Former keeper becomes LionsXII's unlikely hero

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Malaysian Super League

LionsXII 3 Negeri Sembilan 1

SINGAPORE - It has taken a while, but V Sundramoorthy may have finally stumbled upon an attacking partnership that works.

The LionsXII romped to a 3-1 victory over defending Malaysia Cup champions Negeri Sembilan at the Jalan Besar Stadium last night, in what was surely their best performance of the season so far.

With his side often criticised for being less than clinical in front of goal, Sundram turned to a former goalkeeper to solve his team's goalscoring woes, and how the move paid off.

The coach dropped regular striker Agu Casmir and placed his faith in Sufian Anuar, a goalkeeper-turned-forward who marked his first start by chipping in with two assists.

"He's shown a lot of fire in training, sometimes overdoing it and hurting his team-mates, but it looked like I made the right decision in starting him," Sundram said.

"This was our best performance of the season so far, but it's only seven games old and we should get better."

Former Singapore international R Suriamurthi was beaming when he spoke of Sufian, who was previously a second-choice goalkeeper in the national under-16 side.

"He was strong and determined then, but didn't get a chance to play nor showed any signs of being a forward, but he did really well.

"The way he chases every ball and fights from the front, it makes it easier for everyone to play, inspires them even," said Suria.

"Not since (former Singapore captain) Noh Alam Shah have we seen a forward play like that. I think he's done enough to retain his spot in the first XI."

Shahril Ishak broke the deadlock with a well taken penalty after Shahurain Abu Samah was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box in the 31st minute.

Then up stepped Sufian with a slick backheel, a move that would have done Sundram proud, to lay the ball in the path of Shahdan Sulaiman to double the lead in the 50th minute.

The 24-year-old Sufian was again in the thick of the action 10 minutes later, sending a peach of a low cross for Shahril to bag his second goal of the night.

Said Sufian: "I was a reserve player before and I want to give of my best and prove that I am one of the best."

And in the eyes of his teammates, Sufian may have just done enough.

Baihakki Khaizan was disconsolate after his team's showing in Kuala Lumpur last week, but last night he was beaming.

"We have been trying to fit all the pieces together for a while now, and I think (last night) the jigsaw puzzle looks like it's complete," he told Today.

Sundram will be forced to tinker with the team yet again when they take on high-flying Perak on Tuesday, with Khairul Amri still out injured and Isa Halim having to miss that encounter after picking up his third yellow card of the season. But the scintillating attacking performance last night, has at least sent a message to the rest of Malaysia that despite a tepid start, the LionsXII can play good football.

"This is definitely the football we want to play," said Sundram. "A win before facing Perak is the best thing for the team - their morale and confidence have been boosted."