I want to say that after scoring four today and having netted a hat-trick in this beautiful stadium already, I really feel at home here. To the fans - the Jak Mania - thank you so much for your support.

Four-goal hero Marko Simic salutes the Persija Jakarta faithful after he dominated the headlines with a superlative performance in the 4-0 win over Johor Darul Ta'zim.

The Myanmar side were made to work for the win after a brilliant start from the visitors, but slowly they worked their way back into the game and came away with a deserved win.

Bienvenido Maranon struck three times as Risto Vidakovic’s side made it four wins from five, and with his side dominating throughout the Spaniard had his teammates to thank for laying the hat-trick on a plate.

The score-line suggests a comfortable three points for the visitors, but the margins were finer than appears and Abahani needed a little luck to help them on their way.

Despite being a game which on the surface appeared heavily one-sided, only a Fatkhullo Fatkhulloev strike ended up separating the two sides. But for a few inches, Alay striker Amredin Sharifi could well have produced a late goal to level proceedings.

Istiklol's attacking profligacy made a contest of what should have been a comfortable 90 minutes for the hosts.

AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said the attendance for the ASEAN Zone Group H match was reflective of the continued improvements undertaken to enhance the prestige and standards of the competition.

Dato’ Windsor said: “The AFC, as envisaged in our Vision and Mission, is committed to improving the quality of our competitions for our players, fans and teams. This objective is reflected in this season’s AFC Cup with a record-breaking 44 clubs competing for the highest-ever prize money in the history of the competition.

“This record demonstrates the ever-increasing interest and wide appeal of the AFC’s competitions. I congratulate Persija Jakarta and I would also like to thank all our clubs and Member Associations for their commitment to improve the AFC Cup.

“It is particularly impressive this milestone was achieved in the group stages of the AFC Cup and I am confident, as we work closely with our Member Associations, we will continue to witness even more thrilling matches, which will engage and excite more passionate fans as the competition progresses into the knockout stages.”