Negeri Sembilan’s Away Struggles Continue Despite Late Effort

Negeri Sembilan FC’s inconsistency away from home continued as they fell 2–1 to Penang FC at the Bandaraya Stadium, a result that ended the hosts’ winless run in the Super League. While Negeri Sembilan have looked formidable at Paroi, their inability to translate that dominance on the road again proved costly.

Defensive Frailties Exposed

Negeri Sembilan’s defensive structure remains their Achilles’ heel. Throughout the season, Coach Nidzam Jamil’s side has struggled with aerial duels and defensive organization, and this match was no different.

Penang’s first goal highlighted the issue clearly — a well-executed set piece saw captain Stefano Brundo deliver a precise header to Tchetche Kipré, who was left unmarked inside the box to finish calmly. The lack of tracking and poor man-marking once again punished Negeri Sembilan.

Their vulnerability to direct passes and penetration between defenders was also evident in the second goal, where Wenzel-Halls latched onto a through ball splitting the center-back and right-back — exploiting the open spaces in Negeri Sembilan’s back line. The defenders failed to anticipate or close down these channels, allowing Penang’s attackers to dictate the rhythm.

Physicality and Marking Issues

Negeri Sembilan’s defenders were also outmatched physically. Kipré, in particular, dominated his markers with strength and composure. On several occasions, he held off defenders with ease, including during the build-up to his second goal. The lack of aggression and willingness to engage physically allowed Penang to maintain control in the final third.

Goalkeeper Azri Ghani once again stood out as the team’s last line of defense, producing multiple key saves to prevent the scoreline from worsening. Without him, Negeri Sembilan might have suffered a heavier defeat.

Predictable Tactical Adjustments

When trailing, Coach Nidzam Jamil’s substitutions followed a familiar pattern — introducing Mio Tsuneyasu, Luqman Hakim, or Hakimi Abdullah to add attacking impetus. However, this predictable approach may have been anticipated by opponents. Penang’s compact defensive organization nullified Negeri Sembilan’s late surge, forcing the visitors to rely on an own goal for their only breakthrough.

The lack of creativity in midfield was evident. Alex Agyakwa remained the most reliable playmaker, but support from Takumi Sasaki and the front line was limited. Jovan Motika and A. Selvan showed flashes of potential but failed to convert key opportunities or create sustained pressure.

Penang’s Disciplined Response

For Penang, this was a performance built on structure and efficiency. Under Coach Wan Rohaimi, the team showed improved defensive discipline, avoided unnecessary risks, and effectively utilized their physical strengths. Their direct and long-ball strategy worked perfectly — targeting Kipré and Brundo during transitions and set pieces.

This pragmatic approach, coupled with accurate long passes and compact defending, frustrated Negeri Sembilan and earned Penang their deserved first win of the season.

Verdict

Negeri Sembilan’s defeat underscored two persistent issues: defensive disorganization and over-reliance on predictable second-half tactical shifts. While their home form has been excellent, true contenders must perform consistently away from home. Unless the defensive line is strengthened and midfield creativity sharpened, Negeri Sembilan risk being limited to mid-table aspirations rather than challenging for the top spots.

Final Score: Penang FC 2 – 1 Negeri Sembilan FC
Goals: Kipré (2) | Own Goal (NSFC)