Dramatic, Persib Defeats Lion City in 13 Minutes in AFC Champions League 2

JAKARTA - Persib Bandung won dramatically against Lion City Sailors in the fourth match of the AFC Champions League 2 at Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore, Thursday, November 7, 2024, in the evening of Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

Maung Bandung scored three goals in 13 minutes to earn their first three points with a final score of 3-2.

Lion City Sailors, who drew 1-1 against Persib in the first meeting, are indeed on top.

They have collected seven points from three matches and are in second place in Group F East Region. The Singaporean club is already in sight of qualifying for the knockout phase.

However, the defeat from Maung Bandung has opened up the Group F competition to win a ticket to the last 16 again.

Lion City Sailors opened a quick lead in the ninth minute through Shawal Anuar. They then doubled the score through Maxime Lestienne in the 23rd minute.

The 2-0 lead lasted until halftime and made the hosts comfortable.

Entering the second half, Persib struggled to reduce the deficit plus they were under more pressure.

Several golden opportunities failed to produce goals through speculative long-range shots from Tyronne and Nick Kuipers that hit the crossbar.

Even three points for Lion City Sailors were already in sight. The reason is, the 2-0 lead lasted until the 81st minute.

However, Persib's revival began a minute after that. David da Silva opened the scoring for the visiting team in the 82nd minute.

Persib began to try everything to equalize. Eleven minutes after David da Silva's goal, their efforts finally paid off.

A 30-yard curling shot from center-back Mateo Kocijan finally equalized in the 92nd minute.

The goal became the spur for Bojan Hodak's team. Only three minutes later, Persib turned things around.

Lion City Sailors goalkeeper, Izwan Mahbud, was forced to pick the ball out of his net.

The goal started from a long-range pass that defender Toni Datkovic failed to anticipate.

The ball then fell to Tyronne who tricked Bailey Wright and Tan before firing into the bottom corner to make it 3-2.

The Lion City Sailors were clearly stunned. They had to be content with no points at home.

Meanwhile, Persib who earned full points opened up the opportunity to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League 2.

They now have four points and are in third place in the standings. Persib still has two remaining matches against the top of the standings and also Asnawi Mangkualam's club, Port FC, on November 28, 2024, and host bottom team Zhejiang on December 5, 2024.