Persib Bandung secured a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over Port FC in their Group B opener of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup 2026/27 at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand, on Thursday, October 8, 2026, overcoming a second-half deficit with three goals in the dying minutes.
Trailing after a 63rd-minute penalty from substitute Jude Jacob Soonsup-Bell, the Indonesian club turned the fixture around late in regulation and stoppage time. Mariano Peralta sparked the recovery in the 86th minute before Rosembergne “Berguinho” Da Silva and Luka Menalo added strikes to seal the three points away from home.
How Persib Overcame a Deficit at Thammasat Stadium
The opening 45 minutes produced few clear openings as both sides traded early pressure. Port FC tested visiting goalkeeper Teja Paku Alam through Peeradol Chamrasamee and Kaka Mendes, while Persib created chances via Berguinho and Uilliam Barros without breaking the deadlock.
/data/photo/2026/10/08/6ac79efbdcad3.jpeg "Photo: Kompas")
Port FC took control immediately from the opening whistle, with Peeradol forcing a save from Teja in the third minute and Berguinho later having a shot stopped by goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard. Teja made another crucial stop in the 25th minute by tipping away a shot from Kaka Mendes, having previously denied Erik Sviatchenko. Persib’s defense, featuring Gabriel Mutombo, Patricio Matricardi, Julio Cesar, and Ikwan Ali Tanamal ahead of Teja, held firm alongside midfielders Marc Klok and Adam Alis, while Eliano Reijnders, Menalo, Berguinho, and Uilliam Barros operated up front. Reijnders cleared a goalmouth scramble in the 19th minute, and Uilliam later missed wide left after going one-on-one with the goalkeeper, keeping it 0-0 at halftime.
The breakthrough arrived just past the hour mark when refereeing decisions shifted the momentum.
An apparent lifeline arrived in the 79th minute when the referee pointed to the spot after judging that Nitipong Selanon had fouled Peralta, but the decision was overturned following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
Late Surge and Decisive Goals in Pathum Thani
Undeterred by the VAR setback, the visitors maintained pressure on the Port FC backline. In the 86th minute, Sekulic slipped a pass through to Peralta, who drove into the penalty area and beat the defense with a close-range left-footed shot to make it 1-1.
With eight minutes of stoppage time signaled, the Indonesian visitors completed the turnaround, during which Kakang Rudianto replaced Ikwan Ali Tanamal. Berguinho unleashed a low, driven shot in the 93rd minute that eluded the goalkeeper to give Persib a 2-1 advantage. Two minutes later, Peralta delivered a pass for Menalo to head home from close range and seal the 3-1 scoreline.
Upcoming Fixtures Amid a Demanding October Schedule
The win provides an ideal start in continental competition for Persib, who entered the fixture facing a grueling stretch of fixtures. The club must play seven matches across three separate competitions during October 2026, leaving minimal recovery time between domestic and regional commitments.
Persib returns to domestic play in the Super League to host Dewa United on October 11, 2026, before turning their attention back to international action against The Cong-Viettel in the AFC Champions League Two on October 14, 2026. The busy month also includes matches against Persik Kediri on October 18, Madura United on October 22, Garudayaksa FC on October 26, and Melbourne Victory on October 28.
