Wikipedia

LionsXII

Singaporean football club

LionsXII is a Singapore football team based at Jalan Besar Stadium. Managed by the Football Association of Singapore, the squad marks the return of Singapore to the Malaysia football scene after leaving the Malaysia Cup in 1994. The name "LionsXII" is a special tribute to the fans, who are generally recognised as football's "12th Man".

LionsXII
Full nameLionsXII
Nickname(s)The Lions
Founded2011
Dissolved2015
GroundJalan Besar Stadium
Capacity8,000
WebsiteClub website

History

change

In 2011, the Football Association of Singapore and the Football Association of Malaysia reached an agreement that would see greater cooperation between the two nations. The Under-23s would play in the Malaysian Super League and Malaysia Cup from 2012 onwards, the first time a Singaporean team would be in Malaysian domestic football since 1994, when Singapore won the M-League and Malaysia Cup double.[1] Although the new Singapore team would have the existing Under-23s forming its core, senior players were also called upon to guide the younger players. No foreign players were allowed to be part of the Singapore team.

2012 season

change

The LionsXII debuted in the 2012 Malaysia Super League on 10 January 2012 with a 1–2 loss to defending champions Kelantan FA.[2] The LionsXII's first win was a 2–1 victory over Kuala Lumpur FA on 17 January.[3] The LionsXII's first away win was a 1–0 victory over Sabah FA on 21 January.[4] LionsXII began their 2012 Malaysia FA Cup quest on 18 February, with a 3–0 win over UiTM FC.[5] The LionsXII made their way to the quarter-final with a 2–0 win over Betaria FC[6] on 10 March 2012. However, they were beaten by Terengganu FA in the quarter-finals. On 16 June 2012, they defeated Sabah FA 9–0 at home, the biggest win in the MSL season. LionsXII finished second in the league behind Kelantan FA, and bowed out of the semi-final of the 2012 Malaysia Cup after losing in a penalty shoot-out against ATM FA.

2013 season

change
 
Captain Shahril Ishak receiving the 2013 Malaysia Super League trophy from Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

LionsXII were set a target of finishing in the top five for the 2013 Malaysia Super League when a press conference was held before the start of the season. The five overage players included key members from the previous campaign such as Shahril Ishak, Isa Halim, and Baihakki Khaizan. The main aim was to develop the U-23 players and prepare them for the upcoming 2013 Southeast Asian Games that would be held at the end of the year, with the five seniors players serving to guide them throughout the campaign.[7] As at the start of the campaign, 13 players were also undergoing National Service.

LionsXII began their campaign by defeating ATM FA 1–0 away. In their first home match, they successfully edged out traditional rivals Selangor FA for the first time since joining the MSL. However, LionsXII stumbled to two losses against lowly T-Team FC and PKNS FC away. They also crashed out against in the first round of the 2013 Malaysia FA Cup against PKNS. Despite this, LionsXII went on a long unbeaten streak, securing important wins over Pahang FA (3–0), Kelantan FA (1–0), and ATM FA (3–1) at home. The opposing coaches even conceded the title to the LionsXII leading up to the end of the season,[8] as the team chalked up the best home record in the league, winning 10 and drawing one (with the draw coming in Round 19 against title-contender Johor Darul Takzim FC.

On 2 July 2013, a 4–0 win over relegation-threatened FELDA United FC in the penultimate league game made LionsXII league champions.[9] Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong was present for the match played in front of a sold-out crowd at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The MSL trophy was also brought to Jalan Besar Stadium as the LionsXII received it on home soil after the final whistle. LionsXII became the first foreign team to win the MSL, adding to the four Malaysian league titles it had won in 1979, 1981, 1985, and 1994. The title run was defined by a combination of good defence (13 goals conceded, the best record in the MSL) and goals from set-pieces (17 out of 32).

