2013 champions LionsXII secured their fourth Malaysia Super League (MSL) win of the season as they cruised past ATM 3-1 at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday night.
Fresh from their Malaysia FA Cup triumph, Fandi Ahmad's team were happy to be back at the Lion's den. Despite looking flat for most of the opening period, a first half own goal from ATM's Fazly Alias and second half strikes by Safuwan Baharudin and Shahdan Sulaiman gave the home team a comfortable win.
The home side created their first scoring opportunity in the 16th minute when Khairul Nizam went down the right flank and sent in a superb cut-back. However, Azreen Zulkafali put it out for a corner.
It was Gabriel Quak's turn to play creator five minutes later when his cross found Faris Ramli, who attempted an overhead kick in vain.
The best chance of the half fell to Faris in the 29th minute. Izzdin Shafiq sent a majestic lob over the Gladiators' defence. But with only goalkeeper Syed Adney to beat, Faris sent a wayward chip into the Jalan Besar floodlights.
ATM almost stole a shock lead four minutes later when Venice Elphi broke through the LionsXII backline but Izwan Mahbud stuck out a leg to deny the speedy winger.
Just when it seemed like both teams were about to head into the dressing room on level terms, ATM were dealt a huge blow in the 39th minute. An innocuous cross from Faris was turned into his own net by Fazly causing much bewilderment even to the partisan crowd.
Fandi changed things around in the second half when Safuwan Baharudin moved into midfield and Zulfahmi Arifin into defence.
LionsXII doubled their lead in the 50th minute when Quak's surging run found Faris who laid the ball off for Safuwan. The utility man drilled it straight past Adney for his first club goal for since returning from Melbourne City.
ATM were at sixes and sevens as the home side went in search of a third goal. Amri and Faris failed to convert a goal-mouth melee in the 54th minute.
While Fandi's team dominated proceedings, it was ATM who pulled one back six minutes later when Mario Karlovic's pinpoint corner was headed into goal by Fazly, who atoned for his first half own goal.
FA Cup hero Sahil Suhaimi was brought on with 23 minutes left in place of a weary Amri. Sahil's fresh legs injected new life into the two-pronged strike force comprising himself and Nizam.
The crowd were on their feet in the 81st minute when substitute Shahdan Sulaiman -- playing in only his second game since returning from his AFF Suzuki Cup injury nightmare -- came on for Nizam. Almost immediately, Shahdan got on the scoresheet with a sublime finish set up by Izzdin Shafiq's through ball which was helped on by Safuwan.
Shahdan almost turned provider in the 86th minute when he provided a chip for Safuwan who saw his header rebound off the bar.
There were a couple of subsequent scares for the ATM defence. But there was no change in the scoreline at the final whistle with the visitors staring at a relegation battle.
LionsXII: Izwan Mahbud (GK), Shakir Hamzah, Madhu Mohana, Zulfami Arifin, Nazrul Nazari, Izzdin Shafiq, Safuwan Baharudin, Gabriel Quak, Faris Ramli (Firdaus Kasman 77'), Khairul Amri (Sahil Suhaimi 67'), Khairul Nizam (Shahdan Sulaiman 81')
ATM FA: Syed Adney (GK), Fazli Alias, Shukur Jusoh, Azreen Zulkafali, Azmeer Yusof, Faizal Mamat, Ridwan Maon, Venice Elphi (Fazrul Hazli 77'), Mario Karlovic (Yusaini Che Saad 82'), Hairuddin Omar (C), Jerry Palacios