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SINGAPORE - It was a move aimed at capturing the imagination of the Singapore football fan and reigniting passions that have remained dormant for 17 years.
But just over two months away from the much-hyped return of a Singapore side to Malaysian domestic football competitions since 1994, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) are having trouble attracting some of the nation's best to play in the team next year.
Tampines Rovers goalkeeper Hassan Sunny, the Singapore No 1 before a torn anterior cruciate ligament in May ended his season, is the first to reject the offer to play for the Singapore Lions.
Gombak United defender Ismail Yunos, also an international, has also decided to stay with his club in the S-League.
Speaking to Today, Hassan, who is three weeks into Temasek Polytechnic's diploma in Mechatronics course, said: "I'm 27 and have to start planning for life after football.
"I have no regrets about staying with Tampines Rovers, considering how educational qualifications are so important here."
Ismail, 25, has decided to stay with Gombak out of gratitude.
"The Singapore Lions' offer is better than Gombak's, but Gombak backed me when I was injured last year and without a club," he said.
"I'm staying here to repay the club for what they have done for me."
On Oct 18, Today first reported the uncertainty among players here over contractual issues with the Singapore Lions.
Courts Young Lions defender Safuwan Baharudin, 20, who burst on the scene during the Lions' current World Cup qualifying campaign, is still in the midst of his National Service, and is mulling the offer from the FAS.
"There are frequent away games that will require us to be out of the country for three-day periods, and there will definitely be problems getting us NS boys released," he said.
"I just don't know how can I join the Singapore Lions with my schedule."
Today understands that the decision to form a 30-man roster for the Singapore Lions is because younger players will face problems travelling to away games due to NS and school commitments.
Some of the players may only feature in the Singapore Lions' home games.
Out of the 30, 15 of the players from the Singapore Lions will come from the national under-23 side. Up to 20 players in the Singapore under-23 side, including skipper Hariss Harun, need permission to play games in Malaysia.
The good news for the Singapore Lions team is that forward Khairul Amri has agreed to sign.
The skilful striker, who played in Indonesia this year, is currently convalescing from a torn ACL. Fellow internationals Juma'at Jantan and Isa Halim, from Home United, have also agreed to join the team, along with SAFFC's Shaiful Esah and Woodlands Wellington defender Madhu Mohana.
Said Shaiful: "The reason I'm a footballer is because of my heroes who played in the Malaysia Cup ... now I can feel what they felt in those days.
"The FAS took care of me when I was injured, and considering the offer is a good one with a big wage increment and attractive bonuses, it wasn't a hard decision.
"It would be great to be part of a team that can bring back the glory days of the Malaysia Cup."
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