TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Persipura Jayapura wrote a new history in AFC Cup, as the Black Pearl won 6-1 against defending champion Kuwait SC in Mandala Stadium, Jayapura. Persipura walked away to semifinal with a total aggregate of 8-4.
In semifinal on 16 and 30 September, Persipura will face the winner of Al Hidd (Bahrain) and Qadsia SC (Kuwait).
Persipura’s qualifying to semifinal is historical as there was no Indonesian club ever reached that far. Previously, only Persipura (2011), Arema (2012), and Semen Padang (2013) reached quarterfinal in the second-to-top Asian club competition.
Regardless, Persipura’s achievement is not the highest that Indonesian club has ever gained. Back in 1986, Tiga Berlian placed third in Asian Champions League. In 1991, Pelita Jaya placed fourth. Unfortunatelly, since the competition was named Champions League in 2002, none of Indonesian club could score a place in the top four.
AFC | ADITYA BUDIMAN