SINGAPORE — No thanks to the haze yesterday, the LionsXII were forced to abandon their plans to train at Jalan Besar Stadium and resorted to having a workout at an indoor futsal court instead.

At 4.45pm yesterday, the local media received an SMS from the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) that the training location had been changed to one of Stadio@17th Avenue’s indoor futsal courts at Marina Country Club, Punggol Marina.

LionsXII coach V Sundramoorthy looked concerned as he put his players through their paces in preparation for Saturday’s blockbuster top-of-the-table clash with Fandi Ahmad’s Johor Darul Takzim, which could well determine the fate of the Malaysian Super League title.

The LionsXII are currently top of the table with a four-point lead over second-placed Johor.

Said Sundram: “To be honest, we need to train outdoors to work on our tactical preparations and formation. The big pitch is important as it allows us to train effectively on strategies and positional shape.”

Instead, the team had to settle for working primarily on high tempo five-a-side mini matches with fitness drills.

Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, Sundram is adamant that they will be ready for Saturday’s encounter, which he has described as the biggest game of the season.

Yet, he is also bracing for the possibility that the sold-out game could be postponed.

“For now, we have to prepare as if the game will go on,” said the 47-year-old. “I am not sure what’s the safe level to play, so I’ll leave that to the relevant authorities. My job is to train the boys in the knowledge that the game proceeds as per normal.”

The inability to train outdoors is the latest setback to hit the LionsXII. As it is, they will be missing key pillars in their backline for the game.

First-choice centre-back Baihakki Khaizan is serving a one-match ban after receiving his ninth yellow card of the season and Shakir Hamzah, his natural replacement, has been suspended from all football activities for the time being by the FAS.

The 20-year-old is facing a disciplinary hearing after being charged with being absent without official leave (AWOL) from national service and is serving four days’ detention.

As such, defensive midfielder Hariss Harun is poised to be pushed back to play alongside Safuwan Baharudin to counter Johor’s strike tandem of Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and Leonel Nunez, their new signing from the mid-season transfer window.

The LionsXII vice-captain is nursing a slight knock to his ankle, but he is determined to succeed.

“The 11 that step onto the pitch have to step up and show resolve to win the championship. Haze or no haze, we have to put in a good performance,” he said.