KUALA LUMPUR – The LionsXII extended their Malaysian Super League unbeaten streak to four games after they defeated Sime Darby 2-0 tonight (April 5).

The match – played at the largely empty Selayang Stadium in Kuala Lumpur – was an entertaining affair as both sides played attacking football from start to end.

Sime Darby had several opportunities to break the deadlock in the first half but were denied by good goalkeeping by Izwan Mahbud and desperate defending from the LionsXII. Khairul Amri came closest to giving the visitors the lead but his diving header from point blank was well saved.

But it was centre-back Safuwan Baharudin who gave the Singaporean side the lead in the 52nd minute after he connected with Shahfiq Ghani’s free-kick to score his third goal of the season.

Khairul doubled the lead in the 62nd minute when he capitalised on an error by opposing defender William Mensah to calmly slot the ball into the back of the net.

Sime Darby thought they pulled one back but Mohd Nazrul’s effort following a great save by Izwan was ruled offside.

LionsXII coach Fandi Ahmad said after the match: “The boys worked very hard, they showed hunger to win every ball. We should have been up in the first half and our opponents did give us a few scares but Izwan played very well today.”

The LionsXII will play Sime Darby again next Saturday, April 12 at the Jalan Besar Stadium.