Malaysia Super League Team of the Week Match Day 7

MSL Team of The Week Match Day 7

Johor DT were held to a 2-2 disappointing draw against Lions XII

Norshahrul Idlan Talaha late equaliser can't hide the fact that Johor DT are still underperformed against the youthful Lions XII

It should be an easy home win for Johor DT, remind that Lions XII lack experienced overall other than Shahril Ishak and Baihakki Khaizan for instance, but the home side surprisingly struggled to put their local rivals away. 

Lions XII have an early lead through the 22-year-old midfielder Hariss Harun who received the ball from captain Shahril Ishak and fired the volley to the back of the net in the 4th minute. Lions XII continue to mount the pressure to the home side as Johor struggled to contain the Singaporean side. Johor equalised through a glancing header from Simone Del Nero who found a cross from Nurul Azwan Roya in the 15th minute. Lions XII have a lead again, this time through a set-piece from Shahril Ishak which met the head of Baihakki Khaizan in the 37th minute to make it 2-1 until the end of the first half. 

The Southern Tiger pushed hard since the start of the second half, trying to get the equaliser and possibly a winner in the match. But the home side were irritated by the Lions' stubborn and encouraging defending to deny any possibility for Johor DT. Their patience were rewarded though, as sensational striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha produced a magnificent strike just outside of the box to earn and finish the match with a 2-2 draw. It was a valuable point for the away side as they retained the second placed in the table while the scoreline spare the blushes for the home side as they moved to fourth in the table. Fandi Ahmad himself were not pleased with his players' attitude, pointing that they were not playing as a team and wondered of his side's mentality. Johor DT has improved since the famous defeat at the hands of Pahang in the first match of the 2013 season, in which they are currently unbeaten in six matches in a row. 

Next, Johor DT will face Felda United away at Kelana Jaya Stadium on February 22.

Malaysia Super League 2013 Team of the Week Match Day 2

Malaysia Super League Team of the Week (Match Day 1)

MSL Team of the Week Match Day 1

Lion XII Malaysia Super League Watch

Singapore to finish first in the Malaysia Super League?

Lions fan may still in a victorious mood after winning AFF Suzuki Cup 2012, but the team may already started to work their socks off in a pre-season to prepare for an upcoming 2013 season. As an invitees team, they will continue with the same player from the start of 2012 season without involving in transfer window. With the likes of captain Shahril Ishak, Baihakki Khaizan, and Khairul Amri, they will be keen to continue their tremendous form in the previous season of the Super League, sitting first in the table for much of the season before settling in a second place to the eventual champions Kelantan. 

Key Player: Shahril Ishak, Baihakki Khaizan, and Khairul Amri 

Young Talented Player: Izwan Mahbud, Madhu Mohana, Hariss Harun and Safuwan Baharudin

2012 season: Finished 2nd in Malaysia Super League

Team Status Chances: Title Candidate

Singapore on one hand to the fourth title

 Singapore 3-1 Thailand

Singapore bagged two-goal advantage for the second leg in Saturday as Thailand are brushed aside 

It is a nice and pleasant weather to play football as the two South-East Asian giants contested at Jalan Besar Stadium for the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 Final, yesterday. The two successful sides in the competition have met once in the final of 2007 edition which ended victorious to the Lions.

Singapore didn't have to wait too long as they took an early lead in the 9th minute after Aleksandar Duric was fouled by Piyaphon Buntao in the penalty area. Mustafic Fahrudin have to retake after his first spot-kick was ruled out by the match officials but have no troubled scoring for the second time to give the home side a 1-0 lead. The two sides counter-attacking relentlessly as Thailand are in search of equaliser while Singapore trying to double their lead further but both left frustrated after held by a cautious play as the first half ended.

Thailand started strong in the second half as they pushed for the equaliser. They finally levelled in the 59th minute through a lapse of defending from the Lions as a cross from Teerasil Dangda met Adul Lahsoh's feet to fired the ball past Izwan Mahbud to make it 1-1. But Singapore spoiled Thailand's celebration as they went ahead again just two minutes later through excellent individual skills from Khairul Amri as he smashed the ball past Kawin in the 61st minute to make it 2-1. Thailand have to work hard to find for another equaliser as they look helpless to contain Singapore's domination in midfield. But Thailand was caught on the break as a poor defending from the away side which the ball landed in front of the Singapore defender Baihakki Khaizan as he put the ball easily to the roof of the net to rounded off the victory for the home side.

Singapore will meet Thailand in 22nd December 2012 at Supachalasai Stadium for the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 Final to determined the tournament eventual winner and the new champion for the South East Asian region.  

Man of the Match: Khairul Amri