Manaf’s partner in the Terengganu forward line, Azlan Ismail was facing his former team for the first time since his transfer during the close season. He worked hard throughout the match but just could not find the target. When he did in the 14th minute, his shot was blocked by Farizal.

In the 19th minute Terengganu launched another attack on the right but it was broken down. A minute later the Turtles found themselves behind again when Perlis scored in a similar fashion to their first goal.

This time, Nazaruddin became the provider with a cross from the right. Ridzuan Othman came in from the left and outjumped Terengganu fullback, Mohamad Muhaimin Omar to head home past Sharbinee.

Once again the crowd was stunned.

Then in the 27th minute Terengganu national player, Mohamad Ashaari Shamsuddin was fouled at the top of the box and referee, Ahmad Boestaman Hamid awarded a free-kick. Midfielder Zairo Anuar Zalani stepped up and made no mistake with his effort which found the back of the net with precision.

Terengganu were level again and began to play with more confidence.

In the 32nd minute a good cross from the right by Shazlan was headed down by Ashaari inside the goal area. Unfortunately Azlan was beaten to it by Farizal who gathered comfortably. Two minutes later from a counter-attack Zairo found Azlan at the edge of the penalty area but the striker shot just wide.

Two minutes from the interval Zairo made a space for himself in the middle but blasted his shot over the bar. Ashaari then embarked on a run which ended in the box with him failing to get a shot at the Perlis goal.

The half ended with Nazaruddin shooting at Terengganu’s goal which forced Sharbinee to make his first real save of the evening.

The crowd was expecting a better show from the home team in the second half. Unfortunately, two minutes after the restart Terengganu conceded the third goal of the night. A seemingly light challenge on a Perlis player saw him falling him in a heap, which prompted the referee to award the visitors a freekick.

The Northern Lions new signing, Chan Wing Hoong who started the match on the bench; took the freekick. It was almost undefendable with it being whipped at pace towards goal. Nobody from either team got a touch to it and by the time Sharbinee saw it, there was nothing much he could do to prevent it from going in.

On the hour mark Terengganu was given a lifeline by Ahmad Boestaman when he awarded a penalty to the home side when Manaf was brought down inside the box when he latched onto the return ball from a one-two play with Ashaari.

After the striker was given some medical attention, it was Ashaari who placed the ball on the twelve yard spot. The national player who cooly beat the Myanmar goalkeeper from the spot during the penalty shootout in the Merdeka Tournament final for Malaysia; was not as successful this time.

Farizal went the right way and stopped Ashaari weak penalty as the national player opted for precision rather than power. With that miss, many in the crowd felt it was the end of the evening for the Turtles.

In a way they were right. Despite sustained pressure on Perlis, the home side lacked the final pass that would penetrate the away defence in order for them to brring the score level. Their best chances came from dead ball situations.

In the 71st minute skipper Marzuki headed inches wide from a corner and three minutes later a quick free-kick taken by substitute Ismail Faruqi Asha’ri released Azlan with just the surprised goalkeeper to beat. Unfortunately, his shot merely confirmed that he left his shooting boot at home as the ball hit the advertising board behind the goal.

The striker was replaced with eight minutes to go by Wan Mohamad Alif. The youngster had the opportunity to become the hero of the evening just four minutes after coming on. Ashaari found space on the left and delivered a good cross which found Alif’s head. Unfortunately his effort lacked the power necessary to beat the goalkeeper.

The match just petered out with neither side created any telling chance.

The result clearly delighted Perlis coach Irfan Bakti who already stated his mission was to leave Kuala Terengganu with three points.

For Terengganu coach, Mohamad Nik the result could be a blessing in disguise since it was just the first match of the new season. These defensive lapses need to be ironed out in order for his team to make this a successful season.