JDT Return With Heads Held High — RM6.72 Million Brought Home from ACLE

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 — Despite failing to secure a semifinal berth in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are returning home as winners in another sense entirely — walking away with prize money totalling ASD1.7 million, equivalent to RM6.72 million.

JDT’s campaign came to an end at the quarterfinal stage after going down 1-2 to defending champions Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Yet that narrow defeat did nothing to diminish the pride the Malaysian representatives carried throughout the tournament.

Prize Money Breakdown

The prize money accumulated by JDT was earned step by step across the competition:

• ASD800,000 — Initial participation fee
• ASD300,000 — Earned from three group stage victories
• ASD200,000 — Qualification to the Round of 16
• ASD400,000 — Confirming a quarterfinal place

Total: ASD1,700,000 (RM6.72 million)

More Than Just Money

Throughout this ACLE campaign, JDT emerged as one of the most consistent sides from Southeast Asia — not only advancing past the group stage, but demonstrating tactical maturity when facing more experienced opposition.

The achievement has also opened the eyes of regional football fans to the fact that a Malaysian club is capable of competing at the highest level in Asia.

For local football observers, JDT’s performance is more than just numbers on a scoreboard — it is a clear signal that Malaysian football is stepping up on the Asian stage. The narrow loss to Al-Ahli is not the end, but rather proof that JDT are now on the right track to continue challenging the dominance of Asia’s football giants in the years ahead.