Persib Bandung overturned a one-goal deficit with three goals in the final 10 minutes to defeat Port FC 3-1 at Thammasat Stadium on Thursday, giving the Indonesian champions a winning start to their 2026/27 ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup Group B campaign.
Port looked on course for victory after Jude Soonsup-Bell converted a second-half penalty to put the Thai side ahead.
Persib responded late, with Mariano Peralta equalising in the 86th minute before Berguinho and Luka Menalo completed the turnaround during stoppage time.
The hosts started brightly and created the first clear opportunity in the fourth minute. Bruno found space inside the Persib penalty area and attempted to finish from close range, but Teja Paku Alam reacted quickly and used his right foot to prevent the Portuguese forward from scoring.
Persib also threatened as the opening period developed. Berguinho collected a long ball behind the Port defence and sent a low effort towards goal, only for goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard to block the shot with his legs.
Falkesgaard was called upon again when Berguinho made an underlapping run and collected Luka Menalo’s through ball. The Brazilian attempted a first-time finish, but the Port goalkeeper was once again in position to deny him.
Port continued to create openings before the interval. Five minutes before half-time, Bordin Phala’s cut-back found Erik Sviatchenko near the edge of the penalty area, but Teja made another save to keep out the defender’s left-footed effort.
Uilliam Barros then sent an effort wide as the two sides went into the interval without a goal. The deadlock was finally broken midway through the second half.
Port were awarded a penalty after Kaka Mendes went down following a challenge from Ikwan Ali Tanamal inside the area.
Soonsup-Bell, who had just entered the match as a substitute, took responsibility from the spot and sent the ball past Teja to give Port a 1-0 advantage.
Persib responded by increasing the pressure in search of an equaliser. Their persistence eventually paid off with four minutes of normal time remaining.
Balsa Sekulic played a precise pass into the path of Peralta as the Argentine midfielder moved into the penalty area. After taking a touch to control the ball, Peralta calmly placed his finish into the bottom corner beyond Falkesgaard.
The equaliser shifted the momentum decisively towards Persib. Two minutes into stoppage time, Berguinho completed the visitors’ turnaround by striking from the edge of the penalty area and sending the ball beyond the diving Falkesgaard.
Port still had time to respond, but Persib instead added a third goal in the sixth minute of the eight minutes of additional time signalled by referee Nasaruddin Nazmi.
Menalo attacked a delivery and launched himself forward to meet it with a diving header, giving Falkesgaard no chance and completing a remarkable late comeback.
The victory gives Persib three points from their opening Group B fixture after they appeared destined for defeat for much of the second half.
Port, meanwhile, will have to assess how a strong defensive performance for most of the match unravelled during the closing stages.
Menalo was named the Shopee Star of the Match after his stoppage-time goal capped the Indonesian champions’ three-goal comeback. – Sarawak Daily
