# 2017 Penang FA season

The 2017 season is Penang's 91st competitive season, 2nd consecutive season in the top flight of Malaysian football, and 96th year in existence as a football club. The season covers the period from 1 November 2016 to 31 October 2017.

## Month by month review
### November 2016

On 28 November, Ashley Westwood was unveiled as the new head coach of Penang, signing a two-year contract. On 30 November, Penang received RM 4 millions allocation from the state government.

### December 2016

On 1 December, Penang confirmed that Legea will be the official kit manufacturer for three years from 2017. On 5 December, Penang announced it had retained 16 players from last season. On 22 December, it was announced that on the FA Cup second round, Penang will play at away against MPKB-BRI U-BeS. On 30 December, it was announced that on the opening day, Penang will kick-off the season at away against Selangor.

### January

Penang won its first pre-season match, against Felcra FC, which ended in a 2–0 victory. In the following match four days later, Penang won 2–1 against PDRM. On 9 January, Faiz Subri won the 2016 FIFA Puskás Award, becoming the first Asian to win the award. On 13 January, Penang confirmed the signings of Amirul Asyraf Suhaidi, K. Reuben, Yong Kuong Yong, Zulkhairi Zulkeply, Shazalee Ramlee, Nigel Dabinyaba, Diogo Ferreira and Andy Russell. Penang concluded its pre-season campaign with a 0–1 defeat to Nagaworld FC from Cambodia on the same day. On 18 January, Penang completed the signings of Syed Adney and G. Mahathevan, while Elias Sulaiman and Darwira Sazan were released. Penang lost 0–2 in their opening match against Selangor on 21 January at Selayang. On 27 January, Penang lost again in the league campaign against Perak.

### February

Penang recorded their third and fourth consecutive loss as they lost 0–1 to T-Team at away on 4 February and Sarawak at home on 11 February. Three days later, Penang finally scored the first goal of the season in the FA Cup match against MPKB-BRI U-BeS which was also the first victory of the season. The Panthers failed to arrest their four-match defeat and goalless streaks in the league as they were demolished by Pahang at away with the score 1–6. FIFA Puskas Award winner Faiz Subri ended his year-long goal drought but could not prevent Penang from going down 3–1 to Super League leaders Kedah in Alor Star on 25 February.

### March

Penang picked up their first point of the season after coming from behind to hold Melaka United to a 1–1 draw at the State Stadium on 1 March. 3 days later, Penang recorded another 1–1 draw in Shah Alam against PKNS FC. On 11 March, Penang was knocked out from the FA Cup campaign, losing 1–4 to Negeri Sembilan after extra time in Paroi. The management board mutually terminated the contract of their coach, Ashley Westwood, following a spate of poor results in the M-League. On 24 March, Zainal Abidin Hassan was unveiled as Penang's head coach to replace the former.

### April

After nine attempts, Penang finally achieved their first league victory of the season after defeating Felda United 1–0 at Tun Abdul Razak Stadium on 9 April. However, the panthers failed to continue the momentum, losing 1–5 to Kelantan at home 6 days later. Penang confirmed their absence from the Malaysia Cup for the second consecutive seasons as they lost 1–2 to Johor Darul Ta'zim at home on 26 April.

### May

Despite Nigel Dabinyaba's fourth goal of the season, Penang moved closer to the drop after a 2–1 home defeat to Felda United on 7 May. 8 days later, Penang re-signed Darwira Sazan and Elias Sulaiman, Andy Russell and Diogo Ferreira were released on the same day. On 18 May, Penang confirmed the signings of Azidan Sarudin and R. Surendran from Kuala Lumpur and free Agent respectively. On the next day, former Gambia international, Sanna Nyassi signed with the team. New signing, Nyassi scored a brace in his debut with Penang against Kelantan which ended 2–2 on 24 May.

### June

On 7 June, Penang completed the sixth transfer of the summer transfer window, signing former Sarawak's striker, Mark Hartmann. On the next day, Brandon McDonald signed with Penang, replacing Reinaldo Lobo who is injured.

### July

Penang continued the losing streak, losing 0–2 to the Super League defending champion, Johor Darul Ta'zim at Johor Bahru on 1 July.

### September

On 20 September 2017, Penang has been relegated to second-tier Malaysia Premier League next year. The club's fate has been sealed following the 2–0 home defeat to T-Team.

