SINGAPORE — Defending the Malaysian Super League (MSL) title is beyond reach, and a top-three finish a remote possibility. Only the chase for a place in the Malaysia Cup remains a viable option for the LionsXII.

Thirteen points adrift of leaders Selangor with a third of the season to go, the eighth-placed LionsXII have struggled for consistency and have been unconvincing against more fancied teams.

Said coach Fandi Ahmad: “The more realistic target is a strong finish to the league season and qualify for the Malaysia Cup.”

The top 10 MSL teams qualify automatically for the glamour Cup tournament while the bottom two teams will need playoffs against teams from the second-tier Malaysian Premier League to confirm their places. And the home team cannot expect any favours when they host Johor Darul Ta’zim I (JDT I) tonight at the Jalan Besar Stadium, a match the visiting manager Bojan Hodak described as crucial for both teams.

“We need the three points to stay in touch with Selangor while the LionsXII need the three points to stay clear of the relegation zone,” said Hodak.

“We still have a chance to win the league but the LionsXII have lost too much ground. I have said from the start of the league season that the LionsXII will struggle this season because of the loss of their three key players in Baihakki Khaizan, Hariss Harun and Shahril Ishak to the Johor FA.”

But for Fandi, it is the presence of good foreign players in the Malaysian sides that has made the difference, while he has no recourse to sign imports.

“Four foreigners in each team … some of them are big physically that we just cannot cope sometimes,” he said. “And injuries have also derailed our plans.”

Still, Fandi chooses to look on the bright side. “The MSL has given our players the chance to learn how to cope with bigger and better players. We have learnt how to adapt and in the long run it can only be good for us,” he said.

Full-back Faritz Hameed thinks his team’s weakness has been the tendency to give away soft goals, though the LionsXII have nothing to be ashamed of. “Only the results were a letdown and in football, you need a little luck. We didn’t have our fair share of luck this season,” he said. DAN GUEN CHIN

On TV:

LionsXII vs Johor Darul Ta’zim I

Live on StarHub Ch201, 7.30pm