High-flying Red Eagles brought down to earth by Turtles

KEDAH coach Aidil Sharin Sahak is upset with some of the refereeing decisions and the unsporting behaviour of Terengganu players in the 2-1 defeat to the Turtles in Alor Star on Friday.

In the match, Kedah’s Fadzrul Danel Nizam and Rodney Celvin Akwensivie were sent off for pushing referee Noor Azriel Baharudin and assaulting a Terengganu player in stoppage time.

Aidil was puzzled as to why his side were not awarded a penalty for a handball in Terengganu’s penalty box in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Azriel, the official who was shoved by Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Natxo Insa in the 2-2 draw against Perak on March 21, had awarded Terengganu a penalty in the first half for a Kedah handball.

Kedah were handed a gift when Terengganu’s Muhammad Mohd Faudzi scored an own goal in the 40th minute.

However, the visitors bounced back through David da Silva’s equaliser from the penalty spot in the 45th minute.

Azam Azmi Murad secured all three points for Terengganu with a goal in the 60th minute.

“It definitely hit the hand... it was very clear,” said Aidil after his side was denied a stoppage time spot-kick at the Darulaman Stadium.

“I do not want to comment about referees. However, these things are happening in every game. Let’s leave it to the (FA of Malaysia) referees department to review.

“However, he (Azriel) should have been fair to both parties.

“Unsporting behaviour on and off the pitch is bad for Malaysian football. The game is all about respecting each other.”

Aidil, however, added he accepts the result and will shift his focus on the next match.

“We dominated and created chances, but we did not get a good result.

“I will review the match and rectify our weaknesses ahead of our next match.”

Terengganu coach Nafuzi Zain was satisfied with the win in Alor Star.

“It is not easy playing the Red Eagles, who were on a high with four straight wins, in Alor Star.

“My players, however, followed instructions and played for a win,” he said.