## Coaching staff

| Position | Name |
| Head coach | Zainal Abidin Hassan |
| Assistant coach | Darren Read |
| Goalkeeping coach | Lim Chuan Chin |
| Fitness coach | Noel Augustine |
| Medical Officer | K. Mathialagan |
| Physiotherapist | Samuel Coleman |
| Kit Man | Reza Irwan Khairuddin |
| Kit Man | Mohd Fadzly Ahmad |
| U-21 Team Head Coach | Manzoor Azwira Abdul Wahid |
| U-19 Team Head Coach | Noraffendi Taib |

## Squad

    As of 7 June 2017
| Squad No. | Name | Position(s) | Date of Birth (Age) |
| Goalkeepers |||||
| 1 | Syed Adney Syed Hussein | GK | (1986-11-29) 29 November 1986 (age 38) |
| 22 | Sani Anuar Kamsani | GK | (1983-04-05) 5 April 1983 (age 41) |
| 25 | Amirul Asyraf Suhaidi | GK | (1994-03-04) 4 March 1994 (age 30) |
| 40 | Adam Zairi Fitri Zaini U21 | GK | (1998-01-30) 30 January 1998 (age 26) |
| Defenders |||||
| 2 | Mafry Balang | RB / CB / LB / DM | (1984-03-26) 26 March 1984 (age 40) |
| 3 | Darwira Sazan | CB | (1988-08-11) 11 August 1988 (age 36) |
| 4 | Brandon McDonald FP | RB / CB / DM | (1986-01-16) 16 January 1986 (age 39) |
| 6 | Yong Kuong Yong | RB / CB / LB / CM / RW / CF | (1988-09-18) 18 September 1988 (age 36) |
| 18 | Zulkhairi Zulkeply | RB / CB / LB | (1995-05-02) 2 May 1995 (age 29) |
| 19 | Mohd Redzuan Suhaidi | CB / LB / DM | (1995-10-06) 6 October 1995 (age 29) |
| 26 | Abdul Qayyum | CB | (1995-08-14) 14 August 1995 (age 29) |
| 27 | K. Reuben | RB / CB / DM | (1990-04-02) 2 April 1990 (age 34) |
| 30 | G. Mahathevan | CB / DM | (1988-05-31) 31 May 1988 (age 36) |
| — | Reinaldo Lobo NR | CB / DM | (1988-04-05) 5 April 1988 (age 36) |
| Midfielders |||||
| 5 | Azidan Sarudin | CM | (1986-05-31) 31 May 1986 (age 38) |
| 8 | Mohd Syukur Saidin | DM / CM | (1991-11-12) 12 November 1991 (age 33) |
| 11 | Mohd Azrul Ahmad | DM / CM / RB / RW / CF | (1985-03-25) 25 March 1985 (age 39) |
| 15 | Shazalee Ramlee | DM / CM | (1994-07-02) 2 July 1994 (age 30) |
| 20 | Rafiuddin Rodin (Captain) | CM / LB / LW | (1989-08-22) 22 August 1989 (age 35) |
| 29 | Elias Sulaiman | CM / AM / LW / CF | (1986-04-29) 29 April 1986 (age 38) |
| 35 | Thivandaran a/l Karnan U21 | LW/LM | 1999 |
| 36 | Khairul Akmal Rokisham U21 | DM/CM | (1998-05-28) 28 May 1998 (age 26) |
| 37 | Mohamad Norfais Johari U21 | AM/ CM | (1999-03-27) 27 March 1999 (age 25) |
| Strikers |||||
| 7 | Jafri Firdaus Chew U21 | RW / LW / AM / CF | (1997-06-11) 11 June 1997 (age 27) |
| 9 | Mark Hartmann FP | CF | (1992-01-20) 20 January 1992 (age 33) |
| 10 | Nigel Dabinyaba FP | RW / CF | (1992-10-26) 26 October 1992 (age 32) |
| 12 | S. Kumaahran U21 | RW / LW / CF | (1996-07-03) 3 July 1996 (age 28) |
| 13 | Mohd Faiz Subri | LW / CF | (1987-11-08) 8 November 1987 (age 37) |
| 14 | Syamer Kutty Abba U21 | RW / LW / CF | (1997-10-01) 1 October 1997 (age 27) |
| 16 | Sanna Nyassi | RW / LW / AM / CF | (1989-01-31) 31 January 1989 (age 35) |
| 17 | Faizat Ghazli | RW / LW / AM / CF | (1994-11-28) 28 November 1994 (age 30) |
| 21 | Failee Ghazli | RW / CF | (1987-09-05) 5 September 1987 (age 37) |
| 23 | R. Surendran | AM / CF | (1982-10-26) 26 October 1982 (age 42) |
* FP = Foreign player
* U21 = Under-21 player
* NR = Not registered

