The Young Lions have been on the wrong end of many tough results in recent years, but the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season was one that witnessed creditable growth and improvement.
Despite finishing 8th in the league, the young side played some eye-catching football that helped them to memorable upsets such as the 3-0 win away at Brunei DPMM, as well as a 7-1 trouncing of Albirex Niigata (S) in the Singapore Cup.
Even after the departures of key players including Jun and Kan Kobayashi, the Young Lions have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about in the coming season.
This year will see the experienced Firdaus Kassim take the helm – the mastermind behind the Lion City Sailors squad that scored a league-high 83 goals as they romped to the SPL Under-21 League title last season.
The Young Lions are a unique developmental team created by the Football Association of Singapore to groom U23 national prospects. Unlike other SPL clubs, they are not eligible for continental competitions and do not prioritize winning titles. Instead, their mission is to provide match experience and prepare players for international duty. While they have not won any major domestic trophies, the Young Lions have played a crucial role in the careers of many national team players. Their squad typically features academy graduates and emerging talents, and they often face tough competition from more experienced sides. Nonetheless, their role in Singapore’s football ecosystem remains vital.
