Football
ESPN staff 9y

AFC Cup: Warriors FC defeated by Persipura, Balestier Khalsa lose

Indonesia Super League (ISL) runners-up Persipura Jayapura comfortably accounted for Singapore champions Warriors FC 3-1 in Tuesday's inaugural Group E game of the AFC Cup at Singapore's Jalan Besar Stadium.

Goals by Ivory Coast born forward Lancine Kone, captain Boaz Solossa and midfielder Nelson Alom in the 30th, 34th and 58th minutes respectively gave Persipura three points in their inaugural game. Warriors pulled one back in the 69th minute through midfielder Andy Ahmad.

Persipura were all over the S.League title holders in the first period. In the fifth minute, a quick move between Kone and Argentinian midfielder Robertino Pugliara would have given the Indonesian side a potential penalty when the Argentinian's shot deflected off the arm of a Warriors defender. But the hand ball wasn't given.

In the 13th minute, Kone propped up again this time putting a shot just wide of target after Warriors goalkeeper Neezam Aziz had parried a shot. The Indonesians had as many as five shots on goal in the first quarter of the match.

In between, Warriors also had a penalty appeal turned down as their Argentina born midfielder Nicolas Velez hit the ground in the Persipura box.

However, it was all Persipura for the remaining part of the half. The marauding Kone gave the Indonesians the lead in the 30th minute when he calmly slotted in after the ball fell to him in the box following a defensive error from Warriors' Marin Vidosevic.

Four minutes later, veteran former Indonesia international Solossa turned the clock back with a turn and scintillating left-footed volley past Neezam from a ball that popped up off Vidosevic.

Warriors had no answer for the quick passing game of Persipura and Alex Weaver's team would have been thanking their stars that they went in at the break without further damage.

Mercifully for the 2014 S.League winners, Persipura began slowly in the second half. Ten minutes into the second period, Veloz almost pulled one back when he chested down a pass, turned, held off a defender and unleashed a right-footed shot which went over.

However, Persipura scored their third of the evening just three minutes later, again helped by a Warriors' blunder. Goalkeeper Neezam passed the ball straight to Pugliara on the right. The Argentinian calmly set up a simple finish for his fellow midfielder Nelson Alom, advancing unmarked in the middle.

In the 69th minute, Persipura responded in kind with a defensive error of their own. Dominggus Fakdaweer's mistimed clearance fell to Warriors' Andy Ahmad at the edge of the box and the midfielder finished with a lob off his shin to the top right corner.

A quick passing move between Pugliara and Solossa in the 76th minute almost gave Persipura their fourth but Neezam came up with a smart reflex save off the former Indonesia international striker.

India's Bengaluru FC and Maziya S&RC of Maldives are the other two sides of this Group E in the AFC Cup.

Warriors' fellow S.League side Balestier Khalsa lost 3-0 to Kitchee SC of Hong Kong in a Group F game at the Mong Kok Stadium in Hong Kong.

Midfielders Xu Deshuai and Ngan Lok Fung scored for the winners in the 21st and 68th minutes respectively. Spanish forward Jordi Paramo completed the rout in the 90th minute.

MSL winners Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and India's I-League runners up East Bengal are the other two sides in the group. 

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