Month: May 2024
Ask Lennart Thy about the incredible gesture he is perhaps best known for, and he will likely respond with an unassuming shrug or a wry smile.
After all, over the past few years, the Lion City Sailors’ newest recruit has consistently downplayed the significance of his act, insisting it was nothing more than ‘normal’.
But what exactly was it that Lennart did which earned him widespread praise and recognition?
The year was 2018, and Lennart was playing for VVV-Venlo in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Ahead of a crucial match against league leaders PSV Eindhoven, Lennart received news that he was a DNA match for a leukaemia patient urgently requiring matching stem cells for treatment.
Lennart, who had joined the donor register in 2011 while playing for Werder Bremen in Germany, knew immediately what he had to do. With the blessings of Venlo, he agreed to donate his blood to generate stem cells for the patient’s transplant.
This decision meant missing the game against PSV – but it was all worth it, as Lennart’s blood saved the patient’s life.
“For me, it was just a normal thing to help others when I can,” said the 32-year-old. “But it became a big thing in both the Netherlands and Germany – much bigger than I expected. Nonetheless, the love and gratitude that I received afterwards was really heartwarming.”
Though Lennart missed the PSV game, his presence was still felt at the Philips Stadion – he was honoured with the Man of the Match award, and the players’ escorts wore t-shirts emblazoned with the message, ‘Follow Lennart, become a stem cell donor.’
The subsequent widespread coverage of Lennart’s selfless act also led to a massive increase in stem cell donations in the Netherlands, and he was ultimately awarded the prestigious FIFA Fair Play Award later that year.
When asked if he would do it again if the opportunity arose, Lennart replied without hesitation, “Of course!”
Lennart, however, is not just a hero off the pitch. The experienced forward has often been the saviour for his teams, with his heart-on-sleeve style of play making him a fan favourite at every club he has played for.
In addition to being a hardworking No. 9 who presses from the front and can often be seen tracking back to help his team during defensive transitions, Lennart also has an innate knack for being in the right place at the right time.
But what sets him apart is his ability to finish with both feet – though primarily right-footed, Lennart scored eight of his 13 goals for PEC Zwolle in the recently concluded 2023/24 Eredivisie season with his left.
“My ability to finish with both feet wasn’t that obvious until last season, when people started coming to me saying ‘you’re better with your left foot’,” Lennart mused. “I said ‘No, no’, but in the following game I scored again with my left.
“I actually don’t dwell too much on which foot to use when I find myself in a scoring position, so perhaps going with my instinct makes it easier for me.”
Lennart’s footballing talent was evident from a young age. He was part of the Germany team – alongside the likes of Mario Götze and Marc-André ter Stegen – that won the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, finishing joint-top scorer of that tournament.
He also featured in the UEFA Champions League as an 18-year-old, when he came on for the last 10 minutes of Werder Bremen’s 3-0 loss at White Hart Lane against a Tottenham Hotspur side that featured players such as Peter Crouch, Gareth Bale, and Luka Modrić.
Unsurprisingly, he went on to enjoy an eventful and fruitful career in Europe. After his stint in the German top two divisions with Werder Bremen and St Pauli, he moved to the Eredivisie, where he played for three different clubs over the past decade.
Lennart finally bid farewell to the Eredivisie on 19 May, receiving a rousing reception from fans of PEC Zwolle – where he played over 100 matches – during their final league match of the season.
Now, Lennart is ready to embark on a new adventure – over 10,000km away, with the Sailors in Singapore.
He revealed that when the Sailors came knocking, the allure of being at the forefront of such an exciting footballing project in the Lion City proved too hard to turn down.
“I’ve always said I want to try to achieve something new in football outside of Europe,” said Lennart. “So, I was intrigued when the Sailors reached out to me. After doing my research, and speaking with the management here, it got me really excited about what the club is trying to build here in Singapore.”
The father-of-two added, “It’s also a great opportunity for me to go on a new adventure with my family.”
Outlining his ambitions with the Sailors, Lennart hopes to not only win silverware with the club, but also help the younger members of the squad become better players.
“I know the club is doing a lot in terms of youth development in the country, so I’ll do my best to help the young players at this club with the experience I have,” said Lennart, who once scored against Chelsea in a 2016 friendly.
