Jayapura: History will be made in Wednesday's AFC Cup Group H match between Persipura Jayapura and Chonburi FC as it will be the first time the hosts play a continental game at Mandala Stadium. Persipura had previously been unable to use the Mandala as it did not meet the AFC's required regulations, forcing them to play home games at Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta.
However, the Black Pearls have resolved the issues surrounding their home ground and coach Jacksen Tiago insisted his side will do everything not to let the fans down.
However, the Black Pearls have resolved the issues surrounding their home ground and coach Jacksen Tiago insisted his side will do everything not to let the fans down.
“We had been waiting for this time to come,” he said.
“Finally we can play in our own stadium in front of our own fans. This match is going to be special. Everybody expects us to give spectacular performance. I can't promise you that, but we will try our best. The atmosphere is going to be great so we’ll take it to our own advantage.”
Tiago will be able to field a full-strength side. Titus Bonai, Lukas Mandowen, Ian Kabes will all be available as will talisman, Boaz Solossa, who leads the team upfront.
“We don’t have injury problems but our preparation for this game is actually short because we just arrived home on Saturday after playing away in Pekanbaru,” added the Persipura boss.
“We just had our first practice yesterday and some players are still recovering from fatigue.
“But it’s not going to cause us major problems because we have studied Chonburi. I have a couple of friends in Thailand and I’ve gained some insights from them. I’ve seen their video also. I hope we can get a positive result to ensure our place in the next round.”
Meanwhile Chonburi boss Withaya Laohakul believes his side can crash Persipura's party on Wednesday. The Thais are level with their opponents on four points at the top of Group H.
“We will play attacking football. I believe we can win in Jayapura despite losing a couple of first-team players,” he said.
“We will play attacking football. I believe we can win in Jayapura despite losing a couple of first-team players,” he said.
“We will pay attention to two most dangerous players from Persipura. The leading domestic top-scorer (Solossa) and the speedy right winger (Kabes).
Both players can cause us problems tomorrow. I don’t remember their shirt numbers, but we will have them watched.”
“The match will be played at 4pm local time. It’s 2pm Bangkok time. It has become our concern because we never play at 2pm before.
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