February 12, 2004

Young Lions Kim Poulsen is ready to make his predication of the Young Lions season & he predicted a top-five finish for the 2004 campaign

Kim Poulsen believes his side will not end up too far behind Home this season & the gap between the Young Lions and the best teams is not that great

The reason for Poulsen's optimism is the 3 foreigners Itimi Dickson, Precious Emuejeraye & Kazeem Babatunde, the Young Lions signed during the closed season as well as the signing of 1 overage player, Fadzuhasny Juraimi, from Tanjong Pagar United

Last season, the Young Lions were not allowed to sign any foreign players or any footballer over the age of 23 but this season the restriction was removed.

The most recent signing 20-year-old Nigerian Kazeem Babatunde has been in Singapore for 3 months & come with an impressive credentials. The Nigerian collected a silver medal at the 2001 Fifa U-17 World Youth Championships in Trinidad and Tobago.

The 3 foreigners are under the FAS Foreign Talent Scheme in the hope that they will eventually play for the national team if they make the grade

Currently, the Young Lions boast 5 senior national players and 6 national U23 players in their squad