Singapore Lions
Encyclopedia
The Singapore Lions is the name given to a representative team of footballers representing the Football Association of Singapore
in domestic competitions run by the Football Association of Malaysia
. This is separate from the Singapore national team
, as it permits overseas players to play - in essence it is a club side (although top level domestic football in Malaysia has traditionally been played by representative sides of state football associations).
since its inauguration in 1921 with a representative side. During the pre-war years, Singapore and Selangor FA
were a dominant force and fierce rivals, winning the Cup 19 times between them. The post war years were also dominated by Singapore and Selangor up till 1970, where Selangor emerged as the dominant force in the Malaysia Cup with eleven Cup wins, compared to two victories by Singapore. However, the excitement of Cup during the 1970s attracted a full house at every Cup match played at the National Stadium. Fans often nicknamed the Singapore team "The Lions" since this period.
since its inauguration.
During this period Pahang
, Kuala Lumpur
, Kedah
and Johor
had emerged as serious contenders to the cup besides Selangor. However, the Lions were not serious challengers in either the League or the Cup. They had only won the League once in 1985, failed to qualify for the Malaysian Cup on many occasions or being knocked out of the Cup in the early stages. This was not helped by the fact that other teams within the League (KL, Pahang and Kedah) managed to sign key Singapore players like Fandi Ahmad
, Malek Awab, K Kannan and V. Sundramoorthy
to boost their teams.
, Hasnim Haron, D. Tokijan, Borhan Abu Samah
and the potent partnership and free scoring of both Australian imports Abbas Saad
and Alistair Edwards
resulted to a strong finishing in the league and cup, by finishing runners up to Selangor in the Semi-Pro League 1 and runners up in the Cup final in 1990. However, if luck had been on the Lions' side, the team could have easily captured either the double or one of the trophies on offer.
Many fans expected the team to build on the success of 1990 in the following season but the failure to retain the services of players like Borhan Abu Samah, Abbas Saad
and Alistair Edwards
proved to be costly. The team did not qualify for the Malaysian Cup and was fighting to avoid relegation to Semi-Pro League 2 in 1991. Worse was to follow when the team was finally relegated to Semi-Pro League 2 after a very inconsistent and poor performances throughout the 1992 season.
Relegation proved to be the turning point for the Lions with a complete shake up of the team in 1993. Top local and key import players like Fandi
, Malek, Kannan, Sundram, Jang Jung, Abbas Saad
and Alistair Edwards
, who were then playing for Malaysian teams all returning to help the Lions in their mission to regain their status in Semi-Pro League 1 and at the same time, mount a serious challenge to the Cup through qualification by finishing as one of the top two teams in League 2. This team, dubbed as the "Dream Team" did achieve its primary targets of promotion to Semi-Pro League 1 and mount a serious challenge to the Cup. However, the trophies still eluded them as this team finished second to Selangor in League 2 and runners up again to Kedah in the Cup.
Despite failure at the last hurdle in 1993, the Lions retained the services of key players like Abbas, Jang Jung, Malek and at the same time, introduced up and coming players like Steven Tan, Lee Man Hon and V Selvaraj for the following season.
With the right mix of experienced pros, young players and expert tactician in former Aston Villa/New Zealand
defender Douglas Moore, this team won the M-League and Cup double in 1994. The league was won after a long and hard battle with Kedah
where both teams swapped top positions throughout the season with the key moment was the 2:0 win against Kedah
in Kallang that finally sealed the title for the Lions. The Malaysia Cup was won with an emphatic 4:0 victory over Pahang
at Shah Alam Stadium
, with Abbas Saad
scoring a hat-trick and Fandi rounding off the score.
However, at the height of winning the Cup, FAS had decided to withdraw the Lions from Malaysian competitions after the 1994 season following a dispute with the Football Association of Malaysia
over gate receipts and concentrate its efforts on the development of local football. A significant consequence of this would have seen the bulk of the Singapore national team
be without regular domestic football for a year, as it was estimated to take that long to put in place the structure of what would eventually become the S.League
. So, the FAS decided to enter a team based around the Lions team in the FAS Premier League
, which was then the top level of domestic football in Singapore, for the 1995 season, that would enable the national team squad to get regular games without having to find other clubs. This team went undefeated during the season, easily winning the last FAS Premier League title.
reached an agreement that would see greater coooperation between the two nations. One of the intended avenues will see Young Lions play in the Malaysian Super League
and Malaysia Cup
from 2012 onwards, the first time a Singaporean team has participated in Malaysian domestic football since Singapore won the 1994 M-League and Malaysia Cup double. Although the new Singapore team will have the existing Young Lions set up at its core, the squad will be permitted up to five local players over the age of 23, as well as a number of overseas players in accordance with the quota set out by the rules of the Malaysian competitions the team will play in.
