Persib ready for Champions Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian league winner Persib Bandung, shrugging off its irksome warm-up match against Jakarta, has vowed to fight it out in its Asia Champions Cup debut at Bangkok on Saturday.

Indra Tohir's men visit Thai league runner-up Bangkok Bank in the first leg of their Cup first round match, when they hope to pave the way for an easier home match in Bandung, West Java, on Sept. 30.

"We will not waste the chance we have grabbed. We play this game not only for ourselves, but for the country's 190 million people," Indra said.

Despite the disadvantage of playing before an opposing crowd at the Chulalangkorn stadium, Persib will likely stick to its brand of attack soccer, which has led it to the President's Cup trophy in the Indonesian League final in July.

Sutiono, Kekey Zakaria and Yusuf Bachtiar play Persib's inspirational role in the up-front charges. A five-strong midfield team led by Yudi Guntara is expected to feed the forwards relentless goal scoring chances.

It was Sutiono who netted a winner in Persib's 1-0 victory over Petrokimia Putra, following a flashy assault from the midfield.

"Bangkok Bank is not an unbeatable team. We have a great chance to make it through the second round," captain Robby Darwis said.

Bangkok Bank represents Thailand in the Cup, along with league champion Thai Farmers. The Farmers will enter the Cup as the title holder.

Indra's side will step onto the pitch with a severe blow on its face when it was humiliated 1-4 by the Jakarta team groomed for the National Games three days ago.

"The defeat won't matter to us at all. You can't judge our chance just because of a loss during a warm-up, " Indra said, adding that his players were too tired after a rigorous stint for the past two weeks.

"We played a lethargic game just to avoid any unprecedented injuries," Indra said.

Persib is scheduled to leave for Bangkok today. (amd)