MALANG: Persiwa Wamena coach Zaenal Abidin believes a lack of concentration at crucial times cost them at least a point as the Indonesian side lost their opening AFC Cup Group G game 3-2 to VB of the Maldives on Wednesday.

The hosts had taken the lead in the 10th minute at Gajayana Stadium 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, this time 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.

The one-man advantage eventually told for VB as Ali Umar snatched the winner with three minutes of the match remaining.

With all three VB goals coming in the second half, Abidin felt his players lost their focus and were punished for their mistakes.

“We were lacking concentration in the second half and it costs us three goals. That’s why we lost,” he said.

“We played well in the first half. We scored a goal and should have defended better in the second half to maintain the lead.”

Abidin also believes the dismissal of Moro with 19 minutes remaining effectively ended his side’s chances of earning something from the game.

“We might have been able to manage a draw had Vendry not been showed the second yellow,” he added.  “It’s difficult to play against a good team like VB with only 10 players.”

Despite the defeat, Abidin took heart from his team’s maiden performance in Asian competition.

“This is our first time at Asian level,” he said. "I’m pleased with our decent performance today. Most of our players have never played against foreign teams before. Despite losing, I think this is a good start for us.”

VB boss Bahtiyar Can Vanli admitted there was an element of luck about his side’s victory.

“It is lucky that we scored three goals in the second half,” said the Turkish coach. “We were given momentum after Persiwa were reduced to 10 men.

“I instructed my defensive players to be more attacking and I think that became more successful.”

Photo Caption: Ali Ashfag, scored the first equalizer
Source: the-afc.com