Malaysian Super League 2012
LionsXII vs KL Felda United
Jalan Besar Stadium, 7.45pm
SINGAPORE - The mood was jovial and the atmosphere relaxed as the LionsXII got down to training at the Jalan Besar stadium yesterday evening.
Perhaps it was to be expected.
After eight games, the LionsXII are fourth in the standings in the Malaysian Super League (MSL), six pints behind leaders Kelantan but with a game in hand.
They take on KL Felda United tonight at the Jalan Besar Stadium and a victory by a two-goal margin would see V Sundramoorthy's team climb to second spot.
Felda have conceded 12 goals in eight matches so far and are second from bottom. The home fans will be hoping for a goal-rush but ever careful not to allow overconfidence to settle into the camp, Sundram dismissed any notion that his men would have an easy ride tonight.
Taking the cue from recent events in the English Premier League, the 46-year-old coach said: "Felda are a good team, I've been watching them and they are unlucky over their position in the table.
"I don't want to assume anything about tonight's match. Alex Ferguson cannot assume anything and (Andre) Villas-Boas cannot assume anything because, look, he just lost his job.
"I am not counting any points before a match. For me it can go either way because although things may be looking up for us now, a different LionsXII side may just turn up for the match against Felda."
Sundram's cautious approach may stem from the fact the LionsXII are hindered by injuries to defenders Jumaat Jantan, Shaiful Esah and Safuwan Baharudin, who is due for surgery on his ankle and will be sidelined for six weeks.
Goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, recovering from a knee injury, is also doubtful tonight.
It means younger players will be given an opportunity to step up and prove themselves, following in the footsteps of striker Sufian Anuar, who has retained his spot in the starting XI after impressing when he took over the injured Agu Casmir.
Said Sundram: "With so many key players out and with a small pool of players, it is going to be a tough game for us. We definitely have to use replacements and give other players a chance to start, like Sevki Sha'ban, who will do so in defence.
"It is his chance to show that he can keep the place."
As for any title talk, Sundram insisted it was still too early to even think about challenging the likes of defending champions Kelantan, especially when the 14 teams in the MSL are not separated by big margins.
"We are now in a good position. It's better than being down below. But it is still early days because if we lose two more games we can fall to 10th or 11th," said the former Singapore star.
" We will take it a game at a time. We are facing Felda with a depleted team but we are going to try our best to make sure we come out with something."
Tickets still on sale
Tickets for the LionsXII's 2012 Malaysian Super League clash against KL Felda United tonight and the Malaysia FA Cup tie against Negeri Sembilan Betaria FC on Saturday are still available.The tickets will go on sale at the Jalan Besar Stadium's North Gate from 5pm onwards today. For both matches, grandstand tickets are priced at S$12, and S$7 for both gallery and King George's Stand seats.
Each person is entitled to purchase up to four tickets upon showing their NRIC at the ticket sales counter.
As of 8pm last night, 80 per cent of tickets for tonight's match against Felda and 50 per cent of tickets for Saturday's clash against Negeri Sembilan were sold.
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