Young Lions FC

Association football club from Singapore

This article is about of the developmental Singapore Premier League club. For the national age-group team, see Singapore national under-23 football team.

Football club

Young Lions

Full name| Young Lions Football Club
Nickname(s)| Young Lions
Short name| YGL
Founded| 2002; 22 years ago (2002)
Ground| Jalan Besar Stadium
Capacity| 10,000
Owner| Football Association of Singapore
Chairman| Farehan Hussein
Head coach| Nazri Nasir
League| Singapore Premier League
2023| Singapore Premier League, 9th of 9

Home colours

Away colours

|

Current season

Young Lions Football Club, commonly known as Young Lions, is a Singaporean developmental football club that based in Kallang, Singapore, which competes in the Singapore Premier League. The team is under the direct control of the Football Association of Singapore. Young Lions are one of the few football clubs in the world which place an age restriction on team members while playing in a top-flight professional league.

Young Lions plays their league matches at the Jalan Besar Stadium. Their best league finish was third, which they achieved in 2004 and 2006.

## History

[edit]

### Goal

[edit]

By entering the Young Lions into the S.League, the FAS hopes to expose young players to top-level competition, thus helping to prepare them for international tournaments such as the Southeast Asian Games. While the bulk of the Young Lions squad is made up of members of Singapore's national under-23 team, the club also takes in promising young foreign players (e.g. Luka Savić). However, foreign players are normally only recruited into the Young Lions squad if they could potentially change their nationality to Singaporean and be eligible to play international football for Singapore at some point in the future.

In 2023, Young Lions signed both Japanese duo Jun Kobayashi and Kan Kobayashi from Albirex Niigata (S) who became the foreign players playing for the club for the first time since signing France national, Benjamin Bertrand from Ligue 2 club, Tours in 2016. In preparation for the upcoming 2024–25 Singapore Premier League season, Young Lions signed an additional two more Japanese players, Kaisei Ogawa and Itsuki Enomoto and also signing Australian national Rashid Hayek from Western United making it the first time the club has five foreigners registered in the squad.

### Malaysian domestic competition

[edit]

In 2011, the Football Association of Singapore and the Football Association of Malaysia reached an agreement that would see greater cooperation between the two nations. One of the intended avenues will see Young Lions play in the Malaysian Super League and Malaysia Cup from 2012 onwards, the first time a Singaporean team has participated in Malaysian domestic football since Singapore won the 1994 M-League and Malaysia Cup double. Although the new Singapore team will have the existing Young Lions set up at its core, the squad will be permitted up to five local players over the age of 14–16 players, as well as a number of overseas players in accordance with the quota set out by the rules of the Malaysian competitions the team will play in.[1]

Ultimately though, a new team was created for the Malaysia league: the LionsXII, while Young Lions remained in the S.League.

### National Football Academy

[edit]

Most of the Young Lions players come from the NFA (National Football Academy) and new players (from the NFA) will be promoted to the Young Lions squad every season.

The National Football Academy enters both the Singapore NFA U-17 and Singapore NFA U-18 teams into the Prime League to allow their players to gain more exposure and match experience by playing against older and more established players.[2]

## Stadium

[edit]

Pitchside view of the Jalan Besar Stadium, November 2008

Main article: Jalan Besar Stadium

Young Lions had played at the Jalan Besar Stadium since their inception of participating in the S.League. The stadium can holds up a seating capacity of 6,000. In 2012, As part of the LionsXII's sponsorship by Kingsmen, a local fan club, the King George's Stand was built using a removable stand, increasing the stadium's capacity to 8,000.

On 30 October 2012, an LED scoreboard was implemented at the Gallery stand to provide better quality video to the spectators, allowing replay video highlights of the action on the field during matchdays. Two new screens were also placed at the two ends of the Grandstand, North and South, to enable better match experience for the Gallery fans.

