By Khalis Rifhan khalis.rifhan@goal.com @KhalisRifhan

Warriors failed to snatch away any point in West Sumatra in their AFC Cup Group E opener against the superior Semen Padang at the Haji Agus Salim stadium on Monday. 

Tatsuri Inui's goal was not enough for the visitors as Edward Wilson and Vendry Mofu scored a goal each in the first half before substitue Nur Iskandar scored in the dying minutes of the match to give the hosts maximum points.

In a bumpy and dry pitch, the visitors found it difficult to get their rhythm together and the Buffaloes went a goal up courtesy of former Liberian international Wilson, in the 19th minute of the match. 

The home fans, the Spartacks, were up on their feet again two minutes after the half-hour mark as Indonesian national player Mofu scored their second goal of the match.

Mofu beautifully worked his magic past the Warriors defence before unleashing a stinging shot that left goalkeeper Hassan Sunny with no chance of saving it. 

The deficit was reduced three minutes before the break through a superb strike from Japanese midfielder Inui.

The former Albirex Niigata (S) player did well to beat his markers and went on a solo run and pulled the trigger from 25 yards, sending the ball to the top corner in the 42nd minute. 

After the half-time break, the visitors started well, dominating possession but failed to find a way past the tight and disciplined Semen defence.

Midway through the half, goalscorer Wilson pulled a muscle while challenging for the ball and was replaced by former Persibo Bojonegoro striker Iskandar.

But Hassan was partly guilty of giving away the third goal five minutes before the end of regulation time. 

Titus Bonai found space for himself near the byline and Hassan rushed out of his line to challenge for the ball, but the Indonesian was quick to send the ball to the centre of the box and substitute Iskandar easily headed the ball into an empty net, to make it 3-1 for Semen Padang.

Warriors will next host Kitchee FC (Hong Kong) at the Jalan Besar stadium on March 12 while Semen Padang will travel to Pune, India to take on Churchill Brothers.