## Transfers
### In

Winter:
| Date | Pos | Player | Transferred From |
| 13 January 2017 | FW | Nigel Dabinyaba | Canterbury United FC |
| 13 January 2017 | DF | K. Reuben | Kuala Lumpur FA |
| 13 January 2017 | DF | Yong Kuong Yong | Terengganu FA |
| 13 January 2017 | MF | Shazalee Ramlee | Kuantan FA |
| 13 January 2017 | DF | Zulkhairi Zulkeply | UiTM F.C. |
| 13 January 2017 | GK | Amirul Asyraf Suhaidi | UiTM F.C. |
| 13 January 2017 | MF | Diogo Ferreira | Persib Bandung |
| 13 January 2017 | DF | Andrew James Russell | South China AA |
| 18 Jan 2017 | DF | G. Mahathevan | Megah Murni F.C. |
| 18 Jan 2017 | GK | Syed Adney Syed Hussein | T-Team F.C. |
Summer:
| Date | Pos | Player | Transferred From |
| 15 May 2017 | DF | Darwira Sazan | Free agent |
| 15 May 2017 | MF | Elias Sulaiman | Free agent |
| 18 May 2017 | MF | Azidan Sarudin | Kuala Lumpur |
| 18 May 2017 | FW | R. Surendran | Free agent |
| 19 May 2017 | FW | Sanna Nyassi | Free agent |
| 7 June 2017 | FW | Mark Hartmann | Free agent |
| 8 June 2017 | DF | Brandon McDonald | Rovers FC |

### Out

Winter:
| Date | Pos | Player | Transferred To | Source |
| 1 December 2016 | DF | Mohd Fitri Omar | Kedah | |
| 1 December 2016 | DF | Mazlizam Mohamad | Perlis | |
| 1 December 2016 | DF | Mohd Farisham Ismail | Kelantan | loan return |
| 1 December 2016 | DF | Mat Saiful Mohamad | Retired | |
| 1 December 2016 | MF | Jeong Seok-min | Released | |
| 1 December 2016 | MF | Mohd Redzuan Nawi | MISC-MIFA | |
| 1 December 2016 | MF | Mohd Zharif bin Hasna | Released | |
| 1 December 2016 | MF | Ikhmal Ibrahim | Sime Darby F.C. | |
| 1 December 2016 | MF | Matias Córdoba | PS Barito Putera | |
| 1 December 2016 | MF | Mohd Fauzan Dzulkifli | PKNS FC | |
| 1 December 2016 | MF | Muhd Nursalam Zainal Abidin | UiTM FC | |
| 1 December 2016 | FW | Ranti Martins | SGFC Eagles Maryland | |
| 1 December 2016 | GK | Khairul Amri Salehuddin | Perak | |
| 1 December 2016 | GK | Mohd Firdaus Muhamad | Melaka United | |
| 19 January 2017 | MF | Elias Sulaiman | Released | |
| 19 January 2017 | DF | Darwira Sazan | Released | |
Summer:
| Date | Pos | Player | Transferred To | Source |
| 15 May 2017 | DF | Andrew James Russell | Tai Po FC | |
| 15 May 2017 | MF | Diogo Ferreira | Mohun Bagan AC | |

## Competitions
### Overview

| Competition | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record |
| Competition | G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
| Super League | 22 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 43 | −27 | 013.64 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 050.00 |
| Total | 24 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 18 | 47 | −29 | 016.67 |
Updated to match played 28 October 2017 Source: Competitions

