Terengganu wasted a bagful of chances in the first half and in the end had to come-from-behind to secure a 1-1 draw in their opening Super League match at home at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu on Friday.
Head coach Irfan Bakti was disappointed with the score but praised his bunch of fighters who never gave up till the end in a match which had some tense moments.
Terengganu got a late 88th minute equalizer through substitute Abdul Malik Mat Ariff who finished off an assist by the hardworking skipper Kipre Tchetche – coolly lifting the ball over PKNS goalkeeper.
PKNS stunned the Malaysia Cup runners-up on 65 minutes with centreback Nicholas Swirad out-jumping his markers to plant home a power packed header from a corner kick past goalkeeper Wan Azraie Wan Teh.
Until then Wan Azraie stood his ground as he stopped shots by PKNS’s Argentine hitman Gabriel Guerra, Romales Ramirez Chan Vathanaka.
Terengganu started aggressively and after only 11 minutes had the ball in the PKNS net through Khairul Izuan Rosli but he was ruled offside.
“We the chances in the first half but just could score from the opportunities. We dominated the match and had seven corners against PKNS’ two and the visitors scored from their second corner,” said Irfan.
It was also a stalemate last year when the two teams met in their opening match (2-2).
PKNS coach Datuk K.Rajagobal was pleased with the “commitment, discipline and high intensity” shown by his players.
“A lapse in concentration denied us full points but a point against a strong team like Terengganu is a good start for my team,” said Rajagobal.
Meanwhile, in another Super League match played at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras, Pahang roared to a 3-1 win over the City Boys with Dickson Nwakaeme hitting a brace. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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