KUALA LUMPUR: It was a bittersweet return to Shah Alam Stadium for Mahali Jasuli as despite scoring two goals, the former international failed to inspire PKNS in the 4-3 defeat to Kedah in a Super League match on Sunday.
For Mahali, it was his first home start with his new club in Shah Alam.
The defender-cum-midfielder was a fan favourite at Shah Alam Stadium when he played for Selangor in 2013 before he moved to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) the following season. He was released by JDT on a loan deal to PKNS this year.
On the defeat to Kedah, Mahali said: “Of course, it is disappointing as we started well and led twice.
“Unfortunately, we could not win the match, but overall we did our best.
“We have to learn from this defeat and fix our mistakes for the upcoming matches.”
Mahali won numerous titles with JDT for four seasons but he did not get enough playing time.
He hopes to regain his form under PKNS coach K. Rajagobal, who he had served when Malaysia won the AFF Cup for the first time in 2010.
For PKNS, it was their first defeat of the season but Rajagobal is unperturbed as he believes the club will bounce back.
“A fair result would have been a draw as we missed a penalty kick. We had other chances, but things did not work out.
“It is not the end of the world as the league is still at its early stage.
“I hope the players will take this result as a motivation to improve in all aspects ahead of our next match,” said Rajagobal.
PKNS will have a chance to return to winning ways when they take on FAM Cup side Hanelang FC in a FA Cup second round match in Shah Alam on March 2.
Rajagobal’s side are expected to breeze past the amateur team to advance to the last-16 stage.