LionsXII vs Negeri Sembilan: A Change Will Do You Good

Running up to the home match against Negeri Sembilan (N9), news filtered through the twitterverse that Agu Casmir might be benched and Sufian Anuar will start in his place. Going by his appearance in midweek against Selangor, Sufian seems like a man up for it. Sufian had put in about 30mins against Selangor and he looked lively. In that game, he didn’t seem to impress except that being full of hard running. By the looks of it, that was surely more than the man he was replacing.

[Man On A Mission] Sufian Anuar had remarked that he’ll give his all, even to the extent of injury, on the field.  And boy, did he start so well. Inside 5mins, he introduced himself to the N9 goalie with a challenge. He showed grit and determination, harrassing the opposing defence and goalie. He ran the channels very well, showing distinct awareness with the assist for Shahdan Sulaiman and also for Shahril Ishak’s 2nd goal.

[Inspired] Seeing how that Sufian Anuar was leading from the front with all his hard running, the rest of the pride (Lions come in prides, yes?) worked hard to put in solid tackles, string more passes and try to win more 50-50s. Everyone had a good game, no complains there.

[Off Pitch] The N9 players were having trouble with the artificial pitch, evident in more wayward passing than any other visiting team I’ve seen. The artificial pitch has been labelled many things (children’s playground; not fit for international football etc), but it is the pitch laid under the FIFA Goal project so, anyone can complain to high heaven but it’s just the way it is here. As the game wore on, so did the passing and the N9 legs.

[Dangerman] The N9 #10, Effa (as printed on his back), was the man i had seen in early season that I marked out as the man to watch. His fearsome free-kicks and ability to hold up play very well were some attributes that i expected to trouble the LionsXII. However, he was having trouble getting past a solid combination of Safuwan Baharuddin and Baihakki Khaizan. In fact, they had him in their back pockets the whole game. Credit also the centre midfield pairing of Isa Halim & Hariss Harun for tracking the running man when Effa had the ball.

[Boo!] Though it was hard on him, Agu Casmir was jeered when he came on for the Shahril Ishak in the 72nd minute. Agu Casmir has been struggling for form and has been found wanting many a game. The crowd was clearly distressed when he made his appearance at the touchline and a chorus of boos rang around the stadium. To his credit, he was a slightly different player when he came on as he also chased down the N9 defenders and held the ball better. A slight improvement, but an improvement nonetheless.

An amazing performance from the boys but they shouldn’t let it get to their heads and focus on the next match. The trip up to Perak will be a tough one as they will be facing the league leaders. This win will have galvanised the squad as well as the fans. Do expect the next home game to be packed as the fans will be expectant of another winning performance.

LionsXII vs T’ganu: Positives & Negatives

2 days ago, the LionsXII hosted Terengganu at the Jalan Besar Stadium, losing 0-1 to a goal in the last 20mins of the game. As i had only been able to catch the 2nd Half, i shall not comment much. But i did follow the on-goings via twitter through @LigaSingapura.

Image by Singapore Sports Council via Flickr

I was hyped as it seemed the boys got the game under control. I mean, we were facing the 2nd best team from the MSL of last season, if we were holding our own, it goes to show we have improved, albeit slightly.

The oddest thing to have happened in the 1st Half was definitely the floodlights tripping. It is Jalan Besar right?

Anyway, let’s just dive into the Positives & Negatives straight away, shall we?

Positives

• The make-shift centre back pairing held the T’ganu forward line well and kept Francis Forkey Doe at bay until the goal. He didn’t look a bit dangerous to me, credit to both Hariss Harun & Safuwan Baharudin.
• IMO, Firdaus Kasman is a livewire and he had a good game. Unfortunate to leave the field injured.
• Taufiq Rahmat showed we have a different kind of player on the wings. Though the newspapers didn’t rave about him the next day, he’s a player that needs polishing and more game time.
• Shaiful Esah managed to clock minutes on the field.

Negatives

• Agu Casmir. Need to say anymore?
• The passing went downhill when Agu Casmir came on. It seemed like the plan was to just punt it to him. It has been so since the first game. The T’ganu game can be administered as Exhibit A.
• There was no immediate response after the visitors scored. There was no one o the field able to lift the team.

