Persib Edge Viettel 1-0 to Stay Top of Asian Group
Mariano Peralta’s penalty sealed Persib’s 1-0 win over Viettel, keeping the Indonesian club top of Group E as both sides saw a player sent off.
For Indonesian clubs chasing a place among Asia’s leading teams, a narrow home win can carry weight well beyond one night. Persib Bandung beat The Cong-Viettel 1-0 at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium on Wednesday night, October 14, 2026, to remain top of Group E in the AFC Champions League Two.
Mariano Peralta scored the decisive penalty shortly before halftime. Both teams later had a player sent off, but Persib protected its lead and moved to six points from two matches.
Peralta’s penalty decides a tight match
Persib started on the front foot. Peralta had chances in the second minute and again five minutes later, but neither attempt produced a goal.
His next opening came near the end of the first half, when he was fouled inside the penalty area. Peralta took the spot kick himself and put the hosts ahead.
One goal was enough.
The visitors, also known as Viettel, were reduced to 10 men in the 67th minute. Paulinho received a second yellow card after fouling Peralta. Persib captain Marc Klok followed six minutes later, receiving a yellow card for a foul on Nguyen Hoang Minh Duc.
Neither side scored again. Persib held on despite finishing the match with 10 players.
Persib hold the group lead
The result left Persib with six points at the top of Group E. Melbourne Victory were second with four points after a 3-0 win over FC Seoul, leaving the Indonesian side two points clear of its closest named challenger in the standings.
For Persib, the win strengthens its position in the group after an opening victory over FC Seoul. The club had also beaten Port FC 3-1 in the ASEAN Club Championship. That run gives the Bandung side an early platform in its Asian campaign, while the two dismissals showed how quickly a tight match can turn into a test of discipline and defensive focus.
The match also marked Sandy Walsh’s debut for Persib. He started in defense alongside Eliano Reijnders, Julio Cesar and Kakang Rudianto after recovering from an injury sustained while playing for Indonesia’s national team in July.
Klok captained the side in midfield with Luciano Guaycochea, Thom Haye and Ikhwan Ali Tanamal. Peralta and Berguinho led the attack, with Teja Paku Alam in goal.
Persib’s next challenge in the group comes with the team holding a two-point advantage over Melbourne Victory. The Bandung club’s six points came from its first two matches.
