Chin Aun, Fandi hail FAS-FAM move

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SINGAPORE - Two giants who faced each other in some of the fiercest battles between Singapore and Selangor in the 1970s and '80s were celebrating yesterday.

Malaysia's "Towkay", the legendary defender Soh Chin Aun, and former Singapore star striker Fandi Ahmad hailed the collaboration between the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), which promises to revive the din and excitement heard on both sides of the Causeway during the Malaysia Cup days.

Under the four-year deal, the Malaysian under-23 side will play in the S-League and Singapore's two cup competitions, while their Singapore counterparts will ply their trade in the Malaysian Super League and its two domestic cup tournaments, starting next year.

Soh believes Singapore will always be a big draw for Malaysian fans.

Speaking to MediaCorp over the phone yesterday, the 60-year-old, who skippered Malaysia and starred for Selangor and Malacca, said: "It is too early to say how it will benefit football in both our countries but I expect the renewal of the great rivalry between Singapore and teams like Selangor and Pahang to attract a lot of fans.

"Malaysian fans will welcome a Singapore team back."

Fandi, widely regarded as one of the best strikers to have played in the Malaysia Cup, also turned out for Kuala Lumpur and Pahang in the competition.

The 49-year-old was equally enthusiastic and he feels the Singapore side that will play in Malaysia will face tough matches, which can only be good for the development of young talent.

Said Fandi: "We need more of these matches, where the passion from fans and players run high. It raises the quality of games and this is the kind of exposure that will spur our players to a higher level of football."