Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Jayapura: Home United stunned Group E winners Persipura Jayapura with a 2-0 victory at the Mandala Stadium on Wednesday although it was not enough to keep the Singaporean side in the AFC Cup.
Needing a win to keep the pressure on India’s Churchill Brothers in the race for second place in the group, the Singapore Cup holders made a splendid start against the Indonesian side as Fazrul Nawaz headed them into a 14th minute lead.
Persipura had won all five of their previous home games in the AFC Cup group stage but they found themselves further behind nine minutes later when Home captain Jumaat Jantan fired home from 20 metres to make it 2-0.
The hosts tried to claw back the deficit back they could not find a way past goalkeeper Shahril Jantan and his well-drilled defence. And although Lukas Mandowen did put the ball into the net for Persipura just before the hour, his effort was disallowed for handball.
Home moved up to 10 points after claiming their third straight win in Group E but it was not enough for them to advance to the knockout stage.
Churchill Brothers’ beat New Radiant 2-1 in the Maldives later on Wednesday to draw level on points with Home and they progressed to the last 16 due to their better record in the head-to-head meetings between the clubs.
While his team still finished first in the group, Persipura coach Jacksen Tiago was unhappy to see his team drop points in their final game.
“We are saddened and disappointed by this defeat but we must get over it because life goes on. We wlll learn from this defeat," said the Brazilian, whose team will now host Myanmar side Yangon United in the Round of 16 next month