Persib Bandung Coach - "We Weren't Sharp Enough"

 

Bandung vs Semen Padang FC - IG Persib

Persib Bandung Coach - "We Weren't Sharp Enough"

Bandung – Persib Bandung were forced to share points with Semen Padang FC in the 10th week of Liga 1 2024/2025. Playing at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung on Friday, November 1, 2024, Persib, or nicknamed "Maung Bandung," ended the match with a 1-1 score.

Early lead for Persib through Ciro Alves was given in the 6th minute, but Kabau Sirah didn't stay behind for so long as Gala Pagamo drew level for the away team in the 51st minute to leave both teams with a point each.

Persib’s head coach, Bojan Hodak, was disappointed with the result. He felt that his squad had the upper hand, dominating both possession and creating better chances. For him, this was a match they should’ve won.

We dropped two points today," Bojan said after the game. "We were better throughout the game and should have closed it out, but this time we were just a little off.

The 53-year-old manager also cited the schedule as a factor. Indeed, his players did look noticeably tired in the second half, he felt, which factored into their performance. "Our players are exhausted. We've had extra matches, unlike other teams who have had a lighter schedule, and you could see it in the second half," he said.

Although it was a draw, Bojan said he was proud of his team for dominating both halves of the game. However, he admitted that failure to finish some opportunities and a defensive mishap cost them the match.

"We controlled the game well even in the second half, but our main issue was that we weren't sharp enough in front of goal, coupled with the one defensive error for their equalizer," he said. "There were four of us back against two of theirs in that counterattack. It's just not supposed to happen that they scored."

Matters are worse because, well, Persib didn't just drop points in that match but also saw two of their players, Edo Febriansyah and Mailson Lima, take injuries and leave the field in the second half, thus limiting much of their attacking options, since both players were dominating down the left flank in the first half. "In the first half, Edo and Lima did well down the left side, but with the injuries, I had to change," Bojan added. In short, Persib Bandung performed well but unfortunately could not finish. Sharpness and fatigue played a factor, both ways, and both teams will work their ways to freshen up the rosters and sharpen the scoring touch as they trudge deeper into the season. For now, they'll have to make do with a point-but as the season heats up, they'll want to start turning those draws into wins.





Tags :

#Liga 1
#indonesian league
#Semen Padang Fc
#Persib Bandung
#Persib
#Bojan Hodak