, with the two playing each other in 15 of the first 19 Malaysia Cup finals. Selangor hold the record for most victories with 32, while Singapore won the tournament 24 times. Singapore also had a significant rivalry with Johor
, as the two are separated by the Straits of Johor
, while both Kedah
and Pahang
enjoyed later rivalries with the Lions prior to their withdrawal from Malaysian domestic football.
Due to geographical reasons, other Malaysian Teams did consider the Lions as a rival and fancied getting a good result when the Lions were in town. Since the formation of S-League, these rivalries were not replicated between Malaysian Super League and S-League teams.
Craig Foster Abbas Saad
Warren Spink
Sandro Radun Michal Vana Win Aung Fandi Ahmad
Malik Awab
Nazri Nasir
V. Sundramoorthy
Jang Jung
Football Association of Singapore
The Football Association of Singapore is the governing body of football in Singapore. It was founded in 1952. Prior to that, the Singapore Amateur Football Association, founded in 1892, was the governing body for football in Singapore...
in domestic competitions run by the Football Association of Malaysia
Football Association of Malaysia
The Football Association of Malaysia is the governing body for football in Malaysia, responsible for organising the Malaysian national football team and the major football and futsal tournaments within the country. The Football Association of Malaysia main headquarters is located at Wisma...
. This is separate from the Singapore national team
Singapore national football team
The Singapore national football team is the national association football team of Singapore. The team comes under the organization of the Football Association of Singapore...
, as it permits overseas players to play - in essence it is a club side (although top level domestic football in Malaysia has traditionally been played by representative sides of state football associations).
Pre-War to 1970s
The Singapore Amateur Football Association had participated in the Malayan (Malaysian) CupMalaysia Cup
The Malaysia Cup is an annual association football tournament in Malaysia. It is currently the longest-running football competition in Asia...
since its inauguration in 1921 with a representative side. During the pre-war years, Singapore and Selangor FA
Selangor FA
The Football Association of Selangor , commonly referred to as FAS or simply Selangor, competes in Malaysian football competitions representing the state of Selangor Darul Ehsan. The team is based in Shah Alam city. They are currently playing in Malaysian Super League, the top-flight of Malaysian...
were a dominant force and fierce rivals, winning the Cup 19 times between them. The post war years were also dominated by Singapore and Selangor up till 1970, where Selangor emerged as the dominant force in the Malaysia Cup with eleven Cup wins, compared to two victories by Singapore. However, the excitement of Cup during the 1970s attracted a full house at every Cup match played at the National Stadium. Fans often nicknamed the Singapore team "The Lions" since this period.
The 1980s
Due to changes in the Malaysia Cup format in 1982, all teams participating in the Malaysia Cup now had to qualify by finishing within the top 8 positions in the Malaysian Semi-Pro League, instead of gaining direct entry to the Cup as before. The Lions had participated in the Malaysian Semi-Pro LeagueMalaysian Super League
The Malaysia Super League is a Malaysian professional league for association football. At the top flight of the Malaysian football league system and it is managed by the Malaysia Super League Sdn Bhd, under supervision of the Football Association of Malaysia...
since its inauguration.
During this period Pahang
Pahang FA
The Football Association of Pahang enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Pahang. The team is based in Kuantan, Pahang. They play in the top division in Malaysian football, the Malaysian Super League...
, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur FA
The Kuala Lumpur Football Association is a Malaysian professional football association based in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. The association was founded as the Federal Territory Football Association in 1974 and entered Malaysian football competitions in 1979 before being renamed Kuala Lumpur in 1986...
