Chengdu Better City vs Johor Darul Takzim FC Match Recap - Oct 21, 2025

Johor Darul Takzim FC Seizes Control in Chengdu: A Clinical Away Performance Reshapes AFC Champions League Group Dynamics

On a muted autumn evening at the Wuliangye Sports Center Stadium, where the haze of Sichuan hung heavy over the terraces and expectation pressed in with equal weight, Chengdu Better City’s continental ambitions were upended by a ruthless and organized Johor Darul Takzim FC side. The 2-0 final score did more than mark a vital away victory—it shifted the narrative of an AFC Champions League group in flux, signaling Johor’s intent and leaving Chengdu searching for answers amid familiar frustrations.

From the opening whistle, the Malaysian champions played with a calculated urgency that has come to define their recent outings. It required all of five minutes for Johor to stamp their authority, as Spanish forward Óscar Arribas Pasero ghosted between defenders and steered in a deft header at the far post, capitalizing on an early lapse that left Chengdu’s back line stranded and their goalkeeper rooted for answers. The shock of conceding so soon left Chengdu shaky, their midfield slow to recover, the supporters rumbling in unease—a critical early turning point that set the tone for what followed.

Johor, carrying momentum from a string of convincing wins—most notably a seven-goal extravaganza against PDRM and a resilient draw with Machida Zelvia—displayed the same blend of discipline and audacity that has propelled them up both domestic and continental tables. Their shape rarely wavered, even as Chengdu pressed, led by Rômulo and Ming Yang Yang, whose recent exploits have given the home side hope during a patchwork stretch of form. Yet, as Chengdu sought a route back into the game, Johor’s defensive lines held firm, snuffing out half-chances before they could mature, denying Timo Letschert and Tim Chow the spaces they had so eagerly found a week prior.

The second half began with Chengdu’s urgency laid bare, their attacks growing desperate if not coherent. But as the hour mark approached, Johor delivered the coup de grâce. In the 62nd minute, Ignacio Méndez found himself at the edge of the box—his eyes scanning a wall of defenders before curling a precise shot past the outstretched arms of the Chengdu keeper. The finish was as silencing as it was sublime, a reminder of Johor’s technical acumen and their comfort in high-pressure surroundings.

The evening’s drama was notable as much for what did not occur as for what did. No red cards marred the contest, though tempers flared and challenges grew sharper—a credit to an officiating crew that kept control without stifling the match’s intensity. Both sides ended with all eleven men on the pitch, but only Johor walked off possessing the rhythm and confidence that comes with a job well executed.

For Chengdu, the defeat offers a sobering context: two losses in three continental matches; a solitary win against Gangwon FC now fading in the rearview. Their attack, so lively in the Super League, looked disjointed and labored tonight. Despite recent multi-goal heroics from Rômulo and a resurgence from Tim Chow, their Champions League form has been irregular, now reflected in a precarious 7th place, three points from three matches and pressure mounting.

Johor Darul Takzim, conversely, continues their climb. With four points from three played, they now sit 5th—a single point clear of Chengdu, armed with a crucial away victory and momentum from an undefeated streak stretching five games across all competitions, including high-scoring domestic outings and continental resilience.

There may have been little recent head-to-head history between the two sides, but tonight’s encounter will linger in memory as a benchmark—not simply for the clinical nature of Johor’s performance, but for the broader implications on the group’s trajectory. With the standings now tight, each fixture weighs heavier: Chengdu must rebound, searching for answers in attack and cohesion in defense if they are to challenge for knockout-round contention. Johor, meanwhile, have established themselves as group disruptors, capable of seizing moments and shaping outcomes, now eyeing further points and the promise of deeper progress.

In the days ahead, the pressure will intensify, for the margins separating hope from disappointment are narrowing with each matchday. Tonight in Chengdu, Johor Darul Takzim FC did more than collect three points—they delivered a statement, one that will echo through a group where certainty is always the first casualty.