LionsXII host Sabah on Saturday evening as the Malaysian Super League season resumes after the International break. The LionsXII take on 11th placed Sabah FA at the Jalan Besar Stadium in the first of their last four games in the league season. Nothing less than a victory will suffice for V Sundramoorthy’s boys, who currently top the table on 44 points, six more than second placed Kelantan who have five games in hand.
In the last meeting between the two sides, Hariss Harun’s first half winner claimed all three points for the LionsXII and the midfielder will lead the side out on Saturday evening as skipper Shahril Ishak remained sidelined due to a shoulder dislocation.
The LionsXII are on a four game unbeaten run, winning two and drawing two of their last four games in May, since the 0-3 defeat to Kelantan in Kota Bharu.
Needing a miracle to clinch the MSL title, the LionsXII could eventually seal second spot come end of the season. However, this could only be achieved should the Singapore outfit claim victory in all four games to be assured of that spot.
Fatigue could be an issue here for the players who had been involved with the Singapore National team during the International break. V Sundramoorthy is expected to name a relatively strong lineup against the SabaHawks on Saturday.
“The players must enjoy what they’re doing so they can deliver,” said Sundram.
“At home it will be a different game (not they physical fixture it was in Likas), we need to play the way we want to play, but with commitment. The boys are ready and they know how important it is to win.”
LionsXII Probable Line up:
Hyrulnizam Juma’at(GK), Madhu Mohana, Baihakki Khaizan, Sevki Sha’ban, Shakir Hamzah, Hariss Harun, Isa Halim, Juma’at Jantan, Shahdan Sulaiman, Irwan Shah, Agu Casmir