Stadium

change
 
Jalan Besar Stadium

LionsXII ground stadium is Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore. The stadium can host 8,000 supporters in total. On 30 October 2012, a new high-definition LED scoreboard was implemented at the Gallery to provide better quality to the spectators as it will be able replay video highlights of the action on the field.[10]

Supporters

change

LionsXII boasts a lot of passionate supporters who will always turn up in red to support them in every home match. Their official fan group is called ExcluSinga[11] accredited by the Football Association of Singapore. The group was formed from their news-providing Facebook page, Exclusive Singapore LIONSXII,[12] which provides regular and exclusive updates which recognised by the Football Association of Singapore and became their official fan club in April 2012 soon after the LionsXII was formed on 25 March 2012.[13]

Members of ExcluSinga will make their appearances in LionsXII matches chanting and supporting the team throughout the whole 90 minutes.

They have over 1,000 members in their Facebook group.[14]

Kit manufacturer and shirt sponsor

change
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2012– Nike StarHub

On 5 January 2012, Football Association of Singapore announced the appointment of StarHub as the Official Broadcaster and Principal Sponsor of LionsXII. As part of the partnership, StarHub will carry all LionsXII content on its pay TV, online and mobile platforms.[15] Two days after the announcement of the kit, LionsXII sealed a second major sponsorship deal, with news that SilkPro will fund the Singapore outfit to the tune of S$1m during its debut season in Malaysia Super League.[16] On 23 February 2012, LionsXII secured another sponsorship deal, with Shop N Save, a Singapore supermarket, coming on board as the 'Official Supermarket' for the Singapore outfit in its debut season in the Malaysian Super League.[17]

Track record

change

Updated on 3 July 2013

Season P W D L F A Pts Pos FA Cup Malaysia Cup
2013 21 12 7 2 32 13 43 1st Round of 32 TBD
2012 26 15 5 6 48 23 50 2nd Quarter-finals Semi-finals

Fixtures and results

change

2013

change
9 January 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League ATM FA   0 – 1   LionsXII Paroi, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Report Stadium: Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium
12 January 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League LionsXII   1 − 0   Selangor FA Singapore
20:45 UTC+8 Report Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
15 January 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League Selangor PKNS FC   1 − 0   LionsXII Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
19:45 UTC+8 Report Stadium: Shah Alam Stadium
19 January 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League LionsXII   2 − 1   Terengganu FA Singapore
19:45 UTC+8 Report Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
22 January 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League T-Team FC   1 − 0   LionsXII Terengganu, Malaysia
16:45 UTC+8 Report Stadium: Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium
26 January 2013 2013 Malaysia FA Cup Selangor PKNS FC   1 − 0   LionsXII Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
16:15 UTC+8 Report Stadium: Petaling Jaya Stadium
16 February 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League LionsXII   3 − 0   Pahang FA Singapore
19:45 (UTC+8) Report Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
19 February 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League Darul Takzim FC   2 − 2   LionsXII Johor, Malaysia
20:45 (UTC+8) Report Stadium: Tan Sri Dato Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium
Attendance: 30,000
2 March 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League Felda United   0 − 0   LionsXII Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
16:45 (UTC+8) Report Stadium: Petaling Jaya Stadium
9 March 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League LionsXII   1 − 0   Kelantan FA Singapore
19:45 (UTC+8) Shahfiq   87' Report Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
30 March 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League LionsXII   1 − 0   Negeri Sembilan FA Singapore
19:45 (UTC+8) Shahril   79' Report Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
6 April 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League LionsXII   2 − 1   Perak FA Singapore
19:45 (UTC+8) Shahril   7', 57' Report Rafiuddin   90+1' Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
Attendance: 6,680
13 April 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League Negeri Sembilan FA   1 − 1   LionsXII Paroi, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
20:45 (UTC+8) Fabio Leandro   15' Report Fazrul Nawaz   19' Stadium: Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium
20 April 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League LionsXII   3 − 1   ATM FA Singapore
19:45 (UTC+8) Shahfiq   27', 70'
Shahril   46' (pen.)		 Report Marlon   60' Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
Attendance: 7,198
27 April 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League Selangor FA   0 − 0   LionsXII Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
20:45 (UTC+8) Report Stadium: Shah Alam Stadium
7 May 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League Terengganu FA   1 – 2   LionsXII Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
16:45 (UTC+8) Ismail   63' Report Baihakki   78'
Hasmizan   90+2' (o.g.)
Madhu   86'  		 Stadium: Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium
11 May 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League LionsXII   3 − 0   T-Team FC Singapore
19:45 (UTC+8) Shahril   9'
Shakir   28'
Fazrul   35'
Safuwan   60'		 Report 1
Report 2		 Mazlizam   63' Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
17 May 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League Pahang FA   1 − 1   LionsXII Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
20:45 (UTC+8) Damion   90+3' Report Shahril   11' Stadium: Darul Makmur Stadium
Attendance: 25,000
27 May 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League LionsXII   3 − 1   Selangor PKNS FC Singapore
19:45 (UTC+8) Baihakki   45'
Hariss   54'
Hafiz   55'
Nazrul   59'
Khairul Nizam   89'		 Report 1
Report 2		 Khairu   14'
Nazmi   63'
Helmi   75'
Patrick   90'		 Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
Attendance: 6,098
22 June 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League LionsXII   1 − 1   Johor Darul Takzim FC Singapore
19:45 (UTC+8) Nazrul   21'
Isa   28'
Safuwan   82'
Safuwan   90+2'		 Report 1
Report 2		 Nunez   9'
Safee   13'
Safiq   13'
Nurul Azwan Roya   32'
Nazri   81'
Andre   84'
Aidil   86'		 Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
Attendance: 7,650 (capacity crowd)
Referee: Mohammad Zamzaidi
25 June 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League Perak FA   1 − 1   LionsXII Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
20:45 (UTC+8) Rangel   58'
Khairi   90'
Khairi   92'  
Rangel   93'		 Report 1
Report 2		 Isa   52'
Shafiq   75'
Shahril   83'		 Stadium: Perak Stadium
Referee: Kamal Ahmad
2 July 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League LionsXII   4 − 0   Felda United FC Singapore
19:45 (UTC+8) Safuwan   37'
Azrul   46' (o.g.)
Shahril   57'
Fazrul   61'
Shahfiq   83'		 Report 1
Report 2		 Nizam   16'
Azrul   27'		 Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
Attendance: 7,650
Referee: Samsudin Ibrahim
6 July 2013 2013 Malaysia Super League Kelantan FA   −   LionsXII Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
20:45 (UTC+8) Stadium: Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium

