Month: October 2023
Three weeks on from their emphatic victory against Kitchee SC in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL), the Lion City Sailors return to the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (21 October) to take on Tanjong Pagar United in their second Singapore Cup Group B fixture.
While it has been some time since the team earned its first three points in the 2023/24 edition of Asia’s premier club competition, the resounding performance they put up was a textbook showing of team football, said Maxime Lestienne, who scored his second-ever ACL goal that night.
“We played together as a team and were very compact, and whenever we got the opportunity to attack, we went together which allowed us to go up 2-0 at the end of the first half,” said the Belgian.
The Sailors’ Singapore Cup opponents, Tanjong Pagar, emerged victorious in their opening Group B clash, running out 2-1 winners over Hougang United at the Jurong East Stadium on 25 September.
That same night, the Sailors also kicked off their campaign with a resounding 7-0 thumping of Balestier Khalsa at Bishan Stadium.
The results on the first matchday saw both teams shoot to the top of the standings in Group B with 3 points apiece, the Sailors creeping ahead on goal difference.
The Balestier encounter – that would be remembered for the avalanche of goals – was also a memorable night for 23-year-old Harith Kanadi, who came on as a 71st-minute substitute to make his Sailors’ debut.
“It felt good to get playing time in the Singapore Cup because it’s also been a while since I’ve been able to play, and I’m still adapting to the team,” he said.
“But it felt good to finally get to play in front of our fans at Bishan Stadium.”
Nearly a month has passed since that opening match, but Harith remained confident that the team is on track to bring home the Singapore Cup.
“We’ve been consistently working hard in training every week, and we all feel confident that we can get the three points again on Saturday,” said Harith.
“Tanjong Pagar is an aggressive side, but we are sure that we will be able to match their aggression and win the game,”
That confidence that Harith describes undoubtedly fills the air in the dressing room, but for Maxime, the trophy they’re chasing means much more than just a piece of silverware to show for the 2023 season.
Since signing for the club in 2022, the Belgian has made top spot on the league’s assist rankings his own, earned a Player of the Year nomination and has sparked feisty discussions on who, if not him, has been the best foreign player to grace domestic football.
In 2023, he registered another 21 assists to top the assists charts again, this time adding the Golden Boot award as well, as he finished the season with a league-leading 25 goals.
Despite all that, the 31-year-old has yet to lift a trophy in Singapore, a fact that he is eager to fix.
“Since I came last year, we haven’t been able to win anything, and for me, it’s important to win something with the club,” said a resolute Maxime. “I came here to win trophies, and I’m ready to give my all to do that.”
Victory against Tanjong Pagar on Saturday would see the Sailors open up a three-point lead at the top of Group B with a game to play.
But with an encounter with two-time ACL Champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium coming just four days later on 25 October, managing fitness levels across the two matches will be critical.
“It’s not easy for us because we have two matches in a very short period, so we will need to focus on Tanjong Pagar without forgetting about Jeonbuk,” added Maxime, who was quick to assure his Sailors have no intentions of letting up in either competition.
“We definitely want to win the Singapore Cup, especially because we couldn’t win the league this year so we will give our 100 percent to bring it home.”
It was four minutes into stoppage time in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) fixture, and the scoreboard read: Lion City Sailors 0 Tanjong Pagar United 0.
Yeong Sheau Shyan’s Sailors came to Clementi Stadium on Sunday (15 October) with just 13 players, and the injury-ravaged side were given a lifeline when referee Shafiq Ali pointed to the spot.
Right-back Nur Syazwani Ruzi duly converted the penalty, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch as the Sailors picked up a 1-0 win after a seven-week international break.
The win came in a crucial period for the Sailors, who had a depleted squad due to injuries and could only field two substitutes as a result.
Wani – who now has three goals this season – may not have a knack for scoring goals, but she took the responsibility of handing her side the lead with the spot-kick, revealing that the confidence came from the preceding free-kick which led to the penalty.
She had delivered the ball into the box, which found Miray Altun who was then fouled.
“At first I thought we could get a goal from the free kick. And so I had the confidence to take the penalty as well,” the 22-year-old said.
“Penalties are just another obstacle for me in football. I’ve also been practising taking penalties during training. When it went in, I just felt happy we got the three points.”
A relieved Sheau Shyan commended her players for giving their all on the pitch.
“The players delivered what I asked of them, and I’m very proud,” the 45-year-old said.
