Butler downplays favourites' tag MSL champions vow to put on a show tonight and Sundram says his men are ready

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2012 Malaysian Super League

LionsXII vs Kelantan

Jalan Besar Stadium, 7.45pm



SINGAPORE - Over the last 48 hours, much has been said about Kelantan apparently writing off the chances of the LionsXII.

The two teams meet tonight at Jalan Besar Stadium as they kick off their 2012 Malaysian Super League (MSL) season, and there is much anticipation here as Singapore returns to domestic football competitions across the Causeway for the first time since 1994.

All 7,500 tickets that went on sale here on Friday afternoon were snapped up by fans in a little over two days, despite news from Malaysia that Singapore's LionsXII would be the underdogs against the defending MSL champions.

Yesterday, Kelantan coach Peter Butler was quick to dispel the notion, when he said: "It's their (LionsXII) Cup final so to speak, they're going into it with a lot of optimism, euphoria and a full house behind them. I know what they are about, they are a footballing side, an attacking team with some good players.

"There are four to five Malaysian league teams that will be strong - Kelantan, Selangor, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan and Perak. Personally I think they (LionsXII) will do very well ... with time I have no doubt they will improve and go forward."

Former Singapore star V Sundramoorthy donned the Kelantan jersey in 1992.

He also played for Pahang and Kedah and is the owner of arguably the best individual goal scored in the Malaysia Cup at the National Stadium when he unleashed a bicycle kick against Brunei in 1993.

Today, the 46-year-old will make his first foray in the MSL as coach of the LionsXII, with former Lions' team-mate Kadir Yahaya the assistant coach.

A nation will be watching, and Sundram is well aware the kind of pressure his players face.

"Every coach likes to win, and we will definitely do our best. For me and Kadir (Yahya), the goal has always been to prepare the team tactically, mentally and physically. The boys are ready to go out there and try to win this game.

"The (Malaysian club) coaches have their own opinion, but we will try out best to finish as high in the league as possible."

Butler, who was coach of S-League side SAFFC for a brief spell in 2006, is also under pressure.

M Karathu masterminded Kelantan's title-winning run last year.

Butler is now in the hot seat, and he has already lost his first high-profile match in charge, after Kelantan fell 2-1 to Negeri Sembilan in the Charity Shield at the Bukit Jali Stadium on Saturday.

But the Englishman is keeping his cool.

"The loss was a bit of a wake-up call and a blessing in disguise. Pressure is part of the job, and it's what the game is about, and we've got to be able to deal with it," the 45-year-old insisted.

Backed by an impressive roster that includes hitman Norshahrul Idlan Tahala, midfielder Mohd Badhri Mohd Radzi and national goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Kelantan have promised a football show for the capacity crowd at Jalan Besar Stadium.

Said Butler: "Everybody wants to come out and win it. I have a responsibility as a coach to try and encourage the team to play good football for the public. Scrapping together a win is not my style."