Sundram calls for grit and gumption
V. Sundramoorthy's LionsXII stared elimination in the face, and turned in a ferocious performance - worthy of their name - to beat Pahang and advance to the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup.
Now, Sundram has called for his charges to show the same grit and gumption when they face Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) in the second leg semi-final fixture in Selayang on Thursday night.
The LionsXII only managed a 1-1 draw with ATM in the first leg played at Jalan Besar, giving the champions of the second-tier Malaysian Premier League the advantage on the away goals rule, but Sundram is confident his charges can rise to the challenge again.
"The boys have done well in away games in the MSL (Malaysian Super League) and they showed that they can fight against Pahang. They all understand their roles and responsibilities, and what I want them to show is fighting spirit," said the 47-year-old.
In the past year, the LionsXII have assembled an impressive away record.
They have defeated defending Malaysia Cup champions Negeri Sembilan and title chasers Terengganu on their travels, along with Sabah, Perak, Sarawak, Johor FC and Felda United, winning seven games, losing three times, with three draws.
"It's important that we start the game well, and show hunger. We've got players who can fight, we know what the likes of Isa (Halim), Hariss (Harun) and Baihakki (Khaizan) are capable of," said Sundram.
"Even Shahril (Ishak), who may appear quiet, can spring up and give us a goal."
The LionsXII will be without the defensive trio of Sevki Sha'ban (knee injury), Safuwan Baharudin and Irwan Shah (both suspended), but Sundram has faith in their replacements. Juma'at Jantan is set to reclaim his right-back position from Irwan, while 23-year-old Abdil Qaiyyim will deputise for Safuwan.
Abdil, a 1.82m-tall no-nonsense defender who rose from the National Football Academy under-18 side to join the Courts Young Lions in the S-League, may prove to be the LionsXII ace in the pack - with his knack of scoring from set-pieces.
Sundram, who knows the player well having coached both sides before, said: "Abdil will do well, and I know that with our boys we can get the job done."
- TODAY
V. Sundramoorthy's LionsXII stared elimination in the face, and turned in a ferocious performance - worthy of their name - to beat Pahang and advance to the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup.
Now, Sundram has called for his charges to show the same grit and gumption when they face Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) in the second leg semi-final fixture in Selayang on Thursday night.
The LionsXII only managed a 1-1 draw with ATM in the first leg played at Jalan Besar, giving the champions of the second-tier Malaysian Premier League the advantage on the away goals rule, but Sundram is confident his charges can rise to the challenge again.
"The boys have done well in away games in the MSL (Malaysian Super League) and they showed that they can fight against Pahang. They all understand their roles and responsibilities, and what I want them to show is fighting spirit," said the 47-year-old.
In the past year, the LionsXII have assembled an impressive away record.
They have defeated defending Malaysia Cup champions Negeri Sembilan and title chasers Terengganu on their travels, along with Sabah, Perak, Sarawak, Johor FC and Felda United, winning seven games, losing three times, with three draws.
"It's important that we start the game well, and show hunger. We've got players who can fight, we know what the likes of Isa (Halim), Hariss (Harun) and Baihakki (Khaizan) are capable of," said Sundram.
"Even Shahril (Ishak), who may appear quiet, can spring up and give us a goal."
The LionsXII will be without the defensive trio of Sevki Sha'ban (knee injury), Safuwan Baharudin and Irwan Shah (both suspended), but Sundram has faith in their replacements. Juma'at Jantan is set to reclaim his right-back position from Irwan, while 23-year-old Abdil Qaiyyim will deputise for Safuwan.
Abdil, a 1.82m-tall no-nonsense defender who rose from the National Football Academy under-18 side to join the Courts Young Lions in the S-League, may prove to be the LionsXII ace in the pack - with his knack of scoring from set-pieces.
Sundram, who knows the player well having coached both sides before, said: "Abdil will do well, and I know that with our boys we can get the job done."
- TODAY
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