NO ROAR, NO BITE

"We're very disappointed with the result, but I'm not blaming a 
lack of luck
... Different players missed chances for 
us - they 
just didn't 
have it."

- LionsXII coach 
Fandi Ahmad

"We camped in their half all game, but missed the few chances we had. (Terengganu) had a game plan, it was up to us to break them down, and we didn't."

- LionsXII captain 
Isa Halim

LIONSXII 0

TERENGGANU 0

aakasim@sph.com.sg

Finishing is an art - you either have it or you don't.

As much as Fandi Ahmad has tried in his three months in charge, the LionsXII have not mastered the art of putting the ball in the net.

The legendary Singapore striker put on a brave face after his team's goalless draw with Terengganu at the Jalan Besar Stadium last night.

It was certainly a tough result to take, especially after his young charges enjoyed 70 per cent of the possession.

But, when it came to the final pass or the finishing move, the LionsXII stumbled.

"There is a lot of work to be done," Fandi said after the match.

"We have been working on our finishing in training, but it's also something that can't be taught.

"It's frustrating because when we create chances and don't score, and then concede later, people will say we have a bad defence.

"But that's not true. The defence always gives 200 per cent every game. Our problem is just not scoring."

The 51-year-old coach was also disappointed with his team's lack of creativity.

Time and again, Terengganu relinquished possession in midfield.

LACKING IDEAS

Faced with nine men behind the ball, the LionsXII were devoid of ideas on how to penetrate the opponents' defence.

Midway through a dull second half, it appeared that the LionsXII would only score through a mistake from Terengganu.

One such lapse came in the 87th minute, when substitute Faris Ramli burst down the left flank and crossed for Shahfiq Ghani.

But Shahfiq, making his first start for the LionsXII this season, sent his right-footed volley centimetres wide.

"When the ball came to him, I thought, 'This is it'. If it was on his left foot, he would've scored," lamented Fandi.

Credit must be given to Terengganu for limiting the home side's chances all game.

Their coach, Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, admitted that his side's mission was to frustrate the Singapore side and steal a point.

"Tactically, we played very well. Whenever we lost the ball, we tracked back and defended with nine men," said Abdul Rahman.

"The LionsXII dominated, but they fell into our trap. They could not capitalise on the few errors that we made.

"But this (LionsXII) team aren't as experienced as last season's.

"Maybe the younger players need more games to get sharper and more creative."

Even an hour after the game, striker Khairul Amri cut a frustrated figure.

SHACKLED

The 28-year-old was hardly given an inch by the two Terengganu centre backs.

Whenever a pass did reach him, he was tackled before he could get a shot off.

"It was a very tough game. The kind of match I want to forget," said Amri with a shake of the head. "Maybe some of us were too tired, because of so many games in a short period.

"But Terengganu are also a very disciplined side, more so than the previous two seasons."

M'SIAN 
SUPER LEAGUE