Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Padang: Indonesian champions Semen Padang remained on course for a place in the last 16 on their debut appearance in the AFC Cup after Liberian striker Edward Wilson scored twice to secure a 3-1 win over Hong Kong counterparts Kitchee on Wednesday.
Wilson followed up his goal in last week’s 2-1 win in Hong Kong by opening the scoring inside first 15 minutes at Agus Salim Stadium only for Jordi Tarres’ sixth goal of the campaign to pull Kitchee level before half-time.
But after substitute Muhammad Nur Iskandar, who was also on target last week as Semen extended their unbeaten record, regained the lead with 18 minutes remaining, Wilson’s free-kick soon after sealed a third win of the campaign for Jafri Sastrak’s side.
With Semen looking to follow up handing Kitchee a first defeat of the campaign last week, Wilson posed a threat from the first whistle and after visiting defender Zesh Rehman headed wide for the visitors, the Liberian opened the scoring after 14 minutes with a strong solo run and cool finish through the legs of goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng.
And the Liberian came close to extending the lead as Wilson first rattled the Kitchee crossbar from outside the penalty area with Zhenpeng beaten before the visiting goalkeeper had to his on his toes to push away an drilled effort from the lively striker.
But Kitchee were back on level terms 11 minutes before half-time as Tarres met Lo Chi Kwan’s left wing cross and directed a firm downward header beyond the reach of Semen goalkeeper Jandia Putra.
Semen had the ball in the net two minutes before half-time but Wilson was adjudged to have narrowly strayed offside as the Liberian followed up after Wang could only parry Vendry Mofu’s shot back out into the six-yard area.
Photo: WSG