LionsXII out of Malaysia Cup despite late win in Pahang
If only they had played the way they did on Tuesday night from the start of the Malaysia Cup, the LionsXII might still be in contention to make the next round.
But as it was, their first victory in Group A came too late. The Singaporean side bowed out of the cup despite beating already-qualified Pahang FA 2-1, as Felda United sealed their progress with a 3-1 win over Johor Darul Takzim II on the same night.
LionsXII coach Fandi Ahmad believes the campaign has been a “learning process” for his young charges, who produced arguably their best display so far against the defending champions.
“I thought we dominated most of the game and this is what we were looking for because they fought [and had a] never-say-die attitude,” he said. “Today, we proved we are still a team to be reckoned with.”
The LionsXII’s “mediocre” home from - two draws and one loss - ultimately cost them, as they headed to Darul Makmur Stadium needing all three points to keep their slim hopes alive.
Fandi ditched the usual lone striker option in favour of Sufian Anuar and Khairul Nizam upfront, who were flanked by livewire duo Nazrul Nazari and Faris Ramli.
The visitors pressed hard straight from kick-off. Nizam came close twice, but the hosts took a shock lead when Dickson Nwakaeme smashed home a cross on 13 minutes.
“The two wingers made the difference and I must thank Nizam, he really made the difference despite being half-fit and of course also Sufian,” Fandi praised. “These two really did a great job upfront as they opened up the defence. We should have been three or four goals up in the first half.”
The scoreline remained unchanged at the break as the LionsXII failed to put away their chances, but they got their reward six minutes after the restart. Full-back Madhu Mohana skillfully turned his marker near the right touchline and his pinpoint cross was superbly glanced home by Sufian.
The equaliser stung Pahang into action and Izwan Mahbud was forced into several good saves. But they were hit by a sucker punch in the 84th minute as Madhu capped off a fine individual showing, heading in Faris’s free-kick delivery at the far post.
The LionsXII face Felda in their last game next Tuesday in a dead-rubber tie, but Fandi hopes they can end off on a winning note.
“We want to do better again,” he asserted. “This is better today, the fighting spirit [we showed] and I hope the fans will [continue to] come and support us.”
