Tough tackle: Ryan Lambert (centre) being challenged by Lions City Sailors players. - Photo by Kuala Lumpur City FC
PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur suffered their first defeat in the Asean Club Championship after losing to Singaporean Giants Lions City Sailors in their Group B game at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (Jan 9).
The home side drew first blood in the 26th minute when Australian centreback Bailey Wright outmuscled Kuala Lumpur’s Montenegrin centreback Adrijan Rudovic by jumping higher to head a corner from winger Song Ui-yong.
Lions then added their second in the 66th minute when Belgian winger Maxime Lestienne finished off a pass from Dutch playmaker Bart Ramselaar, by placing the ball past Kuala Lumpur goalkeeper Azri Ghani.
Kuala Lumpur tried to reduce the deficit but the Lions’ backline of Wright, Lionel Tan and Toni Datkovic produced a strong performance to frustrate the away side.
The City Boys dropped to third with six points, while the Lions got their first win and moved up to fifth with three points.
Kuala Lumpur will next face Vietnamese club Cong An Ha Noi at the Cheras Football Stadium on Jan 23, while Lions will take on Thai Giants Buriram United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on the same date.
