The Lion City Sailors are aiming to make it two wins out of two in the 2024/25 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two, but reigning Indonesia Liga 1 champions Persib Bandung stand in their way in what should be a tough encounter at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium on Thursday (24 October) night.
The only unbeaten team in Indonesia Liga 1
After winning the league last season via the Championship Series, which pitted the top four teams of the regular season in a two-legged knockout format, Persib are well-positioned for another title challenge this campaign, which has now reverted to a full league format.
After eight matchweeks, Persib sit third in the 18-team table, just one point behind joint-leaders Bali United and Persebaya Surabaya.
A 2-0 victory over Persebaya on Friday (18 October), which ended the latter’s unbeaten record, along with Borneo FC Samarinda’s first loss of the season the following day to Persis Solo, means Persib are now the only remaining undefeated side in the 2024/25 Indonesia Liga 1.
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However, their fortunes differ starkly in the ACL Two, where they currently sit at the bottom of Group F with zero points after back-to-back 1-0 defeats at home to Thailand’s Port FC, and away to China’s Zhejiang Professional.
Reflecting on the two defeats, Persib coach Bojan Hodak highlighted inexperience as the key factor behind their losses.
“We lost both matches in the final stages due to individual mistakes, but this comes down to experience,” Hodak noted. “At the international level, the teams are stronger, and if you make errors, they will punish you — something that may not happen as often in the local league. To improve, we need to play more consistently.”
He also pointed out the need for better scheduling to allow for adequate preparation, as he said, “We need help from the Indonesian league to provide a schedule that allows us to prepare properly. In the first round, we played six matches in 22 days, and it’s impossible to get good results under those conditions.
“We entered matches tired, couldn’t field our best XI, and injuries occurred due to this packed fixture list. Some of the injuries we have are directly linked to the tight schedule. We do everything we can and always aim to win, but players aren’t machines — they need proper rest to perform at their best, and for that, we need a better schedule.”
However, Hodak believes the upcoming match against the Sailors is the perfect opportunity to turn the tide.
He said, “It will be a tough match. The Sailors are one of the best teams in the region, having invested heavily, and you can see the results. They have already beaten a Chinese team (Zhejiang) who were favourites on paper, so they’re definitely strong.
“They’re top of the league in Singapore and don’t concede many goals, which makes them hard to beat. But I hope, in front of our fans at home, we can secure a positive result.”
Persib’s squad boasts several players who pose a serious threat to the Sailors. Captain and midfield maestro Marc Klok came through the ranks of FC Utrecht, while defender Nick Kuipers made 28 appearances in the Dutch Eredivisie between 2017 and 2019. Dutch-born Cape Verdean winger Mailson Lima also has experience in the Dutch second division.
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With last season’s Liga 1 top scorer, David da Silva, likely to miss out due to injury, the Sailors will need to be particularly cautious of former Brazil Under-20 winger Ciro Alves, who currently tops the Liga 1 assists chart with six.
Ex-LaLiga 2 playmaker Tyronne del Pino also poses a significant threat, ranking second in both goals and assists, with four each.
This foreign contingent is well-supported by a strong local core, including midfielder Rachmat Irianto, who has earned 31 caps for Indonesia at just 25 years old, and forward Dimas Drajad, who has netted six goals in 15 international appearances.
A hostile atmosphere expected
Notably, Persib’s win over Persebaya at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium was played behind closed doors, as they served the first of a two-match sanction imposed by the PSSI (Football Association of Indonesia) Disciplinary Committee. This came after a failure to maintain order and security during their 2-0 home win over Persija Jakarta on 23 September.
However, the sanction does not extend to ACL Two matches, so the Bobotoh (Persib’s fans) are expected to fill the stadium and enthusiastically support their beloved team in person.
“When the stadium is full, the atmosphere is fantastic, and it’s not easy for the opponents to play,” said Persib goalkeeper Kevin Ray Mendoza, who has 10 caps for the Philippines national team.
“The Sailors are a strong team. They already have three points while we have none, so they’re the favourites. But at home, we’re better, and we have to win. Offensively, they’re dangerous, especially Maxime (Lestienne), who can shoot with both feet.
“But it’s not just him — they have several players who can score stunning goals from outside the box, so we need to be mindful of that.”
Hodak also called on Persib’s fans to fill out the stadium, adding, “When opponents step onto the field and hear the crowd, maybe their legs will start to shake. Their support also gives extra motivation to the players, and they can perform better. So, I hope we have a full stadium for this match tomorrow.”
Sailors’ full throttle for ACL Two
Meanwhile, the Sailors come into this match in equally strong form, having extended their lead at the top of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) to six points with a solid 3-1 win over Hougang United.
That marked their final domestic game of 2024, allowing them to now fully focus on the ACL Two, where they will play five more group-stage matches between now and December.
With adverse weather and safety concerns leading to the rescheduling of their Matchday Two clash against Port FC, the Sailors are eager to build on the solid platform set by their opening 2-0 victory over Zhejiang.
When asked about the prospect of playing in front of a hostile, sell-out crowd, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković was adamant that his team would relish the challenge.
“I think it’s great to have a full stadium — this is what football is all about. I believe my players are also looking forward to these types of matches. Unfortunately, we don’t often get this kind of experience in Singapore, so playing in a packed stadium is added motivation,” said the Serb.
“We’re happy to be here, playing against one of Indonesia’s top clubs. We thrive on these challenges, and now that we’ve wrapped up our last league match for 2024, we can fully focus on ACL Two – and we can’t wait.”
One player that the Sailors can call upon to give a bit of an insight into Indonesian football is midfielder Song Uiyoung, who spent half a season with Persebaya in 2023 before re-joining the Sailors this March.
And the 30-year-old, who played against Persib last October in a 3-2 defeat for Persebaya, is anticipating an intense encounter on Thursday.
He said, “I know the players in Persib, I know the quality they have and the coach as well, so I’m sure it will be a good, competitive game. But we’re well prepared for the challenge, and we’re going to do our best.”