Teknowarta – In a stunning display of resilience, Persib Bandung once again showcased their championship mentality, staging an extraordinary comeback. Traveling to Sumpah Pemuda Stadium in Bandar Lampung on Thursday night (April 30), the ‘Blue Princes’ defied the odds, rallying from a deficit to clinch a dramatic 4-2 victory over Bhayangkara FC.
The early minutes were brutal for Persib. Just six minutes into the game, Bernard Doumbia’s powerful strike found the back of Persib’s net, sending shockwaves through the away side. The hosts, Bhayangkara FC, maintained their relentless pressure, capitalizing on their momentum to double their lead in the 26th minute with a goal from Mousa Sidibe.
This dire situation plunged ‘Maung Bandung’ into immense pressure, threatening to derail their ambitions. Yet, it was precisely from this seemingly insurmountable low point that Persib’s true, unyielding character unmistakably shone through.
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Just before the halftime whistle, Federico Barba ignited a flicker of hope for Persib, netting a crucial goal in first-half injury time. This pivotal strike not only narrowed the deficit but also injected a vital surge of momentum that would powerfully carry into the second half.
The second half exploded into life for Persib. A mere four minutes after the restart, Berguinho found the back of the net, leveling the score and electrifying the away support. With newfound confidence surging through their ranks, Persib completed their remarkable turnaround in the 60th minute, as Beckham Putra Nugraha fired home, decisively putting them ahead.
With the match seemingly headed for a nail-biting conclusion, Adam Alis Setyano sealed Persib’s triumph with a decisive goal in the 89th minute. The final 4-2 score brought an emotional night in Lampung to a close, cementing an extraordinary and memorable comeback for Bojan Hodak’s resilient squad.
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Despite this momentous victory, Coach Hodak remained pragmatic, refusing to overlook his team’s initial shortcomings. He critically observed that his players strayed significantly from their tactical plan in the opening stages, conceding excessive space and opportunities to their opponents.
“We commenced the game entirely on the wrong foot,” the Croatian tactician admitted. “We played exactly in a manner we sought to avoid, handing them numerous counter-attacking opportunities.”
Hodak further underscored the pivotal shift in his team’s demeanor following the two-goal deficit. He asserted that Persib truly unveiled their inherent quality and resilience only when pushed to their absolute limits under intense pressure.
“Once we were 2-0 down, that’s when we truly began to carve out some clear-cut chances,” Bojan Hodak elaborated. “While this is an excellent result overall, the initial phase of the match offers crucial lessons we absolutely must internalize.”
The hard-fought three points propelled Persib to a commanding 69 points, reinstating them at the summit of the temporary league standings, effectively displacing Borneo FC. Yet, despite the momentous achievement, the mood in the dressing room was notably subdued, far from any overt euphoria.
Star midfielder Marc Klok wasted no time in grounding his teammates, sternly reminding them that their arduous journey was far from complete. He underscored the critical importance of treating each of the remaining fixtures as an unmissable final, emphasizing that no opportunity could be squandered.
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“We have navigated through one final,” Klok asserted with unwavering resolve. “Now, four more remain. It’s imperative to put this victory behind us immediately and channel all our focus onto the next challenge.”
Indeed, Persib has no luxury of complacency. Their next formidable challenge looms large, as they are slated to host PSIM Jogjakarta at the iconic Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium on Monday (May 4). The rapid turnaround demands immediate strategic planning and renewed determination.
With their position firmly re-established at the league’s apex and only four crucial matches remaining, unwavering consistency will be paramount. While the dramatic comeback in Lampung undoubtedly marks a potential turning point in their campaign, it also serves as a potent reminder that even a momentary lapse in concentration could prove fatal in the intense pursuit of the championship title.
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Summary
Persib Bandung sukses melakukan comeback dramatis, mengalahkan Bhayangkara FC 4-2 setelah sempat tertinggal dua gol di awal pertandingan. Kemenangan ini diraih berkat gol-gol dari Federico Barba, Berguinho, Beckham Putra Nugraha, dan Adam Alis Setyano. Hasil tersebut menempatkan Persib kembali ke puncak klasemen sementara liga, menggusur Borneo FC.
Meskipun demikian, pelatih Bojan Hodak mengkritik keras performa timnya di babak awal, menyatakan bahwa mereka menyimpang dari rencana taktis. Hodak menekankan bahwa kualitas sejati timnya baru terlihat saat berada di bawah tekanan berat. Gelandang Marc Klok juga mengingatkan rekan setimnya untuk tetap fokus pada empat pertandingan sisa yang dianggap sebagai “final”.