, Kedah
Kedah FA
The Kedah FA are a Malaysian professional football association team based in Kedah, Malaysia also enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Kedah...
and Johor
Johor FA
The Football Association of Johor enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Johor. The team currently plays in the Malaysia Premier League.The team won the Malaysia Cup in 1985 and 1991, and the Malaysian League in 1991....
had emerged as serious contenders to the cup besides Selangor. However, the Lions were not serious challengers in either the League or the Cup. They had only won the League once in 1985, failed to qualify for the Malaysian Cup on many occasions or being knocked out of the Cup in the early stages. This was not helped by the fact that other teams within the League (KL, Pahang and Kedah) managed to sign key Singapore players like Fandi Ahmad
Fandi Ahmad
Fandi bin Ahmad is a football coach and former professional footballer from Singapore. During his playing career, he enjoyed success playing in both Europe and Asia, and was captain of the Singapore national football team...
, Malek Awab, K Kannan and V. Sundramoorthy
V. Sundramoorthy
V. Sundramoorthy is a retired Singaporean footballer in the 1980s and 1990s, and widely touted as one of the country's most skillful and talented footballers ever.-Playing Career:...
to boost their teams.
The 1990s
The emergence of several young players like Nazri NasirNazri Nasir
Nazri Nasir is a retired football player from Singapore. He was the captain of the Singapore national football team in the late-1990s and early-2000s, and led the team which won the regional Tiger Cup in 1998.In 1994, Nazri was a member of the Singapore side which won the Malaysian League and...
, Hasnim Haron, D. Tokijan, Borhan Abu Samah
Borhan Abu Samah
Borhan Abu Samah was a Singaporean footballer in the 1990s, who played in the Singapore national football team. He died on October 29, 1999 of liver cancer at the age of 34....
and the potent partnership and free scoring of both Australian imports Abbas Saad
Abbas Saad
Abbas Saad is an Australian former international football player.-Club career:Born in Lebanon, Saad moved to Australia and started a professional footballing career. A midfielder with a good eye for goal, he played in the Malaysian League for Johor and Singapore in the early 1990s...
and Alistair Edwards
Alistair Edwards
Alistair Edwards is a former professional soccer player from Australia. A prominent forward, he made a name for himself with National Soccer League clubs Sydney Olympic and Perth Glory...
resulted to a strong finishing in the league and cup, by finishing runners up to Selangor in the Semi-Pro League 1 and runners up in the Cup final in 1990. However, if luck had been on the Lions' side, the team could have easily captured either the double or one of the trophies on offer.
Many fans expected the team to build on the success of 1990 in the following season but the failure to retain the services of players like Borhan Abu Samah, Abbas Saad
Abbas Saad
Abbas Saad is an Australian former international football player.-Club career:Born in Lebanon, Saad moved to Australia and started a professional footballing career. A midfielder with a good eye for goal, he played in the Malaysian League for Johor and Singapore in the early 1990s...
and Alistair Edwards
Alistair Edwards
Alistair Edwards is a former professional soccer player from Australia. A prominent forward, he made a name for himself with National Soccer League clubs Sydney Olympic and Perth Glory...
proved to be costly. The team did not qualify for the Malaysian Cup and was fighting to avoid relegation to Semi-Pro League 2 in 1991. Worse was to follow when the team was finally relegated to Semi-Pro League 2 after a very inconsistent and poor performances throughout the 1992 season.
Relegation proved to be the turning point for the Lions with a complete shake up of the team in 1993. Top local and key import players like Fandi
Fandi Ahmad
Fandi bin Ahmad is a football coach and former professional footballer from Singapore. During his playing career, he enjoyed success playing in both Europe and Asia, and was captain of the Singapore national football team...
, Malek, Kannan, Sundram, Jang Jung, Abbas Saad
Abbas Saad
Abbas Saad is an Australian former international football player.-Club career:Born in Lebanon, Saad moved to Australia and started a professional footballing career. A midfielder with a good eye for goal, he played in the Malaysian League for Johor and Singapore in the early 1990s...
and Alistair Edwards
Alistair Edwards
Alistair Edwards is a former professional soccer player from Australia. A prominent forward, he made a name for himself with National Soccer League clubs Sydney Olympic and Perth Glory...
