Just A Few Things (PKNS Vs. Selangor)
Credit: FA Selangor
Rajagobal’s Plan Almost Worked
PKNS head coach, K. Rajagobal definitely learnt his lesson after the defeat at Cheras a few days ago. Selangor has a tendency to build-up from the back & once afforded space, they were able to create chaos from the middle of the park. Rajagobal made sure they weren’t allowed to do this so freely.
PKNS was set in a 4-4-2 formation. Once the ball falls into either Willian Pacheco or Alfonso De Le Cruz, Rafael Ramazotti and Safee Sali closed the gap to force them into either sideways passes or long balls. Even if either them got the ball into the midfield, Romel Morales and P. Gunalan were able to fulfill their task to give Evan Dimas and Faizzudin Abidin an extremely tough time to not get the service to their attackers. This also resulted in Amri Yahyah forcing to drop back to help out in distributing the ball and lost the creative edge to the forward line.
The strategy worked and PKNS not only frustrated the visitors, but also deservedly lead after half-time thanks to Ramazotti’s 18th minute effort. Although for some reason, they didn’t implement this fully in the 2nd half and were almost punished for this when Selangor were afforded a sniff at their own goal and got two goals in the final ten minutes. But somehow, PKNS were bailed out immediately in stoppage time when Ramazotti provided the vital header to win a point. But with how well they set-up, PKNS would rather have the win instead of a draw after being the better of the two sides.
Faizzudin’s Horrible Night
With the way PKNS set-up their system, they gave one 22-year old attacking midfielder an absolute nightmare in the first half. With Amri moving into the right-wing, Faizzudin Abidin’s role was to provide the smart passes for the attackers. Sadly, he failed to carry out his role. When he got possession, he looked sloppy and often was outmuscled by Romel that resulted in losing the ball.
When he was switched to the right-wing later in the first-half, he fared no better. He failed to make runs down the half-space or the flank when either Amri or Evan Dimas had the ball, his crosses looked non-existent and Daniel Ting had often got the better of him. He was mercifully hauled off for Joseph Kalang Tie at half-time. This was his first start and given his performance, he may not get another chance for quite a while.
Kugan’s Moment Spoiled
There is no better time to score your first goal than to score on what is thought the winner late in the match. Despite just coming on at half-time, Kalang Tie was hauled off for D. Kugan as Nazliazmi Nasir decided he needed tenacity on the right flank.
In the end, Kugan made an explosive impact when he shook off his marker to toe-poke the ball in from K. Kannan’s cross on the 89th minute that sent the Selangor fans in a world of joy. Only for Kannan to be partly responsible when he gave away a needless free-kick on the right-wing that lead to Ramazotti striking back immediately. In just a space of a minute, Kugan’s happiness immediately turned into despondence. But the impact he made should make Nazliazmi to trust in the winger more often.
Rufino (Thankfully) Recovers
Rufino Segovia was taken off at half-time at Cheras a few days ago as a precaution after picking up an injury scare, according to Goal Malaysia’s Zulhilmi Zainal, and before the match, was uncertain if he is able to be fit in time. Thankfully for the Red Giants, their Spanish sensation was able to be named in the starting line-up and boy, they were glad.
While often checked close by the defence, he was able to provide that moment of magic by playing a one-two with Kannan and forced himself into the PKNS box to score past Tauffiq for that important equalizer. He should be considered to be a club hero as the goal now brings him to 13 goals this season. If there is a Foreign Import Of The Year, Rufino Segovia should be one of the front-runners.
Matos The Spark
Seems Rajagobal have opted to sacrifice the engine room of Jonathan Acosta for a creative artist in Brazilian midfielder Bruno Matos and it looks like it was a switch worth making. After all, it was Matos who was the architect to both of PKNS goals. He provided the low cross, with some help by Romel whose touch lead the ball to fall nicely for Ramazotti’s first goal.
He was also the one who whipped the free-kick in for his compatriot to head the ball out of Khairul Azhan’s reach for an important point when all seemed suddenly looked lost for PKNS. He not only provided to the creative spark but his footwork caused uncertainty to the Selangor defence whether to go in on him or not and a wicked left-foot in his arsenal too as seen on that free-kick. While he has not experienced a first win since joining his new team, but in the long term, his passes & magic with the ball will help in the long run and perhaps he won’t wait long for his first victory with PKNS.