LionsXII count on these double acts

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Samad Alapitchay and Syed Mutalib were once an impregnable wall at the heart of the Singapore defence in the Malaysia Cup and Quah Kim Song and Mohamed Noh used to terrorise teams across the Causeway as an attacking tour de force. As the LionsXII prepare to re-enter domestic football competitions across the Causeway tomorrow in their opening Malaysian Super League (MSL) clash against the champions Kelantan at the Jalan Besar Stadium, TODAY looks at potentially crucial partnerships in V Sundramoorthy's team that could well decide the fate of the team this season.

The Twin Towers

Lanky and easygoing, the LionsXII central defensive pair of Baihakki Khaizan and Safuwan Baharudin look like specimens cast from the same mould. But beneath the surface, their defensive strengths are distinctly different.

Safuwan, who is easy on the eye with the ball at his feet, claimed yesterday they both have worked on a system that they hope will see them flourish.

"We've spoken to each other about what we do best, and we have come to an understanding about what we have to do for the defence and for the team," the 20-year-old said yesterday.

Baihakki, 27, is a veteran of the Singapore national team, earning his first cap in 2003.

He has been impressed with the ability of his youngerpartner, who turned in outstanding performances with the Lions last year in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

"Safuwan looks like the player I was when I was starting out, he's good in the air and reads the game well," said Baihakki.

"We have decided to do what we're each good at: I will take more responsibility to close the space and he will provide cover behind."

Safuwan is the quieter of the two, understandable perhaps because of his age, and LionsXII assistant coach Kadir Yahaya hopes it will not hold him back. "I just hope Safuwan doesn't show Bai too much respect out on the pitch, because he's a senior player," said the former Singapore star.



Midfield mad men

Hariss Harun and Isa Halim will patrol the area in front of Singapore's defence.

But, according to the Singapore team's defensive patrolmen, they will also take on attacking duties as well.

"Isa is a nuisance to the opposition, he sprints at them, does the defensive work in front of the back four, and more and more he will he bomb up and down the pitch too," said Hariss.

Isa scored in the LionsXII's 3-2 loss to Johor FA in the team's first friendly match.

In training sessions over the last month, Hariss has also mixed up his game by venturing forward to support the attack.

"The coach has encouraged us to get forward - one at a time of course - and our understanding has gotten better. It's easy to play with Hariss, we all know his strengths in ball-winning and his aerial ability," Isa told TODAY.

Hariss, 21, is looking to improve his attacking play this year.

"The top midfielders in the world always chip in with goals, and getting more shots on goal is a part of my game I'm working on," he said.

"As the English say, if you don't buy a ticket, you won't win the lottery," he grinned.

"Anyway, Isa and I know what we have to do. With more competitive games under our belt, I'm sure we'll get better."

The one-two punch

One is the skipper of the team, blessed with a soft touch and an eye for a killer pass; the other, a laid-back forward who is difficult to shrug off the ball, and when in the mood, clinical in front of goal.

LionsXII's captain Shahril Ishak and Agu Casmir have already combined to score four goals in four games between them.

Lethal as they are on the pitch, the duo are soft-spoken off it. Agu is also famously reluctant to speak to members of the media.

Said Shahril: "Agu and I have played together when were in the Young Lions and then in the national team, so we can't use the excuse that we're not gelling. So far we're doing quite well and at times our combination has been brilliant."

The attacking midfielder has been deployed in the supporting role behind lone striker Agu. Coach V Sundramoorthy has also thrust him out wide on the left.

Said Shahril: "Left, right, or centre, it doesn't matter, I really just want to attack.

"And I'm sure Aug will be getting us goals too,

it's really just a matter of the rest of the team providing him with passes he can score from."

True to form Agu, quietly slipped out after training yesterday unwilling to say anything.

Speaking on behalf of the whole team, Shahril said: "It doesn't matter who starts, we have worked hard in training. "We just have to show a strong desire to play and give the fans a good show."