2012 LionsXII season


The 2012 season was LionsXII's debut season in the Malaysia Super League. LionsXII returned to Malaysia competitions 18 years after their predecessor withdrew from the competitions. The Lions finished MSL runners-up at the end of the season.

Malaysia Super League

LionsXII debuted in the 2012 Malaysia Super League on 10 January 2012 with a 1–2 home defeat to defending champions Kelantan FA. The Lions's first win was a 2–1 victory over Kuala Lumpur FA on 17 January. They achieved the biggest win in the season by defeating Sabah FA 9–0 on 16 June 2012. LionsXII eventually finished second in the league behind Kelantan FA.
On 29 December 2012, assistant coach Kadir Yahaya left his position at LionsXII and was replaced by Gombak United FC chief K. Balagumaran.
DatePos.OpponentsH/AScoreGoalscorers
10 Jan10thKelantanHBaihakki Khaizan 33'
14 Jan12thKedahA
17 Jan8thKuala LumpurHAiman Syazwan 43', Shahdan Sulaiman 56'
21 Jan6thSabahAHariss Harun 19'
7thTerengganuH
8 Feb6thSelangorAShahril Ishak 43'
11 Feb4thNegeri SembilanHShahril Ishak 30', 60', Shahdan Sulaiman 49'
14 Feb4thPerakAShahril Ishak 35', 74'
6 Mar2ndFELDA UnitedHHariss Harun 6', Sufian Anuar 51', Shahril Ishak 67'
17 Mar3rdSarawakAShahril Ishak 10'
20 Mar2ndSelangorHSufian Anuar 62'
2ndT-TeamHShahril Ishak 51', Shahdan Sulaiman 85'
3 Apr1stNegeri SembilanASafuwan Baharudin 14', Khairul Nizam 20', Shahril Ishak 41',
Shahdan Sulaiman 70'
7 Apr1stJohor FCAKhairul Nizam 42'
10 Apr1stPerakHShahdan Sulaiman 43', Irwan Shah 87'
14 Apr1stPKNSA
17 Apr1stPKNSHSafuwan Baharudin 17', Shaiful Esah 19', Sevki Sha'ban 26',
Agu Casmir 53', 84'
4 May1stKelantanA
8 May1stFELDA UnitedAShaiful Esah 31', Shahdan Sulaiman 76'
12 May1stKedahHShahril Ishak 10', Sufian Anuar 29', Baihakki Khaizan 57'
15 May1stKuala LumpurA
1stSarawakHSafuwan Baharudin 7', Agu Casmir 36', 63'
16 Jun1stSabahHCasmir 19', Hariss 22', 41', 73', Shahdan 62', 65', Irwan 68', Sufian 84', Shahrul 88'
19 Jun2ndTerengganuASufian Anuar 90'
10 Jul2ndT-TeamABojan Petrić 26'
14 Jul2ndJohor FCH

Final standings

Malaysia FA Cup

LionsXII began their 2012 Malaysia FA Cup quest on 18 February, with a 3–0 win over UiTM FC. The LionsXII made their way to the quarter-final with a 2–0 win over Betaria FC on 10 March 2012. However, they were beaten by Terengganu FA in the quarter-finals.
DateRoundOpponentsH/AScoreGoalscorers
18 FebRound of 32UiTMA0–3Shaiful Esah 32', Madhu Mohana 15',
Ahmad Shahir Ismail 83'
10 MarRound of 16BetariaHShahril Ishak 55', Sufian Anuar 84'
24 MarQuarter-finalsTerengganuA
27 MarQuarter-finalsTerengganuH

Malaysia Cup

The Lions marked their return to their most successful competition with a 0–0 draw away to Johor FC. They eventually bowed out in the semi-finals after losing a penalty shootout to ATM FA with the score tied at 2–2 after extra time.
DateRoundOpponentsH/AScoreGoalscorers
22 AugGroup stageJohor FCA
25 AugGroup stagePKNSHKhairul Amri 13', Shaiful Esah 18', Shahril Ishak 48'
28 AugGroup stageJohor FAA
1 SepGroup stageJohor FAHKhairul Amri 2'
4 SepGroup stagePKNSA
14 SepGroup stageJohor FCH
25 SepQuarter-finalsPahangAJalaluddin Jaafar 20'
2 OctQuarter-finalsPahangHShahril Ishak 35', 78'
5 OctSemi-finalsATMHSafuwan Baharudin 81'
11 OctSemi-finalsATMAAgu Casmir 27'

Squad statistics