Thể Công–Viettel remain without a win in AFC Champions League Two after losing 1-0 at Persib Bandung on 14 October. VnExpress reports that Mariano Peralta scored the only goal from the penalty spot, while both teams finished with ten players. The Vietnamese side have one point from two Group E matches.

Penalty decides a difficult away game

Persib's decisive move began with a quick pass from Berguinho towards Peralta. Kyle Colonna's challenge inside the area conceded the penalty, which the Argentine converted in the 45th minute. Paulinho later received a second yellow card for a foul on Peralta in the 68th minute. Marc Klok was also dismissed for a second booking six minutes afterwards.

Thể Công were competitive in possession but produced only one shot on target from ten attempts. Lucas Alves returned in defence, although individual mistakes and limited attacking combinations continued to undermine the visitors. The report also describes offside decisions; those descriptions do not establish an official finding of refereeing error.

Group standings and the next commitments

Persib lead Group E on six points. Melbourne Victory have four after beating FC Seoul 3-0, followed by Thể Công on one and Seoul on zero. Thể Công's opening continental match had ended 1-1 against Melbourne.

Their next Asian fixture is a home meeting with Seoul on 28 October, when Persib face Melbourne. Before then, VnExpress lists V.League games against Công an TP.HCM on 19 October and Bắc Ninh on 23 October. Those upcoming matches give Popov's side further commitments before it can seek its first continental victory.