Malaysian exit ‘good for local football’

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s LionsXII out of Malaysian football? That can only be good news for local football.

This is the general sentiment among local football observers TODAY spoke to, after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) decided not to extend their Memorandum of Understanding with their Singaporean counterparts after a late-night Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday.

The decision means the Lions-XII will no longer take part in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) or any Cup competitions once their current campaign comes to an end. 
Malaysia’s national Under-23 squad — the Harimau Muda — will also cease to compete in Singapore’s S-League.

For an initiative that was billed by both countries as a way to create a buzz among football fans on both sides of the Causeway, and a platform for both nations to improve the standards of their football, the project was not quite the game changer that the FAS had touted or wanted it to be.

Apart from a surge in attendance and fan interest in LionsXII’s first two seasons, recent campaigns have seen lukewarm interest among Singaporeans. The national team, made up mostly of players from the LionsXII, also crashed out of the group stage of the AFF Suzuki Cup last November.

There was also no significant improvement in both countries’ national teams. Malaysia and Singapore were ranked 158th and 163rd respectively in the world during ­LionsXII’s debut season in 2012, as compared with 171st and 152nd now. Both did not qualify for the next round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

But despite the MSL stint looking like a failed experiment, former Warriors FC coach Richard Bok said this is the perfect opportunity for the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) to turn Singaporeans’ attention back to their very own professional league — the S-League.

“It’s about time we focus more on our own league because it still has plenty of potential despite the slump in the last few years,” said Bok, the most successful coach in S-League history with four titles.

“Without the distraction of Malaysian competitions, fans may choose to get their football fix at S-League stadiums and this can only be positive for local football.”

Former Lions and Home United goalkeeper Lionel Lewis says it is time to revamp the S-League and make up for lost ground.

“The No 1 priority now should be to focus on the S-League and put attention on the youth set-up,” the 32-year-old former international said. “Perhaps the last four years spent in the MSL have helped improve the calibre of the LionsXII players, and we should re-integrate them back into the S-League and make local football more competitive.”

There were critics, though, who believe that Singapore gained precious little from this Malaysian stint.

“I don’t really know what the players have gained because, ultimately, I don’t think the MSL is better than the S-League,” said former Lions and Woodlands Wellington midfielder John Wilkinson. “It gives younger players competitive exposure. Apart from that, I can’t think of much more.”

Bok, however, believes there are positives to take away. “The national team are doing okay, especially with their results in the recent World Cup qualifiers,” he pointed out. “The team is made up of mainly LionsXII players, and they must have gained plenty of experience from playing away in front of big crowds in Malaysia.”

When contacted yesterday, LionsXII’s main sponsor, StarHub, said they are “seeking clarification” from the FAS. The local telco’s deal expires at the end of this season.

News of the LionsXII’s sudden exit from Malaysian football has shocked some local fans. Ahmad Syafiq, who catches the LionsXII regularly at the Jalan Besar stadium, was disheartened when he heard the news. “This is really shocking for me because I felt we were doing well and I will miss the rivalry with clubs from across the Causeway,” said the ITE student. “For me, things have come to an end way too early.”

Prominent tour bus operator Akbar Hashim, who was widely regarded as Singapore football’s biggest fan, said that LionsXII or not, he will continue to support the players. “If there are no fans, there will be no players and, ultimately, no football.” he said. “I will stick by them all the way.”