Persija Jakarta exhibited a remarkable performance as they clinched a 3-1 victory over Shan United in the AFC Cup match held at Thuwunna Stadium. The Indonesian team, which had previously drawn in their home game, traveled 3,000 kilometers to Myanmar and secured a crucial win.
Shan United, despite a narrow loss against Ceres-Negros, entered the match with confidence stemming from their strong record in the Myanmar National League. However, facing the 2018 Liga 1 champions proved to be a daunting challenge. In contrast, Persija Jakarta, after a busy pre-season, demonstrated their dominance in the AFC Cup due to their past qualifications for the intermediate stage.
The match initially saw a sparse audience, with only 600 tickets sold, resulting in a nearly empty 32,000-seat stadium. Nonetheless, both teams displayed a spirited performance on the field. Persija exhibited dominance from the left side, while Bruno Matos made notable attempts to penetrate Shan United’s defense.
Despite conceding an early goal, Persija remained resolute and registered several attempts in the first half. Bruno Matos had a close chance with a free-kick, hitting the crossbar but failing to secure an equalizer before halftime.
However, the Indonesian team turned the tide in the second half and eventually found the back of the net. A well-executed pass from Hery Susanto led to Bruno Matos’ equalizing goal, followed by Steven Paulle’s header from a corner kick to put Persija in the lead.
In a desperate attempt to equalize, Shan United increased their attacks, but Persija capitalized on a counter-attack. Bruno Matos, receiving a pass from Rohit Chand, secured his second goal of the match, sealing the 3-1 victory for Persija.
Despite initially trailing, Persija displayed resilience and control throughout the game, with 55% ball possession and 17 chances created, six of which were on target. In contrast, the hosts managed only one shot on target, resulting in Persija’s goal.
With this victory, Persija currently leads Group G and looks forward to their upcoming match against Ceres-Negros. The match is scheduled to take place at the Paanad Stadium in Bacolod on April 3rd.
Persija Jakarta’s triumph over Shan United showcased their strength and determination in the AFC Cup, positioning them as a formidable force in the competition.
Leave a Reply