Unfit Players And Injuries Become Persib Problems Ahead Of Zhejiang's Opponent

JAKARTA - Persib Bandung faced serious problems ahead of the match against China's representative, Zhejiang FC, on the final matchday of Group F of the 2024/2025 Asian Champions League. A number of players are reportedly not in good health and injury.

Persib Bandung coach, Bojan Hodak, did not deny that preparations ahead of the match which was held at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung Regency, Thursday, December 5, 2024, WIB night, did not run optimally.

The coach also continues to monitor and think about the condition of the players who will appear in this important match.

"Our preparation was a little difficult because there were several players who were sick and injured. However, in the end his condition was getting better and everything was ready for the match," said Hodak as quoted by the official Persib website on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

According to Bojan Hodak, the players who have been confirmed absent are Victor Igbonefo and Dimas Drajad.

Igbonefo is absent because his condition is not fit, while Dimas is still serving a ban on playing due to a red card against Lion City Sailors FC.

Apart from them, there are two young players, Kakang Rudianto and Robi Darwis, who will also be absent. They are with the Indonesian national team who are preparing to appear in the 2024 AFF Cup.

"The rest are ready to play. Of course two U-23 players, Robi and Kakang, are not with us. So, without them, the rest are ready," said the coach.

In this match, the victory became a fixed price for Maung Bandung in an effort to win a ticket to qualify for the last 16 of the Asian Champions League 2.

If able to win, Persib just hopes Lion City Sailors will fall at home to Port FC at the same time.

You see, Maung Bandung, who occupies the caretaker position, is only two points adrift of Lion City Sailors who has seven points and is in second place.

This scenario is a safe route for Persib to continue its journey to the next round of the Asian Champions League 2.