Just A Few Things: PKNS Vs. PKNP

PKNP’s Set-Up Almost Paid Off

As time goes on in this match, PKNP’s gameplan is clear: Frustrate PKNS and attack when they see the chance. PKNP kept the space between their defence and midfield tight to ensure PKNS won’t have any breathing space to build-up play and attack.

Even though they set up defensively, they still found attacking chances in their favor, although haven’t troubled Shahril Shaari as they hoped to do with captain Shahrel Fikri and Yeon Gi-Sung the closest to score. It took a deflected strike by left-back Muhammad Safar to break the deadlock. PKNP looked very comfortable and was never troubled all night. They were set to get all three points until they conceded a last-minute equalizer. It’s a set back PKNP didn’t want as they may get dragged down to the bottom of the Super League, especially depending on the Selangor/Negeri Sembilan result.

There’s An Apparent Problem In PKNS

PKNS had trouble breaking down a stubborn PKNP side and it didn’t help that it was one of those nights where they looked like they have an off day. Give credit to PKNP, they were defensively disciplined, preventing PKNS from getting a sniff at their goal. This match however has pinpointed a problem PKNS has: Creativity.

There was nothing imaginative in their offence and played too simple, in which makes PKNP’s defensive job a lot easier. No one in the PKNS squad offered the creativity and inspiration PKNS desperately needed. They may be bailed out by substitute, Nurridzuan Abu Hassan’s goal deep into stoppage time, but Rajagobal has to go back to the drawing board to find some way to break through a defensive set-up like PKNP’s for future matches.

A New Name For This Match-Up

Before this match, there was some talk about how this match should be called given the similarities between these two teams, especially the organizations that run these teams. Up stepped Darren Goon AKA Box_to_Box on Twitter. He is responsible for the funny FELDA United/FELCRA derby name called ‘FEL Classico’.

Though unofficial, Darren took to Twitter having come up with four names and ran a poll on how the PKNS/PKNP match should be called. What was one of the options? Der Klassikemajuan Negeri. A play on the rivalry name between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund and the fact the teams are run by state development corporations. The poll may end in a tie, but we’re pretty sure we’re gonna stick to the German-inspired nickname for this rivalry.

PKNS Loses More Ground

The early season momentum PKNS looks almost all gone. An encouraging win over Pahang and a great FA Cup run set the tone that they are going to take the season by storm, only to be ruthlessly outclassed by Johor Darul Takzim and now this draw.

This proves that PKNS still has a long way to go to try and challenge for the top prize. Although given their coach’s credentials and the players they have, it’s a step in the right direction, albeit one or two more to create that spark. All they need now is to come up with a strategy to attract more people for their fanbase to spur them on.