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LionsXII beat KL FA 2-1

SINGAPORE: Singapore's LionsXII beat Kuala Lumpur FA 2-1 in a Malaysian Super League (MSL) match at Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday night.

It was the first win in three matches for the LionsXII.

Prior to Tuesday's match, the LionsXII had collected just one point from two matches.

KL have conceded five goals prior to Tuesday's match, so it was no surprise that the LionsXII controlled play and pounded the visitors goal.



The hosts were rewarded for their overwhelming possession through an own goal in the 41st minute. Captain Shahril Ishak's curling cross from the left flank was missed by winger Irwan Shah inside the penalty box. Fortunately for him, KL defender Alman Syazwan was on hand to unwittingly steer the ball into his own net, gifting the LionsXii a 1-0 advantage.

Playmaker Shahdan Sulaiman then sent the sell-out crowd of 7,500 into ecstasy just before the hour mark in the second half. The former Tampines Rovers player could not miss from point-blank range after KL goalkeeper Rozaimie Rohim spilled the ball into his path in the 57^th minute. That lifted the LionsXII to a 2-0 lead.

KL pulled a goal back in the 67th minute after LionsXII defender Safuwan Baharudin was adjudged to have brought striker Fazuan Abdullah down in the box. Safuwan was sent off for a second bookable offence, and Fazuan converted the resulting spot-kick.

The final score: LionsXII 2 KL 1.

V. Sundramoorthy's charges, who have four points from three games, next face Sabah in Kota Kinabalu on Saturday.