GEORGE TOWN, Aug 31 (Bernama) — Winless Penang FC have improved in their first four matches in the Super League this season, but were still paying dearly for their mistakes, said head coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail.
Wan Rohaimi said the team showed better energy and cohesion in last night's match against Kelantan The Real Warriors (TRW), but lost 0-1 due to a player's error.
He said the sending off of a player in the second half also badly affected the team's play.
“We started well in the first half; everything went smoothly until an individual mistake enabled Kelantan TRW to take the lead.
“A few minutes later, we were punished with a red card, which clearly affected the players’ emotions and rhythm of play,” he said at a post-match press conference.
Wan Rohaimi said his players displayed tremendous spirit in the second half despite being forced to play with only 10 men.
He said several substitutions and tactical changes managed to create chances right up to the final minute, but luck was not on the side of the Panthers as they failed to convert them.
He remains optimistic that the team's fortune will improve, but acknowledged that a bigger challenge awaits when they face league leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim FC at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Sept 28.
Kelantan head coach E. Elavarasan praised the performance of his players, especially goalkeeper Damyanov Damyan Valeriy, who made several saves against the home side.
At the same time, he also lauded Penang for playing well despite being a man down.
The match at the City Stadium saw Kelantan clinch their first win in four matches to move to fifth in the league table on five points, while Penang slipped to 11th place with only one point.
— BERNAMA
