LionsXII ("Lions Twelve"), also known as Singapore LIONSXII, was a Singaporean football club founded in 2011 that played in the Malaysian Super League, the top tier of Malaysian football, from their inaugural season until their dissolution following the 2015 season. Their home ground was the 8,000-seater Jalan Besar Stadium, where they had played all their home matches since their establishment.
Managed by the Football Association of Singapore, the squad marked the return of Singapore to domestic football in Malaysia since the Singapore FA's representative team (nicknamed the "Lions") was dissolved following the Malaysia Cup in 1994. The name is a combination of Lions and XII, which is a special tribute to the fans, who are generally recognised as football's "12th Man". Its motto was "For Country, For Fans. For Passion.”
LionsXII's home kit was in royal red, using the colours of the national flag. Their away kit was in blue, designed to evoke memories of the jersey used in the 1980s and earlier. The club emblem, designed to resemble a lion's paw, showed a fierce and aggressive-looking lion between the white feathery lines.
LionsXII's first silverware was the 2013 Liga Super trophy, in only their second season in the competition; they had finished second in 2012. Their second silverware was the 2015 Malaysia FA Cup when they beat Kelantan 3–1 in the final after a stunning display at the Bukit Jalil Stadium.
History
In 2011, the Football Association of Singapore and the Football Association of Malaysia reached an agreement that would see greater co-operation between the two nations. One of the intended avenues would see the Under-23s play in the Liga Super and Piala Malaysia from 2012 onwards, the first time a Singaporean team would be participating in a Malaysian domestic football league since 1994, when Singapore won the M-League and Piala Malaysia double. Although the new Singapore team would have the existing Under-23s forming its core, senior players were also called upon to guide the younger players. No foreign players were allowed to be part of the Singapore team as this project served as being developmental.
2012 season
LionsXII debuted in the 2012 Liga Super on 10 January 2012 with a 1–2 home defeat to defending champions Kelantan FA. The LionsXII's first win was a 2–1 victory over Kuala Lumpur FA on 17 January. The LionsXII's first away win was a 1–0 victory over Sabah FA on 21 January. LionsXII began their 2012 Piala FA quest on 18 February, with a 3–0 win over UiTM FC. The LionsXII made their way to the quarter-final with a 2–0 win over Betaria FC on 10 March 2012. However, they were beaten by Terengganu FA in the quarter-finals. On 16 June 2012, they defeated Sabah FA 9–0 at home, the biggest win in the MSL season. LionsXII finished second in the league behind Kelantan FA, and bowed out of the semi-final of the 2012 Piala Malaysia after losing in a penalty shoot-out against ATM FA. On 29 December 2012, assistant coach Kadir Yahaya left his position at LionsXII. Soon, Gombak United FC chief Tatsuma Yoshida took over his post.
2013 season
LionsXII were set a target of finishing top five for the 2013 Liga Super. Five overage players were included in this year's squad to guide the younger players, namely Shahril Ishak, Isa Halim, Fazrul Nawaz, Irwan Shah and Baihakki Khaizan. Other key players such as Shahdan Sulaiman and Shaiful Esah no longer featured. The main aim was to develop the U–23 players and prepare them for the upcoming 2013 Southeast Asian Games that would be held at the end of the year.
LionsXII began their campaign by defeating ATM FA 1–0 away. Subsequently, they vanquished the nation's traditional rivals Selangor FA. However, LionsXII stumbled to three losses against lowly T-Team FC and PKNS FC away. One sent them crashing out of the 2013 Piala FA. In a turn of events, LionsXII went on a long unbeaten streak, securing important wins over Pahang FA (3–0), Kelantan FA (1–0), and ATM FA (3–1) at home.