Young Lions
- Leagues Played
- Singapore Premier League 242 Singapore Cup 12 Club Friendly List 1
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- Wikipedia
Results
[8] Young Lions v
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[4] Stats
| Total | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches played | 29 | 14 | 15 |
| Wins | 7 | 2 | 5 |
| Draws | 8 | 3 | 5 |
| Losses | 14 | 9 | 5 |
| Goals for | 47 | 21 | 26 |
| Goals against | 75 | 48 | 27 |
| Clean sheets | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Failed to score | 9 | 6 | 3 |
Wikipedia - Young Lions FC
Young Lions Football Club, commonly known as Young Lions, is a developmental football club based in Kallang, Singapore, which competes in the Singapore Premier League. The team is under the control of the Football Association of Singapore.
Young Lions are one of the few football clubs in the world made up of young Singaporean footballers serving their compulsory two-year national service, which places an age restriction on team members while playing in a top-flight professional league. Players are on loan from several local Singapore Premier League clubs, and would spend two years with the side before returning.
Young Lions play their home matches at the Jalan Besar Stadium. Their best league finish was third, which they achieved in 2004 and 2006.
History
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 the Japanese duo Jun Kobayashi and Kan Kobayashi from Albirex Niigata (S), the first foreign players since the French Benjamin Bertrand from Tours in 2016. In preparation for the 2024–25 Singapore Premier League season, Young Lions signed additional two Japanese players, Kaisei Ogawa and Itsuki Enomoto, and the Australian Rashid Hayek from Western United, making it the first time the club has five foreigners in the squad. On 28 March 2025, Young Lions recorded their highest ever win during the 2024–25 Singapore Cup fixture against Albirex. Zikos Chua, and later Kaisei Ogawa, became the first players in the club history to score four goals in one match.
Malaysian domestic competition
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 would see Young Lions play in the Malaysian Super League and Malaysia Cup from 2012. 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. Ultimately, a new team was created, the LionsXII, while the Young Lions remained in the S.League.
National Football Academy
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.
With a focus on developing skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship, the Young Lions provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their abilities on a larger stage. The team is known for its dynamic playing style, characterized by quick passing, tactical awareness, and a strong emphasis on attacking football.
Coached by experienced professionals, the Young Lions aim to instill a winning mentality while fostering a love for the game. The team's commitment to excellence is reflected in their participation in the Singapore Premier League and various youth tournaments, where they compete against both local and international teams.
The Young Lions not only strive for success on the field but also emphasize the importance of education and personal development off the pitch. By balancing academics and athletics, they prepare their players for future careers in soccer and beyond.
With a passionate fan base and a strong community presence, the Young Lions are more than just a soccer team; they are a symbol of hope and ambition for the future of Singaporean football.