Current squad

change
 
The starting eleven for the January 2012 home game against Kuala Lumpur FA

Updated on 1 May 2013

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   Singapore Izwan Mahbud
2 DF   Singapore Shakir Hamzah
3 DF   Singapore Faris Azienuddin
4 MF   Singapore Isa Halim
5 DF   Singapore Baihakki Khaizan
6 DF   Singapore Madhu Mohana
7 MF   Singapore Gabriel Quak
8 MF   Singapore Hafiz Abu Sujad
9 DF   Singapore Faritz Hameed
10 FW   Singapore Fazrul Nawaz
11 MF   Singapore Safirul Sulaiman
13 MF   Singapore Izzdin Shafiq
14 MF   Singapore Hariss Harun (vice captain)
15 MF   Singapore Zulfahmi Arifin
16 MF   Singapore Fazli Ayob
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW   Singapore Shahril Ishak (captain)
18 GK   Singapore Khairulhin Khalid
19 DF   Singapore Irwan Shah
20 FW   Singapore Khairul Nizam
21 DF   Singapore Safuwan Baharudin
22 FW   Singapore Randy Pay
23 MF   Singapore Nazrul Nazari
24 MF   Singapore Faris Ramli
25 DF   Singapore Ali Hudzaifi
26 FW   Singapore Shahfiq Ghani
27 MF   Singapore Aqhari Abdullah
28 GK   Singapore Neezam Aziz
29 GK   Singapore Syed Sufiyan
30 MF   Singapore Syafiq Zainal
31 DF   Singapore Fariss Hamran

Note: Former Courts Young Lions player Fazli Ayob, The Chance finalist Randy Pay and Woodlands Wellington prime league player Farriss Hamran joined the LionsXII in the mid-season transfer window. Raihan Rahman and Iqbal Hussain dropped to Courts Young Lions.[18]

