Football: Singapore LionsXII go down 2-3 to Johor in pre-season friendly

Khairul Nizam (red) drives forward in the second half against Johor. However, he and his teammates could not find a third equalising goal. (Photo 1 courtesy of FAS)

Jalan Besar Stadium, Saturday, December 24, 2011 — Singapore LionsXII went down 2-3 to Johor FA in their first of three pre-Malaysian Super League season friendlies.

In this closed-door friendly open only to the media, Johor went ahead in the 15th minute through a Munir Amran goal and extended their lead through midfielder Fauzzi Kassim just three minutes later.

This quickfire double was the result of shoddy defending by the Lions, with full backs Juma’at Jantan and Shaiful Esah repeatedly exposed by Johor wingers for their lack of pace. Also, the partnership between Safuwan Baharuddin and Baihakki Khaizan looked awkward and this was epitomised by Fauzzi’s goal when the Johor midfielder was left unmarked in the box because the two centre backs were not talking to each other.

The Lions then regrouped and replied with two quick goals of their own.

Isa Halim scored in the 30th minute after Agu Casmir threaded him through on goal after some fine hold up play. Captain Shahril Ishak then equalised in the 39th minute with a simple tap in after Agu’s initial shot was blocked by the Johor goalkeeper, Sasikumar Kishor.

Baihakki almost gave Singapore the lead after just missing with his heade from a fine Shaiful Esah corner, before the visitors took the lead again with four minutes left on the first-half clock with Fauzzi Kassim scoring his second and Johor’s third of the night.

At half time, LionsXII head coach V Sundramoorthy replaced the entire starting 11 with key midfielder Hariss Harun taking to the field.

However, the second half was a rather drab affair with zero chances for both sides. Johor sat deep, putting all their men behind the ball and they were happy to protect their one-goal advantage.

The Lions grew increasingly frustrated and lacked the creative spark and determination to get back into the game.

Unsurprisingly, the match ended 3-2 to the visitors.

When approached after the game, Lions coach V Sundramoorthy was optimistic and highlighted that there were many learning points for the team in today’s friendly.

“It was a good competitive match for a start. This is a very good preparation for the upcoming season. We have identified areas that we have to work on and we will continue to fine tune the squad accordingly,” said Sundram.

“Coach Sundram was encouraging us to go out there and play the ball on the ground. While we managed to do that, there were occasions where we could have done better but nevertheless, this was a good first friendly match for this new team to put what we have learned in training on the pitch,” said vice-captain Hariss.

“As for the pre-season, it has been great so far with a lot of familiar faces in the squad and the team spirit is good. Furthermore, Coach Sundram and Kadir have been putting us through the paces which I am sure, will pay off when the season starts,” added Hariss.

Said Johor FA head coach K. Sukumaran: “Although we won tonight, there is a lot to be done with the team as we are in the process of rebuilding the squad. I think basically what went right for us tonight was the scoring and also defending, the area we have to work on is our midfield as I feel we lost out to the LionsXII in midfield. The LionsXII have a good set of players and they just need more time together before they start clicking.”

Final Score
Singapore LionsXII 2 Johor FA 3

Scorers
LionsXII: Isa Halim (30′), Shahril Ishak (39′)
Johor: Munir Amran (15′), Fauzzi Kassim (18′, 41′)

Singapore LionsXII First-Half Starting Lineup
Izwan Mahbud, Fazli Ayob, Shaiful Eash, Isa Halim, Baihakki Kaizan, Shahdan Sulaiman, Agu Casmir, Shahril Ishak (C), Safuwan Baharudin, Juma’at Jantan, Yasir Hanapi

Singapore LionsXII Second-Half Starting Lineup
Madhu Mohana, Taufiq Rahmat, Hariss Harun (C), Raihan Rahman, Hyrulnizam Juma’at, Irwan Shah, Khairul Nizam, Sevki Sha’ban, Firdaus Kasman, Sufian Anuar, Safirul Sulaiman

Johor FA Starting Lineup
Sasikumar Kishor (Amro Syafiq 75′), Nazrulerwan Makmor (C) (Ahmad Tharmini 51′), Ashadi Yusoff, Ahmad Syamim, Nurfitah Shah (Jeremy Danker 62′), Fauzzi Kassim (Zaidi Ahmad 84′), Munir Amran (Yusri Abas 62′), Hazsyafiq Hamzah, Tuah Iskandar (Afiq Amin 85′), Fazly Mazlan (Faizal Mansor 49′), Sathiya Kandasamy