Host Persib still has chance to make comeback<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): A bitter 3-2 loss to the 1994 Japan League
\nchampion Verdy Kawasaki on Sunday will not deter host Persib
\nBandung from having its day, the second day of the 15th Asian
\nChampions Cup quarterfinal matches.<\/p>\n
\"We shall not let ourselves be overwhelmed by disappointment.
\nLet's look ahead to make our day in the next two matches. We
\nstill have a chance,\" said Persib coach Indra Tohir.<\/p>\n
Indra encouraged his team by insisting they had done what they
\ncould and suggesting he applied the wrong strategy.<\/p>\n
Persib will play South Korean League champion FC Ilhwa Chunma
\ntoday. The Korean team recently kept its national title.<\/p>\n
Ilhwa drew 1-1 with Thai Farmers Bank of Bangkok on the
\nopening day last Sunday and will take on Verdy today.<\/p>\n
\"It (the defeat) really hurts. Twice have we been better on
\npoints than them during the match,\" said a dismal-looking Kekey
\nZakaria, Persib's striker.<\/p>\n
Verdy twice fell behind to goals from Kekey and Asep Kustiana.
\nTakanori Nunobe, and man of the match Sergio Henrique Bernardes
\nthen leveled the game.<\/p>\n
A last minute goal by Shingi Ono ruined Persib. Ono curled a
\nfree kick around Persib's defensive wall to beat goalkeeper Anwar
\nSanusi and give Verdy a crucial win to start its campaign in the
\nEast Asia quarterfinal league.<\/p>\n
Verdy's one point edge, erased the host's hopes in a single
\nstroke. The defeat was an obvious disappointment for the 25,000
\ncapacity crowd jamming Siliwangi Stadium.<\/p>\n
Verdy's coach, Rubens Fantato Filho, praised Persib. He said
\nPersib was a compact team with excellent teamwork.<\/p>\n
\"I am satisfied with the result. Winning or losing is just a
\nmatter of fate. We win because the odds are with us,\" Fantato
\nphilosophized.<\/p>\n
Sasom Pobprasert inspired defending champion Thai Farmer's
\nBank's to hold Ilhwa Chunma 1-1.<\/p>\n
Missing four first team players because of Thailand's
\ncommitment to the Southeast Asia Games in Chiangmai, Thai Farmers
\ncame from a goal down to take a point in the opening fixture.<\/p>\n
Ilhwa, with all its best players on the pitch, scored first in
\nthe 58th minute through Sin Tae Yong. Worrawoot Srimaka then
\nheaded Sasom's free kick into the bottom corner of the net to tie
\nup the match.<\/p>\n
Verdy top the group with three points, with Ilhwa Chunma and
\nThai Farmers Bank sharing second. The top two clubs at the end of
\nthe round-robin tournament will meet the top two from the West
\nAsia tournament in Riyadh in the semifinals. (pet\/arf)<\/p>",
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