## Sponsorship and naming history

[edit]

Year | Sponsors  | Club name | References

|
|
|

2011–2015  |  Courts | Courts Young Lions  | [3]
2016–2017  |  Garena | Garena Young Lions  | [4]

## Players

[edit]

As of 30 May 2024[5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  SGP | Aizil Yazid
2  | DF |  SGP | Raoul Suhaimi
3  | DF |  SGP | Aqil Yazid
4  | DF |  SGP | Ikram Mikhail
5  | DF |  JPN | Jun Kobayashi
6  | DF |  SGP | Syafi'i Hilman
7  | MF |  JPN | Kan Kobayashi
8  | MF |  JPN | Kaisei Ogawa
9  | FW |  JPN | Itsuki Enomoto
10  | MF |  SGP | Amir Syafiz
11  | MF |  SGP | Farhan Zulkifli (captain)
12  | FW |  SGP | Danish Haziq
13  | GK |  SGP | Rauf Erwan
14  | DF |  SGP | Wong Ngang Haang
15  | DF |  SGP | Kieran Teo (vice-captain)
16  | MF |  SGP | Fathullah Rahmat
18  | FW |  SGP | Samuel Pillai
19  | DF |  SGP | Andrew Aw
20  | MF |  SGP | Fairuz Fazli
21  | FW |  SGP | Danish Haqimi
22  | DF |  SGP | Febryan Pradana
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

23  | GK |  SGP | Travis Ang
24  | FW |  SGP | Danish Qayyum
25  | MF |  SGP | Izz Anaqi
26  | DF |  SGP | Nur Adam Abdullah
27  | MF |  SGP | Sahoo Garv
29  | FW |  SGP | Lim Zheng Wu
31  | DF |  SGP | Ryaan Sanizal
32  | GK |  SGP | Umayr Sujuandy
33  | MF |  SGP | Ethan Pinto
37  | DF |  AUS | Rashid Hayek
40  | DF |  SGP | Haziq Riduan
41  | DF |  SGP | Akash Rai
42  | FW |  SGP | Khairin Nadim
45  | MF |  SGP | Nyqil Iyyan
55  | MF |  SGP | Jonan Tan
-- | MF |  SGP | Rasul Ramli
-- | MF |  SGP | Iman Hakim
-- | MF |  SGP | Syady Sufwan
-- | GK |  SGP | Firman Nabil
-- | MF |  SGP | Ryu Hardy

### Players on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

## Staff

[edit]

Position | Name

|

Team Manager |  Sakthi Vel Ganesan
Head coach |  Nazri Nasir
Assistant coach |  Fadzuhasny Juraimi
Kosei Nakamura
Afiq Yahya
Goalkeeper coach |  Ahmadulhaq Che Omar
Fitness coach |  Donald Wan
Physiotherapist |  Alex Poon
Sports Trainer |  Ryan Wang
Jasmori Rasip
Equipment Officer |  Omar Mohamed

Source:[6]

## Performance in domestic competitions

[edit]

Season  | League  | Pos.  | Pld  | W  | D  | L  | GS  | GA  | Pts  | Singapore Cup  | League Cup

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2003 | S.League  | 12th  | 33 | 6 | 1–5 | 21 | 33 | 77 | 25  | Quarter-finals  |
2004 | 3rd  | 27 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 74 | 52 | 47  | Quarter-finals
2005 | 6th  | 27 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 44 | 37 | 42  | Quarter-finals
2006 | 3rd  | 30 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 67 | 43 | 52  | Quarter-finals
2007 | 5th  | 33 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 45 | 54 | 47  | Preliminary  | Withdrew
2008 | 9th  | 33 | 7 | 10 | 16 | 30 | 46 | 31  | Semi-finals | Semi-finals
2009 | 8th  | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 33 | 48 | 34  | Preliminary | Group stage
2010 | 9th  | 33 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 37 | 45 | 34  | Semi-finals | Preliminary
2011 | 9th  | 33 | 7 | 6 | 20 | 33 | 54 | 27  | Withdrew | Withdrew
2012 | 10th  | 24 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 25 | 37 | 23  | Withdrew | Group stage
2013 | 12th  | 27 | 5 | 3 | 19 | 20 | 52 | 18  | Preliminary | Group stage
2014 | 10th  | 27 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 38 | 54 | 26  | Did not participate | Did not participate
2015 | 9th  | 27 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 30 | 43 | 27  | Did not participate | Did not participate
2016 | 9th  | 24 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 23 | 70 | 9  | Preliminary | Did not participate
2017 | 9th  | 24 | 1 | 3 | 20 | 10 | 62 | 6  | Did not participate | Did not participate
2018 | Singapore Premier League | 7th  | 24 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 25 | 46 | 21  | Did not participate |
2019 | 8th  | 24 | 6 | 4 | 14 | 21 | 38 | 22  | Did not participate
2020 | 7th  | 14 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 12 | 38 | 9  | Not Held
2021 | 7th  | 21 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 26 | 50 | 16  | Not Held
2022 | 8th  | 28  | 2  | 2  | 24  | 34  | 103  | 8  | Group Stage
2023 |  | 9th  | 24  | 1  | 2  | 21  | 24  | 76  | 5  | Group Stage

* 2003 saw the introduction of penalty shoot-outs if a match ended in a draw in regular time. Winners of penalty shoot-outs gained two points instead of one.

