MALANG: Ali Umar struck with three minutes remaining to snatch all three points for VB as the Maldives side beat 10-man Persiwa Wamena 3-2 in their opening 2010 AFC Cup game at Gajayana Stadium on Wednesday.
The Indonesian hosts had taken the lead in the 10th minute through Lewis Weeks before VB levelled seven minutes into the second half with Ali Ashfaq scoring.
Persiwa dug deep, however, and regained the lead shortly after the hour through Foday Boakai only for the visitors to once again equalise through Akram Abdull Gani.
Things took a turn for the worse for Persiwa when they were reduced to 10 men after midfielder Vendry Moro was sent off by referee Zhao Liang in the 71st minute and they could not hold out for a draw as VB made the most of their numerical advantage as Umar struck in the 87th minute.
The hosts started strongly and deservedly took the lead with 10 minutes on the clock when Weeks directed a fierce header into the back of the net from a Foday Boakai cross.
Despite the promising early start, that goal proved to be the only effort on goal of note for the remainder of the first half although the hosts dominated possession.
Knowing his side was slightly unable to cope with Persiwa’s pacey attack, VB coach Bahtiyar Can Vanli instructed his players to tighten up in defence and to attack on the counter.
That tactic proved successful as they limited Persiwa’s attack before they levelled in the 52nd minute when Ali Ashfaq hit a thunderous strike beyond goalkeeper Timotius Mote and into back net.
Backed by a vociferous home crowd, Persiwa surged forward in search of another goal and they found what they were looking for in the 63rd minute when Foday Boakai netted.
But only a minute after restart, VB scored again to level the scores with Akram Abdull Gani scoring.
Persiwa were down to 10 men after midfielder Vendry Moro received his marching orders for his second bookable offence with 19 minutes remaining and they almost managed to hold out for a draw before Umar headed home to ensure VB return to the Maldives with three points.
Photo Caption: Ali Umaru (10) scored the late winner for VB
Source: the-afc.com
