LionsXII set up FA Cup quarter-final with Johor Darul Ta’zim II
Malaysian FA Cup, last 16
LIONSXII 4
KL SPA PUTRAJAYA 0
In the lead-up to last night's Malaysian FA Cup last-16 clash against Malaysian Premier League side KL SPA Putrajaya, LionsXII coach Fandi Ahmad said that he didn't know much about his opponents.
As it turned out, he didn't need to, as his Malaysian Super League (MSL) side exposed the gulf in class by strolling to a 4-0 win to book their place in the quarter-finals.
That means a date with Johor Darul Ta'zim II (JDT II) next month, and a clash against former LionsXII stalwarts Shahril Ishak and Baihakki Khaizan.
Speaking after the routine win, Fandi praised his team's passing and movement, but warned against complacency.
"We played in patches. At times, we were very good, amazing to watch. But sometimes, we left a lot to be desired.
"When we face JDT II next, we need to be careful of that," he said.
"There were times when we were a little complacent after scoring the second goal, giving away possession cheaply.
RESULT
"But in the end, it's the result that matters and we got what we wanted."
Madhu Mohana put the home side ahead with a thumping close-range finish off a corner and Khairul Amri got on a scoresheet 10 minutes later, helped by a wicked deflection.
Fandi's men ended the match as a contest in the 58th minute after a lightning quick counter-attack culminated in Firdaus Kasman laying the ball off to Gabriel Quak, who cut in and fired in a shot that deflected off Hishamuddin Othman's heel into goal.
Amri got his second of the night when he squeezed in Izzdin Shafiq's free-kick.
Amri, currently the LionsXII's joint-top scorer with Quak and reserve striker Sahil Suhaimi with three goals, is looking forward to meeting former LionsXII captain and Singapore skipper Shahril and star defender Baihakki.
He said: "It will be a huge task for us, because honestly, JDT II are just as good as the first team in the MSL.
"I'll be putting our friendship aside, because what matters is that we go through over the two legs of the quarter-final.
"It will be extra tough because... Baihakki will surely mark me, and everyone knows that we've played together in the national team for 10 years."
LIONSXII LINE-UP
Izwan Mahbud, Afiq Yunos, Madhu Mohana (Faris Azienuddin 82'), Gabriel Quak, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Izzdin Shafiq, Khairul Amri, Chirstopher van Huizen, Zulfahmi Arifin, Firdaus Kasman (Sufian Anuar 83'), Sahil Suhaimi (Faris Ramli 68')
KL SPA PUTRAJAYA LINE-UP
Mahathis Mohammad, Kwon Jun, Ibrahim Jobeli (Khairol Azry 55'), Khairil Anuar, Michael Ijezie, Noor Azizi Azman, Aslam Najumuden, Alyy Imran Samarkhan (Ahmad Rafiuddin 87'), Fadzly Iskandar (Nik Azlam Nik Januana 78'), Norhafizzuan Jailani, Hishamuddin Othman
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