“We also want to compete in two regional competitions, and are determined to win the league. I’m here to help the team score goals, play good football and achieve our objectives. The biggest challenge now is the weather, but I think I can adapt really fast over the next few weeks.”
The Lion City Sailors are delighted to announce the signing of experienced German forward Lennart Thy. This exciting acquisition comes as the club seeks to bolster its attacking options while challenging on multiple fronts this season.
Having opened the 2024/25 campaign by beating Albirex Niigata (S) to win the Community Shield, the Sailors are intent on adding more silverware, and have set their sights on winning the Singapore Premier League (SPL) and Singapore Cup this season. The club also aim to make a mark in regional competitions such as the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, and the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two.
Lennart, who joins from Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle for an undisclosed fee, has signed a two-year contract with the Sailors. The 32-year-old will add depth to the club’s frontline alongside players like Maxime Lestienne, Shawal Anuar, and Bart Ramselaar.
With over 200 appearances in Dutch football, including 173 in the top-tier Eredivisie, Lennart possesses genuine European pedigree. His goal-scoring prowess is evident through his tally of 54 goals across three different clubs – PEC Zwolle, VVV-Venlo, and Sparta Rotterdam – from 2017 to 2024.
Lennart emerged as the top scorer in the second-tier Eerste Divisie last year, recording 23 goals in 36 matches, and playing a pivotal role in PEC Zwolle’s immediate promotion back to the top-flight. He continued his impressive form into the recently-concluded 2023/24 season, notching 13 goals – including a memorable brace in a 2-2 draw away at Ajax Amsterdam – to finish seventh in the Eredivisie goalscoring charts.
Lennart, who has also represented Germany at the Under-20 level, previously played in the top two German divisions before making the move to the Netherlands in 2017.
Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković hailed the signing of his new 1.84m forward. He said, “Lennart is a quality player who is very lethal in the box, and can finish with both feet. More importantly, he embodies the modern forward, as he links up play well and presses hard from the front. He’s a real competitor who will work his socks off for the team, and I’m confident he will add a different dimension to our attack.
“His infectious energy and hunger are qualities that will rub off on the team, and I’ve no doubt he will score a lot of goals for us.”
One of Lennart’s most storied and unique achievements was winning the 2018 FIFA Fair Play Award. He received the accolade after making a blood donation to facilitate a stem cell transplant for a leukaemia patient, missing a game for VVV-Venlo against PSV Eindhoven in the process. Thy’s selfless act garnered widespread praise, and prompted a surge in donors stepping forward to contribute in the Netherlands.
Sailors Sporting Director Badri Ghent believes that the addition of Lennart will be beneficial to the team, both on and off the pitch. “Lennart is an excellent acquisition for us. He’s a genuine individual who transmits the right values and will be a positive influence around the younger boys we have amongst the ranks,” said Badri.
“And of course, his football qualities are something that will give us that edge up front as we challenge on four fronts this season.”
Lennart, who arrived in Singapore earlier this week, is excited to start this new chapter of his career, and has already set his sights on a fruitful voyage with the Sailors.
“I knew of the huge ambitions that the Sailors have in terms of wanting to change the football ecosystem in Singapore and to be amongst Asia’s elite clubs one day. That is what pushed me to come all the way here, as I want to be part of a team that makes history,” he said.
“I’m going to fight with the team and do all I can to make our fans happy. I want to be a league champion here, and help the Sailors progress in the continental competitions.”
Thank you, Richi
The Lion City Sailors have reached a mutual agreement with Richairo Živković to go our separate ways.
The 27-year-old forward, who joined the club in the middle of last season, was pivotal to the Sailors’ strong end to the 2023 campaign, as he finished as the club’s third-highest scorer last year with 15 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions.
Three of Richi’s goals came in the Sailors’ Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) campaign, which contributed to two memorable victories – a 2-1 win against Kitchee SC away in Hong Kong, as well as a 2-0 scalp of nine-time K League 1 champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at home.
The former Ajax Amsterdam man also struck six times during the club’s first-ever Singapore Cup triumph, including a penalty that paved the way for a 3-1 triumph over Hougang United in the final. He ultimately ended the tournament as its joint-top scorer along with teammate Shawal Anuar.
We would like to thank Richi for his contributions to the club, and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career.
