Penang and Terengganu players tussle for the ball during their Super League match. - Photo: Bernama
PETALING JAYA: After three years, Penang opened their Super League campaign at the City Stadium in George Town, but it was not a night to remember for the Panthers.
The side coached by Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail were toppled by Terengganu 3-0 in a wet affair, thanks to a slight drizzle, on Sunday (Aug 10).
The first half was entertaining with the Turtles having the most attacks with French striker Yan Mabella and Brazilian winger Gabriel Silva proving to be livewires and causing problems for the Penang defence.
Terengganu had about eight chances in the match but Penang’s veteran goalkeeper Khairulazhan Khalid was calm and composed with a series of strong saves.
However, there were questionable calls in terms of officiating as Terengganu could have had two penalties, while Penang one, but all the calls were waved away by referee Khairulsyahmi Ahmad Khalidi.
The breakthrough came in the 49th minute when centreback Safwan Mazlan split the Penang backline with a superb pass to Azam Azmi Murad, who drove forward and drilled a low shot past Khairulazhan.
Six minutes later, Mabella slid in a clever through ball for Silva, whose quick toe-poke slipped beyond Khairulazhan’s reach to double Terengganu’s lead.
Penang’s best chance came in the 73rd minute when Bosnian winger Danilo Sipovac curled a stunning right-footed effort from the edge of the box, only to be denied by an acrobatic save from Terengganu goalkeeper Suhaimi Hussin.
The result handed Terengganu a confident start to their campaign, while Penang were left to reflect on missed opportunities and the challenge ahead.
Substitute winger Khala’if Naskam scored his first goal of the campaign with his first touch, when he finished off a Baqiuddin Shamsuddin’s through pass with a deft finish in the 88th minute.
The result handed Terengganu a confident start to their campaign, while Penang were left to reflect on missed opportunities and the challenge ahead.
