PETALING JAYA: Lions XII and Felda United opened their Malaysia Cup Group A campaign with a scoreless draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
Felda, who started without their inspirational midfielder Indra Putra Mahayuddin, had the first look at goal as early as the sixth minute.
Liberian striker Edward Wilson beat the Lions’ offside trap, but saw his effort beaten out by the home team’s goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.
There were not many goalscoring opportunities for both sides in the first half.
Lions defender Zulfahmi Arifin had to clear off his own line from a Felda corner three minutes from halftime as the visitors relied on counter-attacks to get forward.
Indra came on in the 57th minute, and three minutes later, Felda came close to taking the lead.
The energetic Wilson again got behind the Singaporeans’ backline but was thwarted by Safuwan Baharudin’s last-ditch tackle.
Izwan again came to the home side’s rescue in the 68th minute with a point-blank save from Felda forward Makeche Ndumba.
The home side’s best chance fell to Khairul Amri right at the death after Faris Ramli’s good work down the left flank. But Khairul’s shot flew narrowly wide of the upright.
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