The Bluebirds’ first of two summer matches in Spain ended level after a 2-2 draw against Johor Darul Ta'zim.
Following a goalless first half, David Turnbull and Rubin Colwill were on the scoresheet in the second period.
City Head Coach Brian Barry-Murphy opted to field two different XIs for each half, with valuable minutes gained on the field.
The Bluebirds started the game brightly and forced an early chance, as striker Kion Etete showed great strength to turn in the box, before firing just wide of the post. Showing an eagerness to press, City forced the Southern Tigers into mistakes in possession and looked to win the ball back high up the pitch. The Malaysian champions forced a chance at the other end however, as Joao Figueiredo broke into the box and struck at goal, with Ethan Horvath producing a smart stop.
With a different XI taking the field in the second half, City made the perfect start to the second period, as Tanatswa Nyakuhwa found Turnbull, whose strike at goal found the net. The Bluebirds almost made it two just minutes later, as a swift move led to Yousef Salech firing just over.
Rubin Colwill and Cian Ashford then combined well to set up the latter to finish, but he was caught just offside. City’s appetite to press high and apply pressure on the Malaysian side’s backline continued in the second period, with the Bluebirds looking dangerous, but Johor Darul Ta'zim remained a threat and equalised with 59 minutes on the clock.
Barry-Murphy’s men reacted brilliantly and regained the lead three minutes later through Rubin Colwill, who struck a fine free-kick into the net. With ten minutes of the contest left, Nyakuhwa was involved in two chances for City, as he was found free on the right by Ryan Wintle. After a great touch into the box, the winger’s low cross was almost turned in. Shortly after, he found space in the box again, but was denied this time by the goalkeeper.
In added-time, the Malaysian champions found an equaliser, as a productive evening in Murcia ended level. City will face Southend United next up, with the fixture taking place at the Pinatar Arena on Saturday, July 12th, 6pm KO (UK time).
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2-2 JOHOR DAHUL TA’ZIM
First half XI: Horvath, Kpakio, Chambers, Tsunoda (Giles 24’), Mafico, J. Colwill, King, Tanner, Robertson, Willock, Etete.
Second half XI: Turner (Dennis 88’), Lawlor, Fish, Daland, Bagan, Turnbull, Wintle, Nyakuhwa, R. Colwill, Ashford, Salech.