Persib vs Viettel: ACL Two Fixture at Si Jalak Harupat
Persib Bandung faces a crucial matchday two fixture in Group E of the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) 2026-2027 against Vietnam's The Cong-Viettel FC on Wednesday (14/10/2026) at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung Regency, at 19:15 Western Indonesian Time.
Maung Bandung (the Bandung Tigers) currently lead Group E after beating FC Seoul 1-0 in the opener on September 16, 2026. Coach Igor Tolic's squad also gained confidence from a 3-1 win over Port FC in the ASEAN Club Championship on October 8.
Even so, their domestic form wobbled after a 2-2 draw with Dewa United. Captain Marc Klok set a clear target: three points in front of the home supporters to strengthen their push for the round of 16, while stressing the importance of fitness management and player rotation amid a stacked fixture schedule.
Rotation Signals and Persib's Injury List
Ahead of the match, Igor Tolic confirmed the starting lineup will only be finalized at the last minute. The coaching staff deliberately gave players extra rest to ensure they are in optimal physical and mental condition to defend their Group E summit.
Good news came with Sandy Walsh's return to full training with the team. The 31-year-old's presence is seen as injecting quality and confidence into the squad, although whether he starts against Viettel still awaits final evaluation.
Other players remain under close medical watch. Gabriel Mutombo has just undergone medical checks, Beckham Putra shows significant recovery progress but the coaches are still weighing whether to play him or save him for the next match, while Gakuto Notsuda continues positive recovery based on the latest medical scans.
Viettel Wary of Maung Bandung
From the visitors' camp, The Cong-Viettel coach Velizar Popov acknowledged Persib as a strong team, citing their continental wins and reputation as one of Indonesia's biggest clubs. Striker Lucas Ribamar predicted a tight match, respecting Maung Bandung's quality and experience on the continental stage.
The fixture is an important test for Persib to keep their Asian momentum while managing the squad through a packed domestic and international schedule.
