Date:
Thurs, 05 Jan 2012 
SINGAPORE, 4 January 2012: The LIONSXII scored their first win in their pre-season campaign after defeating Johor FC 1-0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium in front of 2,167 fans on Wednesday, 4 January 2012.
Captain Shahril Ishak scorched the net with a thunderbolt in the 56th minute when he broke free on the left side of the penalty-box to give coach V.Sundramoorthy his first taste of victory.
The first-half was a cagey affair with both sides attempting to wrestle the initiative from each other.
The home side had a few opportunities to crack the goal with Isa Halim managing to steal the ball in the 29th minute before going on a surging run down the middle but alas, his thorough ball was just too fast for captain Shahril.
In the 34th minute, Agu Casmir and Hariss Harun combined to produce one of the best moves of the half with some good interplay before Hariss’ powerful low cross was saved by Johor goalkeeper, Zamir Selamat.
It took the LIONSXII until the 56th minute before their attacking efforts paid off when Shahril finally found the loophole in the visitors’ defence before planting the ball into the back of the net to cap off a good night for the team that is about to play their first competitive Malaysian domestic match come 10 January against Kelantan in the Malaysian Super League.
Visibly happy after the match, LIONSXII coach V.Sundramoorthy said: “After a loss and two draws, I think it is a good sign that we won and the confidence is back with the boys. They are looking forward to the season opener against Kelantan. We have to rectify a few areas where we think we went wrong after analysing the match video tomorrow."
"I am quite pleased for Izwan’s confidence that we did not concede any goals, the defence confidence and generally the team’s confidence. I think as a team, we can play much better given that we have been together for only 4 weeks. Honestly I can’t wait for the season to start and get things going.”he added.
Johor coach, Devan Kuppusamy was also adamant that the performance mattered more than the result itself, when he spoke to the media at the post-match press conference.
“I have to congratulate the LIONSXII for the win and I am happy with my team’s performance. I see that there are a few established players in the team who decide the outcome of the game and they are the main players who make the all moves. I think the younger players need to get better too. In the Malaysian Super League (MSL), it is going to be a tough ride for them but most Malaysians do welcome the decision to have them back in the MSL.” said coach Devan.
Final Score: LIONSXII 1-0 Johor FC
Starting Line-up for LionsXII: Izwan Mahdud, Isa Halim (Firdaus Kasman 75’), Baihaikki Khaizan, Shahdan Sulaiman (Khairul Nizam 45’), Agu Casmir (Sufian Anuar 77’), Hariss Harun, Raihan Rahman (Fazli Ayob 45’ (Yasir Hanapi 82’), Shahril Ishak (C), Irwan Shah, Safuwan Baharudin, Juma'at Jantan
Starting Line-up for Johor FC: Zamir Selamat, Shafizan Hashim, Ahmad Fauzi, Khairul Ismail (C), Shahrizal Saad (Farid Ideris 80’), Eddy Helmi, Khairi Kiman (Hasni Zaidi 72’), Shazwan Zainon (Syafuan Riduwan 72’), Azi Sharil, Khaironnisham Sahabudin, Zamri Chin (Haris Safuan 64’)
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