KUALA LUMPUR (4 April 2012) – After a stuttering start, Singapore’s LIONSXII finally found the rhythm to take the lead at the top of the Malaysian Super League 2012 for the first time this season.
A 4-2 win over Charity Shield winners Negeri Sembilan at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium ensured LIONSXII the full points for them to take the leadership. After 13 matches, the Singapore side has picked up 27 points – one more than second-placed Kelantan although the latter have played two matches less.
On third is Terengganu who have picked up 21 points, also from 11 matches.
In the match against Negeri Sembilan, it was the visiting side who scored first in the 14th minute when Safuan Baharuddin made good on a throw in from Madhu Mohana. Negeri goalkeeper Farizal Marlias was beaten for the second time on the night when Khairul Nizam capitalised on a defensive error six minutes later.
In the 30th minute, Negeri defender G. Mahatevan then made up for his earlier defensive blunder when he knocked in a Shahurain Abu Samah corner. But LIONSXII were determined not to be outdone and with just four minutes remaining of the first half, Shahril Ishak slotted home to restore their two-goal advantage going into the break.
The score at the end of the first half was 3-1 to the advantage of LIONSXII.
In the 70th minute, LIONSXII notched their fourth goal of the game through Shahdan Sulaiman before Mohd Shukor Adan scored the second goal for Negeri five minutes to the end.
The loss for Negeri was compounded further by the red card on Farizal, for a foul on Hariss Harun in the last few seconds of the game.
CURRENT MALAYSIAN SUPER LEAGUE STANDINGS 2012
| No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Singapore LIONSXII | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 21 | 12 | +9 | 27 |
| 2 | Kelantan FA | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 8 | +15 | 26 |
| 3 | Terengganu FA | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 9 | +8 | 21 |
| 4 | PBDKT T-Team FC | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 19 | 9 | +10 | 19 |
| 5 | Negeri Sembilan FA | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 18 |
| 6 | Selangor FA | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 11 | +2 | 17 |
| 7 | Perak FA | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 15 | −4 | 16 |
| 8 | Sarawak FA | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 12 | +2 | 14 |
| 9 | Sabah FA | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 16 | −2 | 14 |
| 10 | Kedah FA | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 14 | −4 | 13 |
| 11 | PKNS FC | 11 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 14 | −2 | 11 |
| 12 | Johor FC | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 15 | −3 | 11 |
| 13 | Felda United FC | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 20 | −12 | 8 |
| 14 | Kuala Lumpur FA | 11 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 22 | −19 | 1 |
