Liberian center defender Kohn Dirkir Glay has taken a major step toward the final of the 2017 Indonesia President Cup after his team, Pusmania Borneo, recorded a 2-1 victory over Persib Bandung, the club of fellow Liberian Eric Weeks.
The match was the first leg of the President Cup semifinal between the two teams. Although fans were expecting to watch the two Liberians battle each other for the three points, it was Glay alone that represented Liberia on the pitch after Weeks’ shocking omission from Persib Bandung’s match day squad.
Glay’s Borneo got the narrow win over their visitors with goals from Brazilian striker Reinaldo Elias da Costa and Indonesian forward Patrich Steve Wanggai in each half, which canceled Persib Bandung’s lone goal that was scored by Montenegrin forward, Vladimir Vujović.
With Bandung winning all of their previous four games in the competition, there were hopes of them getting at least one point at the Stadion Segeri. However, that was far from the reality as they were condemned to a 2-1 defeat by a side that had won just one of its three group games.
Borneo made use of the home field advantage to take early control of the match. They took control of the possession and created some early chances that they failed to make use of. Following few attacks from both teams, it was Borneo that got to the back of the net just 13 minutes into the first half.
Glay’s club took the lead through da Costa, who headed in a corner from Asri Akbar. However, they were denied the luxury of going into halftime with the lead after Persib Bandung leveled the score in stoppage time. Vladimir Vujovic scored on a header from a corner to restore his side’s hopes of getting a point.
Borneo ensured they would win all three points in the second half when they netted the eventual game-winner through former Madura United forward Patrich Wanggai. The 28-year-old scored the third headed goal of the match in the 65th minutes from a set piece delivered by Asri Akbar, his second assist. The remaining 25 minutes produced fireworks from Persib Bandung that was in search of an equalizer. Nothing materialized and they bowed to a 2-1 defeat at the sound of the final whistle.
Glay will have to do a lot to prevent Bandung from scoring in the second leg on Sunday, March 5 when they meet at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium. Borneo will need at least a point away from home to reach the final of the competition.
Photo Courtesy of Tribun Kaltim
