Just A Few Things: PKNS Vs. Kedah

Credit: Malaysian Football League

History Of Entertainment

Somehow or another, this fixture between these two sides will never ever fail to disappoint. This marks the 3rd season running that this fixture saw a thrilling encounter involving both of these teams. In 2017, they played a wild 4-4 draw that Kedah thought they won after scoring in stoppage time, only for PKNS to score a penalty in the last action of the match. Then last year, these sides played a seven-goal thriller that saw Kedah coming out on top winning 4-3.

Even though the number of goals were reduced this time around, it was still entertaining for the neutrals while both sides may or may not have been nervous in certain periods of the match. There were wonder goals, enticing attacks and even last-minute drama where Rizal Ghazali’s shot deflected twice and it went just over PKNS’ stand-in keeper, Farhan Abu Bakar’s palm.

Sherman Supreme

It was a massive shame that despite Kpah Sherman’s goals, PKNS still came away with nothing, especially scoring the goal of the night. After expertly putting a penalty given following Shakir Hamzah’s handball, Sherman showed how much of a beast he is during a counter attack. Mahali Jasuli saw Sherman running down the middle and played a perfect through pass just right for the forward.

Sherman bought the ball slight to the right. Seeing Ifwat Akmal off his line, the striker breathtakingly chipped the ball over Ifwat as it landed perfectly into the goal. He continues his fine scoring run, but he perhaps would’ve preferred to get something for his team in return.

Fayadh’s Upsurge

Seven minutes after PKNS equalized, Kedah head coach Aidil Sharin responded by bringing on Fayadh Zulkifi for Hidhir Idris. It was shortly after that sub that Sherman scored that chip that gave PKNS the lead. Eventually however, the substitute had the desire effect. He bought pace, creativity and energy to not only the left flank, but to the whole team as well.

Kedah were looking slightly jaded and needed a fresh injection of vigor into them when they were losing 2-1. But thanks to Fayadh’s introduction, Kedah became rejuvenated and finished off a comeback of their own. Fayadh’s dribbling was smart and effective. It didn’t take long for him to equalize to 2-2 and what a way to score your first senior goal. Picking up a loose ball, Fayadh weaved his way by the centre as he brilliantly evaded two PKNS players before letting a shot fly that left Farhan stranded and into the net.

Sitters Missed

The match could’ve been a whole different story had three players out of those 22 on the pitch not skewed glorious opportunities on goal. Because of the result, PKNS will feel a whole lot worse for themselves as perhaps they could’ve scored their second a lot earlier and perhaps the story of the match would’ve changed. Jafri Firdaus Chew, who actually looked good, had somehow missed a gaping net centrimetres from goal and Mahali himself had skewed his shot wide with the right side of the goal open.

Kedah themselves even missed one in the final ten minutes. A cross came in and no PKNS defender picked up Jonathan Bauman’s run into the box. Bauman had the ball just in front of goal, only to miskick and send the ball wide instead. A good thing they scored the winner eventually while PKNS were left to rue what could’ve been.

They Have To Be Better Than That

The last-minute capitulation has officially capped off one of the worst weeks in PKNS’ tenure under K. Rajagobal. A wild 5-4 defeat to last-placed FELDA United which saw The Red Ants’ attempted comeback ending in vain and now this Kedah loss saw them going further down. Comparing their position from last year and now after the same number of games, they’re four points worse and conceded seven more goals, fast approaching the same number of goals they conceded overall in 2018. However, their goal count is much better by six at this stage.

The good news is that the gap between their current position and 3rd is not that far off. But whether they can close it or not is a different story. Considering what went down last year, you would expect PKNS to be better than that and built on a historic top-three finish. It’s kind of disappointing that they’re in a worse position than before.