KUALA LUMPUR - The football grapevine on both sides of the Causeway has been buzzing after the announcement on Tuesday that a Singapore team will return to play in the Malaysia Cup and M-League next year.
A day after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) signed a four-year deal with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) - the agreement will also see the Malaysian under-23 team side play in the S-League, Singapore Cup and League Cup - Today revealed in an exclusive report that the two national bodies were also exploring the prospect of a combined super league.
FAM general-secretary Azzudin Ahmad even believes it could pave the way for a competition featuring teams from other ASEAN nations.
Speaking to Today here on the sidelines of the Liverpool Asia Tour 2011, Azzudin said: "The relationship between Singapore and Malaysia goes back a long way, and this revival and the interest around it could see the relationship strengthened.
"This could be seen as a small baby-step towards a combined league for Singapore and Malaysia, but that is something to be worked on in the future.
"And maybe further down the road, it could be a possibility that we could include other ASEAN nations as well, but that is some way away."
Singapore stopped playing in Malaysian competitions after winning the Malaysian League and Cup double in 1994, and after 17 years of football separation, the renewed partnership will have to be studied and analysed before any expansion is considered.
"It will take time to measure the impact of the new changes that we will be implementing and, most importantly, we must study if they are good for the football of both countries, and if it's commercially viable, before we decide on anything else," said Azzudin.
FAS general-secretary Winston Lee agreed with the considered approach towards a deeper partnership between the countries. "FAS are taking a phased approach in our football partnership with FAM. The first phase of our collaboration with FAM is focused on having a Singapore Lions team and Malaysian Tigers team in the Malaysia Super League (MSL) and S-League, respectively," he said. "The possibility of merging both leagues will require more in-depth analysis."
A key consideration for Lee - and indeed all stakeholders in the local football fraternity - is the fallout on the S-League.
Already, some fans fear the Singapore Lions' adventure in Malaysia will hurt the S-League, which is already struggling with attendance.
"As the S-League is the heartbeat of Singapore football, any merger must make both football and commercial sense," said Lee. "This will be one of the initiatives which will be explored in the second phase of our cooperation with FAM."
A sleepover at Jalan Besar Stadium, to catch a match next week
by Ian De Cotta
They are the hottest tickets in town, and die-hard football fans started queuing up outside Jalan Besar Stadium last night determined they will not miss out on the first leg of Singapore's clash with Malaysia in the second round of the Asian Zone World Cup qualifiers on July 23.Ticket booths open at 8am at Jalan Besar Stadium today and it is meant only for Singaporeans and permanent residents. Each fan has to produce his identity card and is only allowed four tickets per purchase.
With the stadium's capacity of 6,000, tickets for the Causeway derby are expected to be snapped up fast.
Mervin Tan was one of the first people in line. The 34-year-old private tutor said: "We are here early because we feel that tickets for the match are 'hot'. We'll stay here all night chatting about the upcoming game."
Lab assistant Najib Naim, 29, who was there with 20 friends, said: "We are buying tickets for about 50 of our friends who come from all over Singapore."
Veteran tour operator Akbar Hashim, who organised a road trip to Malaysia for the Sultan of Selangor Cup last year, said: "This is a crunch game, a must see. Last year, I took up only three bus-loads, but this time I'm organising eight buses for the return leg in Kuala Lumpur on July 28."
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) have allocated 500 tickets for Malaysian fans and turned down their request for an additional 1,500 seats.
FAS deputy director of marketing and competitions Ridzal Saat acknowledged they would not be able to stop Singaporeans buying tickets for Malaysian fans.
"This weekend sale is to show our appreciation to local fans who have been supporting football," said Ridzal. "Because of the high demand, the only thing we can do is to ask fans to produce proof they are Singaporeans and permanent residents because it is impossible to police it any other way.
"We are imploring local fans not to buy tickets on behalf of others, but for themselves." Ian De Cotta
Early bird tickets on sale at Jalan Besar Stadium between 8am and 5pm today and tomorrow. Grandstand S$15 Gallery S$7 Concession (students, senior citizens) S$3
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