PETALING JAYA: If there is a team who have flattered to deceive more than others in the Super League this season, it is Penang.
The Panthers have played some very attractive and entertaining football, creating numerous chances only to fall short in their final execution.
And it was the same story again after they were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Police at the Selayang Stadium on Friday.
Penang went ahead in the 34th minute through Filipino playmaker OJ Porteria, but their lead lasted just six minutes after Kamil Amirul Jaser inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
Despite dominating large stretches of the match and creating several more opportunities, Penang failed to find a winner as their winless streak stretched to eight matches.
They will now need to beat Brunei in their final league fixture at the City Stadium in Georgetown on May 15 if they hope to finish inside the top 10.
Penang are currently ninth in the standings with 22 points from 23 matches.
Coach Wan Rohaimi Ismail admitted Penang’s inability to convert chances has become a recurring issue throughout the campaign.
“The problem is the same as always - putting the ball into the net,” said Wan Rohaimi.
“The pitch was muddy and it disrupted our rhythm a little but that cannot be used as an excuse. We created many chances and delivered plenty of crosses into the box but we failed to finish them.”
The coach said his players were also too eager to score, which affected their decision-making in key moments.
“Sometimes we rushed our actions. There were situations where players should have passed but chose to shoot and vice versa.
“Those small decision-making mistakes hurt us,” he said.
