Just A Few Things: PJ City Vs. Kedah

Credit- Malaysian Football League

Far Superior

They passed the first big test when they faced Selangor, holding them to a draw. But Kedah proved to be a far more dangerous opponent for PJ City to handle. Kedah would often get the best of the hosts in almost every aspect as the Red Eagle successfully imposed on their opponents tremendously.

Kedah were far more technical and dominated their opponents in such a way that they never looked troubled at all. Their defence did their job well to hold the line and won possession back with some ease while their midfield would outmuscle their counterparts. As a result, PJ City couldn’t make that impressive impression as they would’ve hoped.

Head coach Aidil Sharin have made a huge, great impact towards the team. Kedah remains unbeaten after four matches and moved to the summit of the league, albeit for the moment. The next three matches though would be  a massive test whether they do have a shout for the title: PKNS (H), Pahang (A) and Johor Darul Takzim (H)

Badd To The Bone

Kedah captain Baddrol Bakhtiar may no longer hold down a position to his original position as a right-winger, but it is look as though he is relishing his newfound role as a central-midfielder. First starting in this role in last year’s Asian Games, Baddrol look like he has found far more comfort in the centre of the park.

Baddrol’s task was looking to be that deep-lying playmaker. Not just limited to short passes, he also would play a few long balls when he had the chance to do so to mix up his distribution. It was his cross that found Syahrul Azwari’s head as the winger glanced his header out of PJ City goalkeeper, Muhaimin Mohammad’s reach. The playmaker is looking influential in the middle and he’s there to stay for a long time.

Brazilian Rock

However, the pick for the man-of-the-match would go to Kedah’s Brazilian defender, Renan Alves. The defender was the most commanding player out of all the Kedah players on the field. He was up for almost every defensive challenge PJ City would throw at him and effectively kept Pedro Henrique quiet before he was forced to be replaced. He demonstrated his physique with great effect and was tough to get through, rendering PJ’s attack to near ineffective.

It was not just defending Renan was exceptional at. It seems Kedah has another avenue when going forward which is long balls, and Renan can do it very well. One of his attempted long balls found Syahrul Azwari all the way on the left-wing from his own half. Looks like he and Baddrol can share the duty of delivering the passes going forward.

Account Opened

He loved scoring goals when he was in the Philippines with Ceres-Negros, but Kedah’s Spanish striker, Fernando Rodriguez had still yet to score in the first three games of the season… Until now. And goodness, what a way to open your account. A flimsy pass by PJ City allowed Kedah to attack on the break. And to PJ City’s horror, it was 4-on-2 in favor of Kedah on the counter.

Fadzrul Danel started the counter by winning the ball by the edge of his own box and continued the attack after exchanging passes with Zaquan Adha. Fadzrul then played a through pass for Jonathan Bauman, who then dinked the ball brilliantly for Rodriguez as the Spaniard finished off the sublime counter-attack with a great finish.

Rodriguez though should’ve made it three in the second half had he not dragged a sitter wide of the far post following Bauman’s knockdown from Rizal Ghazali’s cross. Still, that goal would give him a boost in confidence and hopefully for the Kedah fans, would be the first of many to come.

Toothless PJ

Despite being behind, PJ City showed some fight and tried to claw their way back into the match. However, while looking good going forward, they continuously let themselves down without a killer final pass or end product that proved to be their undoing. It doesn’t help them either that Kedah’s defence looked like a brick wall.

Their attack got even more dented when Pedro Henrique had to be subbed off at half-time due to a suspected hamstring problem. That resulted in leaving national folklore hero, Safee Sali to lead the attack alone without a proper strike partner. And give credit to him and his teammates, they tried to make things happen, but their attacks looked disorganized along with running into Kedah’s defensive fortress. Overall, it was just a bad night in the office for PJ City.