Manzoor Azwira
PETALING JAYA: Young Penang striker Alif Ikmalrizal Anuar, who was roped in at the eleventh hour by coach Manzoor Azwira,(pic) turned out to be the hero in the Panthers’ 4-3 win over Kelantan in their Super League clash at the City Stadium in Georgetown on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who plays for the Penang II team, came on as a substitute in the second half to replace winger Hadin Azman and went on to score the winner in the 84th minute – earning the islanders their fifth win of the season.
Alif was not even in the squad for the game against Kelantan, but a late injury to Soony Saad saw the youngster being picked.
He was supposed to travel to Kota Baru with the Penang II team to face Kelantan United II in the MFL Cup today, but a call from Manzoor changed all that.
“When Soony was injured, we were looking for options, a player who could play as a winger or striker. We had Alif in mind but Penang II coach Akmal (Rizal Rakhli) was already preparing him for the MFL Cup,” he said.
“But before he boarded the bus, we managed to ask him to join us and he agreed. He showed his potential with a superb display and also scored the winning goal.
“It was a tough game. The boys were aware of Kelantan’s off-field issues but when they fielded many youngsters, we knew they will give us a hard time.’’
Penang’s three other goals were scored by Hadin (19th and 30th minutes) and Rafael Vitor (41st).
Kelantan replied via Harith Akif Shahar (10th and 46th minutes), and Nataneel Siringo Ringo (45th).
Despite their 13th defeat of the season, Kelantan can take heart that their youngsters showed that they are ready for the Super League.
Against Penang, Kelantan fielded five Under-23 players and only two foreigners – South Korean centreback Kim Ming-yu and Indonesian winger Nataneel.
The club have released Frank Bernhardt as coach and hired Argentinian coach Angel Alfredo Vera.
Penang are now ninth in the league with 19 points, while Kelantan remain bottom with only four.
