Just A Few Things: PKNS Vs. Pahang

Credit: Malaysian Football League

Formation Blues

K. Rajagobal may regret what he had done just before half-time. With the tie in the balance during an entertaining match, PKNS holding midfielder, K. Gurusamy could not continue. So Rajagobal bought on Shahrom Kalam instead of a straight swap for R. Surendran. As a result, K. Rajagobal changed from a 4-2-1-3 to a 5-4-1 with Romel Morales moving in deeper from his advanced role. But this decision allowed the balance of the tie to be in favor of Pahang.

This could be because Rajagobal sensed that PKNS was able to be more effective on the counter in large parts of the first half. But on the contrary, it invited Pahang to come more into the PKNS final third, in which they would gladly take and you do not want an attacking-centric team like Pahang to go at you. Pahang in the end perhaps were more deserving of the win. There is a reason why Rajagobal may have adopted this approach though.

Spaces Exposed

Pahang are so committed to their attacking approach, that they encourage their full-backs, particularly captain Matt Davies, to roam forward on the overlap. But as a result of that, it would tempt PKNS to use those spaces left by the Pahang full-backs’ positioning when they break forward. That’s how they scored their goal.

It could’ve been two later in the first half. With Davies positioning left exposed, a pass was quickly played to Romel Morales marauding by Davies’ side. Had it not been for Herold Goulon’s interception, PKNS would’ve been the one leading instead where Sherman was waiting. That could be why Rajagobal played a more direct counter-attacking approach, but the opportunities and possession went scarce as a result.

Sherman Engine

Like a sturdy car with a high horsepower engine, Sherman displayed both his speed and strength to devastating effect. Utilizing the space in front of him and beyond left-back Faisal Rosli, Sherman played the ball beyond him. He and Faisal were match-to-match in terms of pace. What ultimately decided the winner was the strength of Sherman, who was able to shrug off the Pahang left-back.

It allowed Sherman some time to deliver the right kind of pass to Chan Vathanaka who coolly slots past Helmi Eliza point blank. Sherman was vital in the counter and he looked so good doing it. So it was a shame that PKNS couldn’t conjure up more effective counters. One such reason could be because of Romel dropping more deep and PKNS lost their focal point in midfield.

A Happy Sad Man

Pahang may have held most of the ball since the second half started along with enjoying the attacks, but they haven’t been that incisive as head coach Dollah Salleh would’ve hoped. So, he went for a straight swap with Indonesia winger Saddil Ramdani replacing Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (AKA Mat Yo). While Mat Yo is more of a dribbler, Saddil played much more effective deliveries.

It provided a much needed impetus to the Pahang attack. Saddil’s crosses looked dangerous and it proved to be the difference maker. He delivered a cross by the near post from the right-wing and sure enough, it wreaked havoc by the goalmouth. With so many bodies in front of PKNS keeper, Zarif Irfan, he couldn’t get a proper hand on the ball and it resulted in Ze Love getting the final touch into the net.