AFC Cup: Easy win for Persipura Jayapura

Indonesian champions Persipura Jayapura motored past Bengaluru FC 3-1 to finish on top of Group E in the return game of the AFC Cup here on Tuesday.

Persipura, who had beaten the Blues 3-1 at home in March, finished their league engagements with 16 points while Bengaluru FC remained on 12 for the runners-up berth in the group.

Persipura kept their composure after the hosts surprised them with a 24th minute goal by Udanta Singh, and then hit back with an equalizer from Robertino Pugliara in the 29th before Imanuel Wanggai (73rd) and Boaz Solossa (77th) sealed the game for the visitors.

There was no doubting Persipura's overall supremacy as they held the upper hand for much of the game and their hot pace also told on the Blues who struggled to keep up with their opponents while depending on stray raids to trouble the Indonesian outfit.

The first half, playing in light drizzle, belonged to Persipura who dominated the exchanges by controlling the flow and pace, leaving Bengaluru FC players chasing shadows for the best part of 45 minutes.

The visitors showcased their swift movements and excellent combination, especially up front and marked by quick passing bouts that created gaps in the Blues defence.

Yet, despite being pushed on the defensive, Bengaluru came up with a stunning break down the right flank where Robin Singh outpaced the defenders before laying an accurate pass to Udant Singh inside the box. The forward unleashed a powerful right-footer on the go to put hosts 1-0 ahead in the 24th minute.

The advantage was shortlived as typically, the Indonesian champions recovered quickly and equalized when Pugliara let fly a wicked long range shot to the back of the net after slipping through the Bengaluru defence.

Thereafter, Persipura tightened their hold on the exchanges forcing the Blues to bide their time and on one such occasion, the hosts nearly scored again. A huge throw into the box by Gurtej bounced in the middle of a bunch of defenders and bounced high for Manju to head, but the ball struck the crosspiece.

The second session was much the same until Persipura struck twice to put the game beyond the reach of Bengaluru. Wanggai, enjoying some free space on top of the box, triggered a superb left-footer to put the visitors in the lead and even before the hosts could recover, Solossa rose above the defenders to head home a lob from the left.

The well-drilled Persipura then proceeded to keep possession with Bengaluru managing to squeeze in a few moves that came to nothing.