### Super League
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 8 | Melaka United | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 33 | 46 | −13 | 24 | |
| 9 | T–Team (R) | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 30 | 45 | −15 | 23 | Relegation to Premier League |
| 10 | Kelantan | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 31 | 39 | −8 | 22 | |
| 11 | Sarawak (R) | 22 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 24 | 34 | −10 | 21 | Relegation to Premier League |
| 12 | Penang (R) | 22 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 43 | −27 | 12 | Relegation to Premier League |
* ↑ Kelantan and T–Team was sentenced to a six-point deduction immediately on offense failed to complete the registration process Malaysian League (M-League) 2017. Later, upon careful consideration of the aforementioned appeals, Football Malaysia have decided to lift the transfer ban and reduce the deduction of 6 points to 3 points for T-Team.
* ↑ Kelantan and T–Team was sentenced to a six-point deduction immediately on offense failed to complete the registration process Malaysian League (M-League) 2017. Later, upon careful consideration of the aforementioned appeals, Football Malaysia have decided to only reduce the deduction of 6 points to 3 points for Kelantan.

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 28 October 2017. Source: Competitions

#### Matches

Win  Draw  Loss

### FA Cup

Win  Draw  Loss

## Statistics
### Squad statistics

| N | Pos | Nat. | Player | Super League | Super League | FA Cup | FA Cup | Malaysia Cup | Malaysia Cup | Total | Total |
| N | Pos | Nat. | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 1 | GK | | Syed Adney | 7 | – | 1 | – | – | – | 8 | – |
| 2 | DF | | Mafry Balang | 18 | – | 1 | – | – | – | 19 | – |
| 3 | DF | | Darwira Sazan | — | – | – | – | – | – | — | – |
| 4 | DF | | Brandon McDonald | 8 | – | – | – | – | – | 8 | – |
| 5 | MF | | Azidan Sarudin | 5(4) | – | – | – | – | – | 5(4) | – |
| 6 | DF | | Yong Kuong Yong | 7(2) | – | – | – | – | – | 7(2) | – |
| 7 | FW | | Jafri Chew | 7(5) | 1 | – | – | – | – | 7(5) | 1 |
| 8 | MF | | Syukur Saidin | 5(3) | 1 | 2 | – | – | – | 7(3) | 1 |
| 9 | FW | | Mark Hartmann | 7(1) | 2 | – | – | – | – | 7(1) | 2 |
| 10 | FW | | Nigel Dabinyaba | 16(1) | 3 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 18(1) | 4 |
| 11 | MF | | Mohd Azrul Ahmad | 12(4) | – | – | – | – | – | 12(4) | – |
| 12 | FW | | S. Kumaahran | 16(2) | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | 18(2) | 2 |
| 13 | FW | | Mohd Faiz Subri | 10(10) | 2 | 1(1) | – | – | – | 11(11) | 2 |
| 14 | FW | | Syamer Kutty Abba | 20(1) | – | 1(1) | – | – | – | 21(2) | – |
| 15 | MF | | Shazalee Ramlee | 0(1) | – | – | – | – | – | 0(1) | – |
| 16 | FW | | Sanna Nyassi | 8 | 3 | – | – | – | – | 8 | 3 |
| 17 | FW | | Faizat Ghazli | 12(4) | – | 2 | – | – | – | 14(4) | – |
| 18 | DF | | Zulkhairi Zulkeply | 9(3) | – | 0(1) | – | – | – | 9(4) | – |
| 19 | DF | | Redzuan Suhaidi | 4(5) | – | – | – | – | – | 4(5) | – |
| 20 | MF | | Rafiuddin Rodin | 13(1) | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | 14(1) | 1 |
| 21 | FW | | Failee Ghazli | 1(2) | – | – | – | – | – | 1(2) | – |
| 22 | GK | | Sani Anuar Kamsani | 8(1) | – | 1 | – | – | – | 9(1) | – |
| 23 | FW | | R. Surendran | 0(3) | – | – | – | – | – | 0(3) | – |
| 25 | GK | | Amirul Asyraf | 7(1) | – | – | – | – | – | 7(1) | – |
| 26 | DF | | Abdul Qayyum | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 27 | DF | | K. Reuben | 12(2) | – | 2 | – | – | – | 14(2) | – |
| 30 | DF | | G. Mahathevan | 3 | – | 1 | – | – | – | 4 | – |
| 35 | MF | | S. Thivandaran | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 36 | MF | | Khairul Akmal Rokisham | 3(3) | – | – | – | – | – | 3(3) | – |
| 37 | MF | | Nurfais Johari | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 40 | GK | | Adam Zairi Fitri | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| – | DF | | Reinaldo Lobo | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 11 | 2 |
| Players who left the club in May transfer window or on loan ||||||||||||
| 5 | MF | | D. Ferreira | 7 | – | 1 | – | – | – | 8 | – |
| 23 | DF | | Andy Russell | 8 | – | 2 | – | – | – | 10 | – |
Last updated: 28 October 2017. Source: Competitions

