Next five matches crucial: Fandi

SINGAPORE — How the LionsXII’s Malaysian Super League (MSL) season pans out will depend largely on their performance in the next five matches, starting with Sime Darby at the Jalan Besar Stadium tonight.

At the mid-point of the season, they are fourth, and four points adrift of leaders Pahang.

Fandi Ahmad’s charges beat Sime Darby 2-0 at Selangor’s Selayang Stadium last Saturday and are eager for a repeat on home turf. Although free from suspensions and injuries — aside from Isa Halim, who had ankle surgery two weeks ago — the home side know they can’t afford to slip up.

After three losses in their first seven matches, the LionsXII have banished their inconsistency and are on a four-match unbeaten run. But their lack of bite in front of goal is what bothers Fandi most.

“As you know we don’t have strikers,” said the LionsXII coach, who ironically was the region’s most-feared finisher from the late 1970s to the 1990s.

“Football is about scoring and I don’t believe in anything else. It’s either you have it and you don’t. But if you have an open chance two metres away and can’t score, there must be something wrong. It is important that you must have the correct technique to finish the ball. Your instinct must be good and in training we’ve been telling them to be confident and keep their composure on the field.”

Despite their scoring woes, Fandi said that overall the young team have measured up. They are a side that are willing to learn and playing to instructions has entertained the fans.

He added that younger players such as Faris Ramli and defender Raihan Rahman, who replaced Isa, have stepped up to make key contributions. But whether they will help Fandi meet the target of a top-three finish in his first season in charge depends on their clashes with the league’s current top three and Johor.

Said Fandi: “In the second half of the season, we must have more confidence and be very consistent to catch up with the leaders. These matches will decide if we have the opportunity to retain the title or not. I may be confident, but it is not me who is playing. We can prepare them but if they can’t deliver, they can’t.” IAN DE COTTA

LionsXII next five matches:

Tonight: vs Sime Darby (Home) kick-off 7.45pm at Jalan Besar Stadium

Tuesday: Pahang (Home)

Apr 19: Selangor (Away)

May 10: Johor Darul Ta’zim (Home)

May 17: Terengganu (Away)