Hi there,

FAS policy of limiting sales to foreigner is to ensure the home supporters get their fair share of tickets, and not to merely prevent foreigner buying them.

In the past national team matches, such as against China and Philippines, foreign nationals working in Singapore snapped up most of the tickets, depriving Singaporeans the chance to watch their team live in action.

With the number of Malaysians working and living here, I believe Singaporeans do not want to see a repeat of the above mentioned situation; Malaysians fan flooding Jalan Besar and turning it into an Away ground.

I don't see this implementation as "low", but rather a rightful corrective action to allow Singaporeans to watch and support what is essentially a Singaporean footballing project. And as far as I know, allocating tickets sale to home supporters first is the standard practice in most major leagues.

Rest well assured, Malaysians fans will not be denied the opportunity of supporting their teams in Singapore. Lions XII will allocate a reasonable number of tickets to be sold by the respective Malaysian FAs and FCs. And as Jalan Besar capacity is rather limited, there is not too many we can give out. Thus to prevent disappointment, do approach your team's admin office for early booking of tickets for Lions XII matches in Singapore.

See you around when the season kicks off!

Due to segregated seating plans, Away tickets allocation will be handled directly by the Away FAs once FAS pass them over. There is no way tickets can be bought via private arrangements unless contracted by the FA themselves. Please check with your respective FAs.

I stand by my point that Away ticket is indeed allocated, though severely limited due to JBS limited capacity, and Lions XII have no reason to totally stop ticket sales to Malaysian fans.

I'm sure the above mentioned fans are either enquiring at the wrong avenue or the tickets has been sold out. I would advise them to call the Kelantan FA directly to enquire on the availability of away tickets.

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Added on January 5, 2012, 11:26 pmAfter checking on FAS website, the Singaporean-only rule will only apply for pre-match sale.

Depending on ticket availability, Away fans (regardless of nationality) are entitled to purchase tickets on match day itself on top of their initial allocated share that was given to the FAs.

As I mentioned, this rule is in place to ensure the locals will get their rightful share of the tickets sold and not to solely prevent Away fans from supporting their team.

I know this is not a popular move but be reminded that JBS is a small stadium and the best we can do with at the moment.

This post has been edited by LionsXII: Jan 5 2012, 11:28 PM

Yes exactly. FAS will pass the AWAY tickets allocation to the respective FAs and AWAY fans can only get their tickets directly from them. This is mainly due to segregated seating in JBS.

That's why I advised the Kelantan fans to ask directly from their FA and not seek their own private arrangement since it is close to impossible to secure tickets unless you are willing to deal with the black market.

As far as I know, non-Singaporeans can purchase tickets on match-day after 5PM depending on ticket availability. We also do want our expats, neutral or not, to enjoy the games.

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Added on January 6, 2012, 5:31 pmFor your first point:
From the same website, FAS will liaise directly with the respective visiting teams and the fans of these visiting teams will purchase their tickets directly from their respective teams. Self-explanatory.

For your second point:
From the same website, only Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents will be entitled to purchase the pre-match tickets. The key phrase here is obviously "pre-match". Therefore, since this ruling does not make any mention of Matchday sales, I'm sure it is not applicable to Matchday sale and non-Singaporeans can purchase tickets then. Afterall, other than Malaysians, we also have neutral expats of other nationalities who might be keen to catch the game as well.

Do bear in mind that JBS capacity is limited. Since FAS have already allocated tickets to the AWAY team, it is only right that the rest are to be sold to Singaporeans. Whether you manage to secure a ticket from your FA, from the limited number of allocated ticket, is another matter.

This post has been edited by LionsXII: Jan 6 2012, 05:31 PM

FYI the official Sega FM forums are asking for more details on the latest MSL campaign.

To see real life changes reflected in the official FM patch, head down to the forum ASAP.

Kedah grandstand full house against the Lions!!

Not to be overconfident or what, but LIONSXII are looking to pick up their first win against KL. If they can't earn a victory on home ground, then LIONSXII is really in for a long season.

I am aware of KL backroom problems, and that have increased my expectation for the Lions in the next match. I think same goes for the rest of the supporters, we are looking forward to nothing less than 3-point.

The close proximity between pitch and fans has took its first victim.

Who is KL player no 29 and 13? We troll them and they took the bait. Fancy a pro footballer having a go at fans during the match itself? 29 looked very disturbed indeed.

The Lions definitely got lots of room for improvement. And yes I don't agree on Sundram tactics as well. For one I think K Nizam showed a lot of potential and should be played from the start.

But nonetheless this is a good showing from the young players. First half they showed some good movements. If only someone was there to put the finishing touches.