“This win will give us confidence that even when we’re not at 100 percent, we can still play good football.”
The match got off to a blistering start, with Tanjong Pagar almost taking the lead within a minute.
Nur Faradila Rafidi found teammate Farah Nurzahirah unmarked in the box, but her strike was blocked by Sailors defenders who put their bodies on the line.
The encounter then turned scrappy, with both teams trying to capitalise on errors but to little effect.
The two sides were left snapping at half-chances as the Sailors looked to form a solid backline to prevent their opponents from playing through them.
That included custodian Beatrice Tan, who stood firm in goal and put in a fine goalkeeping performance to help the team keep a clean sheet.
And the breakthrough finally came when Wani placed her penalty into the corner of the net, giving Tanjong Pagar goalkeeper Nurul Haziqah Haszman no chance.
The Sailors’ defensive display did not go unnoticed, with Sheau Shyan and Wani both highlighting the importance of the team remaining tight at the back.
“The urgency was really there today, we knew that we had to protect Beatrice so everyone was going for the ball, fighting for it and trying to keep it as high up the pitch as possible,” Sheau Shyan explained.
Added Wani: “We covered one another well and that’s what we expect from each other. It’s a good effort from the whole team.”
The win was the Sailors’ 12th in 13 matches this season, as they remained four points ahead of nearest challengers Albirex Niigata (S) with five matches left to go.
The reigning WPL champions will be back in action this Sunday as they take on seventh-placed Balestier Khalsa at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
She may have just joined the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team on 18 August, but centre-back Sara Hayduchok has clearly settled in and is feeling right at home at the club.
And with just six games remaining in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, the 28-year-old Filipino-American is determined to do all she can to fuel the defending WPL champions charge to retain their crown, starting with the clash against Tanjong Pagar United on Sunday (15 October) at Clementi Stadium.
The Sailors currently lead the WPL standings with 34 points from 12 matches, four more than closest rivals Albirex Niigata (S).
“It’s been an amazing experience so far, I’ve adapted really well. One of the biggest aspects of the team’s culture is working hard, and I think I fit right into that,” she said.
“I feel pretty well-integrated with the team – everyone has been very welcoming. Learning how to work as a unit has been my favourite part, and (Head Coach Yeong) Sheau Shyan is really knowledgeable in helping us play off each other’s strengths as a team.”
Since becoming a part of the Sailors, Sara has started only once in the WPL, in August’s 6-1 win against her former side Tampines Rovers. And with the league returning after a seven-week international break, she is hungry for more minutes.
Sara will be taking on a pivotal role in the Sailors’ backline, with the injury-enforced absence of defenders Fatin Aqillah and Umairah Hamdan.
“I feel like I haven’t really had the chance to play so far because of the breaks in our schedule, and I’m really looking forward to this final push where exciting things can happen,” she noted.
Sara highlighted that the break did not deter the team from putting in their fullest commitment in training, especially after several players returned from their national team duties.
“As a team we’re taking training very seriously, but at the same time being able to really smile, have fun and enjoy the sessions,” she said.
“I feel like that’s very consistent even though there’s been a lot of fluctuation with when matches are taking place and how much time we have off.”
Acknowledging the strengths of Sunday’s opponents, who currently sit fifth in the 10-team WPL standings but finished third last season, Sara emphasised the need for the team to be “confident yet cautious”.
“Of course we want to maintain our top priority, which is to finish the rest of the season with six wins out of six. Another goal is to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible after a really long and enduring season,” she added.
Sheau Shyan called for caution, warning that the Sailors’ upcoming fixtures cannot be taken lightly.
“This month, we are going to play the WPL’s top two teams – not in terms of position but in my opinion – Tanjong Pagar and Albirex. The next match, especially, will be one of our biggest challenges in recent weeks. And these are just obstacles we have to overcome,” explained the 45-year-old.
“This will be a big test for us but I believe that if we’re in good condition, we can get the results we want,” she said.
Ahead of this important final stretch, Sara is prepared to assume more responsibility at the heart of the Sailor’s defence.
“I’ve got the work ethic and with the right level of fitness, I’m confident that I’ll be able to maintain my levels,” she said.
“I feel pretty good about it.”
He was a battle-hardened defender before he hung up his boots, equally comfortable embracing the tough tasks and dirty work that come with being his team’s designated “destroyer”.
