ACL key to contract extension says Tiago

JAYAPURA – Persipura Jayapura coach Jacksen Tiago has said that the chance to lead the Indonesian champions at next year’s AFC Champions League is one of the main reasons he agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Black Pearls. Persipura were in imperious form in the recently concluded Indonesian Super League, losing just four of their 34 matches to finish 14 points clear of runners-up Persiwa Wamena and although their season ended in controversy following their walk off in the Copa Indonesia final against Sriwijaya, the 41-year-old Brazilian is relishing a return to continental competition next year.“Persipura made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse, and here I have all the support I need to build a better club. There is also the Asian Champions League,” Tiago said in an interview with the Jakarta Globe.“I have Asian competition experience that I know will be useful to prepare my players for next season.”Tiago was at the helm of Persipura when they took part in the 2005 AFC Champions League where the West Papuan side finished third in Group G behind Busan I’Park and Krung Thai Bank following a home win (1-0) and an away draw (0-0) with bottom-of-the-table Binh Dinh.The Brazilian also featured in continental action as a Persipura player after their 1997 Indonesia league win qualified them to the following year’s Asian Club Championship but their involvement was short-lived as they crashed out of the competition at the first round, losing 6-2 on aggregate to Korean side Ulsan Horang-i.