### Goalscorers

The list is sorted by shirt number when total goals are equal.
| Rnk | Pos | No. | Player | Super League | FA Cup | Malaysia Cup | Total |
| 1 | FW | 10 | Nigel Dabinyaba | 3 | 1 | – | 4 |
| 2 | FW | 16 | Sanna Nyassi | 3 | 0 | – | 3 |
| 3 | DF | 4 | Reinaldo Lobo | 1 | 1 | – | 2 |
| 3 | FW | 9 | Mark Hartmann | 2 | 0 | – | 2 |
| 3 | FW | 12 | S. Kumaahran | 2 | 0 | – | 2 |
| 3 | FW | 13 | Mohd Faiz Subri | 2 | 0 | – | 2 |
| 7 | FW | 7 | Jafri Chew | 1 | 0 | – | 1 |
| 7 | MF | 8 | Mohd Syukur Saidin | 1 | 0 | – | 1 |
| 7 | DF | 20 | Rafiuddin Rodin | 1 | 0 | – | 1 |
| Own goal | Own goal | Own goal | Own goal | 0 | 0 | – | 1 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 16 | 2 | – | 18 |
Last updated: 28 October 2017. Source: Competitions

### Clean sheets

The list is sorted by shirt number when total clean sheets are equal.
| Rnk | No. | Player | Super League | FA Cup | Malaysia Cup | Total |
| 1 | 22 | Sani Anuar | 1 | 1 | – | 2 |
| 2 | 25 | Amirul Asyraf | 1 | 0 | – | 1 |
| 3 | 1 | Syed Adney | 0 | 0 | – | 0 |
| Total | Total | Total | 2 | 1 | – | 3 |
Last updated: 28 October 2017. Source: Competitions

### Disciplinary record

| N | P | Name | Super League | Super League | FA Cup | Total | Total |
| 11 | MF | Mohd Azrul Ahmad | 3 | 1 | | 3 | 1 |
| 2 | MF | Mafry Balang | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 1 |
| 20 | DF | Rafiuddin Rodin | 3 | | 1 | 4 | |
| 14 | FW | Syamer Kutty Abba | 3 | | | 3 | |
| 17 | FW | Faizat Ghazli | 2 | | 1 | 3 | |
| 18 | DF | Zulkhairi Zulkeply | 3 | | | 3 | |
| 5 | MF | D. Ferreira | 2 | | | 2 | |
| 7 | FW | Jafri Chew | 2 | | | 2 | |
| 27 | MF | K. Reuben | 2 | | | 2 | |
| 5 | MF | Azidan Sarudin | 1 | | | 1 | |
| 8 | MF | Syukur Saidin | 1 | | | 1 | |
| 10 | FW | Nigel Dabinyaba | 1 | | | 1 | |
| 12 | FW | S. Kumaahran | 1 | | | 1 | |
| 16 | FW | Sanna Nyassi | 1 | | | 1 | |
Last updated: 28 October 2017. Source: Matches Only competitive matches = Number of bookings; = Number of sending offs after a second yellow card; = Number of sending offs by a direct red card.
* 1 point and 3 points are allocated to each yellow card and red card respectively for ranking purposes.

### Summary

| Games played | 24 (22 Super League, 2 FA Cup) |
| Games won | 4 (3 Super League, 1 FA Cup) |
| Games drawn | 3 (3 Super League) |
| Games lost | 17 (16 Super League, 1 FA Cup) |
| Goals scored | 18 (16 Super League, 2 FA Cup) |
| Goals conceded | 47 (43 Super League, 4 FA Cup) |
| Goal difference | —29 (—27 Super League, —2 FA Cup) |
| Clean sheets | 3 (2 Super League, 1 FA Cup) |
| Yellow cards | 28 (26 Super League, 2 FA Cup) |
| Red cards | 2 (2 Super League) |
| Most appearances | Syamer Kutty Abba (23 Appearances) |
| Top scorer | Nigel Dabinyaba (4 goals) |
| Winning Percentage | Overall: 4/24 (16.66%) |
Last updated: 28 October 2017. Source: Competitions