Irfan happy with Turtles’ performance despite failing to beat Kelantan

GEORGE TOWN: Irfan Bakti’s winless run against Kelantan at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium continues.

But the Terengganu coach is not complaining.

Though disappointed to see his team draw 1-1 with his home state in their Super League match at the venue in Kota Baru on Tuesday, Irfan was proud of the way his Turtles performed.

Irfan has never been on the winning side whenever the team he coached played against Kelantan at the stadium. And even when one of his team did beat Kelantan – like Perlis did two seasons ago – it was at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

“I may have failed to lead my team to victory in Kota Baru but what my Turtles showed on the pitch was very encouraging indeed,” said Irfan from Kota Baru yesterday.

“We definitely played better than in our opening game against Sabah on Saturday. We could have bagged all three points had we been more clinical against Kelantan.”

Irfan certainly has a point, considering the two one-on-one chances which ace striker Hadi Yahya and Zariff Hasna failed to capitalise on against Kelantan goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

Coach M. Karathu’s Kelantan had, before that, taken a 37th minute lead through skipper Mohd Badri Radzi.

Terengganu too had to depend on their skipper, Mohd Marsuki Yusof, to find the net for the equaliser, nodding home a Joseph Kalang corner in the 69th minute.

Although Terengganu continued to take the game to the hosts, they found Kelantan goalkeeper Irfan in his element.

“This is what I want to see from my players and I am proud of their gallant fightback,” said Irfan, who was assistant coach to Karathu when they were both charting Kelantan’s football fortunes in the 80s.

“This kind of performance will stand us in good stead for the challenges ahead.”

Irfan certainly means business. Although the Super League will take a 10-day break for the Chinese New Year celebrations, he has given his men only one day’s rest as he seeks to whip his side into shape for their home clash against Perlis at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Stadium on Feb 11.