"Remontada" in Petailing Jaya, Persib on the Verge of History by Qualifying for the Round of 16 of ACL 2

BANDUNG, KOMPAS - Persib Bandung came back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 3-2 victory against the host Selangor FC in the Group G match of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/2026 at the MBPJ Stadium in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, on Thursday night (6/11/2025). This result brings Persib to the brink of making history by qualifying for the group stage for the first time.

With this result, Persib tops the temporary standings of Group G in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two with 10 points, one point ahead of Bangkok United, who previously won 2-1 against Lion City Sailors. Persib now only needs one more point to secure a ticket to the round of 16.

In the match that took place at 19:15 WIB, the home team Selangor FC, nicknamed the "Red Giants," played aggressively from the first half.

Selangor even started the match perfectly. In the third minute, Alvin Fortes deceived two defenders on the right side before passing the ball to Selangor's striker Chrigor Moraes, who finished from close range. Selangor led 1-0.

Persib briefly responded by testing the Selangor goalkeeper, Sikh Izhan Nazrel, in the 13th minute. However, a powerful shot from Uilliam Barros from a distance went straight to Nazrel.

The host even extended their lead in the 17th minute. It was Moraes' turn to break into the penalty area. At that moment, Persib's goalkeeper Teja Paku Alam made a save.

However, in the crowd in front of the goal, Persib defender Patricio Matricardi accidentally headed the ball into his own net. Selangor took the lead 2-0 despite the match having only been played for 17 minutes.

Persib tried to overturn their two-goal deficit with several clear chances. However, Nazrel proved resilient in front of goal.

He, for instance, made a double save in the 37th minute by deflecting a shot from Luciano Guaycochea and then stopping a follow-up attempt from striker Andrew Jung.

Entering the second half, the message from Persib Coach Bojan Hodak during the halftime break seemed to revive the spirit of his players. This time, Jung's shot, thanks to an assist from Berguinho inside the penalty area, forced Nazrel to retrieve the ball from his net in the 49th minute. Persib began to close the gap to 1-2.

The attacks from Persib have become increasingly intense. Opportunity after opportunity arose through Berguinho, Haye, and Klok. However, the final finishing has still not been optimal.

In the 65th minute, Hodak made three substitutions simultaneously. Luciano, Berguinho, and Putros were replaced by Beckham Putra Nugraha, Robi Darwis, and Adam Alis. These three local talents invigorated the pace of play for the team nicknamed "Pangeran Biru."

Finally, in the 81st minute, Adam Alis' powerful kick managed to equalize the score to 2-2 after receiving a perfect pass from Klok.

As if "Lady Luck" had turned away from Selangor, the team's suffering continued when Nazrel made a blunder in extra time. His kick hit Adam and went into his own net, ensuring an extraordinary victory for Persib in the 90+7 minute.

Not long after, the referee blew the long whistle marking the hard-fought victory of Persib in the neighboring country. This victory solidifies Maung Bandung's path towards the knockout phase of the ACL Two this season.

According to Klok, the victory over Selangor FC was a fitting tribute to the Bobotoh, the nickname for Persib supporters.

Because Bobotoh have taken the time, spent energy and even a lot of money to directly support Persib wherever they compete.

"The only way for us to make them remember this moment is to create a beautiful night for them," said the captain wearing jersey number 23.