AFC Champions League League Phase East - 5
Melbourne City 2 - 0 FT Johor Darul Takzim FC
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
3' M. Caputo (T. Kanamori)
11' Liam Bonetig
25' Aziz Behich
HT
60' Zane Schreiber
↓ N. Insa ↑A. Teto 60'
63' ↓ L. Bonetig ↑B. Kutleshi
63' ↓ T. Kanamori ↑M. Memeti
69' ↓ M. Caputo ↑A. Nabbout
69' ↓ K. Rahmani ↑B. Baker
↓ J. Silva ↑S. Castillejo 76'
↓ R. Parra ↑C. Bermejo 88'
89' ↓ Z. Schreiber ↑P. Antoniou
90' M. Memeti (B. Baker)
90'+2 Patrick Beach
Bergson 90'+2
90'+5 Germán Ferreyra
Teto Martín 90'+5
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Melbourne City
Goalkeepers
P. Beach 
OCTOPUS
9
Saves
9
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
H. Shillington 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Ferreyra
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Bonetig
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
63
Entry
A. Behich 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
Z. Schreiber 
BRUISER
3
Fouls
3
Fouls
Yellow
Cards
1
Tackles
K. Trewin
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Kanamori 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7.5
Rating
A. Kuen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Rahmani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
69
Entry
Forwards
M. Caputo 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
BENCH
D. Ochsenham 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
L. Charles
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
S. Souprayen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Necovski
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Antoniou
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Kutleshi
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
R. Kalms
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Mackintosh
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Nabbout
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Memeti 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.3
Rating
B. Baker 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
21
Minutes
7.3
Rating
Johor Darul Takzim FC
Goalkeepers
A. Zubiaurre
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
R. Parra 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
E. Israfilov 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
80%
Duel Win %
Antonio Cristian 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
46%
Pass Acc
J. Silva
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
N. Insa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
60
Entry
O. Arribas 
DRIBBLER
3
Dribbles
3
Dribbles
3
Attempts
100%
Success %
A. Fazail
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Mendez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
J. Park
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Lowry
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Corbin-Ong
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Faiz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Teto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Castillejo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Hidalgo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Bermejo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
2
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Abad Amat
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Hazmi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Saad
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
League Standings
P: 5 GD: +6
P: 5 GD: +1
P: 5 GD: +3
P: 5 GD: +3
P: 5 GD: +2
P: 5 GD: +1
P: 5 GD: +1
P: 5 GD: -1
P: 5 GD: -2
P: 5 GD: -2
P: 5 GD: -3
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -8
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Melbourne City Defy the Odds in Clinical ACL Victory
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 21/100. A masterclass in clinical finishing and defensive resilience allowed Melbourne City to overcome a dominant but wasteful Johor Darul Takzim FC.
A Study in Statistical Defiance
The tactical script at AAMI Park was rewritten early as a disciplined home side invited pressure only to strike with lethal precision. While Johor Darul Takzim FC controlled 55% of the possession and dictated the tempo of the opening phase, they lacked the final touch required to break the deadlock. An Intensity score of 4.0 reflects a match defined by high volume rather than high efficiency, as the Malaysian side attempted to overwhelm the Melbourne City backline. Despite the territorial advantage, it was the hosts who capitalized on their limited opportunities, demonstrating a level of efficiency that left the visitors shell-shocked. The early exchanges set a pattern of relentless away pressure met by a resilient blue wall that refused to crumble under the floodlights.
The Great Wall of Melbourne
The middle period of this encounter centered on a remarkable discrepancy between effort and reward. A barrage of 23 shots from the visitors turned the pitch into a shooting gallery, yet they found no way past a goalkeeper in inspired form. With 9 saves recorded for the home side, the individual performance between the posts became the primary obstacle for the JDT attack. A Balance rating of 0.9 suggests a game that was far more lopsided in general play than the final scoreline suggests. Every time the Malaysian giants carved out a big chance, the City shot-stopper was there to extinguish the danger. This inability to convert dominance into goals proved to be the pivotal factor, as the Australian side remained patient, waiting for the perfect moments to double their advantage and effectively end the contest.
Strategic Ascent in the Group Stage
As the match reached its conclusion, the reality of the result began to settle in for both managers. Melbourne City’s ability to secure a 2-0 victory while taking fewer than half as many shots as their opponents highlights a growing maturity on the continental stage. The Stakes score of 1.0 underscores the importance of these three points, which propel the hosts into 4th place in the standings with 13 points. Conversely, the Upset Factor of 0.0 indicates that while JDT were statistically superior in many departments, the result followed the expected trajectory for a disciplined home side. For Johor, a drop to 7th place leaves them with significant work to do, having failed to make their 105 passes into the final third count. City, meanwhile, celebrate a victory built on grit and a ruthless eye for goal.
Key Questions
How did Melbourne City win despite fewer shots?
Clinical finishing and a superb goalkeeping performance with 9 saves allowed Melbourne to win 2-0 despite facing 23 shots from JDT.
What does this mean for the group standings?
Melbourne City climbs to 4th place with 13 points, while Johor Darul Takzim FC remains in 7th with 8 points after seven matches.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Tactical Chess with High Stakes in Melbourne
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 46/100. A high-pressure encounter where tactical discipline will likely override attacking flair as both sides eye the knockout rounds.
The Setup
As the AFC Champions League league stage enters its critical phase, Melbourne City welcomes Johor Darul Takzim FC to AAMI Park on November 25. The narrative is simple: survive and advance. The hosts currently occupy 4th place with 13 points, enjoying a strong Form rating of 5.8 after an unbeaten five-game run. In contrast, the visitors from Malaysia sit 7th, clinging to a playoff spot but needing a result to stave off the chasing pack. While the Stakes are high at 7.0, a low Stars rating of 1.6 suggests this won't be a showcase of individual brilliance, but rather a grueling battle of systems.
Key Battle
The game will be won or lost in the central third. The Johor Darul Takzim FC midfield, orchestrated by João Figueiredo and Nacho Méndez, must find a way to bypass Melbourne City's disciplined defensive block. With Nenê providing the link to the attack, JDT has the technical tools to maintain possession, but they face a Melbourne side that has conceded only seven goals in seven matches. The Australian side’s collective organization remains their greatest asset against JDT’s creative sparks.
Our Prediction
Expect a cagey opening as neither side wants to blink first in this knockout-style tie. Melbourne City’s superior Balance and home advantage give them the edge, but JDT’s desperation for points will make them difficult to break down. Without marquee individuals to provide a moment of magic, this match is likely to drift toward a stalemate or be decided by a single set-piece. A 1-1 draw seems the most logical outcome, keeping both teams firmly in the hunt for the top-24 playoff line.