LionsXII — that’s the official name of the team that will play in the Malaysian competitions next year.
Question is — will the name stick?
‘Lions’ has been the traditional nickname of the Singapore national team but the official name of our teams has always been ‘Singapore’. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing fancy schmancy.
And while advertising creatives can have visions of millions uttering their created brand names, what are people on the street going to actually say out loud?
Lions – X – I – I? Lions times two? Lions 12? (XII are roman numerals for 12. The number 12 represents the ’12th man’, the fan.)
Time will tell of course whether people adopt the name but nicknames are usually given to you. You don’t give yourself one. Telling someone your team is called ‘LionsXII’ — however you want to pronounce it — is going to be a bit rich for some.
Or will some simply ignore it altogether and stick to S-I-N-G-A-P-O-R-E?
We’ve had this name for almost 200 years since 1819 but looks like even that is getting upgraded for the 21st century.
But never mind the name. Win, and you can call yourself anything and everyone will repeat after you.
Lose, and Singaporean football fans will help think up even more creative names to call you.
And they probably won’t be using Latin.
LIONSXII Squad List
Goalkeepers: Izwan Mahbud, Hyrulnizam Jumaat, Al-Faiz Ishak
Defenders: Safuwan Baharudin, Juma’at Jantan, Shaiful Esah, Irwan Shah, Shakir Hamzah, Sevki Sha’ban, Shahir Hamzah, Madhu Mohana, Baihakki Khaizan
Midfielders: Hariss Harun, Safirul Sulaiman, Izzdin Shafiq, Isa Halim, Taufiq Rahmat, Raihan Rahman, Shahdan Sulaiman, Yasir Hanapi, Shahril Ishak, Firdaus Kasman, Pravin Guanasagaran
Forwards: Khairul Amri, Gabriel Quak, Fazli Ayob, Khairul Nizam, Agu Casmir, Sufian Anuar
Head Coach: V. Sundramoorthy
Asst Coach: Kadir Yahya
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I’m not sure about the rest of you, but the twelve man in football is usually a derogatory term used to describe the referee playing for one team.