Persipura go down Chonburi FC 3-0 in AFC CUP 2011

Jayapura: Persipura Jayapura coach Jacksen Tiago was ecstatic to see his side come out on top in the first-ever continental game played at Mandala Stadium after the Indonesians beat Chonburi 3-0 to go top of AFC Cup Group G.

Tinus Pae, Titus Bonai, and Lukas Mandowen grabbed the goals although Yohanis Tjoe's late sending off took some of the gloss off the win.

“I’m happy and satisfied with how the boys played today,” said Tiago.

“We have given victory to the people of Jayapura in our first match here. This is an important win for us.”

Tiago felt that Pae's opening goal after just nine minutes turned out to be the key moment in the match.

“Our spirit was ignited even higher after that quick goal. We kept on pressing and we got what we deserved,” added the Brazilian.

“Chonburi had most of the ball but we managed to keep them at bay. Our players did well to deny any chance to the opponents. Chonburi are a great team as they have shown today. It was a tough match.”

Tiago singled out Yoo Jae-hoon for particular praise after the keeper's second-half performance managed to keep out the Thai side.

“Jae-hoon wasn’t convincing in the first-half but in the second he was fantastic,” he said.

“He made a couple of great saves including the one when he saved a header from player number 10 (Pipob On Mo). I thought it was going in. It was a superb save.”

The buoyant Tiago even had words of encouragement for Tjoe despite the defender collecting two yellow cards.

“I don’t know what you say about him, but Yohanis Tjoe was one of our important players today,” he said.

“He performed brilliantly. He broke up any attack on our right flank. Two yellow cards are nothing compared to his contribution to our defence today. We are short of defenders and Yohanis has stepped up to fill the boots.”

Chonburi boss Withaya Laohakul conceded that his team had lost to a superior side.

“Persipura were better. They played effectively and they managed to exploit all the chances they got. We were more dominant, but they managed to score three,” he said.

“Their players are very skillful and I had instructed my side to mark a couple of dangerous players, but they still managed to make a difference. Their keeper has been great today. If it wasn’t for him, we could have got ourselves a few goals.

“We’re looking for our next meeting in Thailand. I hope we can do better next time.”