Krung fends off Persebaya at home<\/p>\n
ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya<\/p>\n
Krung Thai Bank jumped out to an early lead and held off the
\nconcerted fightback of Persebaya Surabaya to win 2-1 in an Asian
\nChampions League game in Surabaya on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
All three goals in the contest were scored by the Thais -- two
\nfrom Sarun Promkeaw, and one own goal from Amnart Kaewkaew.<\/p>\n
Despite ending up the losers, the home team -- with the
\nvociferous support of thousands of fans crammed into the 10
\nNovember Stadium -- played well from the outset.<\/p>\n
Rahel Tuasalamony narrowly missed a chance to score when he
\nshot hit the goalpost. With Persebaya on the attack, its defense
\nbecame lax, allowing Sarun to score with a deft shot past Chinese
\ngoalkeeper Cheng Zeng in the 20th minute.<\/p>\n
Persebaya captain Bejo Sugiantoro tried to rally his team, but
\nit was unable to score in the first half.<\/p>\n
In the second, Persebaya came out fighting but to no avail.
\nBrazilian coach Jackson F. Tiago sent on substitutes Taufiq and
\nChoirul Anam to replace veterans Uston Nawawi and Slamet Nurcahyo
\nas the attacks intensified.<\/p>\n
The Thai team's second goal was almost a carbon copy of the
\nfirst, with the players stealing the ball off a Persebaya offense
\nfor Sarun to score again in the 51st minute.<\/p>\n
Persebaya was finally rewarded for its efforts when a shot
\nfrom Edu Juanda deflected off the leg of Amnart for a goal.<\/p>\n
Jackson said he was pleased with his team, especially in their
\nnever-say-die attitude even when trailing 0-2.<\/p>\n
\"It turns out that the young players are particularly
\noutstanding,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Krung Thai Bank coach Narong Suwannachot said his team was
\nboosted by the experience of beating PSM Makassar 3-2 in the
\nAsian Champions League last year in the South Sulawesi capital.<\/p>\n
\"We learned a lot from that game against PSM Makassar, and we
\ntried to implement it here and it worked,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Persebaya next plays Bin Ginh of Vietnam on March 16.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/krung-fends-off-persebaya-at-home-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }