Just A Few Things: PKNS Vs. Terengganu
Credits: PKNS FC
Sloppy Turtles
The thing is Terengganu tried to put up a fight. They started off the better team and kept probing the PKNS box. There’s just one major problem: They lose possession easily just when they were attacking and find themselves wasting those promising situations. It really didn’t help when PKNS had two players on the sole ball holder in numerous occasions.
PKNS keeper Zarif Irfan was given a chance to show what he has, but he was rarely troubled and it took until before half-time when he was made to work when he went down to save Thierry Chanta Bin’s low effort. Still, Terengganu never looked like they’re going to give Zarif a run for his money. Do Dong-Hyun and J. Partiban were the most guiltiest with giving away the ball. Even if they had some opportunities, most of them were only half-chances.
They then pay for their defensive shortcomings. Fitri Omar bought down Faris Ramli for the penalty and PKNS first goal. Suffian Rahman misjudged a corner that allowed Zac Anderson to get the end of a corner and the Turtles couldn’t contain a certain Brazilian attacker (Which we’ll go into next). It was another bad day in the office for Irfan Bakti and his men.
Matos Gloss
Bruno Matos is looking to be one of the best mid-season signings there is. A lethal left foot, creativity on point and silky runs, he might be the missing piece K. Rajagobal needed. He’s been deployed as winger even though his favored position is listed as an attacking midfielder. He was involved in ALL four goals against the hapless Terengganu. Scoring a penalty, then swung a corner for Zac Anderson’s header, lead the counter attack where his low cross was converted by Jafri Firdaus Chew and then lashed a shot home his favored left after turning Nasrullah Hanif inside out.
There a few situations where he could’ve got a shot off using his right foot, so imagine if he does practice his weaker foot. He would’ve been a much deadlier attacker. In good days like this, the opponent’s defence would be in a torrid time.
For a team that is not exactly known for their goalscoring so far this season, PKNS have now slammed in nine goals in only two matches. They started a free-scoring run with a 5-3 victory over Negeri Sembilan and now slamming past four over an inconsistent Terengganu side. And they can thank the Brazilian maestro for playing a huge part.
There Should Be More
Terengganu has a host of wealthy attacking options. Not only they have star striker Kipre Tchetche, but they also have players that performed extremely well last season: Do Dong-Hyun was a livewire at UiTM FC banging in the goals and caused headaches to Premier League full-backs, Abdul Malik Mat Ariff single handedly saved Kuantan FA from relegation in the Premier League with his goals and Lee Tuck was instrumental in Negeri Sembilan’s 2017 season and then they have Ashaari Samsudin as a back-up too. The tenacity of J. Partiban and Faiz Nasir would surely elevate the attack further
For a talented team like this, there should be more than Terengganu has to offer. Sure Kipre is the main source of goals, but the other players need to step up. Tuck, Dong-Hyun, Malik and Partiban need to step up from this forgettable outing. It is baffling Terengganu haven’t inflicted fear into anyone yet with their attacking prowess.
In Too Deep?
With K. Rajagobal playing Rafael Ramazotti and Safee Sali, it is expected he will be going with the 4-4-2 formation. However, it looked like Safee was dropping a lot more deeper than initially thought. He was in midfield even when his teammates were going forward. He did go forward, but not as far up as a striker would normally go. It was a little confusing on what he was doing far behind Ramazotti.
The most likely answers would be that he would either go for second balls if a cross or pass came off a defender, or to make sure the Terengganu defence was fully committed to guard their box and Safee can just come by the edge of the box with a good amount of space. He was in the latter situation, but he miskicked his volley when Faris Ramli picked out his position. But that was as good as it got. He was substituted on the hour mark for Jafri. It’s a little confusing what is he doing deeper than he usually is because this writer here can’t recall Safee being there ever.