Reality check for Stallion Laguna FC in their debut in the AFC Cup against Bali United

Photo credits: AFC

Looking to make some good first impressions in their debut in the AFC Cup, Stallion Laguna FC hosted Bali United in what has been a match filled with action right from the get-go.

Stallion Laguna FC's debut in the AFC Cup didn't go as planned with the home side losing five goals to two against Indonesia Liga 1 defending champions. Goals from Ilija Spasojevic, Haudi Abdillah, Mohammed Rashid, and Muhammat Ramat gave the travelling side their first three points in this year's competition. while Junior Ngong Sam and Abraham Placito helped the home side to score their first two goals in the AFC Cup.

Spasojevic opened the scoring for the visitors in the 27th minute after a lovely one-two passing with Irfan Jaya that split the defense of Stallion Laguna FC wide open.

Not long enough, the Laguna-based booters would then get the equalizer three minutes after conceding the opening goal. Sam and Juan Trujillo combined for the equalizer with Sam blasting it past Adilson Maringa.

Bali United took the lead once again in the 33rd minute thanks to Abdillah's header after a great delivery from Eber Bessas.

They would get another chance to earn their insurance goal in the 41st minute after Hayeson Pepito clipped Ardi Idrus inside the box with a late challenge. Spasojevic stepped up to the plate but his penalty kick hit the left post allowing the Stallion Laguna FC faithful to breathe a sigh of relief.

The hosts almost got a huge morale boost heading into the locker rooms as Miguel Mendoza was taken down inside the box. Finn McDaniel took the spot kick but his effort was met by a diving Maringa.

Into the second half of the match, both sides made some changes in their efforts to get the better of the opposition. Bali United's shuffling of the cards paid dividends in the 53rd minute with substitute Rashid scoring their third goal of the match. Rashid met Privat Mbarga's long ball with a sweet touch before blasting it past Pepito.

The goals kept on coming for the visitors as Ramat scored their fourth goal in the 69th with a nice bit of trickery as he chipped it over Pepito at first before tapping it into the back of the net.

Bali United grabbed their fifth goal through Spasojevic's brace in the 72nd minute as he muscled his way past Stallion Laguna FC's substitute Michael Menzi. The home side would try to salvage something out of the match with substitute Yuta Nomura firing from distance but his strike was met easily by Maringa.

Placito managed to pull one back for the hosts in the 88th minute after meeting the corner with a solid header. The match ended with Sam almost getting his brace but his effort glanced past Maringa and, unfortunately, the right post as well.

Stallion Laguna FC would look to bounce back in their next AFC Cup match but it will be a mountain to climb as they'll be facing Isuzu UTE A-League side Central Coast Mariners on the fourth of October 2023 at the Central Coast Stadium.