SINGAPORE – The LionsXII were denied victory in their opening Malaysia Cup match this season after conceding a stoppage-time penalty to draw 2-2 with Kedah.

The Malaysian Super League champions were heavily favoured to defeat the visitors – who play in the second tier Malaysian Premier League – and took the lead in the 12th minute. Forward Fazrul Nawaz won the ball on the edge of the penalty area and sent in a cross which eluded everyone except Shahril Ishak, who had the simple task of heading the ball into the back of an empty net.

Kedah levelled the scores midway through the first half after Guc got the luckiest of deflections. The Croatian had his first point-blank attempt well saved by LionsXII goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud but the rebound cannoned of his head and bounced across the line.

The second-half was a feisty affair as both side tackled hard in search of the winning goal, and a minor scuffle broke out after Singapore national Baihakki Khaizan reacted angrily to a bruising tackle on his LionsXII teammate Faris Ramli.

Substitute Shahfiq Ghani – who came on for Fazruil Nawaz – then restored the home side’s lead in the 65th minute after firing in a free-kick which snuck in past the near post

But the LionsXII were forced to play the remaining 10 minutes without their key playmaker after Shahril Ishak was stretchered off the field with a suspected knee ligament strain.

Things got worse for the home side in stoppage time when Shakir Hamzah’s clumsy tackle was penalised by the referee. Guc stepped up and sent Izwan Mahbud the wrong way, ensuring both sides shared the points after their first Malaysia Cup game of the season.

The LionsXII will next play Sarawak at the Stadium Negeri in Kuching on Saturday, Aug 24.