, who were then playing for Malaysian teams all returning to help the Lions in their mission to regain their status in Semi-Pro League 1 and at the same time, mount a serious challenge to the Cup through qualification by finishing as one of the top two teams in League 2. This team, dubbed as the "Dream Team" did achieve its primary targets of promotion to Semi-Pro League 1 and mount a serious challenge to the Cup. However, the trophies still eluded them as this team finished second to Selangor in League 2 and runners up again to Kedah in the Cup.
Despite failure at the last hurdle in 1993, the Lions retained the services of key players like Abbas, Jang Jung, Malek and at the same time, introduced up and coming players like Steven Tan, Lee Man Hon and V Selvaraj for the following season.
With the right mix of experienced pros, young players and expert tactician in former Aston Villa/New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
defender Douglas Moore, this team won the M-League and Cup double in 1994. The league was won after a long and hard battle with Kedah
Kedah FA
The Kedah FA are a Malaysian professional football association team based in Kedah, Malaysia also enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Kedah...
where both teams swapped top positions throughout the season with the key moment was the 2:0 win against Kedah
Kedah FA
The Kedah FA are a Malaysian professional football association team based in Kedah, Malaysia also enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Kedah...
in Kallang that finally sealed the title for the Lions. The Malaysia Cup was won with an emphatic 4:0 victory over Pahang
Pahang FA
The Football Association of Pahang enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Pahang. The team is based in Kuantan, Pahang. They play in the top division in Malaysian football, the Malaysian Super League...
at Shah Alam Stadium
Shah Alam Stadium
Shah Alam Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Shah Alam, Malaysia. It is used mostly for football matches but also has facilities for athletics...
, with Abbas Saad
Abbas Saad
Abbas Saad is an Australian former international football player.-Club career:Born in Lebanon, Saad moved to Australia and started a professional footballing career. A midfielder with a good eye for goal, he played in the Malaysian League for Johor and Singapore in the early 1990s...
scoring a hat-trick and Fandi rounding off the score.
However, at the height of winning the Cup, FAS had decided to withdraw the Lions from Malaysian competitions after the 1994 season following a dispute with the Football Association of Malaysia
Football Association of Malaysia
The Football Association of Malaysia is the governing body for football in Malaysia, responsible for organising the Malaysian national football team and the major football and futsal tournaments within the country. The Football Association of Malaysia main headquarters is located at Wisma...
over gate receipts and concentrate its efforts on the development of local football. A significant consequence of this would have seen the bulk of the Singapore national team
Singapore national football team
The Singapore national football team is the national association football team of Singapore. The team comes under the organization of the Football Association of Singapore...
be without regular domestic football for a year, as it was estimated to take that long to put in place the structure of what would eventually become the S.League
S.League
The S.League is the top men's professional association football league in Singapore. The league was launched in 1996 and currently involves 12 clubs.-History:...
. So, the FAS decided to enter a team based around the Lions team in the FAS Premier League
FAS Premier League
The Football Association of Singapore Premier League is a now-defunct football league competition held in Singapore between 1988 and 1995. During that period, it was the top tier of the Singapore football league structure...
, which was then the top level of domestic football in Singapore, for the 1995 season, that would enable the national team squad to get regular games without having to find other clubs. This team went undefeated during the season, easily winning the last FAS Premier League title.
2010s
In 2011, the Football Association of Singapore and the Football Association of MalaysiaFootball Association of Malaysia
The Football Association of Malaysia is the governing body for football in Malaysia, responsible for organising the Malaysian national football team and the major football and futsal tournaments within the country. The Football Association of Malaysia main headquarters is located at Wisma...
reached an agreement that would see greater coooperation between the two nations. One of the intended avenues will see Young Lions play in the Malaysian Super League
Malaysian Super League
The Malaysia Super League is a Malaysian professional league for association football. At the top flight of the Malaysian football league system and it is managed by the Malaysia Super League Sdn Bhd, under supervision of the Football Association of Malaysia...
and Malaysia Cup
Malaysia Cup
The Malaysia Cup is an annual association football tournament in Malaysia. It is currently the longest-running football competition in Asia...
from 2012 onwards, the first time a Singaporean team has participated in Malaysian domestic football since Singapore won the 1994 M-League and Malaysia Cup double. Although the new Singapore team will have the existing Young Lions set up at its core, the squad will be permitted up to five local players over the age of 23, as well as a number of overseas players in accordance with the quota set out by the rules of the Malaysian competitions the team will play in.
