Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Jayapura: A quickfire brace from midfielder Imanuel Wanggai meant Persipura Jayapura tightened their hold on the top spot in AFC Cup Group E with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Maldivian side New Radiant on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old Indonesia international’s double came on the 63rd and 68th minutes after a first-half penalty from captain Ian Kabes had given the home side a half-time lead at Mandala Stadium.
The result means the Indonesian side remain top of Group E with seven points from three games, while New Radiant are third with three points.
Prior to the match, coach Jacksen Tiago had brushed off the absence through suspension of Boas Salossa, the regular captain of his Indonesian Super League champions, while the Brazilian also had regular starter Dominggus Fakdawer and Liberian international forward Boakai Eddie Foday unavailable.
But despite being kept out for almost the entire first half, the home side were not to be denied as they were awarded a penalty with two minutes remaining before the interval after Titus Bonai was brought down in the box by New Radiant defender Abdulla Ahmad.
Stand-in skipper Kabes kept his composure and dispatched the spot-kick to put Persipura a goal up at the interval.
After the restart, the home side continued to dominate and they deservedly increased the lead just after the hour when Kabes set up Wanggai to make it 2-0.
And just five minutes later, Wanggai slammed home a shot from the top of the New Radiant box to put the result behind doubt.
“New Radiant are is a good team, but today I can appreciate what my players have done because they played good football and came out of this game as winners,” said a delighted Tiago.
“The result is good for us and I hope this give my players more confidence for our next two games in April in the Maldives and India.”
New Radiant manager Ismail Wisham felt that Persipura’s win was fully deserved.
“Today, our players didn't play as we would have wanted but it was difficult for them to find their rhythm because Persipura's midfielders play very well and they were also good in defence and attack,” he said.
“It is difficult to single out any of them as Persipura's key player because all of them played well and played as a team. We also have good and strong players but we will have to work hard to get a win in the return game in Maldives.”