Persib Bandung produced one of their finest performances of the season on October 1, stunning True Bangkok United 2-0 at the True BG Stadium in Pathum Thani in the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Two.
Heading into the game, few gave Bojan Hodak’s Maung Bandung much of a chance. The Indonesian giants had been inconsistent in the domestic league, sitting sixth in the Indonesian Super League with three wins, a draw, and two defeats. Their most recent outing had been a disappointing 2-1 loss to Persita Tangerang.
In contrast, Bangkok United looked formidable. Mano Polking’s side not only enjoyed home advantage but were also flying high in Thai League 1, placed third after six rounds with four wins, a draw, and just one loss. That defeat had come against leaders Buriram United, but they bounced back with a 1-0 victory over second-placed Ratchaburi FC, underlining their credentials as title contenders. Add to that the historical reality — Indonesian clubs traditionally struggle on Thai soil, with the gap in quality between the two leagues often painfully exposed — and the odds seemed heavily stacked against Persib.
Yet football has a way of defying expectations, and on this night, Persib rose to the occasion.
The match began with Bangkok United dictating possession and testing Persib’s backline with wave after wave of attack. But the visitors held firm, gradually growing into the contest. Their resilience was rewarded in the 42nd minute. Captain Marc Klok picked out Uilliam Barros, whose physicality unsettled the defense, allowing Andre Jung to pounce and slot home a simple tap-in past goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai.
Persib nearly doubled their lead on the hour mark when Jung again found the net after capitalizing on a goalkeeping error, only for the linesman’s flag to cut short the celebrations. The reprieve for Bangkok United, however, was short-lived.
In the 71st minute, Jung turned provider. His cross caused havoc inside the box, falling kindly for Uilliam, who lashed a shot that took a deflection off defender Everton before nestling into the net. The 2-0 lead sent the traveling Persib supporters into delirium.
From there, it was all about discipline and determination. Hodak’s men absorbed pressure, closed down spaces, and defended with grit to protect their advantage. When the final whistle blew, Persib had secured not just three valuable points, but also a statement win on one of Asia’s toughest away grounds.
For Persib, this victory could prove pivotal in their continental campaign — both in terms of confidence and group standings. For Indonesian football, it was a reminder that despite the challenges, their clubs are capable of producing results that resonate across Asia.