Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) dreams of becoming the first team from their country to reach the AFC Champions League group stages came crashing down in their second round play-off on Tuesday night as Thai Premier League (TPL) side Bangkok Glass condemned them to a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Leo Stadium.
Midfielder Narong Jansawek grabbed the TPL side's opener in the 28th minute. Former Namibian international Lazarus Kaimbi made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute and grabbed a second 10 minutes later to knock out Bojan Hodak's team from the elite continental competition.
S.League winners Warriors FC suffered the same fate as their counterparts across the Causeway, losing away to Chinese Super League team Guangzhou R&F by an identical margin at the Yuexiushan Stadium in Guangzhou.
Chinese international midfielder Jiang Zhipeng scored the opener in the 52nd minute against Alex Weaver's side. South Korean international defender Jang Hyun-soo doubled the lead for Cosmin Contra's team eight minutes later. Former China international forward Zhang Suo completed the rout in the 73rd minute.
The Singapore club, however, unlike their Malaysian counterparts have previously participated in the group stages of the AFC Champions League, a back-to-back distinction they achieved in 2009 and 2010.
JDT had defeated India's I-League champions Bengaluru FC 2-1 in the first round playoff at the Larkin Stadium on Feb. 4. Warriors got past Myanmar champions Yadanarbon FC 6-5 on penalties after their away first found play-off game on the same day had ended goalless after regular and extra time.
Former Brisbane Roar captain and defender Matt Smith, Bangkok Glass' marquee signing of the pre-season, was a solid presence at the heart of Ricardo Rodriguez's team with a 39th minute yellow card being the only blemish. The English-born defender has earned three full Australia caps.
Bangkok Glass will take on 13-time Chinese Super League winners Beijing Guaon away on Feb. 17 in their third round qualifier for a place in the group stages. Guangzhou R&F will play A-League runners-up Central Coast Mariners in their third round qualifier on the same day.