LionsXII gear up for first MSL match

Football: LionsXII gear up for first MSL match

SINGAPORE: The LionsXII kick off their Malaysian Super League campaign at the Jalan Besar Stadium tomorrow.

After a 17-year break, the home team knows much is expected of them with all the hype surrounding their return to the Malaysian Cup.

The LionsXII take on Kelantan in a sell-out match on 10 January.

The defending league champion arrived on Monday and got down to training immediately.

The Malaysians are hoping to bounce back after losing their opening Charity Shield encounter 1-2 to Negri Sembilan on 7 January.

Coach Peter Butler said he likes the artificial surface at Jalan Besar and hopes his charges can adapt quickly to the conditions.

Despite the pressure, Singapore coach V Sundramoorthy was calm and said his boys are ready to take on the visitors.

The Lions, who had about four weeks and four friendly matches to prepare and bond as a team, couldn't wait to get things started.

Singapore coach V Sundramoorthy said: "Kelantan has got a few good technical players who are trying to play. (At the) end of the day, (it) is how the coaches want to play, that's important.

"But the physical part, varies from team to team. It depends where we are and who we are playing against We will do out best tactically, try to come out with a strategy to counter Kelantan and try to get the three points."

The match will be shown live on MediaCorp's Channel 5 on Tuesday at 7.45pm.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~