NEGRI Sembilan coach Azraai Khor Abdullah blamed defensive lapses for his side's embarrassing 4-2 defeat to LionsXII in Tuesday's Super League match in Paroi.
Negri's backline, led by the lanky G. Mahathevan and Marian Farbak, were a bundle of nerves and it showed when they allowed the Lions to score three times in the first half through Safuwan Baharudin (14th minute), Khairul Nizam (20th) and Shahril Ishak (42nd) before Shahdan Sulaiman added a fourth after the break.
The hosts, however, hit back twice through Mahathevan and captain Shukor Adan to narrow the gap but the reigning Malaysia Cup champions were clearly outclassed. The result moved the Lions to the top of the league, one point ahead of Kelantan, who have two games in hand.
"Can you believe the kind of mistakes they (the players) made at this level? We conceded very easy goals. I have to do something about my defence, we need stronger characters," said Azraai yesterday.
Azraai had lamented his lack of options with several key players unavailable. Negri headed into the match without suspended striker Jean-Emmanuel Effa along with midfielder S. Kunanlan and experienced centre-back Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, who were injured.
Lions coach V. Sundramoorthy, meanwhile, was delighted with his team's gritty performance.
"It's something the boys have worked hard for and they have to remain level headed. It's only 13 games out of 26 and they have to keep the momentum and try to keep winning," said Sundramoorthy.
"They played according to plan and we got the three points. It's not about soak and strike. It's about tactically understanding their roles and when they have possession of the ball, what they should be doing when they are going forward."
By Ajitpal Singh
NST
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