Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bandung: Indonesian champions Persib Bandung made the ideal start to their AFC Cup campaign after recording a 4-1 win over New Radiant of the Maldives in Group H on Wednesday.
Achmad Jufriyanto opened the scoring for Persib, who lost in the first preliminary round of the AFC Champions League play-offs to Vietnam’s Hanoi T&T earlier this month, after 15 minutes at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium before Malian midfielder Makan Konate and captain Atep Rizal extended the advantage at the end of the first half.
Captain Ashad Ali, popularly known as Adey, did reduce the deficit for New Radiant on the hour mark, but substitute Yandi Sofyan ensured Persib ended the contest with a three-goal cushion after netting in stoppage time at the end of the second half to seal the win.
“The players kept their focus and executed the game plan very well and we managed to score three goals in first half,” said Persib coach Emral Abus.
“I told them that the opponents will try to bounce back and make tactical changes in second half and it's true. New Radiant played with more confidence in second half.
“Though we conceded one goal, we could add one more goal.”
New Radiant made a strong start as Slovakian Viliam Macko and Abdull Gani Akram created early chances for the visitors, although Persib soon came into the contest and Montenegrin defender Vladimir Vujovic fired over the crossbar after 14 minutes.
And the home side took the lead a minute later as Jufriyanto converted following good work from Tantan Dzalikha.
New Radiant came close to an equaliser 11 minutes later but Hamza Mohamed was unlucky to see his strike hit the crossbar.
But after wasting several chances, Persib doubled their lead as Konate turned Tony Sucipto’s cross past New Radiant goalkeeper Alisher Akhmedov three minutes before half-time.
And there was still time for the home side to add a third as captain Atep netted from a quickly taken free-kick in stoppage time.
New Radiant, though, came out strongly at the start of the second half and the visitors reduced the deficit on the hour mark as Adey netted from Dave Moli’s assist.
The visitors threatened to make further inroads into Persib’s advantage as the half progressed, but after Tantan wasted two good chances for the home side, substitute Yandi secured the win with a close range finish in stoppage time.
“We're very disappointed with the result. I don't remember when the last time was we lost with such a score. From the tactical point of view, there are lots of things we missed in first half,” said New Radiant coach Mika Lonnstrom.
“In second half, we made a few tactical changes and we showed good form in first 15 minutes, but we couldn't change the result in 90 minutes. The first three goals were very easy.
“We didn't defend well today as the players were not in their position and I'm not happy with that. We gave up the ball too easy, especially in first half, and it caused big problems.”