Weid But Penang Coach Will Take It Anyway

7 Mac, 2015

GEORGE TOWN: Penang coach Jacksen Thiago is at a loss to explain the Panthers’ peculiar habit of eking out only 1-0 wins this season.

On Friday, the islanders overcame Kuala Lumpur 1-0 in the Premier League through Faiz Subri’s 38th minute half-volley. It was Penang’s fourth consecutive 1-0 victory at the City Stadium, following similar wins over Kuantan FA and PKNS FC in the league and Perlis in the FA Cup second round.

Penang’s only away match so far, against T-Team in Kuala Terengganu, ended in a goalless draw.

“This is a new situation for me because all the previous teams I’ve coached scored lots of goals. In the pre-season friendlies, Penang could score two or three goals a game. Now, I do not know why we cannot get more than one despite creating many opportunities. The players work hard in training and give their best during the match, but the result is still 1-0,” complained Brazilian Thiago.

“But I will be happy even if we win all the remaining matches 1-0. If we do that, then we will be champions. We are still unbeaten. Before the KL match, we were third. Now we are second, so we are on the right track. We can do much better as we have time on our side.”

Penang and Negri Sembilan have 10 points, but the Deer lead the 12-team league with a better goal difference.

Faiz’s strike against KL was also the first goal scored by a Penang player from open play after 398 minutes of action this season. The Panthers’ three previous goals were an own goal by former player Lee Kwang-hyun (against Kuantan FA), a penalty by striker Alberto Goncalves (against PKNS) and a free-kick by Faiz (against Perlis).

Penang are also the only team in the top two divisions yet to concede a single goal in all competitions.

“At last, we managed to score from open play. Luck is finally on our side as Faiz’s strike rebounded off the post and went in. We could use more of such luck in the coming matches,” said Thiago.

“Our defence was dependable as usual, but we need to improve our communication on the pitch. There were several instances when two Penang players went for the same ball, and we need to work on that.”

Penang’s stellar defensive record will face a tough test against Kedah at the City Stadium on Friday.

Thiago will be without his defensive stalwarts Oliveira Lobo and Rafiuddin Rodin. Both are suspended after picking up their third bookings of the season during the KL match.

Original source - Loganath Velloo www.thestar.com.my