Football: LionsXII fail to roar away again in 4-2 defeat by Terengganu

Terengganu forward Issey Nakajima-Farran against Lions XII goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

TERENGGANU - The LionsXII fell to yet another away defeat in a six-goal thriller on Wednesday evening in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) after a 4-2 loss to Terengganu at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.

The loss means that Fandi Ahmad's men have now only managed to win only one of their nine away matches, with three draws and five defeats.

Terengganu took the lead as early as the seventh minute when Gustavo Lopez's free-kick was parried by goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud. Midfielder Helmi Remeli was first to react and belted the ball into an empty net.

The LionsXII did equalise in the 25th minute when Madhu Mohana headed in from a corner taken by Hafiz Abu Sujad.

But in the next attack, Terengganu regained the lead with forward Issey Nakajima- Farran, a former S-League player with Albirex Niigata and Young Lions, capitalising on the LionsXII's failure to clear their lines as he knocked a loose ball past Izwan in the 26th minute.

Nakajima-Farran then scored his second of the night in the second-half when the Canadian raced clear and slotted home in the 52nd minute.

Hafiz did give the visitors side a lifeline in the 53rd minute when the versatile midfielder fired in a rocket from just inside the area to reduce the deficit.

Malaysian international Norshahrul Idlan was to have the last laugh as the forward made the most out of a mix up between Izwan and substitute Faritz Hameed to knock the ball into the net in the 57th minute.

The LionsXII will next welcome league leaders, Pahang, to the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday.

drajac@sph.com.sg

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