tm super league

KUCHING: Sarawak???s defeat by Penang on Tuesday is a bitter pill to swallow, especially after the team???s mini revival has shown signs of growing into something bigger and better.??

The demoralising 0-4 mauling at the hands of the Islanders must have been the worst result for Sarawak so far in the second half of the TM Super league.

Four goals (without pulling any back) to bottom-of-the-table Penang is a real shocker and shows Sarawak are still prone to blowing hot and cold in their campaign this season.

Dejection was written all over the faces of the players after the game as coach Kunju Jamaludeen tried to find the cause for Sarawak???s dismal showing against a team they were supposed to more than match. The players were too upset to talk to each other as they walked off the pitch while Kunju attempted to look for answers by holding a post-match emergency meeting with the team.

What was even more disappointing was that although taking full points against Penang looked more than distinctly possible, the team stumbled and were unable to find their way back into the game.

Their next match against Johor FC at home may not be easy after the psychological bruising from the Penang debacle.

???It was one of those days ??? when it was just not our day. We gifted them three goals in the first half. In attack, we did everything right except score,??? Kunju lamented.

He pointed out that Sarawak had at least three shots on goal by Nyom Nyom Aloys but they were cleared while a few hit the posts.

???That sums up the kind of game we had,??? the coach said.

According to him, Sarawak were unlucky when they conceded the first goal in the first minute through a penalty for a ball that hit defender M. Saravanan???s hand inside the box.

The second goal was also presented on a silver platter when defender Sylla Mansa miscued the ball to a Penang defender who headed home.

The third goal also came from a mistake by a Sarawak defender while the fourth in the second half could be forgiven as Sarawak were pushing forward in search of goals, leaving gaps at the back.

While the team are still reeling from the heavy blow, Kunju said they could at least take consolation from the chance to bounce back when they travel to Terengganu PDB-KT next Tuesday for an FA Cup tie.

???Their spirits might be restored, knowing they have a shot at the FA Cup with a 6-0 cushion to take to Terengganu for the second leg.???

Kunju will watch Johor FC play this Saturday to have some idea of what to expect when Sarawak next play them at home.

After the Penang rout, he will want to prevent further slip-ups.

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