PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan gave themselves the perfect early Hari Raya gift after ending their six-game winless streak with a 6-1 thrashing of tail-enders Police at the Selayang Stadium on Friday.
The Deer will head into their break all smiles as they finally got a win since defeating Kelantan 2-0 in December, and interim coach K. Rajan was glad to remain unbeaten since taking over last month.
“We have not lost in the past three matches that I have been in charge as interim coach, and I’m very happy to get this win before the Raya leave,” said Rajan.
“Police are a good team, but they are at the bottom of the table and it was our time to get three points from an away game.”
Rajan’s first match in charge saw them draw 1-1 against Sabah, and then hold Penang to a 3-3 tie earlier this month.
At the Selayang Stadium, Luqman Hakim Shamsudin and Takumi Sasaki scored a brace each for Negri, with Kei Oshiro and Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee adding their names to the scoresheet as well.
Police’s sole goal came as the equaliser in the first half, but they could not stop Negri from scoring three goals in each half.
Rajan admitted the team could have played a better game, but coming out with the win mattered more.
“In football, only the results matter. Most of the time, it’s not about the playing style or tactics.
“Our gameplay was moderate, but the result was good. Sometimes that happens. Regardless, I have to give the players credit.
“At half-time, I told them not to stop scoring because at the end of the season, the goal difference will matter, and we have to take advantage of it,” he said.
Negri currently sit in sixth with 22 points and will resume action next month when they meet Brunei on April 12.
Police meanwhile are at the bottom with 10 points and just two wins this season.
