Substitute David da Silva came in clutch for Persib Bandung in Thursday night’s 2024/25 AFC Champions League Two match as his late header clinched a 2-2 draw with Port FC at the BG Stadium in Pathum Thani, a result that not only sealed Port’s qualification to the knockouts, but also maintained Persib’s own hopes for qualification.
The draw brought Port’s tally to 10 points, and with Singapore’s Lion City Sailors suffering a 4-2 defeat to China’s Zhejiang FC earlier in the day, Rangsan Vivatchaichok’s team is guaranteed a top-two finish in Group F.
Persib, sitting at the bottom with five points, still have a slim chance of advancing as they approach next week’s final round of matches. The Maung Bandung would have to beat Zhejiang at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium next week and hope that Port would do them a favor and deny LCS the full three points in Singapore.
Port started brightly, with Bordin Phala creating the first big chance by dribbling past two defenders only to have his effort blocked by Persib goalkeeper Kevin Ray Mendoza.
However, it was Persib who struck first in the 17th minute. Asnawi Mangkualam fouled fellow Indonesia international Marc Klok in the penalty area, and Ciro Alves coolly converted from the spot to give the Indonesian side the lead.
Port wasted no time responding. Just a minute later, Asnawi redeemed himself by delivering a perfect cross into the box, which Lonsana Doumbouya converted on his second attempt.
The Guinean striker doubled his tally in the 31st minute, expertly meeting Felipe Amorim’s cross with a half-volley at the far post to give Port a 2-1 advantage heading into halftime.
Doumbouya came close to completing a perfect hat-trick in the 55th minute with a header from Kevin Deeromram’s corner, but the ball landed on the roof of the net.
Port continued to press, and substitute Supahan Bureerat nearly extended their lead with a powerful long-range effort in the 63rd minute, forcing Mendoza into a full-stretch save.
A desperate Persib threw men forward as time trickled down. Their persistence paid off in stoppage time when Ryan Kurnia’s lob hit the crossbar, allowing David to nod in the rebound and secure a vital point for the Indonesian side.