Penang FC finally celebrated their first win of the Liga Super Malaysia 2025/26 campaign after edging Negeri Sembilan FC 2-1 in a dramatic encounter at Stadium Bandaraya, Pulau Pinang.
The Panthers, led by head coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail, took the lead in the 13th minute when Stefano Brundo’s deflected effort found the back of the net. The goal stood after a VAR review dismissed Negeri Sembilan’s appeals for offside.
Buoyed by the opener, Penang continued to press for a second. Dylan Wenzel-Halls thought he had doubled the advantage late in the first half, only for VAR to rule him marginally offside, sending the hosts into the break 1-0 ahead.
Looking for a response, Negeri Sembilan head coach Nidzam Jamil introduced Luqman Hakim Shamsudin after the restart in hopes of sparking their attack. However, it was Penang who struck again—this time through the in-form Kipre Tchetche, who broke free of his marker to calmly slot past Azri Ghani, making it 2-0 and putting the home side firmly in control.
The Jangs had the ball in the net in the 88th minute, but VAR once again came to Penang’s rescue, chalking off the goal for an infringement. Negeri Sembilan did manage to pull one back deep into injury time, though it came via an unfortunate own goal after a pressured move involving Hakimi Abdullah.
It proved too little, too late, as the referee’s final whistle confirmed a much-needed 2-1 victory for Penang, lifting spirits at Stadium Bandaraya after a slow start to their season.
The result leaves Negeri Sembilan still searching for consistency, while Penang will look to build on this momentum in their next Liga Super outing.
Credit Photo : HongZheng Lim/SNE-Photo