An individual mistake led to the visitors scoring. In the newspapers the next day, Hariss Harun admitted that it was his mistake to clear the ball and it hitting the opposing striker. But i disagree. His mistake was trying to shield the ball from the Cameroonian at the edge of the penalty box and looking for Izwan Mahbud to come collect the ball. The custodian was a good 10metres away at least and that was just a bad decision. Hariss Harun would have done better with safety first.

The online forums and the fans have called for more heart and that they didn’t mind losing games. I don’t understand what they meant by more heart (semangat). I believe the boys are just limited in capacity due to their lack of ‘football education’ (I’ll explain this in another post, so stay tuned!) But you have to applaud their efforts. You have to give support because these are our boys.

 

Kedah vs LionsXII, Short Review & 5 Things The LionsXII Need to Fix

Did you catch last night’s game? Well, I did. And let me state it out loud and clear that I wasn’t happy with the showing.

The game started kind of late. It’s the latest kick-off I’ve seen for some time involving a Singaporean team. Apparently, it’s the norm up north but no matter, the game got under way in the end. The LionsXII first away game in the MSL. I was looking forward to 3 points not because Kedah was easy opposition, rather because they are having some trouble off field as well as on field. They were missing a stalwart and a foreign import. They don’t have their head coach or their assistant coach on the bench. But they do have home ground advantage.

The first 5 mins heightened my expectations. The crowd at Stadium Darul Aman was nowhere near as imposing as it used to be. And the Kedah players looked lethargic and lacking some spirit. They were there for the taking. But who was going to take them?? Because the LionsXII looked bereft of ideas, still resorting to direct football and launching the ball out into the far reaches of the pitch hoping for Agu Casmir to chase down. There was no invention, set-pieces were atrocious and the midfield lacking craft and guile.

Moments of note include a delivery from the right, flicked on by Agu Casmir to the far post beyond the Kedah keeper and Yasir Hanapi hooked the ball back into the danger area. Shahdan Sulaiman then looped his header over the bar. I saw the Kedah keeper getting some stick from his defender for that bungle. That turned out to be the turning point as Kedah rallied and controlled the rest of the 1st half, stringing passes and their No.11 left midfielder (whatshisname) giving Raihan Rahman at right full-back a torrid time. Izwan Mahbud was called into action when the Kedah offence managed to slip through the ball to one of their strikers who was played onside by Yasir Hanapi on the far left of the box. However, the Kedah striker did not make the best of the chance and he was too close to the LionsXII No.1 anyway. Other than that, chances were few and far in-between and the half ended scoreless.

The 2nd half didn’t differ either. Cagey and tentative, both sets of midfield really struggling for rhythm, the LionsXII especially. Some goalmouth action came unexpectedly as Agu Casmir broke loose and took 3 bites off the cherry but the Kedah defence was more than able to the task. Then more action came in the form of an opportunity to Shahdan Sulaiman who hooked the ball wide of the goal. The 2 misses seem to have dumped the boy’s confidence into the gutter as he played rather miserably for the rest of the game.

Irwan Shah, who started at left full back, was pushed up the left midfield in the 2nd half as Raihan Rahman was substituted for Shakir Hamzah. Irwan Shah looked much more livelier in midfield and put in a good 2nd half. One play that singled him out was when he went down the left flank and beat his opponent, albeit rather fortuitously, and sent in a delicious looking ball which found Shahril Ishak at the near post. The LionsXII captain glanced it wide and that was the last of any meaningful chance the LionsXII had.

Kedah grew into the game and managed a few neat passes amongst others. But Kedah never really looked like contenders and it was definitely 2 points lost for the LionsXII. The game ended 0-0 at full time.

5 Things The LionsXII Need to Fix Before the KL Home Game on Tuesday

1. Stop playing the ball direct to Agu Casmir and play it on the ground. This way, the whole midfield will be less tired trying to shift up, only to reorganise when Agu Casmir loses the ball, which he will at least 80% of the time. The change in play and catching up will drain the boys. It will look more pleasing to the fans if they play a passing game and stop using Agu Casmir as their point man.

2. Hariss Harun in midfield is better than he is in defence. He’s more natural in central midfield and his industry will help push the team on. Him in defence kind of wastes his talent and he does come up short in reading from the back at times.

