Fight with their might: Penang’s Rafael Vitor (bottom) vying for the ball with Negri Sembilan’s Che Rashid Che Halim during their Super League match. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Penang aim to finish as high as seventh in the Super League but they must win the last two games.
Coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail has done his calculations and believes his charges can move up two rungs from their ninth place if they win against Kuala Lumpur at the City Stadium in Georgetown on April 13 and Pahang at the Temerloh Stadium on April 19.
The Panthers did well to move up two rungs from 11th after beating Negri Sembilan 2-0 at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Saturday.
Goals were scored by winger Rahmat Makasuf (13th minute) and Brazilian centreback Rafael Vitor (87th).
They have collected 23 points from 22 matches, a point behind seventh-placed Perak, who have 24 from 21 games.
Rohaimi was delighted with the win.
“We bagged the three points thanks to our superb effort. We fought until the end although Negri gave us a good fight,” said the former international.
“We have a week to prepare for the next game. Though we beat Negri, I can’t say everything was perfect. I want to fix a few gaps in the game.
“The highest we can go is seventh and it would be good for our development if we achieve it.”
Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan coach K. Nanthakumar was unhappy with the match referee S. Logeswaran.
“We started the game well despite the rainy condition. We made a mistake that led to the first goal, but after that, we created lots of good chances but didn’t convert them, and I felt that the referee sided with Penang too.
“He didn’t check some decisions via the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) when our opponents erred but when a foul was committed by Penang, he checked and they got the penalty that led to their second goal.
“He kind of killed our rhythm and the players felt it. But we will move on and focus on our next two games.”
Nanthakumar is aiming for three points against Kelantan at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru on April 13, and at least point when they take on Kuching City at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on April 20.
