Stalemate yet again

Selangor squander numerous chances in front of goal

PETALING JAYA: Round two of the Super League match between old enemies Selangor and Singapore Lions XII again ended in a dreary 1-1 stalemate at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Lions XII striker Sufian Anuar broke the deadlock with a header in the 61st minute and the Red Giants levelled from Croatian striker Bosko Balaban’s free-kick in the 81st.

The first encounter on Feb 8 also ended in a drab 1-1 draw with the Lions opening the scoring and Selangor equalising at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

The Red Giants had only themselves to blame yet again as they controlled much of the proceedings but squandered numerous chances to score.

The Lions, who were without talismanic skipper Shahril Ishak, looked nervous but managed to hold the wasteful Selangor at bay.

Coach V. Sundramoorthy’s strategy to sit back and counterattack worked well for the Lions, who were also let down by their lack of composure in front of goal.

The Lions struck in the 61st minute when Sufian shrugged off P. Gunalan’s challenge and headed home winger Safirul Sulaiman’s long speculative cross.

Former Aston Villa striker Balaban saved the blushes for Selangor as he curved a low free-kick beyond the Lions wall for the equaliser 20 minutes later.

Balaban came close to clinching all three points for the visitors but his header from close range was palmed away by Lions goalkeeper Hyrulnizam Jumaat two minutes into injury time.

The Lions surged to second spot in the standings with 21 points from 11 matches but have played a match more than league leaders Kelantan, who have 23 points, and third placed Terengganu.

Selangor are fifth with 16 points from 11 matches separated by a better goal difference from Perak who have a match in hand.