Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Singapore returns to Malaysian football after 17 years hiatus





As reported by the Star Online today 12th July 2011.

PETALING JAYA: The Lions return to Malaysian football next year.

After a lapse of 17 years, Singapore will be playing in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) with their Under-23 squad - Singapore Young Lions - playing in the top flight of the 14-team Super League.

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah announced the new collaboration between the FAM and the FA of Singapore (FAS), after a signing ceremony at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya Tuesday, 12th July 2011.

Under the four-year agreement between the two countries, the Singapore Young Lions will be playing in the MSL while the Malaysian Harimau Muda A squad under coach Ong Kim Swee will be playing in the S-League.

The Young Lions are set to to include five senior players, including foreign signings, while the Malaysian Harimau Muda A squad will not be fielding any foreign players.

Tengku Abdullah said he hoped that the spark between the two nations would revive the rivalry that everyone remembered of the glory days.

"We hope to rekindle the glory days of the past shared between Malaysia and Singapore, when they made waves in the Malaysia Cup competition," he added.

The great Singaporean team last played in the Malaysian league in 1994.

During the glory days, Singapore dominated the league, beating every team including the mighty Selangor, Pahang and Kedah.

Prominent Singapore players who had tasted Malaysian football in the 80s right up till 1994 were Samad Alipitchay, Goal keeper David Lee, Mohamed Noh, the mercurial Fearsome Foursome Quadruple of Fandi Ahmad, V Sundramoorthy, Abbas Saad and Alistair Edwards and many many more.

As a Sabahan, i still remember vividly how Singapore trounced Sabah 7-3 at the Kallang National Stadium in Singapore and how Sabah beat the Lion 1-0 in Stadium Penampang in 1994.

Welcome back Singapore... we miss you.




Samad Alipitchay played for Singapore in many memorable matches in the Malaysian League including against their arch enemy - Selangor.



David Lee (left) and Fandi Ahmad (right) were the dynamic duo then. Prior to playing for Singapore, Fandi played for Gronigen FC in the Holland professional league.



We will never forget Australian's Alistair Edwards many wonder goals for Singapore.



We will never forget the magic skills of V Sundramoorthy



Abas Saad's partnership with Alistair Edwards resulted in hundreds of goals for Singapore



Fandi Ahmad is one of the greatest ever player who ever donned Singapore jersey




Malek Awab's skills are still being cherished by Malaysians football fans

Viva Singapore.. we welcome you...

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