'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Venue: Mandala Stadium, Jayapura
Kickoff: Tuesday, February 25 2014, 12:30 IST
Home Advantage
Persipura Jayapura returns to the AFC Cup for the first time since 2011 and just like three years ago, there is an Indian club in their group. The Indonesia Super League (ISL) champions open their campaign against I-League and Federation Cup holders Churchill Brothers and will be expected to make a winning start largely due to their home advantage. The Indian club’s season began back in September but Perspiura’s domestic campaign only started earlier this month so they will either be fresher or lack sharpness due to the very little competitive action that they have had so far.
But the 2011 AFC Cup quarter-finalists have made a solid start to their league campaign and on paper look much stronger than Churchill Brothers’ inexperienced side. Persipura have had an additional day to prepare for this game as well and haven’t had to do the travelling like the Goan club. The hosts are the clear favourites so anything less than three points will be a surprise and could also dent their hopes of making it to the round of 16.
Underdogs
After a difficult start in the I-League, where they are still threatened by relegation, Churchill Brothers’ fortunes have had a positive turnaround in the New Year as following their Federation Cup triumph last month the Red Machines have picked up five points from their three I-League games after the break. The two draws have come in away matches against Kolkata’s Big Two and the two-time Indian champions are now four points clear of rock-bottom Rangdajied United. This is their second straight appearance in the AFC Cup and just like last season it looks like legendary technical director Subhash Bhowmick has decided to skip the away matches. At least that seems the case for matchday one.
Head coach Mariano Dias pointed out that they will prioritise the I-League over the AFC Cup but at least the absentees this time are forced ones and not necessarily to rest them for the relegation battle. Last the time their eyes were on the domestic title, this time survival is the target. But Churchill showed in Federation Cup that on their day they can beat any I-League side so despite being the underdogs, they would want to put up a fight in Indonesia.
Form Guide
Persipura Jayapura: WDDDW
The three-time ISL winners are unbeaten so far this season and have good memories of beating East Bengal 4-1 at home in the 2011 AFC Cup. They also haven’t lost a home competitive fixture for almost two years.
Churchill Brothers: WWWDD
Before the goalless stalemate with East Bengal last Tuesday, Churchill Brothers were on a seven-game winning run in all competitions. They remain unbeaten in nine games but lost on their only previous visit to Indonesia, which was a 3-1 defeat against Semen Padang last year.
Team News
Persipura Jayapura
It would be interesting to see whether club captain and superstar Boaz Solossa starts after only making his first appearance of the season as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Persiba Balikpapan last Thursday. Liberian striker Boakay Eddie Foday is also yet to make his competitive debut but Brazilian coach Jacksen Ferreira Tiago is expected to name a full strength side as they don’t have any fixture at the weekend.
Possible XI: Yoo Jae-Hoon;Dominggus Fakdawer, Andri Ibo, Bio Paulin, Ruben Sanadi; Yustinus Pae, Lim Joon-Sik, Gerald Pangkali, Ian Louis Kabes; Lukas Mandowen, Boaz Solossa
Churchill Brothers
This will be the Goan club’s third game in a week and in between there has been a lot of travelling. Seven players have started and finished each of the last two matches and are expected to start again as the squad only comprises 15 players instead of 18. Australian versatile defender Daniel Zeleny could make his debut in central defence in the absence of Dharmaraj Ravanan, who was advised rest after suffering a head injury against Mohun Bagan and thus didn’t make the trip to Indonesia. Costa Rican striker Cristian Lagos also was left out due to illness.
Possible XI: Lalit Thapa; Satish Singh, Sanjay Balmuchu, Daniel Zeleny, Raju Yumnam; Saran Singh, Lenny Rodrigues, Abedlhamid Shabana, Bineesh Balan; Anthony Wolfe, Balwant Singh
Key Men
Persipura Jayapura – Boaz Solossa
The club legend has missed the start of the domestic season due to injury but could be in the first eleven for the AFC Cup opener. Boaz scored five times in the 2011 AFC Cup and would relish playing against Churchill Brothers’ inexperienced backline.
Churchill Brothers – Balwant Singh
No player (foreign or Indian) has a better combined goals tally in the I-League and Federation Cup than Balwant Singh, who has 12 to his name. The 27-year-old would now be aiming to make his mark at continental level starting from matchday one.
