Dewa United Banten moved within touching distance of a quarter-final berth after cruising to a dominant 4-0 victory over Tainan City FC in their 2025/26 AFC Challenge League Group E encounter on October 29 at the Indomilk Arena in Tangerang.
Under the guidance of head coach Jan Olde Riekerink, the Banten Warriors now require only a draw against Myanmar’s Shan United FC on November 1 to confirm their progression to the knockout rounds.
The visitors from Chinese Taipei were dealt an early blow just four minutes in, when goalkeeper Pan Wen-Chieh was forced off following a nasty collision with the goalpost. Substitute Tsai Shuo-Che was brought on to replace him — and his first real involvement came moments later, picking the ball out of his net.
In the seventh minute, Egy Maulana Vikri unlocked Tainan’s backline with a sublime through ball, allowing Alexis Messidoro to slot home the opener with calm precision.
Dewa United continued to dictate the tempo and were rewarded again in the 28th minute through the same devastating duo. Egy whipped in a pinpoint cross from the right flank, and Messidoro rose highest to steer home a firm header, doubling the Indonesian side’s advantage.
Ten minutes before the interval, the Argentine returned the favour — threading a perfectly weighted pass for Egy, who cut inside and curled the ball beyond Tsai into the bottom corner, making it 3-0 and putting Dewa United firmly in control.
Tainan City, desperate to find a response, introduced forwards Estama Benchy and former Persis Solo man Facundo Aranda at half-time, but the changes failed to turn the tide. Three minutes before the hour mark, Dewa United struck again — Egy combined with Messidoro once more, and his clever cutback was met by Privat Mbarga, who powered home the fourth goal to complete the rout.
Messidoro nearly capped his brilliant night with a hat-trick in the 79th minute after meeting a deflected cross from Egy, only for defender Kuo Po-Wei to make a crucial goal-line clearance to deny him.
It was nonetheless a statement performance from Dewa United, whose clinical finishing and fluid attacking play left no doubt that they belong among the competition’s elite.