Persib Bandung suffered a crushing defeat in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2) 2025/2026 Round of 16. Playing at the Ratchaburi Stadium in Thailand on Wednesday, February 11, the team, affectionately known as Maung Bandung, had to concede a dominant 3-0 victory to host club Ratchaburi FC.
Persib Bandung found themselves under immediate pressure from the outset of the match. Just five minutes into the game, goalkeeper Teja Paku Alam’s net was breached by a swift goal from Pedro Tana, setting an ominous tone for the visitors.
Following the early setback, Persib attempted to seize control of the game and dictate the tempo. They managed to create several scoring opportunities; however, the formidable performance of Ratchaburi’s goalkeeper, Kampol Pathomakkakul, coupled with the woodwork, consistently thwarted the visiting team’s efforts to find the back of the net.
Disaster struck again for Persib in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Gabriel Mutombo doubled Ratchaburi’s lead, expertly capitalizing on a perfectly delivered cross from Jakkaphan Kaewprom, further widening the margin. Ratchaburi FC sealed their convincing victory when Pedro Tana netted his second goal of the night in the 84th minute, concluding the football match with a dominant scoreline.
Persib coach Bojan Hodak candidly admitted that his team did not perform well, particularly during the initial phase of the encounter. “Our performance was not good when we started the game. We conceded in the first 10 minutes. After that, we managed to control the rhythm and had chances, but we couldn’t score,” Hodak stated, reflecting on his team’s struggles in this crucial AFC Champions League Two first leg tie.
The Croatian coach further pinpointed that Persib lost the battle in midfield, frequently failing to win second balls. He also highlighted the opponent’s dangerous fast breaks and his team’s blunt attacking front as critical areas that require immediate attention and improvement. “We lost in midfield because they often won the second balls. We made changes in the second half, but they remained dangerous on counter-attacks. It was a bad game. The weather had an influence, but that’s not an excuse,” he added, emphasizing the tactical shortcomings rather than external factors.
Hodak also acknowledged Ratchaburi FC‘s superior performance, admitting they were the better team on the night and deserved their emphatic victory. Consequently, this result leaves Persib with an arduous task for the second leg, scheduled to take place at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium on Wednesday, February 18. Maung Bandung must overcome a daunting three-goal deficit to keep their hopes alive for progressing to the next round of the competition. (jpnn)
Summary
Persib Bandung suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat against Ratch