PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur’s jinx against Penang continued in the Super League.
The City Boys led by coach Bojan Hodak had hoped to end their team’s 36-year away hoodoo against the Panthers but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw at the City Stadium in Georgetown yesterday.
Kuala Lumpur have not won a single away game in Penang since 1987.
“We entered the game well. Our boys got the lead, created a few chances and had two goals disallowed thanks to offside. We played well until the last five minutes in the first half,” said the Croatian.
Naturalised Malaysian Paulo Josue made a superb long through pass, which found Ivorian striker Tchetche Kipre and the 35-year-old converted the chance in the ninth minute to give Kuala Lumpur a 1-0 lead.
But just before the end of the first half, Brazilian striker Giovane Gomes equalised in the 45th minute.
“This lapse in concentration is a problem for us. We conceded a goal in the 45th minute, which should not have happened to an experienced team like us,” said Hodak.
“We started well in the second half until the red card. I do not know how to explain, whether it was stupid or harsh, I do not know. Up until that moment, we fought, had the ball and were looking for spaces to make quick counters.
“But we had to fight the last 10 minutes with 10 men. The aim was to save a point, and we did it. For me, the draw was a fair result.”
Penang coach Manzoor Azwira was disappointed.
“When they were down to 10 men, we tried to go for the jugular. I placed two strikers but we didn’t score.
“We were in the dangerous zones, but the finishing touch wasn’t there,” he said.
“But I praise my boys for fighting. They got the equaliser, but it would have been better if we had scored more than one.”
Kuala Lumpur remain sixth with 23 points, while Penang are 10th with 15 points. The league will go on an international break before resuming on June 23.
