half was a tepid affair with chances few and far in between. An intercepted Shahrul Saad pass led to an early chance for Frontale but thankfully for JDT, the linesman flagged Daiya Tono for being in an offside position.
Both teams were squeezing the play, leaving little room for the players to manoeuvre with Bergson da Silva and Fernando Forestieri bereft of the space they like to operate in.
The only presentable chance for JDT came through a long range effort from La'Vere Corbin-Ong in the 39th minute but Frontale keeper Jung Sung-ryong was up to the task and easily fielded the shot.
If there was any hope for an increased intensity in the second half, it didn't come to pass as the pattern of play remained largely unchanged as if both teams adopted the mantra of not wanting to lose the game.
There wasn't any huge risk being taken by either side as the defensive shape became the first and most important order of business, leading to a speculative shot from Asahi Sasaki in the 74th minute being the only chance of note in the second period.
Benjamin Mora would no doubt be the happier of the two coaches with the draw especially when Toru Oniki rested nine players in the previous match against Guangzhou in preparation for this encounter against JDT.