3. Shahdan Sulaiman to buck up or be left out of the starting XI. He does drift out of the game often. He looks good on the ball but has been careless at times. Partly it’s not his fault, the ball seem to bypass him all the time. The team should look into launching the attacks through him or through Shahril Ishak. I’d rather the former.

4. Shahril Ishak to earn his money. He’s been having it too easy. He hasn’t been imposing himself on the game. His on the ball skills have been easily read by opposing defenders and he does lose the ball a fair amount. As a seasoned professional, more is expected of him.

5. Play 2 upfront. With Shahril Ishak behind Agu Casmir, it isolates the latter from the game.  And when Agu Casmir gets the ball, the rest of the team has to push up fast. Playing 2 upfront will put more pressure on the opposing defence, which will result in a more space for the team to attack.

All in all, I can only thank the boys for the effort. Quality wasn’t there and they would definitely have to buck up. Hopefully, earning the 1st point of the campaign will set them on their way. And with much disdain, Baihakki Khaizan happens to be my MOTM again. He really has bucked up since his return. Hopefully it doesn’t get to him and he maintains his game. Irwan Shah was a close 2nd. The boy keeps it tidy and he should try to beat the opponent more in a more advanced role.

 

LionsXII vs Kelantan, Referee Kayu?

2 days ago, the Jalan Besar Stadium hosted the first ever Malaysian League match since the Lions last played against a Malaysian League team 17 years ago. It was a very hyped up match, the media (electronic and conventional) doing a great job getting the fans to come down to watch the game.

The match was played against Kelantan, the defending champions. And their pedigree showed. Though not throughout, the Champions showed class and vigour in getting the result needed, albeit through a dubious penalty call. The LionsXII had started brightly, pressing and keeping things tidy at the back, marshalled by the returning prodigal son, Baihaikki Khaizan.

A great chance had gone to the LionsXII Captain, Shahril Ishak, when he trapped a crossed from the right, brought it down and swivelled to his left. His toe-poke didn’t come off like he wanted it to though. Then, the action swung around and the Kelantanese No.9, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, showed why he is their main attacking threat by dancing around 2 opposing defenders before Baihakki Khaizan cleared to safety. The LionsXII were having a tough time getting the ball out of their penalty box with passing, opting to punt the ball away. In attack, it seemed as though the plan was to go direct with Agu Casmir chasing down and holding up the ball. This probably was because the Kelantan defence was found suspect with balls over the top in their previous game against Negri Sembilan in the Charity Shield.

And suddenly the XII man roared in the stands! A freekick from the right found its way through and got to the head of Baihaikki Khaizan who glanced it into the bottom left corner of the Kelantanese goal. Scoring the first goal since the return inspired Baihaikki Khaizan to celebrate emphatically and jump into the crowd behind the goal.

But all the hard work was to be undone when the defence was caught by a cross from the right eluded the defence, partly expecting the ball aimed at Kelantan’s Lebanese import Mohd Ghaddar, and fell to Norshahrul Idlan Talaha. He brought it down and finished smartly. Jumaat Jantan’s positioning was questionable at that point and we all know that basic defender school always told us to be ahead of the striker when the ball comes in. A timely equaliser as both teams went into the dressing rooms level on terms.

With the equaliser coming so close to half-time, Kelantan came out more pumped in the 2nd Half. They controlled possession and got into the groove of Champions. Many a times, the LionsXII were chasing shadows due to the smart play. By this time, the LionsXII were struggling to find a comfortable rhythm.

Then, the ball was played out of the box and found Sufian Anuar on the left, who touched the ball back into the centre which was then intercepted by a Kelantan player. The ball was then played over the top into the box with Mohd Ghaddar rushing into the box. Izwan Mahbud rushed out but managed to pull back from the onrushing attacker. However, Mohd Ghaddar fell down like he hit a brick wall. The referee was hooked, line and sinker, and pointed to the spot amid the echoes of “Referee Kayu” by the home fans. Mohd Ghaddar stepped up and scored.

As the LionsXII pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Kelantan held their ground and kept their midfield compact and even looked dangerously close to scoring another. By this time, the LionsXII were resorting to Route 1 football and there was little chance for anything to come out of it.