Shawal withdraws from Lions squad
Lion City Sailors forward Shawal Anuar has withdrawn from the Singapore National Team squad that will face South Korea and Thailand in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Round 2 qualifiers in June.
The 33-year-old made the decision for personal reasons, as his expectant wife is due to deliver their third child in the same month.
Shawal, who made a great start to the 2024/25 season with three goals in as many matches, has been replaced by Ilhan Fandi in the squad.
That leaves six Sailors in Tsutomu Ogura’s Lions squad, with Zharfan Rohaizad, Christopher van Huizen, Lionel Tan, Hami Syahin, Song Uiyoung and captain Hariss Harun in line to face South Korea and Thailand on 6 and 11 June respectively.
We hereby wish Shawal and his family all the best during this special time.
Seven Lion City Sailors players have been named in Tsutomu Ogura’s 27-strong Singapore National Team squad that will face South Korea and Thailand in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Round 2 qualifiers in June.
Lions captain Hariss Harun along with four others – Lionel Tan, Song Uiyoung, Shawal Anuar, as well as custodian Zharfan Rohaizad – have kept their places after being called up for March’s double-header against China, which the Lions drew 2-2 and lost 4-1 in Ogura’s first matches in charge.
Should Hariss feature in both matches, he will pull level with Khairul Amri on 132 caps and be ranked joint-fourth in Singapore’s all-time record appearance makers behind Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak and Baihakki Khaizan.
Meanwhile, Christopher van Huizen (pictured above) and Hami Syahin return to the fold after strong starts to the 2024/25 season in which they started all three games so far for the Sailors – an opening 2-0 Community Shield win over Albirex Niigata (S), followed up by Singapore Premier League (SPL) victories against Hougang United and Young Lions.
The Lions will host a star-studded South Korea side at the National Stadium on Thursday, 6 June before facing Thailand away at the Rajamangala Stadium five days later.
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team rounded off the month of May with another big victory, extending their winning streak to seven games as they thrashed BG Tampines Rovers 9-0 on Saturday (18 May) evening at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
The result means the Sailors will head into the month-long international break with a perfect record, while maintaining their three-point lead at the top of the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) table.
Equally impressive is that, with goals from Ho Hui Xin and Yuvika Suresh on Saturday, the Sailors now boast 14 different goalscorers this season, showcasing their diverse attacking threats.
Indeed, it was 15-year-old Yuvika who opened the scoring for the Sailors against Tampines in the sixth minute, tapping home Josephine Ang’s lay-off from close range to give her side the lead.
Reflecting on her goal, Yuvika, one of seven teenagers promoted from the club’s Girls Academy this season, said, “I didn’t expect the ball to come to me because I thought Josephine was going to take the shot. But I usually still make the run in case I need to get to the second ball. So when Josephine passed the ball to me, I knew I had to get a good connection on it.”
Josephine then turned from provider to goalscorer, scoring twice in quick succession. While her first strike was a straightforward finish from a Nur Syazwani Ruzi assist, her second goal, a long-range free-kick, was particularly eye-catching.
The match was as good as over as a contest by half-time, but the Sailors emerged from the break wanting more.
Within four minutes of the restart, Hui Xin scored her first goal of the season as she curled the ball into the bottom right corner after being teed up by Yuvika.
It was clear from Hui Xin’s exuberant celebrations that the goal meant a lot to her. She said, “Almost everyone has scored this season! We’ve been working a lot on shooting in training so it’s very satisfying to get a goal. I definitely hope to get on the scoresheet more this season.”
With the wind firmly in their sails, Daniel Ong’s side went onto rack up the goals with Cara Chang, current WPL top scorer Raeka Ee, Dorcas Chu and Madison Telmer all contributing to the scoreline to give it a shinier gloss.
When asked about the reasons behind the Sailors’ recent impressive form, Hui Xin attributed it to the team’s effective communication on the pitch and their disciplined positioning.
“We reminded each other that instructions should be communicated on the pitch to keep the game flowing. Whether you’re a senior or junior player, it’s important to speak up and provide guidance to your teammates,” she elaborated.
“It ensures that we all know what’s going on at all times, and move cohesively as a unit. As midfielders, we have a wide view of the pitch, so we can facilitate team movements effectively.
“This cohesion, supported by effective communication, within the midfield is crucial for the team. We play a pivotal role in coordinating attacks by moving forward together and in defensive situations by dropping back. Essentially, we act as the engine that drives the team forward.”
