Negeri Sembilan FC were forced to settle for a point after being held to a dramatic 3-3 draw by Penang FC in a pulsating Super League encounter at Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Paroi, earlier today.
The Hobin Jang Hobin squad had hoped to secure a valuable victory on home soil, but a late penalty from the visitors denied them all three points in a match filled with momentum swings and six goals.
Penang FC struck first in the 22nd minute through a swift counterattack. Dylan Christopher finished the move clinically to give the visitors the early advantage and silence the Paroi crowd.
Negeri Sembilan, however, responded strongly and found the equaliser seven minutes later through Jovan Motika in the 29th minute.
The goal was crafted through a well-orchestrated midfield move involving Yuichi Hirano and Takumi Sasaki. The pair combined neatly before Sasaki threaded a precise pass into Motika’s path. The forward showed excellent composure to beat two Penang defenders before unleashing a powerful strike past goalkeeper Mohamad Ramdhan Ab Hamid to level the score.
As the match progressed into the final stages, Penang head coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail made a decisive substitution by introducing experienced striker Tchetche Kipre. The move proved effective as the 38-year-old found the back of the net in the 79th minute, converting a delivery from Jose Porteria to restore the visitors’ lead.
Despite the setback, Negeri Sembilan refused to surrender and mounted an impressive late comeback.
Substitute Mio Tsuneyasu brought the home side back into the contest in the 82nd minute, finishing clinically to make it 2-2. The momentum then shifted firmly in favour of the hosts when Joseph Esso completed the turnaround in the 88th minute, putting Negeri Sembilan ahead and seemingly on course for a memorable victory.
However, heartbreak struck in the dying moments of the match.
Penang were awarded a penalty in the 90th minute, and Stefano Brundo stepped up to convert from the spot, ensuring the visitors salvaged a point from the thrilling contest.
The result sees both sides share the spoils after an entertaining encounter in Paroi, with Negeri Sembilan left to reflect on a match that slipped away at the very last moment despite a spirited fightback.