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SHAH ALAM - The Grand Bluewave Hotel here hosted all 14 teams that will participate in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) next year, as well as the 12 sides from the second-tier Premier League. Various speakers touched on topics that ranged from foreign player management to match security.
But the MSL and Malaysian FA Cup draw just after noon was what Singapore side, the LionsXII, and the rest of the teams were interested in.
The FA Cup draw pitted the LionsXII - the Singapore side that will play in Malaysia's domestic football competitions for the first time since 1994 - against third-tier teams, but the MSL draw drew a blank.
Amid the confusion, officials from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said a few home stadiums - including Shah Alam Stadium, the Cheras Stadium and Johor's Larkin Stadium - would be under renovation till April 1 and would be unable to host matches.
They gave the assurance the MSL fixtures would be decided after a meeting later in the evening. But by press time, no decision was available.
At least there was some good news for V Sundramoorthy's side.
The LionsXII look to have an easy passage to the quarter-finals of the Malaysian FA Cup. They will face opponents from the Malaysia FAM League in the first two rounds.
The FA Cup will kick off on Feb 18 with Universiti Teknologi MARA FC (UiTM), a team that finished seventh in the 2011 FAM League, hosting Sundramoorthy and his men here.
A win will see the LionsXII face either Betaria FC, a team that won the 2011 FAM League, or Malacca FA in the second round.
Speaking to Today, Sundramoorthy said: "It may be a lower league team we are meeting, but we must raise our game and do our best simply because it's a knockout tournament and anything can happen.
"We have seen top teams being knocked out in the early rounds of the FA Cup in English football."
The LionsXII have been set a target of finishing in the top five in the MSL, and appearing in at least one cup final.
While Singaporeans would love to reach the Malaysia Cup final next year, the 2011 FA Cup Final could be easier.
"The first two games look favourable ... we should clear the first two hurdles and look at the next opponents, but as you go on further it will get harder," said Sundramoorthy.
"Hopefully, we can lift our game and hit our target of qualifying for one of the two cup finals."
The 46-year-old is well aware of the dangers that lie ahead, though.
The LionsXII could meet 2011 MSL runners-up Terengganu or Malaysian football's ATM FA, a club locals refer to as the Manchester City of Malaysia, in the last eight.
ATM, the army team, is led by former Malaysian coach B Sathianathan and play in the second-tier Malaysian Premier League. But they are targeting promotion in 2011 and have already signed the likes of Malaysian internationals Aidil Zafuan, Zaquan Adha, and former Kedah frontman Marlon James.
The LionsXII kicked off their pre-season training on Dec 7, a month before the start of the MSL, which is scheduled on Jan 10.
Said Sundramoorthy: "We only have about a month to prep the team. We are doing our best to get the best out of the players and make sure they are ready."
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