Rivals
Singapore's greatest rivals were traditionally SelangorSelangor FA
The Football Association of Selangor , commonly referred to as FAS or simply Selangor, competes in Malaysian football competitions representing the state of Selangor Darul Ehsan. The team is based in Shah Alam city. They are currently playing in Malaysian Super League, the top-flight of Malaysian...
, with the two playing each other in 15 of the first 19 Malaysia Cup finals. Selangor hold the record for most victories with 32, while Singapore won the tournament 24 times. Singapore also had a significant rivalry with Johor
Johor FA
The Football Association of Johor enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Johor. The team currently plays in the Malaysia Premier League.The team won the Malaysia Cup in 1985 and 1991, and the Malaysian League in 1991....
, as the two are separated by the Straits of Johor
Straits of Johor
The Straits of Johor is a strait that separates the Malaysian state of Johor to the north from Singapore to the south....
, while both Kedah
Kedah FA
The Kedah FA are a Malaysian professional football association team based in Kedah, Malaysia also enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Kedah...
and Pahang
Pahang FA
The Football Association of Pahang enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Pahang. The team is based in Kuantan, Pahang. They play in the top division in Malaysian football, the Malaysian Super League...
enjoyed later rivalries with the Lions prior to their withdrawal from Malaysian domestic football.
Due to geographical reasons, other Malaysian Teams did consider the Lions as a rival and fancied getting a good result when the Lions were in town. Since the formation of S-League, these rivalries were not replicated between Malaysian Super League and S-League teams.
Honours
- Malaysia CupMalaysia CupThe Malaysia Cup is an annual association football tournament in Malaysia. It is currently the longest-running football competition in Asia...
Winners: 1921, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1928 (shared), 1929 (shared), 1930, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1937, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1960, 1964, 1965, 1977, 1980, 1994 - M-League Champions: 1994
- Malaysia Semi-Pro League Champions: 1979, 1981, 1985
- FAM Cup Winners: 1964, 1967
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup: 1989
- FAS Premier LeagueFAS Premier LeagueThe Football Association of Singapore Premier League is a now-defunct football league competition held in Singapore between 1988 and 1995. During that period, it was the top tier of the Singapore football league structure...
Champions: 1995
Current squad
Notable Players
Alistair EdwardsAlistair Edwards
Alistair Edwards is a former professional soccer player from Australia. A prominent forward, he made a name for himself with National Soccer League clubs Sydney Olympic and Perth Glory...
Craig Foster Abbas Saad
Abbas Saad
Abbas Saad is an Australian former international football player.-Club career:Born in Lebanon, Saad moved to Australia and started a professional footballing career. A midfielder with a good eye for goal, he played in the Malaysian League for Johor and Singapore in the early 1990s...
Warren Spink
Warren Spink
Warren Spink is a former soccer player from Australia. He made 38 appearances for the Socceroos scoring 9 goals, and also represented Australia at under-20 and under-23 levels....
Sandro Radun Michal Vana Win Aung Fandi Ahmad
Fandi Ahmad
Fandi bin Ahmad is a football coach and former professional footballer from Singapore. During his playing career, he enjoyed success playing in both Europe and Asia, and was captain of the Singapore national football team...
Malik Awab
Malik Awab
Malek Awab was a Singaporean footballer in the 1980s and 1990s.Malek Awab also holds the record for the most number of international caps for his country, Singapore ....
Nazri Nasir
Nazri Nasir
Nazri Nasir is a retired football player from Singapore. He was the captain of the Singapore national football team in the late-1990s and early-2000s, and led the team which won the regional Tiger Cup in 1998.In 1994, Nazri was a member of the Singapore side which won the Malaysian League and...
V. Sundramoorthy
V. Sundramoorthy
V. Sundramoorthy is a retired Singaporean footballer in the 1980s and 1990s, and widely touted as one of the country's most skillful and talented footballers ever.-Playing Career:...
Jang Jung
Jang Jung
Jang Jung is a South Korean football player. He mostly played at defender.He formerly played with Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso in South Korea, Perak FA and Singapore FA in Malaysia and Geylang United in Singapore....