Football: LionsXII’s 1-2 loss to Kelantan bursts bubble of hype

By Stefanus Ian/Red Sports

Izwan Mahbud covers his face in frustration as the clock ticks down on the game. He gave away the penalty that led to Kelantan’s winning goal. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Jalan Besar Stadium, Tuesday, January 9, 2012 — The life of a football fan is a tough one. You start every season with renewed hope and more often than not, reality crushes you.

The LionsXII players are familiar to us, having seen them don, and for some of them, struggle in national colours. Yet, when all of them came together to form the LionsXII, people started dreaming of a return to the glory days.

Stories and profiles of past heroes in the newspapers have created a buzz about the LionsXII in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) and expectations of a nation hungry for success on the football pitch have been raised.

A victory against the titleholders, Kelantan, was always going to be a bit of a stretch. However, as I made my way to the Jalan Besar stadium, I was swayed. Seeing the throng of red shirts around me, coupled with the drums and the positive vibes of the crowd, I was a believer once again.

When Baihakki Khaizan flashed his header into the back of the net for the opening goal to give the LionsXII a 1-0 lead, belief ran through my veins. The fully-packed Jalan Besar Stadium rose in unison to celebrate as one. It was supposed to be the start of something great for a team laden with much heavy expectation. Coming into the game on the back of a 17-year separation, it was definitely the best way to begin the season.

However, in the words of writer Nick Hornby, “Football teams are extraordinarily inventive in the ways they find to cause their supporters sorrow.”

Some sloppy defending and a dubious penalty call later, and we Singapore fans are faced with the reality of a first defeat of the season, a 1-2 reverse against Kelantan on our home ground.

With a stadium of 7,500 filled to capacity, it was an impressive turnout for the first match of the season. Can the LionsXII bring in a capacity crowd again after this opening loss?

The Dazzler, head coach V Sundramoorthy, has always called for patience from the crowd, repeating to anyone who would listen how the season is a marathon. And he does have a point.

To leave the LionsXII just after one defeat would be leaving our boys stranded when they need us the most. We need to dig in and shout and sing louder as the 12th man. One match does not decide fate of the whole season and our first half performance is definitely a cause for hope.

After all, aren’t we all Singapore football fans?

Looking for the LionsXII’s fixtures? All here: Singapore LionsXII fixtures