As for the much hyped up XII man, they came down to give the much sought out support. They came down and shout when the team was in ascendancy but when things were tense, everyone was seated and watching on. This is Singapore, that’s what you can expect from crowds here, be it at a concert or the stadium. Yes, people like myself will always pine for crowds like those in England where they sing their heart out but it’s a Singaporean thing. We only sing when we’re winning, we come watch our Singapore National Team when we expect them to win or when we know we’re winning. I have a colleague who constantly sings Man Utd songs at the workplace. And there’s the other one whose status updates on Facebook is all about how Man Utd is better than every other team. Nothing about the LionsXII from that one. But the crowds on Tuesday, oh. Granted the stadium was almost full, the tv cameras were capturing some of the crowd cheering but only when they know they were on tv. But it’s a good start and let’s see if the crowd can be sustained. Especially when the LionsXII lose a few (which of course they will), we’ll see if the crowds will come.

IF YOU DO NOT SUPPORT US WHEN WE ARE LOSING…

…then do not support us when we are winning. – Bill Shankly

Image via Wikipedia Baihakki Khaizan: LionsXII MOTM (Home vs Kelantan)

Overall, it was a good first outing for a team 2-3 months together but in my honest opinion, the tactics and play on the field was left much to be desired. Defending corners, the defence simply cleared out of their half, asking alot of lone striker Agu Casmir. They were too anxious in getting the ball forward and there was a lack of build up play. There was less intelligence on the field that night when we know (or hope) that the boys are capable of some more. Take for instance Baihakki Khaizan, the prodigal son. Singled out for disciplinary problems in the past and dropped from the National Team, he literally played out of his skin last Tuesday night. Much maligned (by myself also), he proved himself to a certain extent.

What i take from the opening match is that in Singapore, we need new footballing heroes. The kind that people want to have on their computer desktop, the kind that people want to wear the LionsXII jersey with said hero’s name emblazoned on the back. The kind that inspires. The match on Tuesday night didn’t throw up any heroes. No one stepped up, even the ever dependable Hariss Harun was playing well below-par. Whatever it is, I hope  the boys improve in the next match. We don’t necessarily need a better result, just better performance. For everything else, we can always chant “Referee Kayu!”

The SG Football Conundrum

Football. The little island of SG’s no.1 sport without a doubt. Even if you are misled into thinking otherwise due to the fanfare generated every September, for the past few years, from the revvingly noisy cars whizzing at incredible speeds for 3 days. Yes, F1 is just a money making machine, nothing other than that. Football has a place in each sport- following SGean’s heart.

SG Football is now at a crossroads. Well, only from a supporters’ point of view. The powers that be have already chosen their path because after 17 years, come January 2012, SG will return to the Malaysian Football leagues. Albeit in a form known as the Lions XII (like, really? I mean, why XII? There are more players in the squad, aren’t there?).

Image via Wikipedia

Personally, i dont know what to make of this. We’ve gone on a venture into the unknown by setting up our very own S-League. Getting good attendances, seen some good players grace our shores (Grant Holt, anyone?) and experienced the highs (lows, maybe?) of Asian Champions League football. But it has been a league we call our own. Our own boys on the field backed by money (very grey, yes i know) from our own shores. On the other hand, we have the good old glory days of the Malaysia Cup. The Kallang Roar, the Kallang Wave, the Sambal Soccer, of the Dream Team and the many heroes who were hailed. Undoubtedly, we did the right thing back then. We went out on a high. The last match for Singapore was the Malaysia Cup final against the Malaysian state team, Pahang. We trounced them 4-0 at Shah Alam. And now, we’re going back north to play in their league and cup competition.

The FAS released the news that they inked some kind of MOU with their Malaysian counterparts, in which the Harimau Muda will come south to play in our league and cup competitions. I don’t get the angle of this. They wax lyrical of the benefits our local players get from playing against foreign teams but why can’t we do it like the Chinese do? Like sign Nicolas Anelka (that’s a long shot)?

I’m still weighing the pros and cons of this move. I still haven’t decided if i’m going to support the team. I feel like i would be turning my back on the Singapore Football scene if i do support the Lions XII. Like some sort of betrayal. Well, it is just my humble opinion. In the days leading to the first match, i will be canvassing for opinions and asking around if anyone will be supporting them. However, if i know better, the fans here will have a wait and see attitude as well. But that’s for another post.