<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-10-04/Zhejiang-beat-Persib-Bandung-for-1st-win-in-AFC-Champions-League-Two-1xpSTB6oswg/img/7d7e54804ca94f829959e63ee46ebc95/7d7e54804ca94f829959e63ee46ebc95.jpeg' alt='Players of Zhejiang Professional pose for a photo ahead of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two game against Persib Bandung in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, October 3, 2024. /CFP'
Zhejiang Professional of Chinese Super League (CSL) defeated Persib Bandung of Indonesia’s Liga 1 at home in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, on Thursday, securing their first win at the 2024-25 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two.
Zhejiang trailed by six percent in ball possession, buy were the more aggressive side on offense with nine shots, including four on target. By contrast, Persib took five shots without setting up many scoring chances. They led 5-3 in corner kicks.
Cheng Jin and Jean Kouassi were the most threatening players for Zhejiang in the game. Cheng had a shot in close range in the 10th minute, but it was blocked by goalkeeper Kevin Ray Mendoza. He got another similar chance in the 56th minute, but it was ruled offside.
Kouassi used his remarkable individual skills to launch constant attacks from the left wing, but his shots kept landing in Mendoza’s hands.
The only goal of the game happened in the 70th minute when a Persib defender failed to clear a pass toward the box. The ball went to Kouassi who fired a powerful shot. Though Mendoza touched the ball with his left hand, it was too strong to be stopped giving Zhejiang the lead.
Zhejiang replaced Cheng and Wu Wei with Qian Jiegei and Gu Bin in the 77th minute to enhance their defense. Persib’s final opportunity of tying the score was in the 89th minute with a free kick that resulted in a missed header.
