With future in limbo, LionsXII struggle to pick themselves up

SINGAPORE — With their professional careers up in the air, the LionsXII players put on a brave front as they touched down at Changi Airport Terminal 2 yesterday (Nov 25).

The 18 players and coach Fandi Ahmad waved off the waiting media pack as they exited the departure gates, declining to stop for interviews as news of Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM’s) decision to boot the team out of Malaysian football hit fever pitch.

Several players TODAY spoke to declined to comment on the situation, which threatened to leave them jobless overnight, but one spoke on condition of anonymity.

“Please excuse us,” the LionsXII player said. “Morale is low now, but I am trying to perk up the rest of my team-mates. It is better for us to keep our focus now on the upcoming match, before we find out what is exactly going on first. We want to put up something special this Saturday for our fans, because they deserve it.”

The LionsXII host Pahang at Jalan Besar Stadium this Saturday, hoping to overturn a 1-4 Malaysia Cup quarter-final first-leg deficit, in what could be their final match in Malaysian football.

Lions XII defender Madhu Mohana, 24, summed up the mood within his camp right now, as he posted on his Twitter account: “Double sian (twice the frustration)”.

Players are understandably worried about their livelihoods. LionsXII players draw between S$4,000 and S$15,000 monthly while, in contrast, most S-League players are paid between S$2,000 and S$5,000. Players such as goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud and defender Safuwan Baharudin could follow in the footsteps of Hassan Sunny (Thai Premier League), Hariss Harun and Baihakki Khaizan (both Malaysian side, Johor Darul Takzim) and ply their trade overseas, but the rest may have to take a substantial pay cut as they seek new employment.

TODAY understands that one option FAS is exploring is to keep the LionsXII together as a club in the S-League. Other options include fielding them in the proposed ASEAN Super League or distribute them to the S-League clubs. “Their future is on the fence right now, and as a player myself, I feel for them,” said Tampines Rovers defender Zulfadli Zainal. “In life, only the fittest survive. There is anxiety (among the current S-League players) that they might have to make way for the LionsXII players.”

Balestier Khalsa chairman S Thavaneson welcomes the LionsXII players back into the S-League fold. “Any player who is interested in joining us is free to talk to us. The players are the cream of the crop among local footballers, so if they do join the S-League they will lift the standard.

“Wages wise, market forces eventually still apply, and nobody is going to break the bank (for them).”