Despite the big win, Hui Xin is confident that the Sailors can still improve, and believes that the upcoming break will be the perfect opportunity for the team to refine their tactics even further.
She said, “It’s inevitable that there’ll be gaps in our formation when we attack due to our high-pressing style of play. We need to work on keeping possession better to prevent counter attacks.”
The Sailors will next take on Geylang International on Sunday, 23 June at ITE College East.
The relief on the Lion City Sailors bench at the end of what should have been a straightforward 90 minutes was palpable.
After all, the scoreline at the Bishan Stadium may have read 3-1 in favour of the Sailors over the Young Lions, but there was no mistaking the fact that on another day, the outcome could easily have been very different.
Ultimately, though, it was the Sailors’ tenacity, determination, and quality – especially in the final third – that made the difference, as Aleksandar Ranković’s men survived going down to 10 men to maintain their winning start to the 2024/2025 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season.
Playing in front of their home fans for the first time this season, the Sailors flew out of the blocks and dominated proceedings early on, with Hariss Harun and new signing Bart Ramselaar both coming close to opening the scoring.
It took just 19 minutes for the home side to make the breakthrough, as Shawal Anuar was set free down the left, and his pinpoint cross into the box was expertly volleyed by Maxime Lestienne past the despairing reach of Young Lions goalkeeper Umayr Sujuandy.
Bart – a constant threat to the Young Lions defence throughout the game – nearly doubled the Sailors’ lead just two minutes later, but his shot from the left was well kept out by Umayr.
But the Sailors did not have to wait too long for their next goal. In the 23rd minute, Bart found Maxime in acres of space down the right, and the Belgian sent an inviting low cross into the six-yard box for Shawal to tap the ball into an unguarded net.
Racing into an early two-goal lead, there were many at the Bishan Stadium who expected the Sailors to go on and rack up a heavy victory.
However, they allowed the Young Lions to settle into the affair and assert control over the game, much to Ranko’s chagrin.
“We started pretty well, got a 2-0 lead, then we just started doing some things that I wasn’t satisfied with,” Ranko said after the game. “I told the boys this is not the level we want to see. Of course, we’re happy with three points, but I’m not happy with how the team responded after going two goals up.”
Ranko’s misgivings turned out to be justified, as the visitors eventually reaped the rewards for their efforts in the third minute of first-half stoppage time.
A long punt from defence set Itsuki Enomoto through on goal, but the 23-year-old had his ankles clipped by a recovering Bailey Wright before he could get his shot away.
A penalty was initially awarded to the Young Lions for the infringement, but after a lengthy VAR review, it was found that contact was made just outside the box, and a free-kick was given instead.
However, this also meant that Bailey, as the Sailors’ last man, was handed his marching orders for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
With a numerical advantage, the Young Lions emerged from the break with renewed vigour, almost halving the deficit within just two minutes. A cross from the left found substitute Raoul Suhaimi unmarked at the far post, but the 18-year-old completely fluffed his shot, sending the ball harmlessly wide for a goal kick.
Three minutes later, Rashid Hayek flicked a header that found Enomoto in a dangerous position. However, the Japanese striker was unable to generate enough power or accuracy in his header to beat Sailors goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad from close range.
The misses proved costly for the Young Lions, as in the 57th minute, the Sailors got the all-important third goal through Bart, whose deflected effort at the end of yet another devastating counter-attack looped over Umayr and into the back of the net.
“It was a really important goal because in the second half, they (Young Lions) played really well. We were one man down as well, so it was difficult for us, and I think that the goal came at a good moment because they had a few chances in the second half,” reflected the former PSV Eindhoven man.
Despite the setback, the Young Lions continued to press on, and they finally got on the scoresheet in the 64th minute through captain Farhan Zulkifli, who nodded home from close range after capitalising on a well-placed header from Kan Kobayashi into the six-yard box.
The Young Lions had another golden opportunity to reduce the deficit eight minutes from time, as former Sailor Nur Adam Abdullah raced to the byline on the left before sending in a low, hard cross into the box. However, Zharfan just managed to get a touch on the ball to disrupt an onrushing Enomoto, who slid in but somehow failed to divert the ball into the back of an empty net.
