Player Ratings: PKNS 1 Kelantan 0

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BY        ZULHILMI ZAINAL       Follow on Twitter

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PKNS

Shahril Shaari - 6

The custodian did not have to stop direct shots often thanks to his defenders, and when stray crosses and passes came towards him he made little mistake. However there were times when he made some questionable positioning decisions, for which he was lucky not to be punished.

Reuben Kathiripillai - 7

Stuck to his defensive duties for most of the match, and did well enough to stop Kelantan's Bruno Lopes, who had a tough game.

Rodney Akwensivie - 7

The young defender showed further improvement in this match, pairing well with Reuben as the last line of defence behind centre back Zac Anderson everytime the Australian pushed up to stop Kelantan from advancing early. Received a booking for a rash challenge.

Zac Anderson - 7

The centre back picked up where he left off before his injury, doing splendid work in defence to stop Mohammed Ghaddar and the rest of Kelantan's attackers.

Qayyum Marjoni - 7

The former Kelantan defender performed adequately to to stop the visitors' lively right winger Do Dong-hyun from doing too much damage. Ran himself ragged marking the Korean, and had to be subbed off in the 69th minute. 

Daniel Ting - 6

Ting made very few mistakes and did what head coach Datuk Rajagobal Krishnasamy asked of him in the middle of the park, including switching to left back to fill in for Qayyum in the final 20 minutes.

Jonathan Acosta - 7

The Argentine was the outstanding midfielder of the match, delivering the ball to Faris Ramli and Mahali Jasuli to his left and right respectively. The only goal of the match came from his assist.

Mahali Jasuli - 7

Another player who showed marked improvement was Mahali, who proved to be a threat down the right wing once again.

Romel Morales - 6

Playing behind Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti, the Colombian failed to pair up well with him and to provide meaningful assistance.

Faris Ramli - 8 (Man of the Match)

The Singapore international's confidence has grown, and it seems that he will flourish further under Rajagobal. Following his goal and assist in their 4-3 defeat to Kedah in the previous league match, the winger has now positioned himself as one of the Red Ants' key players. He was menacing down the left flank in the first 30 minutes of the match, simply capitalising on young left back Faris Shah Rosli's nervous performance, and in the 40th minute he finally found the goal. His header in the Kelantan box (even though he was one of the shortest players on the pitch) was first blocked by goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, but he was alert enough to pounce on the rebound and slot it past Fahmi, for the lead and what would eventually be the winning goal.

PKNS FC

Faris Ramli (photo from PKNS FC)

Rafael Ramazotti - 6

The striker again failed to contribute much to PKNS. He put in a good shift in the first half, collecting the ball and moving it around the pitch, but in the second, when his team were being pinned by Kelantan's attacks, he failed to try and get the ball away from his own half. And early in the second half he was presented with a golden chance to extend the lead following a counter attack, but his finishing let him and his team down. 

Substitutions:

Gurusamy Kandasamy - 6

Came on for the final 20 minutes, the former Malaysia U23 international did adequately.

Jafri Firdaus - NA

Late change.

Safee Sali - NA

The former Malaysia international, who had been recovering from an injury, played in his first match since February 10 as a late substitute.

KELANTAN

Khairul Fahmi Che Mat - 6

Did well to deny a number of chances had by the hosts early in the match, but ultimately could not do much to stop Faris Ramli's winner.

Faris Shah Rosli - 5

The young defender had the mammoth task of guarding his namesake on the opposing team; Faris Ramli. However, experience separated the two and the Singaporeran ran rings around him and Faris Shah was taken off by head coach Yusri Che Lah early in the second half.

Cássio de Jesus - 6

The Brazilian centre back and his defenders took a little too long to settle down in the game and trouble the PKNS attackers, and by the time they were able to do that the hosts have already found a goal. But they did a much better job in the second half, pinning PKNS in their own half.

Farisham Ismail - 6

Should have done better to mark the diminutive Faris Ramli before the Singaporean scored. 

Azwan Aripin - 6

Took a little too long to settle down in the game and trouble the PKNS attackers, and by the time they were able to do that the hosts have already found a goal. He was lucky not to have to defend against Faris Ramli, but Mahali proved to be equally menacing.

Veenod Subramaniam - 6

The midfielder was hardworking as usual, but his lack of technique meant he couldn't produce more to contribute to his side.

Badhri Radzi - 6

The captain had a comparatively quiet night, unable to produce any defence-splitting passes or accurate deliveries from dead-ball situations.

Do Dong-hyun - 7

The South Korean was the liveliest Kelantan player on the pitch, troubling the PKNS defence on the right wing. But he ultimately could not help the Red Warriors find the back of the net.

Ferdinand Sinaga - 5

The Indonesian's poor form continues, as he wasn't able to do much to support their striker Ghaddar.

Bruno Lopes - 5

The Brazilian wasn't able to do much to support their striker Ghaddar.

Mohammed Ghaddar - 6

The striker worked hard throughout the match, especially in search of the equaliser late in the match, but the goal (and his first goal of the season) ultimately eluded him and Kelantan.

Substitutions:

Nik Shahrul Azim Abdul Halim - 5

Shahrul was brought on as a replacement for the inexperienced Faris Shah at the hour mark, but got in trouble with the referee almost immediately. He committed multiple fouls in his five minutes, and should consider himself lucky not to receive a booking.

Nor Farhan Muhammad - 6

The experienced forward came on for the final 20 minutes, and provided fresh legs and speed to Kelantan, which allowed them to pile on more pressure to the PKNS defence.

Shafiq Shaharudin - NA

Late substitution.