PENANG’s latest signing, Dylan Wenzel-Halls, is eagerly anticipating the Malaysia Super League match against Negeri Sembilan at the City Stadium today (Sept 22, kick off at 5.30pm).
The 26-year-old Australian forward, who signed an eight-month contract with the Panthers on Sept 2, is determined to help Penang return to its winning form after a tough debut in an away match against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), losing 5-0 at Stadium Sultan Ismail, Iskandar Puteri, on Sept 12.
After nine matches, Penang FC currently sits in eighth place in the 13-team league with 10 points, coming from two wins, four draws and three losses. It has 15 more games to complete the season.
“It was a challenging game because JDT is a big team in Malaysia and Asia. Making my debut against them was a good experience
“Some of the goals we conceded were due to our mistakes; we had a few chances on the counterattacks. But we can take some positives from the match and do better in the next game.
“I anticipate another tough match against Negeri Sembilan. But playing at home in front of our fans will give us a big boost to put things right.
“I’m excited to be playing for Penang. I want to have a good season and score as many goals as possible,” Dylan told Buletin Mutiara in an interview.
Dylan, who hails from Ipswich in Queensland, made a name for himself as the top scorer for Western Pride in Division Two, before turning professional by joining Brisbane Rovers in 2018. After three years, he moved to Western United for a year and a half, and later to Central Coast Mariners for the same duration.
Over his seven-year professional career, Dylan has claimed three A-League titles: once with Western United in 2022 and twice with Central Coast Mariners in 2023 and 2024. He was also a part of the Mariners’ victorious AFC Cup team in 2024.
“These four titles are my biggest moments. Some players never win one. I have won four and I am very proud of these achievements,” Dylan added.
A Manchester United fan, Dylan grew up admiring the skills of former English internationals David Beckham and Wayne Rooney, as well as Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I always have dreamed of playing in Asia and Europe. When the new opportunity came to me to play for Penang FC, it was an easy decision because it is a club with a lot of history.
“I want to be a part of that history and experience Malaysian football, which is at a good level,” shared Dylan, who had never been to Penang before receiving the contract offer from Penang FC general manager Jeffrey Chew.
However, he had visited Malaysia once before, when he played for Central Coast Mariners against Terengganu FC in the AFC Cup competition in Kuala Terengganu last year.
Dylan is the fifth foreign player recruited by Penang FC, joining three Brazilians – captain and defender Rafael Vitor, midfielder Neto de Oliveira and striker Rodrigo Dias – as well as defender Richmond Ankrah from Ghana.
He expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received from the team, including from Chew and Penang FC media officer Tun Mohammad Fadzrul Redza, popularly known as Atan.
“We’ve a strong team with a lot of young and promising players. The key is to keep building and improving every day to ensure we finish as high as possible on the ladder.”
Outside of football in Australia, he studied business and accounting at university and enjoyed going out for coffee with his girlfriend, Taylah Wolff, 24.
“My girlfriend is coming over in November to support me. She has never been to Malaysia.
“We will explore the restaurants and cafes. I know Penang is famous for its food, like the nasi kandar. I have not tried it yet. I am not very good with spicy food, but I will give it a go one day,” Dylan said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud and courtesy of Penang FC