S-League clubs train sights on 2012 Despite uncertainties, champions Tampines have already signed four new foreign players

Source

SINGAPORE - When the announcement was made in July that a Singapore team would return to Malaysia's domestic football competitions, many here wondered whether it would sound the death knell of the S-League.

Speaking to Today on the sidelines of the S-League's annual awards night dinner on Tuesday, the president of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), Zainudin Nordin, insisted the country's only professional sports competition would continue to be the "top priority".

The FAS had identified 30 footballers to make up the Singapore Lions, the team that will do battle in the M-League, Malaysia Cup and FA Cup, the three trophies up for grabs across the Causeway.

While the final number in the squad has not been confirmed - some players have rejected signing up for the team - all the footballers come from the Courts Young Lions or the other local clubs in the S-League, except for Shahril Ishak, who plied his trade in Indonesia this year.

Despite losing some of their players and continuing uncertainty over the fixture list, a number of the local clubs in the S-League are already in full swing with their plans for next season.

Gombak United chairman John Yap believes there could be more interest in local football next year with the Singapore Lions' adventure in Malaysia.

"It will help generate more interest with two leagues running parallel to each other. I'm confident the FAS would have thought this through to make sure the S-League is not relegated (in priority)," he said yesterday.

Today sources say the 2012 Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League season could kick off on Feb 9 or 10, and Yap revealed the Bulls face a race against time to be ready.

"Time is short, which means we have to start preparations earlier than usual. But everyone else is also facing the same challenge," he said.

Tampines Rovers won the title for the third time after trouncing Balestier Khalsa 5-0 in their final game of the 2011 season on Sunday.

The Stags have been busy away from the pitch as well. According to Tampines chairman Teo Hock Seng, they have already signed four new players from Europe, although he refused to divulge their names.

"We still have to maintain the continuity and plan ahead for next season," said Teo.

The Stags are also planning a pre-season tour of Thailand in late January.

It is almost certain next season's S-League will grow from the current 12 to 14 teams.

Under the terms of the four-year agreement signed by the Football Association of Malaysia and the FAS in July, the Malaysian Under-23 team will play here while the Singapore Lions compete across the Causeway.

It is widely believed Brunei's DPMM, who featured in the S-League in 2009, will return next season.

Geylang United chairman Patrick Ang hopes all will be revealed soon.

"The FAS should provide details of how next season will be, but up to now, we still don't know details like how many teams there will be. These things affect the clubs' ability to plan for pre-season," he said.

"It's also important because a strong and well-run S-League will help produce a good national team."

SAFFC coach Richard Bok added: "Of course, even though we know the season starts early February, it would be good if the (entire) fixtures list could be out earlier. But we have already made plans for pre-season, and are looking at trips to maybe Vietnam, Malaysia or even Australia."

It is believed FAS officials will meet the respective club chairmen next week and unveil the plan for the 2012 season.