Unlike the rest of the teams, Young Lions are a developmental team created by the FAS to groom U23 national prospects, including foreign talent that potentially could be naturalised. The local core of the squad also forms the foundation of the U-22/23 national team that takes part in the SEA Games.

There is also a  ‘B’ squad in the Singapore Premier League 2, the reserve league.

The aim is to provide young players game time and experience for first team football or international duty, which they may not get at other clubs where they have to compete with experienced players or foreign stars.

The club has been the starting point for several current national team players, such as Hariss Harun, Jacob Mahler and Ilhan Fandhi. Recent young starlets include the likes of Nathan Mao, Andrew Aw and Raoul Suhaimi.

However, there have been questions over the club’s ability to develop players after a string of disappointing performances in both the league and in the SEA Games.

Since 2008, the team has consistently finished in the bottom half of the table, getting mauled by other clubs including a 8-0 thrashing by Albirex Niigata (s), 8-1 by Tampines Rovers, and a record breaking 10-1 loss against Lion City Sailors.

The U-22s have only managed to qualify for the semi finals in 2013, and have since crashed out from the group stage for the last five Sea Games. The team even managed a 7-0 drubbing by Malaysia in the 2023 edition.

A common criticism of the team is the lack of experienced mentors, and the instilling of a “losing mentality” due to constant heavy losses. 

There is also the tough topic of handling NS, as the squad changes so frequently due to players being called up or released from service, it may be difficult to get the team to be familiar with each other.

Despite it’s reputation as a “punching bag”, the Young Lions continue to be a proving ground for young players, with players such as Ajay Robson, Iryan Fandhi, and Kai Whitmore being eyed as the next breakthrough star. 

Young Lions: The first step to stardom or a slow failure?