It is easy – even understandable – to believe that the imaginably grizzled face of a man that fits this profile has perpetually furrowed brows over narrowed eyes and pursed lips.
The fact that a smile sneaks onto Aleksandar Ranković’s face every so often when he speaks of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) is perhaps one big reason there is much positivity around the Lion City Sailors’ ongoing campaign.
From the palpable excitement around Sailors fans to the increased intensity from his charges and back slaps from people associated with the club, Ranko is embracing his first dance on Asia’s biggest stage.
“It means a lot to me that we can represent Singapore football on the Asian stage, and that’s maybe the most important thing for me and the team – and also maybe why we’ve had a different energy around Mattar Road,” said the 45-year-old.
“Everyone here is very aware that we are representing our community and the country, not just the club – and they want to perform as best as they can.”
And Ranko has been absolutely delighted with the work put in, and the accompanying attitude – from all corners.
“I loved the atmosphere at the Jalan Besar Stadium, I think it was the most people I’ve seen at our game since I’ve come to Singapore. They give us a lot of energy, and that’s what you want,” he said, of the 3,000-strong crowd in the stands – including Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam – as the Sailors fell 2-1 to Bangkok United in their opening Group F fixture on 20 September.
Fans also made their presence at the Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday (4 October) keenly felt, feeding the Sailors with electricity from the stands. It worked a charm, with Hariss Harun and company beating Hong Kong champions Kitchee SC 2-1 and returning with all three points.
“I hope that we continue to give our fans nice things to see – our team being very competitive and trying to play really nice football and scoring a lot of goals – so they have no reason not to come and support us,” he said, a beaming smile sneaking onto his face.
And it is precisely this, turning in competitive performances and securing results at Asia’s top table, and a burning desire from all associated with the team, that gives Ranko much satisfaction.
“You want to compete against the best, that’s the main goal for us in this competition. Then you can see where you are, not only as a team, but also as an individual and as a club,” said the Serb.
“Being with this team every day for these past two months or so, I really cannot ask for more from them. There are still several things we want to improve, but I’m very happy with how we train and how we perform – and this is on the pitch and off it as well.”
As another smile popped across his face, Ranko revealed an added bonus to these positive vibes at the Sailors Mattar Road Training Centre. In his eyes – and the upturned lips – it was clear this was a massive bonus.
He said: “This approach is not just from the guys who start the games, it is also from the guys on the bench and everyone – they bring a lot of energy to the team – and there is a lot of healthy competition in the team.
“And that helps me a lot as a coach.”
With these key pieces in place, in Ranko’s eyes, there’s only one thing left to do.
“We want to measure ourselves against the best teams in Asia, and we want to compete. What we need to do is to take the intensity that we know we are capable of and have brought to the table against Bangkok and Kitchee, and make sure we can hit those levels throughout every match we play,” said Ranko.
“And from what I’ve seen, I believe we can do this.”
The Lion City Sailors bounced back from an Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) opening Group F defeat to Bangkok United to see off Kitchee SC 2-1 on Wednesday (4 October) night.
Aleksandar Ranković’s men turned in a brave performance in front of 3,077 fans at the Hong Kong Stadium – including around 50 supporters from Singapore – to pick up all three points to get their ACL campaign back on track.
Travelling Sailors fans comprised members of The Crew and the Special Operations Team, which was formed by 10 winners of an all-expenses paid trip giveaway in last week’s Sailors’ social media drive.
The contingent made themselves heard even though they were part of the minority, drumming and chanting from the Hong Kong Stadium’s South Stand, before expressing their wild delight at the end.
It was a second consecutive win for Ranko and his charges after a 7-0 victory over Balestier Khalsa in their Group B Singapore Cup opener last Monday (25 September).
It was the perfect way for Ranko’s Sailors to recover from the 2-1 loss to Bangkok on 20 September, as goals from Richairo Živković and Maxime Lestienne helped the Sailors move into third in the Group F standings.
Bangkok jumped to the top of the standings after they surprised Asian football fans with a 3-2 home win over two-time ACL winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in a match also played on Wednesday night (4 Oct).
Ranko was pleased with how his side represented Singapore throughout the 90 minutes of the match.
“I’m very happy with the performance. We came here to take the three points and that’s exactly what we did,” he said.
“We played a little more offensive today compared to what we managed against Bangkok, but it also had to do with the opponents. We did exactly what we wanted to do tactically.”
