Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Jayapura: Indonesian champions Persipura Jayapura got their AFC Cup campaign underway with goals from Boaz Solossa and Yohannes Pahabol in a 2-0 home victory over India’s Churchill Brothers on Tuesday at Mandala Stadium.
After a goalless first half, Indonesia international forward Solossa needed just four minutes following the restart to get his team off the mark and break the deadlock against the I-League champions.
And in the 62nd minute, Solossa’s strike-partner Pahabol doubled the lead to end the hopes of a vastly depleted Churchill Brothers side who could only present a squad of 14 players for the contest.
“In the first half we tried hard to score a goal, but our players struggled with their finishing, despite the many chances we had,” said Persipura coach Jacksen Tiago.
“Thankfully in the second half we made our pressure count and got two goals from Boaz Solossa and Pahabol to win this game.”
The reigning Indonesian champions took all three points as they did when hosting Indian opposition in their only other AFC Cup appearance in 2011, when they defeated East Bengal 4-1 at home in the group stage en route to the quarter-finals in their inaugural campaign.
Churchill Brothers coach Mariano Dias, meanwhile, cited the rigours of the team’s busy I-League schedule and lengthy journey from their home in Goa to Papua province in Indonesia as a major factor in his team’s defeat.
“My players are tired, that’s why in the second half we couldn't stop Persipura. The reason of this is we played in the domestic league on 21 February and then the next day we had to fly to Jakarta, and from Jakarta we flight Jayapura, that’s why my players are tired,” said Dias.
“In the first half we try hard to get goals but we weren’t able to. We needed to make some changes as our striker Balwantation as the hosts held on for the three points.