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A BITTERSWEET situation.
That is how some might describe the situation as the Singapore soccer team continue to progress into unchartered territory in search of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
Earlier this year, the S-League's top threesome of Singapore Armed Forces FC (SAFFC), Home United and Tampines Rovers lost key players in the title run-in during the national team's successful qualifying campaign, leading to the all too familiar club-versus-country tussle.
Avoiding a repeat is believed to be a priority for the league's authorities next year.
The Lions' World Cup qualifying fixtures throw up an interesting situation in June, which will see them play four matches in a space of 20 days.
This would mean that national players will not be able to represent their clubs for nearly one month.
S-League chief executive officer Winston Lee sees this as a 'good problem', because the national team have made it this far.
He said: 'We will find the best way to suit both the national team and the clubs' needs.'
His reassurance is set to calm the clubs' early worries, especially as last season's top three clubs each had four Lions on their payroll.
Officials from all three clubs feel that it would be ideal to have a mid-season break as that will allow the national players to give their full commitment to the country.
At the same time, this protects the interests of the clubs, who do not have to go without the services of their best players.
SAFFC coach Richard Bok suggested having the SingTel League Cup in June, since the league season kicks off in February and there is time to afford a break.
'As long as the league is not interrupted, I'm fine with it,' he said, echoing the sentiments of his counterparts.
This would allow the proper planning of re-arranged fixtures, to ensure that players get equal amounts of rest.
It would also prevent teams being handed a packed fixture list, which, in the past, saw some of them playing three games in eight days.
Singapore will kick off their World Cup Asian Zone qualifying third round campaign away to Saudi Arabia in February before hosting Lebanon in March.
June will see the Lions in a double-header against Uzbekistan before hosting Saudi Arabia.
They will then complete their Group Four commitments with a road game against Lebanon.
The third round sees a total of five groups of four teams each, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the fourth round.
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