Persib stuns Bangkok Bank
Persib stuns Bangkok Bank
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian league champion Persib got off to a
flying start in its the Asian Champion's Cup campaign by stunning
host Bangkok Bank 2-0 in their first round first leg match in
Bangkok on Saturday.
It took Persib just 10 minutes to go 1-0 up, with Kekey
Zakaria netting a fine header. The second was scored by playmaker
Yusuf Bachtiar five minutes after the break.
"Persib is a good team with a solid teamwork," Bangkok Bank
team manager Subin Sinchai was quoted by Kompas as saying.
Playing in a heavily inundated pitch in front of around 3,000
Thai supporters, the Bandung-based team immediately directed its
attacks at Bangkok Bank's core of defense.
Sutiono played an inspirational role in the first goal. The
hard running striker, escaping from the close guard of defender
Lersan Rak-on, did not waste any time to straightforwardly fed a
pass to Yusuf who chipped the ball to the waiting Kekey.
The ball went into the left corner of the goal post, leaving
goalie Wacharapong Somchit lose his foot.
"This is my first goal while playing abroad," said Kekey, who
dedicated the goal to his two-month son.
Spearheaded by Ronnachai Sayomchai and Kanit Artcharayotin,
Bangkok Bank tried to retaliate with a relentless attacks from
the left and the right flanks. Even though Bangkok Bank was
fortified by its three national booters, Wacharapong Somcit,
Apichad Thaveechalermdit and Chercahi Suwanang, the attacks it
built were left at bay.
Without elegant midfield Yudi Guntara, Persib renewed charges
in the second half. The attacking football paid off.
Yusuf intercepted the ball from defender Amarit Eangvong.
After transferring it to Sutiono, he ran toward Wacharapong's
goal post. Sutiono sent the ball back to Yusuf who slammed a
devastating kick that totally sealed Bangkok's fate.
Around 800 Persib supporters were set ablaze following the
win, chanting a national song Halo-halo Bandung.
Persib will entertain the Thai league runner-up at the
Siliwangi stadium in Bandung on Sept. 30. (arf)