Just A Few Things: PKNS Vs. PKNP

Credit- Malaysian Football League

The Two Ps Stand For Pressure

PKNP felt they deserve something out of this. Alas, they didn’t get any as the fell to a slim 1-0 defeat at their Selangor colleagues, PKNS FC who take the bragging rights in ‘Der Klassikemajuan Negeri’. Despite falling behind early, PKNP responded well and exerted a lot of pressure on the PKNS backline. PKNP could’ve got the equalizer on two occasions in that half. First, Giancarlo Rodriguez couldn’t reach a bouncing rebound effort and later, Khairul Asyraf Sahizah superb chip from the right beat the keeper, but didn’t beat the crossbar.

PKNP ended the first half strongly. Though it took some time to replicate that performance in the second, but eventually they did. When PKNS went down to 10-men, PKNP knew that they had to apply more offence as Hafiz Kamal was bought on for defender Siyovush Asrorov. They kept going and going, but frustratingly, couldn’t find that elusive goal.

Yashir Pinto’s attempted rocket that went just over the bar was the last action of the match. PKNP failed to make their advantage and attacks count as they go back to Perak without taking anything, wondering how have they not scored.

The Ballad Of Sherman

PKNS’ Liberia striker, Kpah Sherman, had an interesting eventful night. His 3rd minute goal proved to be the match-winner. They’ve weathered the PKNP storm as if things are going well for PKNS. That is until one moment of madness that gave PKNP a lot more hope.

Sherman was involved in an act of aggression towards PKNP’s new Filipino signing, Amani Aguinaldo. After discussing with the fourth official on what just happened, referee Mohd Zamzaidi gave Sherman his marching orders and off he went for an early bath. PKNS fans though showed their appreciation by applauding Sherman.

The red card came at a bad time for The Fighters as they will face a defensively stable Kedah next week. With Sherman set to miss out, how will PKNS get their supply of goals?

Overcoming A Towering Presence

Having signed for PKNP on-loan on deadline day from PJ City, Giancarlo Rodriguez has made a decent impression as the focal point of PKNP’s attacks. His big physique allows PKNP to cause some concern in the PKNS defence. The towering Brazilian looks like a decent signing made.

His presence has the PKNS defense line to work hard and win the aerial battles. To PKNS’ credit, they did well to thwart the striker from getting the ball most of the time as they clear out the attempted long balls. Giancarlo’s presence was a menace, but PKNS successfully passed that test.

Rome-ing About

PKNS looks like they have deployed a 4-2-1-3 formation. With K. Gurusamy & captain Akram Mahinan doing their holding midfielder duties, the system allows Romel Morales permission to drive forward. And you do not want a midfielder like Romel to go at you.

Romel is deployed as the box-to-box midfielder that will wreak havoc inside PKNP’s final third. It was because of the young Colombian that lead to PKNS’ opening goal. After he dispossessed Aguinaldo, he saw Sherman having space forward and played a neat through pass that allowed the Liberian striker to score.

He could’ve been involved in two goals late in the match. PKNS exposed PKNP’s lack of cover at the back when they were looking for an equalizer. Romel, aware that substitute Faizat Ghazli had space to go forward and onside, played a neat pass to the forward, but Faizat saw his one-on-one effort saved. The roles reversed moments later when Romel utilized the space on the right but couldn’t put away his low shot after Faizat found him.

Romel is getting more and more versatile, having proven to be a capable holding midfielder early last season to a reliable attacking midfielder. He was one of the most hardworking players of the night as he continues where he left off from last year.

The Gatekeepers

He may have counted himself unlucky not to fully stop Sherman’s early goal, but it seems there is plenty of promise for PKNP goalkeeper Khairul Thaqif. The unknown goalkeeper showed some potential, holding his own at the most crucial moments. The goalkeeper though could count himself unlucky that he didn’t fully stop Sherman’s shot from going in. But showed good composure to sweep out any impending danger. He made two crucial saves late in the match that kept PKNP in the match, first denying Faizat and then getting down to deny Nicholas Swirad’s header moments later. Sadly, his efforts were in vain.

PKNS’ Zarif Irfan though was the busiest of the two keepers and was handsomely rewarded with a clean sheet for all his efforts. He did well winning the aerial battles against a much taller Giancarlo with strong grip on the ball, though he was fortunate a few times. He successfully frustrated the Brazilian who felt he should be on the scoresheet two times if it weren’t for Zarif. The PKNS keeper also notably brilliantly kept out Fadhil Idris’ dipping corner that was on-target using his fingertips in the first half. Nevertheless, Zarif did a job well done after a brave and solid game.