This is the clash they must win if they want to keep their Asian hopes alive.

Indonesian underdogs Persik stunned Sydney when the two teams met for the first time in the sweaty midday heat of Solo City’s Manahan Stadium – and Sydney will be out to avenge their defeat.

The Javanese side had been widely tipped to be the easybeats of Sydney’s Asian Champions League group, despite a shock win against Shanghai last month.

But that idea was dismissed within 40 seconds of kick-off when Clint Bolton was forced to pull off a great save to stop his side from going behind within the first minute

And it didn't get any easier from there. Even after Steve Corica gave Sydney an early lead, scoring after eight minutes, Persik threw everything they had at Sydney, and levelled with a goal by Aris Budi Prasetiya.

A second half goal by substitute Budi Sudarsono, just a few minutes after Sydney full-back Ruben Zadkovich was sent off, sealed victory for the home team and ended Sydney coach Branko Culina’s unbeaten run.

Conditions in Java conspired against Sydney – oppressive heat and high humidity, on a pitch that had been a duck pond just a few hours earlier (which forced the scheduled evening kick-off to be postponed the night before) played a part.

But more than anything, it was the skill and determination of the Persik side which won the game.

Virtually no-one outside of Indonesia had expected Persik to show the ability they did and Sydney appeared to be taken by surprise by the high quality opposition they faced.

This was the same club which, in their only previous tilt in the ACL in 2004, were thumped 15-0 by Korea’s Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

In their domestic league, they had suffered a string of defeats in the days leading up to the Sydney clash, including their first home loss since 2003.

Yet against Sydney – at a ground 200km away from their actual home stadium which doesn’t meet Champions League standards – the Indonesians were devastatingly impressive.

Persik’s imports Cristian Gonzalez and Ronald Fagundez posed a constant threat upfront, supersub Sudarsano made an immediate impact off the bench, and Prasetyo and Zainuri were strong in defence while also pressing forward. In goal, Kurnia Sandy was confident and capable.

Meanwhile Sydney were lacklustre compared to their two previous ACL outings – and will be looking to put the whole experience behind them for the Anzac Day clash at Parramatta Stadium.

They face an uphill struggle to qualify to the quarter-finals from their group after the defeat. Sydney must win all its remaining matches to go forward.

And in the wake of the match in Java, their already diminished squad is further weakened by the loss of Dave Carney, suspended for collecting two yellow cards, and Zadkovich, suspended for his dismissal in Java.

Mark Milligan is a doubt after he was sent home from the Olyroos training camp with a back injury, and Robbie Middleby will be fighting to shake off the groin strain he picked up against Japanese giants Urawa Reds at Aussie Stadium last month.

Skipper Mark Rudan missed Sydney’s warm-up match against Bankstown in preparation for the Persik tie because of a calf injury but he’ll be hoping to be fit in time for the ACL clash. Persik have also lost Brazilian striker Danilo Fernando after picking up two yellow cards in the tournament.

Midfielder Terry McFlynn, now fully recovered from his knee injury, has vowed fans will be proud of the Sydney display as they wreak revenge on the Persik side that humbled them.

"I'm sure you'll see a completely different Sydney this time,” he promised. “It's in our own conditions, the surface at Parramatta is immaculate, and that suits us. Losing any game is a blow to your pride, but it's how you bounce back that counts.

"We've got strong enough characters in this side to make sure we bounce back, and I believe if we win our next two games, then we can go to Urawa for the last game and get the result we need."


THE DANGER MEN

PERSIK KEDIRI
Ronald Fagundez
The Uruguayan made a fool of Ruben Zadkovich when the young defender was in the right back position with clever runs up the left wing. Proved to be a thorn in Sydney’s side in Solo City...but will be far less of a surprise package when the two sides meet in Parramatta.

Cristian Gonzalez
Famously (and bafflingly!) described by ex-Indonesian national coach Peter Withe as an ‘unfit Mark Viduka’, fellow Uruguayan Gonzalez showed no sign of being a burly pie eater in Persik’s home game against Sydney. Combines well and dangerously with Fagundez and was last season’s highest scorer in Liga Indonesia with his old club PSM Makassar.

Erol Iba
The Indonesian national team star played his part in Zadkovich’s exposure on the right, but also sent in a series of great balls into the Sydney box that the defence struggled to cope with. He’s also a danger in front of goal and has scored for Persik in their domestic campaign.


SYDNEY FC
Nikolai Topor-Stanley
Hyphen proved vital for Sydney in the centre-back role, switching away from the full-back role he’s been played in recently. He’s big and he can jump and Sydney will be relying on him to keep Persik out of the scoring this time.

Alex Brosque
Created some great opportunities for Sydney in Indonesia but the side lacked the finishing to make them count. He had one of the best chances of the game when he was through on goal, but went to ground in search of a penalty instead of scoring. If he can find the killer touch, his contribution could be crucial.

Steve Corica
Scored Sydney’s only goal in Java, but was also the linchpin in the visitors’ attack. With Carney suspended for the return match, Corica’s role will be more important than ever and Sydney will be relying on him to push the ball forward and put the Persik goal under pressure.