Persib ready for Champions Cup<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian league winner Persib Bandung,
\nshrugging off its irksome warm-up match against Jakarta, has
\nvowed to fight it out in its Asia Champions Cup debut at Bangkok
\non Saturday.<\/p>\n
Indra Tohir's men visit Thai league runner-up Bangkok Bank in
\nthe first leg of their Cup first round match, when they hope to
\npave the way for an easier home match in Bandung, West Java, on
\nSept. 30.<\/p>\n
\"We will not waste the chance we have grabbed. We play this
\ngame not only for ourselves, but for the country's 190 million
\npeople,\" Indra said.<\/p>\n
Despite the disadvantage of playing before an opposing crowd
\nat the Chulalangkorn stadium, Persib will likely stick to its
\nbrand of attack soccer, which has led it to the President's Cup
\ntrophy in the Indonesian League final in July.<\/p>\n
Sutiono, Kekey Zakaria and Yusuf Bachtiar play Persib's
\ninspirational role in the up-front charges. A five-strong
\nmidfield team led by Yudi Guntara is expected to feed the
\nforwards relentless goal scoring chances.<\/p>\n
It was Sutiono who netted a winner in Persib's 1-0 victory
\nover Petrokimia Putra, following a flashy assault from the
\nmidfield.<\/p>\n
\"Bangkok Bank is not an unbeatable team. We have a great
\nchance to make it through the second round,\" captain Robby Darwis
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Bangkok Bank represents Thailand in the Cup, along with league
\nchampion Thai Farmers. The Farmers will enter the Cup as the
\ntitle holder.<\/p>\n
Indra's side will step onto the pitch with a severe blow on
\nits face when it was humiliated 1-4 by the Jakarta team groomed
\nfor the National Games three days ago.<\/p>\n
\"The defeat won't matter to us at all. You can't judge our
\nchance just because of a loss during a warm-up, \" Indra said,
\nadding that his players were too tired after a rigorous stint for
\nthe past two weeks.<\/p>\n
\"We played a lethargic game just to avoid any unprecedented
\ninjuries,\" Indra said.<\/p>\n
Persib is scheduled to leave for Bangkok today. (amd)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/persib-ready-for-champions-cup-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }