Hariss and Bai, the Lionhearts

By Amir Yusof/Red Sports

Baihakki Khaizan played a standout game in central defense. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports archive)

Forwards are often the ones who score goals, win games and dominate the headlines. However, on a night where the Singapore LionsXII displayed resolute defending to achieve an unlikely 1-0 away victory against Sabah in the Malaysian Super League (MSL), it was the performance of the makeshift centre back pairing of Hariss Harun and Baihakki Khaizan that was the highlight of a rather feisty encounter.

Hariss scored what proved to be the match winner in the 21st minute of play with a well taken header from Shahdan Sulaiman’s free kick. The 21-year-old found himself unmarked and he put enough power on his header that was deflected in by a Sabah defender in the 6-yard box.

It was the Lions’ second goal in four games coming from a set piece, with the other coming from Baihakki in the opening fixture. With 50% of the Lion’s goals coming from their big centre backs, surely their subsequent opponents will be more wary of conceding set pieces.

Apart from displaying quality in front of goal, it has been their performances at the back that have really impressed the masses this season. In the second half against Sabah, the Lions had their backs to the wall as wave after wave of Sabah attacking pressure were put on the Lions’ defence. Bai was imperious in the air, winning all aerial battles in the box, subsequently reducing Sabah’s offensive threat.

Hariss meanwhile was strong in making challenges and the natural holding midfielder hardly put a foot wrong in the second period against technically gifted foreign imports Brendan Gan and Michael Baird. Despite playing slightly out of position, the youngster showed tenacity, courage and determination to protect his team’s goal and was, simply put, quite brilliant.

One possible stumbling block for Hariss during the course of the season is his National Service commitment with the Singapore Police Force. Although it has been so-far-so-good for the LionsXII vice captain, the unpredictability of whether he will be available for away matches is certainly a cause for concern.

“I will only know if I’m available to play on a game-by-game basis. It is unfortunate but it is something that my teammates and the coach have to deal with,” said Hariss.

Meanwhile, the 27 year-old Bai has no problems with National Service. The experienced centre back was once criticised for his poor pace and reading of the game. In fact, Bai was one of the players national coach Raddy Avramovic axed after the woeful 2009 Suzuki Cup performance. Yet, Bai has come back with a point to prove in this year’s competition.

With a goal in the bag already after four games, it was his intelligent and resolute defending that effectively enabled to LionsXII to hang on to their slim one-goal advantage against Sabah. A brilliant sliding challenge on Baird in the closing moments epitomised the centre back’s performance.

Despite the injury crisis the Lions are facing upfront, Lions V. Sundramoorthy must be relieved that at the very least they have a solid defence. A reliable back four is pivotal if the Lions are to achieve their pre-season target of a top-five finish and with Bai and Hariss leading the rearguard with grit and determination, surely the odds are in their favour.