Over the moon: Penang’s Tchetche Kipre (left) celebrating with O.J. Porteria. — MFL
PETALING JAYA: Penang finally got their first win in the Super League this season after they edged Negri Sembilan 2-1 at the City Stadium yesterday.
The Panthers punished Negri early into the match, after Ivorian forward Tchetche Kipre’s goal was deemed onside by VAR in the 13th minute.
The hosts’ momentum stayed on the rise after each attempt to attack, and Dylan Wenzel-Halls thought he had doubled their lead but this time, VAR ruled the goal offside as the first half ended with Penang leading 1-0.
In the second half, Kipre once again rose to the occasion as he broke through Negri’s defence and put another goal past goalkeeper Azri Ghani in the 49th minute.
Negri, however, were not throwing in the towel just yet, and they had the chance to get themselves back into the game in the 88th minute only to see their effort deemed offside.
The visitors did get a consolation in the dying minutes after an attempt by Negri’s Hakimi Abdullah resulted in an own goal by Penang’s Faith Obilor.
The home win sees Penang move up to ninth place in the standings with four points, while Negri are fifth with eight points.
Penang’s next match will be against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the FA Cup quarter-finals first leg on Oct 17, while Negri play their first-leg fixture against Selangor the following day.