The start of the match was closely contested, but a quick passage of play from back to front saw the Sailors take an early lead in the 14th minute.
Three passes was all it took as Rui Pires spread the ball out wide to Christopher van Huizen, whose left-footed cross was diverted by Kitchee skipper Helio Goncalves into Richi’s path.
The Curaçaon international pounced on the loose ball and sent a first-time finish past Kitchee custodian Paulo Cesar for his first goal in the ACL.
The goal was Richi’s tenth for the club since joining in July.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between but the Sailors doubled their lead in the 37th minute.
Maxime was brought down by Kitchee midfielder Ogenyi Onazi with referee Yoshimi Yamashita awarding a free kick outside the box. But the video assistant referee (VAR) overturned the decision and awarded a penalty instead, which Maxime duly dispatched past Cesar.
Ranko, who held his head in his hands as the Belgian stepped up, exploded in wild celebration with his coaching staff as Maxime gave the Sailors a two-goal cushion.
Diego had a chance to cap off an impressive first-half, but his 40th minute close-range shot came off the post, this after a clever pass from Maxime.
Man-of-the-match Maxime, who has enjoyed a stellar domestic football season that saw him record 25 goals and 21 assists, credited the team for the superb first 45 minutes in Hong Kong.
“We listened to the coach and did what we needed to do. The first half was great for us and we played really well,” said the 31-year-old winger, who missed last week’s Singapore Cup win over Balestier through suspension.
“I’m very happy with the goal, it increases my confidence and I just want to keep on trying my best and make a difference for the team.”
Kitchee started the second half with higher intensity, searching for a way back into the game, but the Sailors stood firm, sitting deeper to absorb the pressure while looking to capitalise.
The home side had to settle for shots from long range and acute angles, while the Sailors remained organised, sticking to Ranko’s game plan.
But Kitchee finally found their breakthrough in the 87th minute through substitute Jakob Jantscher. The 34-year-old directed a header into the bottom corner of Zharfan Rohaizad’s goal to score a goal that set up a grandstand finish.
But it was too little too late for Kitchee as the Sailors held on for the Singapore side’s first win of this ACL campaign, though not without a nervy finish. Ruslan Mingazov found himself in a prime position to score four minutes into stoppage time, only to see his shot trickle wide of Zharfan’s goal.
Ranko praised his charges’ stout defending on an important night on the Sailors’ second foray into Asia’s top tier club competition.
“We were very tight defensively. Everybody in the squad gave their 100 percent and that’s one of our strengths, we have a very tightly-knit group of players and they’re eager to work for each other.” he said.
The Sailors will face Tanjong Pagar United next in the Singapore Cup at the Bishan Stadium on 21 October, before jetting off to South Korea to take on Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the ACL four days later.
On 29 September, just five days before a crunch Group F Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) clash against the Lion City Sailors, swirling winds of change picked up speed at Kitchee SC, resulting in a new head coach appointed in place of Alex Chu.
Chu is a legendary figure at the club who served as head coach in several spells and just last season, led Kitchee to a treble. He was switched to the youth development side of things at Kitchee Academy, with technical director, Kim Dong-jin, appointed as the interim head honcho.
Kim, a former South Korean international, had previously served as assistant coach of the club since 2019 and also had an excellent prior stint as interim head coach in 2021, masterminding 11 wins in 15 games.
Kim’s rousing start
Just one day after his appointment, Kim led the team to a 6-2 win over Resources Capital in the first round of the Hong Kong Sapling Cup and the 41-year-old is bullish ahead of his first ACL match in charge.
“It’s such an honour to be able to coach this team. I’ve been with the team for a few years so I’m already familiar with the players,” said the defender who has 62 South Korean caps.
“The Lion City Sailors are one of the best teams in the Singapore (Premier) League with some really good attacking players so our defensive organisation has to be very strong.
“But this is our home game and we have a strong team filled up with quality players in every position. We’re very determined to win this game and get the three points,” added Kim.
A respectful confidence
When asked if Kitchee was the team that represented the Sailors’ best chance of securing three points in a challenging Group F, Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković remained stoic.
“It would be very disrespectful of my opponent if I put them in a category below or above us. In this group, all four teams stand a chance,” said the 45-year-old.
“Kitchee did a pretty good job against a South Korean team on Matchday 1 in a narrow 2-1 away defeat to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors; and we did quite well although we lost against Bangkok United. So I think both teams are on the same level.”
