Baihakki back with LionsXII, Johor eyeing S-League

SINGAPORE — He is back with the LionsXII for now but, come next season, Baihakki Khaizan could well be playing in the Great Eastern-YEO’s S-League, as could national captain Shahril Ishak, should the Johor Football Association (JFA) succeed in their plan to register Johor Darul Ta’zim II (JDT II) for the Singapore domestic league.

Affandi Hamzah, chairman of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Competitions Committee, yesterday confirmed that 30-year-old Baihakki is cleared to play for the LionsXII. The player rejoined the LionsXII training yesterday, with coach Fandi Ahmad welcoming the return of the central defender.

“At least now we have the option to move around a few players in the defence and Baihakki joins us at a time when we need to strengthen the backline,” said Fandi.

Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, who is also JFA president, told a media conference Tuesday in Johor Bahru that he wanted Baihakki to continue playing competitive football despite the decision to leave him out of the JDT I team for the rest of the 2014 season.

“Since Baihakki wants to go back to the LionsXII team in order to stay match fit in view of his desire to play for Singapore in the ASEAN Football Federation Championship in November, I gave him my blessings,” said the Crown Prince.

“But we have an agreement that he will come back to us and join the JDT II team next season for the remaining of his four-year contract.”

Tunku Ismail also revealed plans by JFA to enter the JDT II team for the S-League next season. “It will be cheaper for the Johor FA to send the JDT II team to play in the S-League rather than the Malaysian Premier league, which is very expensive with all the travelling and expenses,” he said. “The S-League is also very competitive and it will be good for the young players to gain exposure.”

The announcement appears to have caught the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) by surprise.

Said an FAS spokesman: “Foreign clubs need to gain the approval of their respective Football Associations before they can submit a request to participate in our domestic football competitions. As the FAS has not received any official requests from the FA of Malaysia or Johor FA, we will not comment.” DAN GUEN CHIN

Fast fact:

As part of the termination agreement, Baihakki will not feature in the LionsXII vs JDT I match at Jalan Besar Stadium on May 20