Safuwan joins the Lions Team's M-League campaign takes shape as central defender signs on

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SINGAPORE - The team that will fly the Singapore colours in their return to Malaysian football competitions since 1994 is shaping up into a force capable of challenging for honours.

The latest to sign up is defender Safuwan Baharudin (picture), whose outstanding performances in the national team's 6-4 aggregate win over Malaysia in the World Cup qualifiers in July, and with the Under-23 side at the recent SEA Games earned praise from national selectors and fans.

He joins internationals Shahril Ishak, Khairul Amri, Isa Halim, Juma'at Jantan and Shaiful Esah, who have already agreed to join the Singapore Lions contesting in the M-League, Malaysia Cup and Malaysian FA Cup from January next year.

"It's probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Safuwan told Today. "If I miss this, I may never get the chance to experience this again. And the standard of football in the M-League is probably higher than the S-League. That's why I decided to go for it. Furthermore, quite a few of the national players are in the team, so it's a good chance to gel with them."

The Singapore Lions was formed after the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) signed a four-year deal in July to promote the game between the two neighbouring countries

It will also see Malaysia's national Under-23 side compete in the S-League, Singapore Cup and League Cup from next season.

The Singapore Lions will play their home matches at the Jalan Besar Stadium, which will be expanded to accommodate 2,000 more fans, from its current 6,000 capacity.

The coach for the squad has yet to be named, but former Lions star striker V Sundramoorthy has been widely tipped for the post.

Safuwan's only concern is getting time off from his National Service (NS) commitments with the Singapore Police Force to travel with the team for their "away" matches.

Today understands this is being looked into by the relevant authorities.

Said the 1.81m tall centre-back: "It would be great if I could get time off to travel for away games, where there would be a hostile atmosphere. It would be a very good way to build our ability to cope with such situations elsewhere," said Safuwan.

Former Singapore midfield maestro Malek Awab, who played for Kuala Lumpur between 1987 and 1990 is confident the Singapore Lions can cut it in Malaysia.

"Looking at how they performed at the SEA Games, especially against Malaysia, I still believe they will be all right in the Malaysian competitions," said the 50-year-old.

"The atmosphere and feel will be different, but you've got to start somewhere. And with experienced heads like Shahril and Amri, I believe this team will be okay."

Former Lions captain Terry Pathmanathan, 55, who played for Pahang from 1981 to 1987, is cautiously optimistic about their chances.

"A lot has changed since my time, but I believe the desire of Malaysian teams to beat a Singapore team is still there," said Pathmanathan, who scored Pahang's winner in the 1983 Malaysia Cup final win over Selangor and was named best player the following year.

"It will be a very tricky experience for the Singapore Lions, especially for the away games. It won't be smooth, but they have the quality to compete and do well."