JOIN USGoa’s Churchill Brothers on Tuesday went down 0-2 to Persipura Jayapura in their opening Group E encounter of AFC Cup at Mandala Stadium in Indonesia.
Second-half goals by Boaz Solossa and Yohanes Pahabol ensured the win for the home side and bag three points.
The visitors, who managed to go goalless in the first half, succumbed to pressure in the second as their citadel fell in the 49th minute when Solossa slotted home a Yohanes Pahabol cross from the right.
The Indonesian team then increased the lead in the 62nd minute through Pahabol, who latched on to a pass from Ronny Beroparay.
Churchill tried to pull one back in the 83rd minute but Richard Costa’s long shot sailed over the crossbar.
Moments later, Lenny Rodrigues attempted the same but the ball went safely into the hands of the goalkeeper Jae-Hoon.
Churchill coach Mariano Dias made a couple of changes with Richard Costa and Ashley Fernandes coming on for Bineesh Balan and Abdelhamid Shabana.
The Indian club will take on New Radiant of the Maldives in their next AFC Cup match to be held on March 11 at Fatorda Stadium in Goa.