SINGAPORE — They are Singapore football’s development pipeline for the SEA Games and national teams, formed in 2003 to compete in the S.League in the hopes of grooming young talents for the future.

But the Garena Young Lions, a club side run by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), have barely made an impact in the domestic league, as evidenced by their performances in the 2016 and 2015 campaigns, where they were bottom of the nine-team table and second-last respectively.

With the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games to kick off in five months’ time, the Young Lions’ dismal results have raised questions on how the team’s participation in the league will help in achieving the Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) medal target for the biennial Games.

With just two games into the 2017 S.League season, they are currently propping up the table after conceding 11 goals so far, losing 1-6 to Home United before getting blanked 0-5 by reigning champions Albirex Niigata.

Factoring in last season’s results, the developmental side have lost 10 consecutive matches and won just once in their last 26 games.

NOWHERE TO GO

Industry experts and observers whom TODAY spoke to said that there are no easy solutions to the Young Lions’ woes. For now, the best option would be for V Selvaraj’s team of Under-22 players to continue playing in the S.League to gain match experience.

Former Singapore striker Aleksandar Duric pointed out that these players would likely struggle to make the first team at the six local clubs if the Young Lions were to be disbanded.

He added that extended training stints overseas would not be possible owing to the players’ study and National Service commitments.

“They should be in some young (age-group and ability-appropriate) league, but we don’t have that as we are a small country,” said the 46-year-old, who is the principal of the ActiveSG Football Academy.

Duric acknowledged that the results have not been “pretty”, but added that Singapore do not possess a wide youth talent pool and that the Republic needs to work with what it has.

Hougang United head coach Philippe Aw agreed with Duric, as he added: “In the current system, (there is) really no choice. If these boys go to other clubs, they won’t get to play in the first 11, and if you want to prepare for a SEA Games and your (core) players are all in the Prime League, you are in trouble.”

Aw believes there must be a viable avenue if the Young Lions project is to be scrapped, noting that having more local clubs will naturally provide more opportunities for our youth footballers in the S.League.

“Maybe we can get the other (defunct) local clubs back in — Woodlands Wellington, Gombak United, Tanjong Pagar United,” said the 39-year-old.

“If you disband and the spaces are limited, all these U22 players who have a future ... if they are not given the opportunities, then that’s it. They stop and then finish (their careers).”

SENIORS CAN HELP

Home United head coach Aidil Sharin believes that mentorship with senior and former players will give the younger ones a boost.

The former Singapore international singled out defender Amirul Adli — who was capped two years ago for Singapore — as a player who has not fulfilled his potential as a result of staying put at the Young Lions.

He suggested introducing a rule that each club has to field a certain number of young players.

At Home, the likes of Irfan Fandi, Amiruldin Asraf and Adam Swandi — all SEA Games-eligible — are given regular game time. Aidil added: “That’s why we told them not to go to the Young Lions, because we want them to play and develop (here).”

Aw does likewise at Hougang, where Lionel Tan and Amir Zalani are first-team squad members, while a handful of Prime League players have been given their chances.

STAY POSITIVE

Former Tampines Rovers head coach and Singapore midfielder Rafi Ali noted that the Young Lions should not be afraid to play an attacking game.

“I don’t mind if they get whacked 10-0, but they must try to attack and play properly instead of just focusing on defending,” the Republic Polytechnic coach said. “As it is, they’re defending and still losing 4-0, 5-0.

“During the SEA Games, they will have to attack and create chances. However, because they’re used to playing defensively, when they have to attack, it becomes unfamiliar territory … and they start lacking imagination and creativity up front.”

However, Aw called for fans to keep their faith with the team. “You cannot expect miracles,” he said.

“After two defeats, people are saying let’s disband them, that shouldn’t be the case.”

Duric said the players have to make the best out of their situation.

“I feel for them, really, because they are young, but sports is like that,” he added.

“To be honest, they are lucky to play in a league like this, I didn’t have this chance when I was younger.

“What they need to do is to really give all they have in every game and learn as fast as possible ... we need to encourage them and give them the best support we can.”

The FAS did not respond to RTODAY's queries about the Young Lions' participation in the S.League.