Persib Bandung staged a remarkable comeback from two goals down to defeat Lion City Sailors FC 3-2, keeping their 2024/25 AFC Champions League Two knockout stage hopes alive.
The dramatic win in Group F at the Jalan Besar Stadium denied the Sailors an early passage to the next round, although the Singaporean side remains in contention.
LCS struck first in the ninth minute when Maxime Lestienne’s clever through ball allowed Shawal Anuar to lob Persib’s keeper Kevin Ray Mendoza, giving the hosts an early lead. Persib quickly attempted to respond, with Tyronne del Pino unleashing a powerful shot from the right that LCS’ keeper Izwan Mahbud managed to save. Persib’s troubles deepened in the 23rd minute when they failed to clear a long throw-in, allowing Lestienne to head the ball past Mendoza and double the Sailors’ lead.
Persib created several chances, with Tyronne’s fierce strike hitting the crossbar in the 26th minute. Despite LCS’ early second-half dominance, Persib began to assert themselves as the game progressed, especially after the Maung Bandung head coach Bojan Hodak introduced the likes of Adam Alis, David da Silva, Mailson Lima and Robi Darwis into the fray. Tyronne forced Izwan into a fine save just before the hour mark, signaling Persib’s growing threat.
Their efforts paid off in the 81st minute when Marc Klok’s shot hit the bar, and David was quick to capitalize on the rebound, heading the ball into the net. Minutes later, Mateo Kocijan equalized with a stunning strike from distance into the top right corner, taking advantage of an excellent ball from the previously much-maligned Mailson – an assist that could prove to be the start of a redemption arc for the Cape Verdean international who had endured a torrid time in a Persib shirt since his arrival at the start of the season.
In the closing moments, Nick Kuipers set Tyronne up inside the box, and he slotted the ball past a stunned Izwan, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory for Persib.