LionsXII get winning boost before MSL debut Sundram encouraged by good performance, looks forward to opener against Kelantan

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SINGAPORE - They have got Singaporeans talking, their inception polarising the local football fraternity, but on the night of their first public performance last night, the LionsXII hardly set hearts aflutter.

In control, but limp and lethargic in parts, their showing would not have reignited dormant passions.

There is little doubt, however, that the 1-0 win over fellow Malaysia Super League (MSL) side Johor FC in front of 2,147 local fans at the Jalan Besar Stadium was a massive result for V Sundramoorthy and his charges.

"After one loss and two draws in our last three friendlies, this victory was the best thing that came out of the night. It was a good sign that we can win, and now we look forward to Jan 10 to get a result then," said a visibly-relieved Sundram.

Last night was the last of four warm-up fixtures before the LionsXII face defending MSL champions Kelantan in their opening MSL fixture at Jalan Besar in five days, and Sundram paid tribute to the senior players he believed held the team together.

"It was a very positive performance from Agu Casmir, Shahril Ishak, Baihakki Khaizan, Hariss Harun, Safuwan Baharudin and even Izwan Mahbud," he said.

"They are the backbone of the team, and while it will take some time for things to settle in, in a new team, hopefully this result will boost team morale."

Shahril scored the only goal of the night in the 57th minute after a slick exchange of passes with Agu, but Sundram admitted there was still much fine-tuning required, in attack as well as defence.

Agu appeared older than his 28 years at times, with the immobile LionsXII attack bereft of ideas in a placid first half that saw trio Shahdan Sulaiman, Shahril and Juma'at Jantan play behind lone forward Agu in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

But switching to a standard 4-4-2 formation in the second half with Shahril playing in a wide left position gave Sundram more joy.

He said: "The changes made were tactical ... but we need to fine-tune our work in the attacking third. It's that creativity and imagination in attack that will make the difference."

While Safuwan hardly put a foot wrong last night, and his central defensive partnership with Baihakki looking like it is starting to take shape Sundram demanded more from his backline.

"There were lapses that allowed Johor some crosses and shots, and we need to stop that," said the LionsXII coach.

Johor coach K Devan pointed out that it was the LionsXII senior players who made the difference on the night, pulling all the strings for the Singapore side, a fact Sundram was well aware of.

His message to fans was one calling for patience.

"Fans must understand that this team is just four weeks old, and it takes time to gel and play attacking football. We need to try harder because (Malaysian football) is not going to be a stroll in the park," said Sundram.

It was only a friendly fixture, but Shahril has already stood up to be counted, the skipper's goal giving his team a much needed boost to lift a tremendous weight off the shoulders of everyone associated with the team.

"It was very important, before the match against Kelantan, to get that feeling of winning," said Shahril.

"And there is no doubt we need the fans as the twelfth man to help us up our standard of play."