I was there. I have to say another positive point I can take away is the fans itself. There is at least 3 bands of fans cheering their lungs out.

How is the attendance at Likas thus far? Borneo fans used to scare the shit out of Singapore players. I hope the atmosphere can be replicated to give the LIONSXII players a well deserved jolt. After 3 games still lack of urgency and match fitness...

Poor management team; thats what you get when you put former military men and an overly eager policitian at helm. And people wonder why SLeague is dying.

FAS and SSC failed to do due diligence on the new Deputy CEO. He's a bankrupt and might be unlawfully hired. Throwing even more problems to the trouble at hand.

But in a way this major screw up is longtime coming. No fixture to show for, late participant confirmation, incompetent management, foreign team sagas... They happened every year but this year screw up is a big one.

Malaysia's Tigers take over Yishun

Guys, Harimau Muda will play away in Yishun, which is not too far from JB. Any fans who are keen to support them, I suggest you guys take advantage of the foreign cars' 10-day annual VEP-free pass. You can drive your own car without paying the $20 entry permit for up to 10 days per year. Drive in from Causeway and Yishun stadium is less than 30 mins away if no jam. You can utilize a free iPhone app called "Waze", it's a free turn-by-turn GPS guide.

Red cards - another trademark of Sundram's team.

You are right. Likas has been known to be a very hostile ground, and with all the fatigue and injuries, we are playing for a draw. And what a physical battle it was, so many off-the-ball incidents that were ready to spark a melee.

As an observer, I am worried about the team's disciplinary records. This is our second red card in as many matches. And I count at least 5 yellows so far in the campaign, and this is only our fourth game. Sundram's teams have always been known for their red cards, and I hope to see them improve in this aspect.

As a fan, I got to say LIONSXII game play is getting very predictable. They will attack in the early stages, hope to score a goal, then defend for the rest of the game once they are leading. And then in the second half, they will simply play casually due to poor fitness and lack of stamina. Now tell me, if you are an opposing coach, when will you launch your attacks? Exactly.

But I understand we are currently playing without a natural striker, yes they may be playing ugly, but 3 points are what matters at the end of the day. Just ask Selangor.

For the benefits of Harimau Muda fans, I have updated a new section on LIONSXII thread on how to get to Yishun stadium. Do spend some time reading them, feel free to ask me any questions.

Interesting, it is cheaper to travel by car than take public transport.

By car, 20 mins travel: Not including Malaysian petrol
Toll - S$1
Carpark rates - S$4
S-League adult ticket - S$5
Total: S$10 or RM24

By public transport, 1-hour travel: Fares estimated
Woodlands checkpoint to Stadium - S$3.80
Stadium to Woodlands checkpoint - S$3.80
S-League adult ticket - S$5
Total: S$12.60 or RM30.24

Now imagine the costs if you carpool with even more friends.

It's wasn't a black out, just faulty floodlights. Embarrassing nonetheless.

Anyway, today game was down right disappointing. Not to mention I was absolutely disgusted with the players' effort, esp in the second half. I don't know why these players are paid as professionals when they don't even have basic ball control and lack the will to win.

Let's just say it was a very very frustrating night as a fan. I am a realist, I don't expect the Lions to win every game, but is it too much for me to ask the players to at least run till they drop? You are paid thousands, if you can't kick, at least chase the ball!

I think LionsXII are fast developing a reputation as a First Half team, on top of Route One practitioners. If you are a MSL team head coach, it is not too hard to think of a good tactic to overcome the lions, don't you think? Sundram is known to be stubborn, I don't think he will change his game play any time soon, even when it is so obvious there are so negatives with the current tactics. (Even the old Chinese Aunty in front of me can tell...)

To the Lions, all I wanna say: Where's the passion, lads?

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Added on January 29, 2012, 12:09 amArtificial pitch not going to be of any advantage for the Lions if they can't score on their own ground.

I agree with you that Shahril Ishak is the team's best player, just that he wasn't played in his natural position. Fans are frustrated with him for going missing in the final third, but people got to remember, he's a midfielder by trade and not a striker. It is part of his instinct to drop deep to collect the ball if there is no support.

I would tweak the midfield shape a little, and still play both Shahril and Shahdan in the center. Their midfield partnership was the sex at Home Utd. But back then, then had hardworking imports to cover their back. And that's what they need at LIONSXII as well. Shahril is all skills while Shahdan is all vision, certainly complimentary to each other's attributes.

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Added on January 29, 2012, 12:19 amIf you think Agu is bad, you should watch how No. 9 Taufiq played. I have never seen a LIONSXII player slammed by home fans, till today. Simply atrocious, neither in attack or defence. Not only did he lose possession, he also sent the ball out of play on numerous occasions. What a fantasic player, and I wonder how in the world he is a professional footballer. Even if he earns the lowest possible wage of SGD1500, he is nowhere near justifying that figure.

