Persib Bandung U16 secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Persijap Jepara in Group B of the Elite Pro Academy (EPA) ONE after overcoming a two-goal deficit at SPOrT Jabar, Arcamanik, in Bandung on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Trailing early through goals from M. Rajab Bintang Keanu and M. Yazid Al Bustomi, Maung Ngora mounted a successful comeback driven by a brace from Miftah Ali Andriansyah and a vital strike from Rifky Akbar Riyanto.
The win lifts Persib U16 to second place in the Group B standings with 12 points from four matches, sitting six points behind group leaders Borneo FC. Head coach Agi Maulana pointed to a squad where several players were absent or could not play from the first minute as a factor in the challenging first half before changes in the second half turned the match around.
Early Deficit and Rapid Response at Arcamanik
Persib U16 found themselves on the back foot almost immediately when M. Rajab Bintang Keanu opened the scoring for Persijap in just the sixth minute. The visitors extended their lead in the 31st minute through M. Yazid Al Bustomi, leaving the home side searching for answers.
However, the response was swift. Just a minute after falling two goals behind, Rifky Akbar Riyanto struck in the 32nd minute to narrow the deficit to 1-2, providing Maung Ngora with crucial momentum heading into the halftime break.
Tactical Shifts Spark Second-Half Comeback
Following the interval, Persib U16 adjusted their approach. Miftah Ali Andriansyah leveled the score at 2-2 in the 54th minute.
Agi Maulana Blames Altered Lineup for Slow Start
Head coach Agi Maulana explained that his side’s slow start stemmed from an altered lineup, noting that several players were absent or could not play from the first minute. This followed a 1-0 victory against the same opponent on Saturday, October 24, 2026, where Febri Ardiyan Permana scored the lone goal in the 44th minute. That match resulted in the loss of Repindo Kadafi, who received a red card in the 90+3rd minute for a foul intended to stop an attack.
“Today, we could not play a number of players from the first minute, and several were absent,” Agi said after the match. “As a result, we trailed by two goals in the first half, but after making changes in the second half, thank God the situation changed.”
Agi noted that the squad depth was hampered because some players were away representing Persib U15 in the Soeratin Cup, forcing the team to rely on substitutes still adapting to the system. He emphasized that despite individual errors, the players displayed strong mentality, having previously overcome deficits in other matches. Regarding the Saturday win, Agi had noted, “Alhamdulillah, sesuai target yang saya selalu sampaikan kepada anak-anak ketika main di home, kami harus menyelesaikan pertandingan dengan mendapatkan poin maksimal.”
Broader Youth Academy Context
The youth setup also saw Persib U18 secure their first victory of the season, a 4-1 win over Persijap U18 on Saturday. That match saw goals from four different players, including Pandu Aryo Wicaksono, Razlya Putra Setiawan, and Khaikal Reva Putra Heryawan. This win ended a difficult start for the U18 squad, which had previously suffered a 0-3 defeat against Garuda United at the Sebelas Maret University Stadium in Solo.
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