On October 3rd, we witnessed a critical matchup in the second round of the group stage of the AFC Champions League 2024-2025 season in Hangzhou, where the ZheJiang team clinched their first tournament win by overcoming Indonesia’s Persib Bandung with a score of 1-0, thanks to a second-half strike from foreign player Evra.
This season, ZheJiang stands as the sole representative from the Chinese Super League, positioned in Group F alongside Thai Port FC, Persib Bandung, and Lion City Sailors. In their opening game, ZheJiang faced off against Lion City Sailors but encountered difficulties due to suspensions and injuries, which led to a challenging 0-2 defeat on the road.
Back on home soil to take on Persib Bandung, ZheJiang put forth a strong lineup with Evra and Lucas spearheading the attack, supported by midfielders Cheng Jin and Li Tixiang anchoring the center. Goalkeeper Zhao Bo made his return, and notably, 17-year-old Wang Yudong earned his first start in the AFC competition. Meanwhile, Persib Bandung began the match with five foreign players after suffering a 0-1 loss to Thai Port FC in their opening game.
From the start, ZheJiang displayed an aggressive attacking style, actively seeking opportunities in the offensive zone. In the 10th minute, Cheng Jin carved out a promising chance inside the box, but his shot was thwarted by the opposing goalkeeper. Persib Bandung tried to find the back of the net in the 29th minute with a well-executed free kick, yet Syro’s attempt went astray. The first half concluded without any goals.
As the second half unfolded, both teams struggled to turn their chances into goals, leading to a tense stalemate. Then, in the 70th minute, a defensive blunder by Persib Bandung presented Evra with a golden opportunity after a missed clearance. He calmly slotted the ball home, putting ZheJiang ahead 1-0. In response, Persib Bandung mounted a desperate assault to equalize, but ZheJiang’s defense stood resolute, successfully managing several tense moments. Ultimately, ZheJiang secured the victory with a 1-0 scoreline.
Looking ahead, ZheJiang is set to travel for their next match against Thai Port FC. This upcoming clash is particularly significant for ZheJiang, as they have history with Thai Port; last August, they eliminated them with a narrow 1-0 win in the AFC playoff, marking their return to the Champions League after a 12-year absence.