## Notable foreign players

[edit]

### Asia

[edit]

* Craig Foster (1991)
* Li Jisheng (2006)
* Che Hao (2006)
* Guan Hongyu (2006)
* Yan Minghao (2006)
* Yang Mu (2009)
* Kim Seong-kyu (2010)
* Seo Su-jong (2010)
* Jun Kobayashi (2023)
* Kan Kobayashi (2023)

### Europe

[edit]

* Sirina Camara (2012)
* Jonathan Toto (2012–2013)
* Benjamin Bertrand (2016)
* Vladan Seric (2004)
* Luka Savić (2010)
* Daniel Hammond (2008)
* Benjamin Lee (2013)
* Armin Maier (2017)

### Africa

[edit]

* Moudourou Moise (2006–2008)
* Kazeem Babatunde (2003–2004)
* Greg Nwokolo (2005)
* Obadin Aikhena (2008–2009)

### North America

[edit]

* Jordan Webb (2014–2016)
* Sherif El-Masri (2012–2015)

## Records and statistics

[edit]

As of 8 July 2024.

### Top 10 all-time appearances

[edit]

Rank  | Player  | Years  | Club appearances

|
|
|

1  |  Afiq Yunos | 2008–2013  | 114
2  |  Syahrul Sazali | 2016–2019

2021–2022

| 101
Shahril Ishak | 2003–2006
3  |  Syazwan Buhari | 2010–2015  | 87
Amirul Adli | 2011–2017
Hariss Harun | 2007–2011
Sherif El-Masri | 2012–2015
7  |  Faritz Abdul Hameed | 2009–2012  | 83
8  |  Hami Syahin | 2015–2018

2020–2021

| 82
9  |  Khairul Amri | 2004–2008,

2016

| 79

### Top 10 all-time scorers

[edit]

Rank  | Player  | Club appearances  | Total goals

|
|
|

1  |  Khairul Amri | 79  | 49
2  |  Agu Casmir | 34  | 31
3  |  Shahril Ishak | 101  | 20
4  |  Sherif El-Masri | 87  | 18
Qiu Li | 27
6  |  Khairul Nizam | 57  | 15
7  |  Jordan Webb | 39  | 14
Shi Jiayi | 66
9  |  Ilhan Fandi | 33  | 13
10  |  Sahil Suhaimi | 38  | 12

* Biggest Wins: 7–1 vs Sinchi FC (23 September 2004)
* Heaviest Defeats: 1–10 vs Lion City Sailors (13 August 2022)
* Youngest Goal scorers: Khairin Nadim ~ 16 years 6 months 9 days old (On 17 November 2020 vs Tampines Rovers)
* Oldest Goal scorers: Khairul Amri ~ 31 years 06 months 11 days old (On 1 April 2023 vs Geylang International)
* Youngest ever debutant: Raoul Suhaimi ~ 15 years 7 months 27 days old (On 15 May 2021 vs Albirex Niigata Singapore)

Last win against others Singapore Premier League club  Club  | Score  | Year  | Match type

|
|
|

Albirex Niigata (S) | 3–2  | 16 June 2024  | 2024–25 Singapore Premier League
Balestier Khalsa | 4–2  | 14 August 2021  | 2021 Singapore Premier League
DPMM | 3–1  | 27 July 2024  | 2024–25 Singapore Premier League
Geylang International | 4–2  | 26 November 2023  | 2023 Singapore Cup
Hougang United | 2–1  | 18 March 2023  | 2023 Singapore Premier League
Lion City Sailors (As Home United)  | 0–3  | 18 September 2019  | 2019 Singapore Premier League
Tanjong Pagar United | 3–2  | 22 June 2024  | 2024–25 Singapore Premier League
Tampines Rovers | 2–1  | 1 August 2018  | 2018 Singapore Premier League
Warriors | 0–1  | 8 April 2018  | 2018 Singapore Premier League

