PETALING JAYA: Melaka are building a reputation as late fighters after securing their second consecutive Super League win with a 2-1 comeback victory over Penang at the City Stadium in Georgetown on Sunday.
The visitors showed their resilience once again, recovering from a 62nd-minute penalty by Argentinian midfielder Stefano Brundo to snatch all three points.
Penang had created more chances but failed to make them count, allowing Melaka to fight their way back into the contest.
Bosnian midfielder Dino Kalesic levelled in the 72nd minute with a superb low drive past goalkeeper Mohd Ramadhan Abd Hamid before Cambodian international striker Abdel Kader Coulibaly converted a penalty in the 90th minute to seal the win.
It was Melaka’s second successive last-gasp victory.
On Oct 17, they also scored a late winner to beat Kuala Lumpur City 3-2 at the Hang Jebat Stadium.
Melaka coach E. Elavarasan described the three points as a bonus, praising his players for maintaining their fighting spirit despite falling behind.
“These three points are very important for us, and we consider this win a bonus.
“We have played Penang three times before, so we know they have good strength and depth.
“Even after going down 1-0, the players maintained their fighting spirit until the final minute.
“Both sides were awarded penalties, but I believe we deserved ours in the closing stages,” he said.
Elavarasan added that his side would use the break before their Nov 21 match against Star City to review their performance and prepare for the next challenge.
Former Penang coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail blamed poor finishing and a lack of composure for the defeat.
“We started well and controlled the match, but our finishing let us down.
“We created several chances but failed to convert them.
“After taking the lead, we should have been calmer and more confident in controlling the game.
“Unfortunately, a moment of complacency allowed Melaka to equalise,” he said.
Wan Rohaimi added that Penang needed to show greater maturity in handling the pressure, particularly during goalmouth scrambles, where panic eventually led to the penalty that cost them the match.
In a further development, Wan Rohaimi was relieved of his duties a few hours after the press conference, with the club confirming that he had been rested.
Technical director Victor Andrag, a former Kedah coach, will take over as head coach.