Goalscoring statistics

change

2012 season

change
Pos Player Malaysia Super League Malaysia FA Cup Malaysia Cup Total
1   Shahril Ishak 10 1 3 14
2   Shahdan Sulaiman 8 0 0 8
3   Agu Casmir 5 0 1 6
4   Hariss Harun 5 0 0 5
  Sufian Anuar 4 1 0 5
5   Shaiful Esah 2 1 1 4
  Safuwan Baharudin 3 0 1 4
7   Khairul Amri 0 0 2 2
  Khairul Nizam 2 0 0 2
  Baihakki Khaizan 2 0 0 2
  Irwan Shah 2 0 0 2
8   Sevki Sha'ban 1 0 0 1
  Madhu Mohana 0 1 0 1

2013 season

change

Malaysia Super League
Total goals scored: 32
Total goals conceded: 13

Malaysia FA Cup
Total goals scored: 0
Total goals conceded: 1

Pos Player Malaysia Super League Malaysia FA Cup Malaysia Cup Total
1   Shahril Ishak 8 0 0 8
2   Fazrul Nawaz 5 0 0 5
  Shahfiq Ghani 5 0 0 5
3   Safuwan Baharudin 2 0 0 2
  Baihakki Khaizan 2 0 0 2
  Hariss Harun 2 0 0 2
4   Faris Ramli 1 0 0 1
  Shakir Hamzah 1 0 0 1
  Syafiq Zainal 1 0 0 1
  Khairul Nizam 1 0 0 1
  Nazrul Nazari 1 0 0 1

Coach

change
 
Former Lions V. Sundramoorthy and Kadir Yahaya, members of the coaching staff for the LionsXII in 2012, with Kadir resigning at the end of 2012.
Year Coach
2012–   V. Sundramoorthy

Current coaching staff

change
Position Name
Manager   Visakan Subramanian
Head team coach   V. Sundramoorthy
Assistant coach   K. Balagumaran
Goalkeeping coach   Lee Bee Seng
Fitness coach   Aleksandar Bozenko
Fitness coach   Gurnaya Singh
Physiotherapist   Nurhafizah Sujad
Kitman   Omar Mohamed

References

change
  1. ↑ Singapore Lions to participate in 2012 Malaysia Cup Archived 2012-01-10 at the Wayback Machine - Asia One, 7 December 2011
  2. ↑ Singh, Patwant. "Football: Kelantan beat LionsXII 2–1 in opening Malaysia Super League". Channel News Asia. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  3. ↑ Singh, Patwant. "Football: LionsXII beat KL FA 2-1". Channel News Asia. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  4. ↑ Singh, Patwant. "Football: LionsXII secure first away win against Sabah". Channel News Asia. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  5. ↑ Malaysia FA Cup 2012: Wonder-goal sets LionsXII to comfortable 3-0 victory - Straits Times, 18 February 2012
  6. ↑ LIONSXII through to the Quarter-Finals of the Malaysian FA Cup Archived 2013-10-14 at the Wayback Machine - LIONSXII, 10 March 2012
  7. ↑ LIONSXII aim top-five finish - Straits Times
  8. ↑ Malaysian coaches concede MSL title is Singapore's Archived 2013-06-29 at Archive.today - TODAYonline, 27 June 2013
  9. ↑ "Football: LionsXII crowned Malaysian Super League champions". Channel NewsAsia. Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 4 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "High-definition LED video wall launched at Jalan Besar Stadium - Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  11. ↑ - ExcluSinga Official Website Archived 2014-02-19 at the Wayback Machine - ExcluSinga
  12. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/exclusivesingaporelionsxii
  13. ↑ ExcluSinga becomes official LIONSXII fan group - QueSports
  14. ↑ http://www.exclusinga.com/general/ Archived 2014-03-16 at the Wayback Machine ExcluSinga General Information - ExcluSinga
  15. ↑ StarHub Appointed Official Broadcaster and Principal Sponsor of LionsXII Archived 2012-01-08 at the Wayback Machine - StarHub, 5 January 2012
  16. ↑ SilkPro to back LionsXII campaign Archived 2013-06-24 at Archive.today - ESPNSTAR, 8 January 2012
  17. ↑ Shop n Save Singapore named 'Official Supermarket' for the LionsXII Archived 2012-09-04 at Archive.today - LionsXII, 23 February 2012
  18. ↑ LionsXII beat transfer deadline to sign Fariss - Liga Singapura
Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LionsXII&oldid=9610065"