“I know they changed coaches recently – that sometimes can be a disadvantage but also can be an advantage as well. It’s going to be a tough challenge, but we’ve done everything we could to prepare and we’re going into this game with good confidence.”
Hong Kong’s dream run in the Asian Games
With media attention pulled towards the Hangzhou Asian Games, the pre-match press conference was a low-key affair with only three reporters in attendance including one from Singapore online publication, Grandstand Singapore.
The Hong Kong Under-23 football team is on a historic run into the Asian Games semi-finals and will face Japan at 6pm tonight (4 October), just two hours before the Kitchee-Sailors clash.
The Singapore U23 team is not participating in the Asian Games.
One of Kitchee’s rising stars, Poon Pui Hin, will miss the ACL game, as he is instead flying the country’s flag high – it was his goal that sank Iran 1-0 in the quarter-finals on Sunday.
Nonetheless, Kitchee are determined to put on a good show in what will be their first home ACL fixture in five and a half years. ACL games were played at a centralised venue in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic, so the last time the Bluebirds hosted an ACL game was a 1-0 loss to China’s Tianjin Tianhai in April 2018.
Big names in a big game for both sides
While Hong Kong reporters were intrigued by Sailors old boy Kim Shin-wook possibly coming up against his former club, the attention turned to the quality present throughout Kitchee’s frontline.
Turkmenistan international and former Slavia Pravia winger Ruslan Mingazov, who was in attendance at the evening’s press conference, was Hong Kong Player of the Year last season with 17 goals in 18 games.
Ex-Sturm Graz striker Jakob Jantscher featured for Austria at the UEFA Euro 2016 and midfielder Ogenyi Onazi used to play in the Italian Serie A with Lazio. Brazilian attacker Mikael, who scored a hat-trick over the weekend, netted an audacious overhead kick in the 2-1 loss to Jeonbuk with that goal voted as one of the best goals of Matchweek 1.
But the Sailors are unfazed.
“It’ll be a big game in front of an away crowd, but we’ve got players who’ve played in Europe and local players who’ve played many big matches with the Singapore national team so I’m sure we can cope with the pressure,” said midfielder Rui Pires.
“We learnt from our last game that we need to stay focused for 90 or 95 minutes when they play against the best teams in Asia.
“The boys are very hungry and eager, there’s so much positive energy amongst the team right now. We know that we’re representing not just the club, but also Singapore on this stage so we’re going to give everything in this game.”
In Battlegrounds Asia, we look into the history and lore of the stadiums that will host the Lion City Sailors’ second foray into the AFC Champions League, Asia’s top-tier club competition.
First up in this series, we look at the iconic Hong Kong Stadium, where the Sailors will face Kitchee SC in their first away fixture of Group F.
Located in the heart of Causeway Bay, one of Hong Kong’s most energetic neighbourhoods lined with luxury malls, boutiques, and numerous dining options, lies the aptly-named Hong Kong Stadium. It is where the Lion City Sailors will battle Kitchee SC in matchday 2 in Group F of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL).
The Stadium – known as Hong Kong’s main sports venue – was redeveloped from the Old Government Stadium and took on its new identity when it officially reopened in early 1994.
The 40,000-seater Stadium was meant to be a multi-purpose entertainment venue, with Hong Kong music icon Alan Tam the first local artist to hold a concert there in April 1994 before fellow Canto-pop legend Sam Hui Koon-kit followed suit in December 2007. However, its open-air nature led to noise complaints from nearby residents and it has rarely been allowed to host entertainment events ever since.
Hong Kong’s Rugby DNA
Instead, the Stadium is now internationally renowned for hosting the annual Hong Kong Rugby Sevens in spring every year, hosting rugby greats the likes of Jonah Lomu and David Campes while inspiring a thriving sevens world series and the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics.
The most recent edition was held between 30 March to 2 April this year, with New Zealand beating Fiji 24-19 to win the competition. The Stadium also hosted the Rugby World Cup Sevens twice, in 1997 and 2005.
With the stadium located on either end of sweeping views of a lush hillside and the city’s vertical urban landscape, it has grown into a flagship destination for overseas Rugby Sevens fans.
A dash of the English Premier League
For the same reason, it has been the go-to venue for marquee football matches in Hong Kong – especially for exhibition matches involving top English Premier League (EPL) clubs.
