Judging from the echoes of nostalgia in recent weeks, Singapore’s Lions XII will enter the Jalan Besar Stadium to a rapturous reception come 10 January. For many local supporters, the scenes of former Lions’ captain Fandi Ahmad lifting the Malaysia Cup, following a 4-0 thumping over Pahang in 1994, remains etched in their memories.
38 year old football fan Mr Tan Wei Jie fondly remembers making frequent trips to Malaysia for Singapore’s away fixtures. “I have waited a long time for this day. I was there at the Shah Alam stadium when we won the Malaysia Cup and I don’t think that we’ve ever had that many Singaporeans travel to an away match since. Almost the entire stadium was painted in red and white. When you look at the famous rivalries in regional football, our contest with the Malaysian teams was unlike any other,” recalled Mr Tan.
After a 17-year hiatus, Singapore’s Lion XII could not have asked for a more daunting task in their opening Malaysia Super League (MSL) fixture against defending champions Kelantan. The Red Army stamped their authority as one of the powerhouses in Malaysian football after capturing the MSL title last season and winning the coveted Malaysia Cup in 2010.
Boasting the likes of national custodian, Khairul Fahmie Che Mat and speedy striker Norshahrul Idlan, the Kota Bharu based club wasted little time strengthening their title credentials. In the last month, the Red Army added versatile forward Indra Putra and Lebanese internationals, Mohammed Ghaddar and Zakriya Charara to their arsenal.
Both the Lions XII and Kelantan have in their arsenal two master tacticians who will be looking forward to pitting their field experience against each other for their team’s victory.
Red Army coach and former West Ham midfielder Peter Butler is no stranger to Singapore football, having coached S.League giants SAFFC, which then comprised of current Lions XII defender, Shaiful Esah.
“He’s a good coach and a great man motivator. He’s played at the highest level in the Premier League and has plenty of experience in Asean football. I’m sure they will throw everything at us. But we have a good team. (Our coaches) Sundram, Kadir (Yahaya) and (Lee) Bee Seng have all played in the Malaysia Cup. They have been preparing us for the challenge ahead and we’re feeling confident”, said Shaiful.
Lions coach V. Sundramoorthy, who was been keeping a close eye on our causeway teams, is a former Kelantan player and was instrumental in winning the Malaysia Cup for Kedah in 1990. Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Dazzler’ for his nifty footwork and trickery, the 46-year-old has been working on building the mental toughness of his charges.
“No doubt, we have the talent. But for many of our players, getting used to playing in front of capacity crowds week in and week out will be key a factor. Travelling back and forth between matches will definitely take its toll. Kelantan is the first step, and then we have Kedah and Kuala Lumpur in the same week so mentally the players must be strong. The boys are very focused in training and are shaping up well. We want to give our fans a good start.” said Sundram.
For fans like Mr Tan, a strong showing by the Lions XII may spark a passionate revival for local football. “I remember my dad used to bring us for the away games back in the 80s. We were a whole generation brought up, idolising stars like Quah Kim Song, S Rajagopal, Samad Allapitchay, Malek Awab and Au Yeong Pak Kuan. Over the past 10 years, the one thing lacking in our local scene is rivalry. Football needs icons and this is the time for our younger players to step up. The Malaysia Cup will bring back that much needed intensity. Hopefully now, I can relive those memories with my children.”
LionsXII's 2012 Malaysia Super League fixtures
Jan 10 vs Kelantan (H - Jalan Besar Stadium)
Jan 14 vs Kedah (Darul Aman Stadium, Alor Star)
Jan 17 vs Kuala Lumpur (H)
Jan 21 vs Sabah (Likas Stadium, Kota Kinabalu)
Jan 28 vs Terengganu (H)
Feb 7 vs Selangor (Bukit Jalil Stadium)
Feb 11 vs Negeri Sembilan (H)
Feb 14 vs Perak (Perak Stadium, Ipoh)
Mar 3 vs Felda United (H)
Mar 17 vs Sarawak (Negeri Sarawak Stadium, Kuching)
Mar 31 vs T-Team (H)
Apr 7 vs Johor FC (Pasir Gudang Stadium, Johor Baru)
Apr 14 vs PKNS (Petaling Jaya Stadium, Kelana Jaya)
Apr 17 vs PKNS (H)
May 5 vs Kelantan (Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium, Kota Baru)
May 12 vs Kedah (H)
May 15 vs Kuala Lumpur (Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca)
June 16 vs Sabah (H)
June 19 vs Terengganu (Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium, Kota Tinggi)
June 23 vs Selangor (H)
June 26 vs Negeri Sembilan (Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Paroi)
June 30 vs Perak (H)
July 3 vs Felda United (Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca)
July 7 vs Sarawak (H)
July 10 vs T-Team (Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium, Kota Tinggi)
July 14 vs Johor FC (H)