Don't get me started on Sundram. I hope he don't use "it is still early days" reasoning to defend himself tomorrow. We are already one fifth into the season and the team is still not gelling well. The coach lives and dies by his tactics and his players, which in Sundram's case, both are very questionable.

This post has been edited by LionsXII: Jan 29 2012, 12:19 AM

But you have to remember, LIONSXII players are snapped from the Young Lions, which means all of them are earmarked as future National Team players. Can you imagine if they still keep their current game play in the future and play a defensive 9-0-1 formation even at home? It's true great teams are built from the back, but great teams have good offense as well.

Speaking of offense, some of the forwards' attitude were downright appalling and disgusting. Not only they lack the will to win, they are only lazy to chase the balls. Can you imagine Safuwan running forward in the dying minutes and got into an attacking position while the likes of Taufiq was nowhere to be seen? It is acceptable to lose, but it is never ok to give up.

If going forward, this is the attitude of the players, a lot of fans are staying away. And telling from the response of many around me yesterday, the effect of this defeat might just be felt in the next home match if they don't show improvement against Selangor.

Standard pattern in the past 5 games, don't need a criminal profile expert to see through this one. Some fans are already calling them First Half Team, after break all go missing.

Maybe this is a young team, so the players might be overly eager and lack the experience to pace their game. If that is the case, make sure someone is there to put away all the chances created la. Else what is the use of attacking all out so early in the game and get pancit later on?

I noticed the players are really bad at off-the-ball movement, thus resulting in all the unnecessary running that wear them down. This could be another reason why they all go kapoot in the second half.

We have 10 days before the Big Game. Hope Sundram and the boys wake up their ideas and give the fans their money's worth.

Great to see LIONSXII climbing up the table!

The team is gelling and things are dropping into the right places now for the team. I just wish the likes of drunkard Firdaus Kasman, hopeless Taufiq Rahmat, party-pooper Agu Casmir and clueless Yasir Hanapi to either buck up or GTFO. Hope to see some new talent in the next transfer window instead.

Hi guys, I just came back from the Lions' match. I have to say this is the most heated match since Singapore's return to Malaysian football, post-match atmosphere was way intense than anything so far.

Not sure if this will be reported anywhere, but I think it is worth sharing; After the match ended, 2 T'ganu players taunted the Singapore fans. It was Francis Doe and one other player, No 25 if I remember correctly. They were doing this monkey gesture for whatever reason. Francis Doe was going way overboard with his provocative actions, including one ala-CR7 "You want my shirt" gesture to the locals.

This riled the local fans to no end and irritate us further, and we are already pissed off with the bias refereeing standards on show. I mean numerous fouls in the penalty box during the dying minutes were ignored, including a blatant tackle in the last minute itself. But that's not the point.

What transpired next was certainly unsavoury. I couldn't tell what exactly happened but the drama just unfold right before me. As the Singapore fans were walking down the stairs, the security staff manhandled one of the local guys violently for no apparent reason. Situation got heated and the people around me was asking the security staff to release him. Basically alot of shouting and aggressive actions. I myself was getting agitated by what I have seen, lucky for me someone beside me just pulled me away to calm me down. The aggressive actions were uncalled for and ignite the spark to fuel the anger within us.

As though things aren't bad enough, the T'ganu fans who were still sitting in the stands decide to partake in the ugly events by raining missiles on the crowd on the ground. There were like hundreds of local fans there making their way home, and the senseless throwing made everyone lose their heads! To say there were alot of shouting were simply an understatement, the hostility in the air was like nothing I have seen. Imagine hundreds of people now decided to wait by the gates along the streets for the exit of the away fans, and everyone is singing along to abusive chants and jamming the roads.

Perhaps for MSL fans who are used to having FRU in the stadium, aggressive policing is a norm. But we Singaporeans are not used to having such stuff in our backyard, and in fact we have never seen anything like it before. So imagine to the horrors of the hundreds of fans who were waiting in the streets when the Police decide to despatch the SOC (FRU-equivalent) to confront the fans. Not only were they rude, they were unnecessarily aggressive as well. As though the mood in the air in not unpleasant enough, the Men In Blue decide to make it worst. You want to calm the crowd down, yet you sent people staring at us with those cold eyes, where's the common sense?

The final tipping point came when one of the top dog decide to threaten us with illegal assembly, which is an arrestable offence, from which all of us make our way home feeling so bloody pissed. Seriously, do the local fans deserve such heavy-handed treatment from the Security? I certainly think on hindsight, with alot of common sense, the hostility could be defused early on with a little bit of courtesy.