Latest news with #DylanWenzel-Halls
The Star
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Wenzel-Halls channels anger over disallowed goal into fuel for winning brace
PETALING JAYA: Penang's talisman Dylan Wenzel-Halls has never been the type to go easy around a football pitch. For the Australian winger, the game is about intensity, living on the edge where the pressure is sharpest and the rewards are sweetest. And on Sunday night at the Hang Jebat Stadium, that mentality made all the difference as he struck twice to fire Penang to a 2-0 win over Melaka in their FA Cup last 16 first leg match. "I'm a player who likes to play on the edge. Once I walk onto the pitch, I'm a competitor - I want to win and I want success," said the 27-year-old. That edge, however, was tested early against Melaka. In the first half, Wenzel-Halls thought he had scored a spectacular opener, curling home after a clever pass from Bosnian winger Danilo Sipovac. But his joy was short-lived - Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened, chalking the goal off after Sipovac was judged to have fouled Nizaruddin Jazi in the build-up. The decision upset him, and his protests earned him a yellow card. That setback could have led to a meltdown but Wenzel-Halls channelled the frustration into fuel for victory. "Even when VAR overturned the first goal, I told myself to stay patient and calm. I knew I had to keep doing my job, and thankfully I was able to take my chances when they came." In the 48th minute, Wenzel-Halls met Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor's pass and slotted home with the composure of a man who had been waiting all night for that moment. His celebration mimicking the VAR gesture before running to the fans, was a mixture of relief and defiance. Twenty minutes later, he struck again when he finished off another Wan Zack through ball. For Wenzel-Halls, those goals were not just about the scoreboard - they were vindication that Penang have what it takes to push themselves to a win. "Of course it was emotional. We wanted our first win so badly. We've worked so hard all pre-season and in the league games, but we just lacked that final result. "To hear the full-time whistle and finally take the victory - it was really special." The brace also pushed his tally to three goals in three games, a blistering start that underlines his influence in Penang.
Barnama
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Barnama
Dylan's Brace Gives Panthers Comfortable Advantage Against Melaka FC
MELAKA, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Two goals from import striker Dylan Wenzel-Halls ensured Penang FC carried an important advantage after defeating Melaka FC 2-0 in the first leg of the FA Cup Round of 16 at the Hang Jebat Stadium, Krubong here last night. Penang FC head coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail said the victory served as a morale booster for the Panthers in both the Super League campaign and the return leg at the City Stadium, Penang. 'Alhamdulillah for this victory... although I am happy, there are still many aspects that need to be improved for the next match and I hope this win will be a 'booster' for the players to face upcoming challenges. bootstrap slideshow 'Usually when playing away, the home team will try to press in the opening minutes... we struggled in the first 15 minutes, but after getting the first goal, the players' confidence grew and we managed to control the match,' he said after the game. The first half saw a balanced contest with both teams exchanging attacks, but Dylan's 41st-minute strike was disallowed after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review confirmed a foul. In the second half, Penang finally broke the deadlock when Dylan scored in the 48th minute, before the import striker struck again in the 82nd minute to seal a 2-0 victory for his team. Meanwhile, Melaka FC head coach K. Devan admitted that his side's failure to capitalise on opportunities and two costly mistakes were the main reasons for the home defeat. He said Melaka started well in the first half, creating several chances, but failing to convert them disrupted their rhythm. 'In the first half we played better than the opponents, but when chances are not taken, it has a huge impact... Penang FC's first goal came from us losing possession in our own half,' he said.
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Penang striker Dylan rocks Hang Jebat Stadium with a brace
PETALING JAYA: Dylan Wenzel-Halls stole the show at the Hang Jebat Stadium as the Australian striker struck twice to fire Penang to a 2-0 victory over Melaka in their FA Cup round-of-16 first-leg clash on Sunday (Aug 17). The 27-year-old thought he had broken the deadlock in the first half with a superb curling effort from Bosnian winger Danilo Sipovac's pass. But after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the goal was chalked off as Sipovac was judged to have fouled Melaka midfielder Nizaruddin Jazi in the build-up. Wenzel-Halls' frustration boiled over, and he was shown a yellow card by referee Nawal Mohd Zubir for his protests. But there was no denying him after the break. Just three minutes into the second half, he calmly slotted home from Ivorian striker Tchetche Kipre's pass to give Penang the lead. His celebration was filled with emotion as he made the VAR gesture before embracing fans in the stands. He doubled his tally in the 69th minute, latching onto a clever through ball from Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor and firing a low shot that slipped past Melaka goalkeeper Jun Badelic. Penang will now take a healthy advantage into the second leg, with Wenzel-Halls' brace proving the difference on the night. Earlier, Sabah hammered Bunga Raya 6-0 while Immigration stunned Terengganu 2-1 in other round-of-16 fixtures.
The Star
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Wenzel ready to dazzle
Looking for opportunity: Dylan Wenzel-Halls (left) attempting to get past a player during a friendly match. — Penang FC Aussie talisman backs Panthers' depth and eyes roaring campaign PETALING JAYA: Penang's revamped squad have earned the seal of approval from their Australian forward Dylan Wenzel-Halls, who believes the team now have the strength in depth to navigate a demanding domestic campaign. The 27-year-old, known for his pace, sharp movement, and attacking intelligence, was a standout performer after arriving mid-season last year. He quickly established himself as a key figure, scoring six goals and providing seven assists in 22 matches across all competitions. But Penang's 10th-place finish in the Super League revealed one painful truth – they needed more support around their talisman. And that problem has been solved ahead of the Super League in August as under coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail, the Panthers have undergone one of the most aggressive squad overhauls – bringing in 17 new signings, including exciting attacking additions such as Bosnian winger Danilo Sipovac, Ivorian striker Tchetche Kipre, and Japanese-Brazilian forward Bruno Suzuki. Crucially, they have also retained promising homegrown strikers Alif Ikmalrizal Anuar and Akid Zamri, ensuring a blend of experience and youth up front. For Wenzel-Halls, it is a step in the right direction. 'There's real depth now. That's the biggest improvement this season. We've got options, which is great,' he said. 'If we're making it tough for coach Wan to pick his starting eleven, then we're doing our job. Everyone's jostling for places, and that's what you want in a competitive team.' He knows the value of squad rotation, especially in a season that stretches across 26 league games, the FA Cup, and the Malaysia Cup. 'It's crucial for all the players to stay ready and keep fighting. Over the course of a long season, with injuries, suspensions and national team duties, everyone will get their chance.' For Wenzel-Halls, this marks his first full pre-season with Penang, and he is relishing the opportunity to blend with the new group ahead of their league opener against Terengganu at the City Stadium in Georgetown on Aug 10. 'It's like starting from scratch again. We've got players who've played at this level and know what it takes. But it takes time to gel. That's what we're working on now – on and off the pitch.' The match against Terengganu will also mark Penang's first home league opener at Stadium Bandaraya in three years, and Wenzel-Halls knows just how much that means to the supporters. 'It's important for the fans. They've been incredible, supporting us through every result. We want to make them proud,' said Wenzel-Halls. With fresh faces, team-bonding in Langkawi, renewed belief, and their attacking spearhead committed and hungry, Penang look ready to roar again in 2025.
