Indonesia, 14 Oct 2026 – The Cong Viettel suffered a frustrating 1-0 away defeat to Indonesia’s. Persib Bandung in their second AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 fixture on October 14, with a first-half penalty proving decisive in a match that saw both teams finish with ten players.
The Vietnamese representatives travelled to Indonesia determined to secure a positive result and restore confidence following a disappointing run of performances in V.League 1. However, despite producing a competitive display for much of the encounter, Velizar Popov’s side were unable to break down a well-organised Persib Bandung team.
Aware of the challenge awaiting his players, Popov selected all four available foreign players in his starting line-up and adopted an ambitious approach. Persib had already demonstrated their strength in the opening round with an impressive 1-0 away victory over FC Seoul in South Korea, underlining their credentials as formidable opponents.
The hosts made an aggressive start, immediately pushing forward and putting pressure on goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet. With experienced players such as Thom Haye, Marc Klok, Mariano Peralta and Balsa Sekulic, Persib possessed the technical quality and squad depth to trouble the Vietnamese defence.
The Cong Viettel struggled to contain the early pressure, particularly during the opening stages. In the seventh minute, defender Luong Chi Khai nearly gifted the hosts an opportunity with a dangerous backpass, but Persib failed to capitalise on the mistake.
As the first half progressed, The Cong Viettel gradually settled into the contest and began launching attacks of their own. The visitors managed to create a more balanced encounter, matching Persib’s intensity and looking increasingly comfortable in possession.
However, the breakthrough arrived in the 42nd minute when Chi Khai was penalised for a challenge on Peralta inside the penalty area. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, and Peralta confidently converted the resulting penalty to put Persib Bandung ahead 1-0 before halftime.
The Cong Viettel attempted to respond after the interval, but their task became significantly more difficult in the 68th minute when Paulinho Martins received a second yellow card and was sent off, reducing the visitors to ten players.
Despite holding a numerical advantage, Persib Bandung opted for a cautious approach, prioritising defensive stability rather than committing additional players forward. The Indonesian side focused on maintaining their narrow lead and limiting opportunities for the visitors.
The balance of players was restored in the 74th minute when Persib captain Marc Klok was shown a red card, leaving both teams with ten men for the remainder of the match.
The Cong Viettel pushed forward in the closing stages, hoping to take advantage of the situation and rescue a point. However, their attacking efforts lacked the finishing touch required to overcome Persib’s disciplined defensive structure.
The hosts successfully protected their advantage until the final whistle, securing a second consecutive 1-0 victory in the competition following their opening-round success against FC Seoul.
For The Cong Viettel, the defeat represents another setback during a difficult period in which the team have struggled to turn competitive performances into positive results. Although Popov’s players showed determination and periods of attacking promise, their inability to convert opportunities and maintain discipline ultimately proved costly.
The Cong Viettel will return home empty-handed from Indonesia, with the pressure increasing on Popov and his squad to improve their performances as they continue their AFC Champions League Two campaign alongside their domestic commitments.
VSN/RPT
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