LionsXII fight back to deny Johor Darul Takzim

JOHOR BAHRU – Defending Malaysian Super League champions LionsXII fought back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw away at big-spending Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) as the sides faced off at the Larkin Stadium tonight (Jan 28).

The LionsXII look dead and buried after the first half as Argentinean star Pablo Aimar created one and scored another as the Malaysian side took a 2-0 lead at half-time, but two goals in two minutes from Khairul Amri and Hafiz Abu Sujad ensured that the LionsXII did not leave empty handed.

Getting the three points away from home was always going to be a tough task for the LionsXII, who were up against a talented JDT side which boasted the likes of Aimar, fellow Argentinean Luciano Figueroa and former LionsXII players Baihakki Khaizan and Hariss Harun in their lineup.

Tempers threatened to boil over as early as the tenth minute after a foul by Isa Halim sparked a scuffle between both sets of players. The LionsXII captain was eventually booked for his role in the off-the-ball incident.

Aimar was a constant menace in the first half as the LionsXII midfield failed to keep pace with him, but Figueroa failed to capitalise on his creativity as the LionsXII defence did not give him an inch of space in the penalty area.

But that changed in the 29th minute, when Aimar’s through pass found Figueroa, who calmy slotted the ball past LionsXII goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.

Singapore full-back Shakir Hamzah was forced to retire from the match midway through the first-half due to injury, and the LionsXII were forced to reshuffle their lineup as Hafiz moved to left-back and Nazrul Nazari came on to fill the gap on the left flank.

Former LionsXII defender Baihakki Khaizan came close to scoring against his old club but his header from a corner-kick was brilliantly parried away by Izwan’s diving save.

Things got from bad to worse for the LionsXII in the 42nd minute after centre-back Afiq Yunos conceded a foul after carelessly giving away possession. Aimar stepped up to take the resulting free-kick and curled a beauty beyond Izwan’s reach and into the back of the net.

The LionsXII must have been hoping they had a player of Aimar’s calbre in their ranks as they struggled to test JDT’s goalkeeper Norazlan Razali.

Captain Isa Halim was touted to assume the playmaker role following the departure of Shahril Ishak to Johor FA, but struggled to make an impact and was eventually replaced at half-time.

LionsXII coach Fandi Ahmad brought on Madhu Mohana for Isa and pushed centre-back Safuwan Baharudin up to midfield in the second half in a bid to better his side’s fortunes.

And the move paid dividends as the LionsXII equalised with two quick goals.

Khairul reduced the deficit in the 66th minute – as JDT were replacing Aimar with Malaysian international Norsharul Idlan Talaha – after the opposing defence failed to clear a long throw, and Hafiz levelled the scores two minutes later with the easiest of tap-ins.

The LionsXII will next play Terengganu on Feb 8 at the Jalan Besar Stadium.