Latest news with #Persib
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Hodak's underdogs Persib ready to bite in AFC showdown
PETALING JAYA: Persib Bandung coach Bojan Hodak has admitted his side will embrace the role of underdogs as they prepare for a challenging AFC Champions League Two campaign following Friday's group draw. The Croatian tactician, who knows South-East Asian football inside out after years of coaching in Malaysia, will see his Persib side matched against some of the region's most ambitious clubs, Selangor from Malaysia, Singapore's Lions City Sailors, and Thailand's Bangkok United. 'It is an interesting group,' said Hodak, reflecting on the draw. 'According to TransferMarkt values, Bangkok, Lions, and Selangor are favourites, but I think anybody can beat anybody in this group.' Hodak, who has squared off against Selangor multiple times during his managerial career in Malaysia, is relishing the battles ahead. For him, the draw represents both familiarity and fresh challenge. 'Bangkok were second in the Thai League, which to me, shows they are a good team, and they have qualified for the Champions League before, so they will be favourites,' noted Hodak. 'Lions have also invested a lot, they kept their core players from last season and they played in the final of the AFC Champions League Two last season. So, a good team, top. 'Selangor, in the last six to seven years, have invested a lot of money to build their squad. They didn't win anything, but they have invested a lot. We will see how good they are.' For Persib, the journey is not about being favourites but about upsetting the odds. Hodak underlined the club's financial discipline and steady growth as key strengths, even if they cannot compete with rivals' spending power. 'Persib are the smallest among the four, so we are coming as underdogs but we can fight and surprise people,' he said. 'We won the league for two consecutive seasons. Lots of our players received huge offers from other clubs. 'Financially, Persib are always stable but they do not overspend. 'We may not be the richest in the country but somehow we are the most consistent.' The clash with Selangor will be especially be intriguing given Hodak had coached several of their current players at different stages of their careers, from club football with KL City and JDT, to the Malaysia Under-19 national team. Adding further spice, Persib's Argentine playmaker Luciano Guaycochea once captained Perak and has plenty of experience facing the Klang Valley sides, while the Red Giants will also meet their former captain Safuwan Baharuddin, now donning Lions City colours on loan.
The Star
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Bojan brings out the best in his boys
Man with Midas touch: Bojan Hodak is all smiles with his players after winning the league title. — Persib Bandung PETALING JAYA: Bojan Hodak is stamping his authority as one of South-East Asia's most successful coaches and his latest conquest has come in style, leading Persib Bandung to back-to-back Liga 1 Indonesia titles. The 54-year-old Croatian, who began his head coaching career in Malaysia with UPB-MyTeam in 2006, has transformed Persib into a dominant force since joining them midway through 2023. Back then, Persib were languishing in 16th place but Hodak's arrival has sparked a remarkable turnaround. They surged to finish second in the regular season and stormed into the Championship Series final, eventually crushing Madura United 6-1 on aggregate. This season, with the league format reverting to a single-table format (no playoffs), Persib clinched the Liga 1 title with four matches to spare, a feat underlining their dominance. With two games remaining, they have 65 points from 32 matches, a full eight points ahead of second-placed Dewa United. Asked about his secret to success, the ever-affable Hodak offered a typical self-effacing quip: 'Probably I'm just lucky.' But as he elaborated, it became clear that luck alone didn't build champions. 'I will say it again, luck is part of life, I have my superstitions but the most important thing, in football and in life, is man management,' said Hodak, who previously helmed Kelantan, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Kuala Lumpur. 'If you can't get a group of people to follow you, you can't achieve anything. They need to work together, follow the same ethos, be a family. Only then do fitness and tactics come in.' Hodak cited Kuala Lumpur as an example of how belief and unity can conquer odds. 'We had a small budget, a unique setup, but every player was ready to die for each other. That's how we won the Malaysia Cup in 2021 and reached the AFC Cup final in 2022.' 'It's a similar situation in Bandung. When I arrived, the dressing room was fractured. I brought in my philosophy, changed a few players, and here we are.' Hodak's approach to the game is refreshingly simple. 'Don't complicate football. Keep it simple and focus on winning each game.' Despite his success, he admits the Indonesian league presents unique challenges. 'This league isn't like Malaysia, where one team dominate. Here, anyone can beat anyone. We've dropped points against teams near the bottom and mid-table. 'Travelling is a big test too, getting to Papua can take 11 or 12 hours. In Malaysia, the longest trip is maybe 2.5 hours to East Malaysia.' 'Also, some training grounds and stadiums need improvement, though things are getting better since the Under-17 World Cup.' Hodak sees promise in Indonesia's youth talent but notes a gap between emerging and senior players. 'The talent is there, but they need to work really hard to break into the first team.' Though Croatian by birth, Hodak's heart is clearly tied to Malaysia. 'There's a saying in Croatia – you're from where your wife is. So I'm Malaysian thanks to my wife,' he said. 'Wherever I go, I want to win. I won the treble with Kelantan in 2012, helped JDT win their first league title in 2014, won the AFF Under-19 title for Malaysia, and now back-to-back titles in Indonesia.' And with his trademark humour, Hodak summed it up best – 'I guess I'm just lucky.'
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Do KL City regret letting Hodak go?
KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur FC must be wishing they had hung on to Croatian coach Bojan Hodak. The man who won the Malaysia Cup for the City Boys in 2021 apart from taking them to several major finals, has proved to be a winner with Indonesian club Persib Bandung, whom he joined after leaving KL. The astute Hodak has just guided Persib Bandung to Liga 1 triumph. His team clinched the Liga 1 title without kicking a ball after rivals Persebaya Surabaya were held to a 3-3 draw by Persik Kediri yesterday. Persib currently top the Liga 1 standings with an unassailable 64 points from 31 matches, with three more games remaining. Hodak said he woke up to pleasant news. "Some of my players went to watch the Persebaya match, but I opted to sleep. When I woke up, I got the good news," said the burly Hodak, who also won the Liga 1 title last season with Persib. "I'm happy to win the title again this year. I hope we can defend the title next season and also do well in the AFC Champions League 2." But Hodak said there is a need to reinforce Persib with more players. "When your team is successful, the players will attract better offers from other clubs, so we need to be prepared." The 54-year-old Croat has established himself as one of the top coaches in the Asean region. He has tasted success in the M-League, guiding Kelantan to a historic treble of Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup in 2012 and Johor Darul Ta'zim to their first Super League title in 2014. Hodak said the Liga 1 is one of the toughest competitions he has ever been involved in, and he expects it to be even more competitive next season, with rival clubs ready to challenge. "Next season, we aim to do better. I want to push harder in the ACL 2 — we beat this season's finalists Lions City Sailors at their home ground, so I believe we can improve further in the Asian competition."
