On paper, last night’s Group C match between Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan looked to be in the Red Warriors’ favour, considering the vast difference in the two teams’ fortunes this season. However, Negeri Sembilan have always been a Malaysia Cup team and the final scoreline, 1-1 proved that they are intent on taking the cup with them to the Premier League next season.
On the back of the Jangs’ gritty performance against Kelantan after trailing behind in the first half, is their winger Nazrin Nawi’s unerring determination to help his team earn a point at home, against his hometown team.
He was uncharacteristically quiet in the first half, and Negeri Sembilan accordingly looked lethargic and uninventive without his usual slaloming runs. And this led to them going behind to the visitors in the first half.
However when the second half resumed, the 25-year-old came alive to threaten the Kelantan defence, dribbling into their penalty box confidently, and exchanging touchlines with his teammate on the other side of the pitch. This bore fruit in the 60th minute when his low cross found Leandro Fabio to make it 1-1.
It is this kind of sterling performance that has made the Tumpat, Kelantan-born player one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise poor season for Negeri Sembilan, which also means that he is a target for several teams for next season, including Kelantan themselves. Kelantan are surely going to have to step up their effort to sign him, after being at the receiving end of Nazrin’s performance themselves.
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