The pre-season Premier League Asia Trophy has been held there four times in 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2017 – with Kitchee SC and South China AA amongst the local competing teams.
One-off friendlies were also held there twice between Kitchee and EPL opposition. In May 2017, the Bluebirds fell 4-1 to Tottenham Hotspur with current Spurs captain Son Heung-min and the now-departed Harry Kane on the scoresheet. Then in July 2019, they lost 6-1 to Manchester City with Law Tsz Chun – who is still at the club – scoring the solitary goal for Kitchee.
Local football flavour
The first full-house official match there came in October 2009 when local side South China came up against Kuwait SC in the second leg of the 2009 AFC Cup but failed to progress to the final.
In December the same year, there was another full house (all tickets sold or distributed) with Hong Kong’s Under-23 side memorably beating Japan on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time to win their first-ever international title in the East Asian Games.
The venue has also hosted many international matches involving the Hong Kong national team, with the most recent one being in September 2023 when they put 10 goals past Brunei in a friendly match.
While Kitchee usually play their domestic football matches at Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong Stadium is their designated home ground for ACL matches.
Kitchee fans would recall a magical moment there in March 2018 when Uruguayan legend Diego Forlan teed up Cheng Chin Lung for a stunning injury time winner in 1-0 upset of Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol – in what turned out to be a first-ever victory by a Hong Kong club in the ACL.
That was also voted as the best goal of the competition that year.
Set against a scenic backdrop and a stadium jam-packed with memorable sporting action over the years, the Sailors will be hoping to create history of our own when we take on Kitchee at the arena on Wednesday night.
There was a hint of a smile pulling its way onto his face as he made his case, but Maxime Lestienne’s wild commitment was crystal clear.
It was only a game of rondo and possession had been conceded, but the Lion City Sailors winger was not about to surrender – at least not without a fight.
“He touched (the ball), I swear!” bellowed the Belgian, his competitive streak bubbling to surface.
Maxime is part of the 23-strong Sailors’ squad that arrived in Hong Kong on Monday (2 October) ahead of Wednesday’s Group F Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) clash against Kitchee SC.
And across what was the Sailors’ first training session at Hong Kong’s Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground – and indeed, from the moment the squad gathered at Changi Airport before dawn broke on Monday – it was clear that Aleksandar Ranković’s men mean business.
This was the first time that the Sailors Class of 2023 travelled together for a competitive fixture, and while some were understandably excited, there were older heads who seemed to retain their focus throughout the day, their stoic faces framed by headphones.
After the four hours it took to traverse the 2,805 kilometres from Changi to Hong Kong International Airport, the Sailors were surprised with some fanfare. A few local fans gathered to catch players for autographs and photos with some continuing onto the team hotel, waiting for the Sailors to appear before – and even after – their training session.
The session may have started some jokes, some ribbing and Maxime’s emotive outburst, but at the Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground – a venue that witnessed goals from Italian legends Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Di Matteo in a Chelsea 3-2 win over South China in a 1997 friendly – Ranko made his charges work hard.
Alongside Brazilian defender Pedro Henrique, who threw himself into every challenge and every drill at the session, the likes of captain Hariss Harun and Rui Pires were dripping with sweat by the time Ranko blew the final whistle to close the session.
Indeed, even off the pitch the Sailors’ commitment to the cause was all too evident.
Hafiz Nor had missed the team’s morning flight due to the birth of his third child on Sunday evening, but after ensuring that both mother and baby girl were good and comfortable, the Sailors vice-captain rejoined the team, sprinting straight from Hong Kong’s airport to the Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground for training.
From Maxime’s exasperated appeal, to the broad smiles of third-time father, Hafiz, the Sailors closed their first day in Hong Kong brimming with positivity that was equally matched in the excitement of the members of the Crew.
The 10-strong Crew assembled at Changi just before midnight to prepare to stand alongside their beloved Sailors in the Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday for the task at hand, an ACL battle against Hong Kong champions Kitchee – and they could not ask for more positive vibes in and around the Sailors camp.
There are 10 Lion City Sailors players named in Takayuki Nishigaya’s 25-strong Singapore National Team’s squad which will face Guam in a two-legged playoff during the October FIFA international window. The playoff is Round 1 of the joint qualification process for both the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Lions captain Hariss Harun along with nine others – Lionel Tan, Zulqarnaen Suzliman, Christopher van Huizen, M. Anumanthan, Hafiz Nor, Hami Syahin, Adam Swandi, Shawal Anuar, as well as custodian Zharfan Rohaizad – kept their places after being named in the squad for the September friendlies against Tajikistan and Chinese Taipei.
