Persib Bandung Targets Round of 16 in Melbourne
Persib Bandung needs only a single point from its upcoming fixture against Melbourne Victory to secure qualification for the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Two. Sitting atop Group E with nine points from three matches, the Indonesian side arrived in Melbourne on Monday ahead of the match at AAMI Park, as reported by detikSport.
The visiting team holds a five-point advantage over second-placed Melbourne Victory in the group standings. A draw on Wednesday will lift Persib to 10 points, guaranteeing a top-two finish regardless of remaining fixtures.
Persib Faces Physical Hurdles and Missing Players in Melbourne
Persib head coach Igor Tolic acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming fixture, noting that the squad faces physical hurdles following a compressed schedule and long-distance travel. According to ANTARA News Kalsel, the team is missing midfielders Luciano Guaycochea and Gabriel Mutombo, while several other players require late fitness tests before kickoff.
Temperatures hovering around 17 degrees Celsius and damp conditions greeted the visiting team upon arrival in Melbourne. Midfielder Adam Alis told club media that the squad utilized the early arrival to begin weather acclimatization following their domestic fixture against Isenmulang Kalteng FC.
Traveling Supporters Sell Out Away-Section Tickets Ahead of Match
The fixture has drawn substantial attention from traveling supporters, with the entire allocation of away-section tickets selling out ahead of Wednesday’s match. Captain Marc Klok told ILeague that the strong backing from Bobotoh supporters provides crucial psychological momentum for the squad on foreign soil.
Melbourne Victory head coach Giovanni Savarese addressed the prospect of a heavily pro-Persib atmosphere at AAMI Park. Kompas reported that Savarese urged local fans to fill the stadium stands to support the home side, while acknowledging the strong loyalty shown by the visiting fanbase during previous continental fixtures.
Victory Guarantees Qualification for the Round of 16
A victory on Wednesday would not only guarantee qualification for the Round of 16 but also bring Persib closer to securing the top spot in Group E. Winning the group ensures that the Indonesian club avoids other group winners in the first knockout round, matching them instead against a group runner-up determined by a later draw.
Melbourne Victory enters the match seeking a reversal of fortunes following a 2-0 defeat to Persib at Stadion Si Jalak Harupat on October 28, where Balsa Sekulic scored twice. Kickoff at AAMI Park is scheduled for Wednesday at 14.45 WIB.
/data/photo/2026/10/28/6ae21025a998a.jpeg "Photo: Kompas")
