NASRIQ Baharom seemed destined for many great things after helping Malaysia win the Sea Games gold in 2009 but on Tuesday, the Selangor defender endured a torrid 35 minutes against Negri Sembilan and painted a picture of a player in despair.
The opening Super League match against Negri in Paroi had been the perfect stage for Nasriq to remind everyone why he was a constant fixture in national coach K. Rajagobal's early reign.
Nasriq, 24, who figured intermittently under K. Devan last season, only lasted 35 minutes as coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim hauled him off -- with Solihin Kanesian coming on -- after a push on Shahurain Abu Samah led to a penalty which Owona converted for his second goal of the game and his fourth in two matches, having scored off a free-header in the fourth minute after pulling away from Nasriq.
It was only when left-back Asraruddin Putra Omar moved into the centre of defence with Ramez Dayoub were Selangor able to contain Owona, setting the stage for the second-half comeback when Amirulhadi Zainal and Safiq Rahim, from a spot-kick, allowed Selangor to claim a point.
"We were too cautious in the first half and concentrated too much on one particular player (Owona). It's not that Nasriq does not know how to mark, but he was clearly struggling against their No 10.
"I had to pull him out and put Asraruddin in the middle with Ramez and only after that were we a bit more organised in defence. We were already down 2-0 and there was nothing much we could do other than change our attitude and start creating chances.
"I needed the national players in my team like Asraruddin, Safiq, Amirul and Amri (Yahyah) to lead by example and step up to the plate. The result was that we were able to equalise.
"In the first half we only had one shot but we improved in the second. It is not a bad result playing away in our first match against the Malaysia Cup champions," said Irfan.
Three new signings -- goalkeeper Norazlan Razali, midfielder K. Gurusamy and Lebanese defender Dayoub -- made their competitive debut for Selangor but Irfan will have to wait a little longer to see Congolese striker Lelo Mbele in action.
"I can't comment on that. He's not fit yet and is two or three weeks away from playing," said Irfan of a player Selangor signed despite knowing he was carrying a thigh muscle injury.