After striking double digits in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) in a strong debut season with the Sailors, the in-form Shawal will be relishing the opportunity to do the same against Guam – he is just one away from hitting the 10-goal mark for the Lions.
The 32-year-old, who also scored a memorable goal against Tottenham Hotspur in July, has emerged as the most important attacker in Nishigaya’s ranks in the last couple of years. Eight out of his nine goals for the Lions came in his last 10 international appearances.
Zulqarnaen is similarly aiming to build on an encouraging 2023 campaign in which he has already made 20 appearances in all competitions for the Sailors.
Now on 23 caps, involvement in both Guam games will mean he will hit 25 international appearances for the Lions.
The first leg will be played at the Singapore Sports Hub’s National Stadium on Thursday, 12 October, with the return leg taking place five days later at the GFA National Training Center in Harmon, Guam.
The winner over these two legs will go on to Round 2 of the Qualifiers where they will be placed in Group C along with China, South Korea and Thailand.
The result might not be what he had wanted, but scoring what is the Lion City Sailors’ first Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) goal on Singapore soil is one that will be etched firmly in Diego Lopes’ memory.
A signature cross from full-back Christopher Van Huizen was only partially cleared by Bangkok United captain, Everton Goncalves, falling perfectly for his fellow countryman in White and Blue – and Diego showed no hesitation, pouncing to slam home.
“It’s always good to score a goal but scoring a goal at home, in front of the cheering crowd, it’s definitely much better,” said the Sailors no. 10.
That fond memory was still not enough to forget the frustrations from that night, which saw the Sailors ultimately fall 2-1 to the Thai League 1 leaders in their opening Group F fixture at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
But ahead of a trip to face reigning Hong Kong Premier League Champions, Kitchee SC, on Wednesday (4 October), the Singapore Premier League’s (SPL) record signing remains confident that the Sailors have a talented squad with enough ability and firepower to compete at the highest level in the region.
“We have a competitive team that can play and win games in this competition. We just need 100% concentration from the start to the final minute,” he said.
Indeed, just a quick glance at the Sailors’ maiden voyage into the ACL last year is enough to remind the team the defeat to Bangkok United does not mean the dream is over.
The 2022 ACL campaign also began with a defeat, a 4-1 loss at the hands of eventual champions Urawa Red Diamonds, but two wins and a draw later, that same voyage ended with a historic 7 points finish.
The team has since set its sights on surpassing that tally in 2023, a feat that will likely be required for the team to advance to the next round.
“Last year, it was generally a good campaign for us, being there for the first time, rubbing shoulders with some of the big boys in Asia, achieving some credible results.”
“So this year, we want to see progress,” said team captain Hariss Harun.
“There’s a reason why it’s called the Champions League. The teams are all there on merit and they deserve to play in this competition, so we have to show that we’re amongst the best.”
Keeping their eyes on the ultimate prize of qualification for the Round of 16 will be essential for the Sailors, but the road ahead is not a straightforward one.
One of the many challenges the team will face is the need to cope with daunting atmospheres at away grounds.
This obstacle is one that Hariss has experienced throughout his career, be it captaining the Singapore national team, as or in the Malaysia Super League with LionsXII and Johor Darul Ta’zim.
“I think it’s something that you relish as a player. You don’t just look forward to playing at home in front of your own fans but also away, in front of a massive crowd in a hostile environment, to test yourself and how you handle the pressure,” he said.
Diego, who comes with a wealth of experience playing in countries like Portugal and Brazil, is also no stranger to intimidating away match atmospheres.
“Going away to play an away match where we play against their crowd, their supporters, we will definitely have to be more mature and focused,” he said.
The Sailors will definitely be looking to bring the momentum from the 7-0 victory in their Singapore Cup Group B opener against Balestier Khalsa to the Hong Kong Stadium against Kitchee.
And Diego, who recorded a hat trick against the Tigers, is prepared to do everything he can to help the Sailors to their first ACL victory of 2023.
“Of course, scoring goals is good but that’s not my main objective. My main objective is to play well and help the team. If I don’t score and the team wins that’s really okay – actually it’s perfectly fine because the most important thing is to get that win.
“And that’s what we’re aiming for on Wednesday in Hong Kong.”