## Match brawl

[edit]

On 7 September 2010, The S.League fixture between both Young Lions and Beijing Guoan Talent was abandoned in the 89th minute when a massive brawl erupted into violence. The referee and his assistants lost control. Its all started in the final 10 minutes of the game when the first fight broke out in the 84th minute. The match then continued with Afiq Yunos equalising for the Young Lions in the 88th minute. However, a tackle by Beijing's Yu Tianzhu on Young Lions, Nazrul Nazari in the middle of the field saw the match degenerate into a brawl involving both teams, including bench players. As seen in the YouTube video, several Beijing players went in with flying kicks on Gabriel Quak which he suffered an arm injury while Faritz Hameed was seen receiving a blow to the head as he was on the ground. Both Young Lions players were evacuated to the hospital. Beijing's goalkeeper, Su Boyang was also seen attempting to punch Khairul Nizam. Young Lions head coach, Eugene Loo stepped in to help cool down the tension but was in turn kicked in the back as well and fell over. To make matter worst, several fans were also spotted jumping into the field to fight. Even a medical personnel lost his cool and had to be held back. He was seen escorted away from the pitch while challenging the Beijing players to a fight.

Both clubs have been docked five points and fined $5,000 each. The FAS Disciplinary Committee has also concluded that the match will not be replayed and the result will stand.10 players from Beijing and 6 players from Young Lions have been charged for gross misconduct which brought the game into disrepute. Both teams have sinced apologised for the fight.

## Same outcome

[edit]

* Azkals Development Team (Philippines Football League)
* Gimcheon Sangmu (K League 2)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Singapore Lions to participate in 2012 Malaysia Cup – Asia One, 12/07/11
2. ^ "Prime League Table". S.League Official Website. 11 July 2012. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
3. ^ "Soccer-Singapore's Young Lions get name change, S$1 million". Reuters. 2011-01-27. Archived from the original on 2023-04-16. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
4. ^ "Young Lions snare S$4m sponsorship deal - biggest in S.League history". TODAY. Archived from the original on 2023-04-16. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
5. ^ "SPL 2023 Transfer Centre Club Guide: Young Lions". Singapore Premier League. 28 January 2023. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
6. ^ "Club Profile – Garena Young Lions". S-League. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2016.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* S.League website page on Young Lions

* v
* t
* e

Young Lions FC

Club|

* Players
* History
* All articles

Stadium|

* Jalan Besar Stadium

Current squad|

| Players|

* 1 Nurshafiq
* 4 Danish Irfan
* 5 Shahrin (c)
* 7 Ryan
* 8 Yeo
* 9 Taufik
* 10 Zulqarnaen
* 11 Rasaq Akeem
* 12 Syahrul
* 13 Armin
* 14 Hami
* 15 Faizal
* 16 Stewart
* 17 Ilhan Fandi
* 18 Zharfan
* 19 Hafiz
* 20 Muhaimin
* 21 Chan
* 22 Haiqal
* 23 Amirul
* 24 Crichton
* 25 Rusyaidi
* 26 Lee
* 27 Taufiq
* 28 Muhelmy
* 29 Ehvin
* 30 Adib
* 31 Mahler

|

Coaches|

* Coach: Tardy

Seasons|

* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024-5

* v
* t
* e

Singapore Premier League (SPL)

S.League seasons|

* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017

Singapore Premier
League seasons|

* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024–25

2024–25 clubs
(manager, season)|

* Albirex Niigata
* Yoshinaga
* season
* Balestier Khalsa
* de Roo
* season
* Brunei DPMM FC
* McAllister
* season
* Geylang International
* Noor Ali
* season
* Hougang United
* Kraljević
* season
* Lion City Sailors
* Ranković
* season
* BG Tampines Rovers
* G. Lee
* season
* Tanjong Pagar United
* Hasrin
* season
* Young Lions
* Nasir
* season

former
clubs|

* Beijing Guoan
* Dalian Shide Siwu
* Étoile
* Gombak United
* Harimau Muda A
* Harimau Muda B
* Jurong
* Liaoning Guangyuan
* Sembawang Rangers
* Sinchi
* Sporting Afrique
* Super Reds
* Warriors
* Woodlands Wellington

Authority control databases |

* VIAF

|

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template