Minutes later, another dangerous cross from the left found Jun Kobayashi unmarked in the box, but his header sailed just wide of the post, as the Sailors hung on to secure a valuable win that keeps them top of the SPL.
It was a battling victory that Ranko believes showed the strength of character of this Sailors side.
“I have to compliment the boys for the character they showed because it’s not easy to play with 10 men, especially against this Young Lions team,” said Ranko.
“They (Young Lions) might still lack experience, but I’m certain they are going to pose problems for other teams in the league. However, I think we defended well, and it was important that we managed to score even with a man down.”
Bart, who was named Man of the Match, echoed Ranko’s sentiments, but added that the Sailors were always confident of getting the win.
“I wouldn’t say we were worried (that the Young Lions would equalise), but we knew we had to work very hard,” the Dutchman elaborated. “We did give them maybe too many chances in the second half, although I think we also created some good opportunities for ourselves.
“What certainly helped us was the wonderful atmosphere created by our fans – we were all motivated to fight and get the three points for them.”
The Sailors will have a short break in between matches, with their next SPL game scheduled for 15 June after the international break as they take on Brunei DPMM away at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.
With six wins out of six this season, and a whopping 36 goals scored, the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team have clearly shown that they deserve to be where they are in the 2024 Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) table — right at the very top.
Their success, however, has not just been predicated on the team’s ruthlessness in front of goal. With just one goal conceded so far — which came against title rivals Albirex Niigata (S) in a 2-1 win in March — the Sailors’ defence has played its part in the team’s impressive start to their campaign.
According to Sailors wing-back Khairunnisa Anwar, the solidity of the team’s defence can be attributed to their discipline, both in and out of possession.
“We’ve been moving together as one defensive line, ensuring that there are no gaps for attackers to exploit,” she explained.
“Each player covers for their teammates by providing support and protection in case someone is beaten or pulled out of position. This level of discipline requires constant communication, anticipation of opponents’ movements, as well as a strong understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities.”
It helps that some of the team’s more experienced players, including captain Umairah Hamdan and vice-captain Nur Syazwani Ruzi, play in defence, allowing them to mentor the younger players in the backline.
As a result, players like Seri Nurinsyirah and Tyan Foong — who were recently promoted from the academy to the senior squad — along with Tia Foong, have benefited and flourished under the leadership and guidance of Umairah and Wani.
This is especially important as maintaining a strict, defensive shape, while pressing the opponents high up the pitch, requires every member of the Sailors backline to be focused and on the same wavelength.
“Maintaining defensive shape is a key instruction for the defenders. Even when we play with a back three, it’s crucial for them to stay compact and organised to make it difficult for opponents to create scoring opportunities,” the 21-year-old shared.
“We also focus a lot on bypassing opposition lines by playing out from the back. By having a high-pressure attacking style, it means we have a lot of space to bring the ball out, so we’re encouraged to initiate attacks from deep.”
One tactical shift that Sailors Women Head Coach Daniel Ong has made this season is to line up with a back-three, which allows them to play on the front-foot and try to win the ball in the opponent’s half.
This has enabled the Sailors’ attack to thrive, as forward Cara Chang elaborated, “We have a lot of trust in our defenders’ ability to regain possession.
“As such, we’re a lot less worried about losing the ball, so we are more confident in trying new things. Paired with the strength of our defence, our new formation has helped us to score more goals as we are now attacking with more players.”
Up next for the Sailors is a clash against eighth-placed BG Tampines Rovers on Saturday (18 May) evening at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
This will be the Sailors’ last match before a month-long break, and while the team is on a good run of form, both Cara and Nisa have warned against complacency.
“We remain fully focused on the next game and have maintained our intensity in training throughout the week. We are determined to extend our winning run, and we are absolutely committed to avoiding any hint of complacency,” declared 15-year-old Cara.
Echoing Cara’s sentiment, Nisa added, “We’ve been focusing on our high pressing, pushing up the wingers and fullbacks. Hopefully it’ll disrupt the opponent’s build-up play, force turnovers in dangerous areas, and create scoring opportunities for us.”
As the Lion City Sailors’ new signings this season, the likes of Bart Ramselaar, Obren Kljajić, and Toni Datković have all garnered attention in the club’s first two games, with fans excited to see what they have to offer for the campaign ahead.
But while attention has been focused on the club’s high-profile signings, one player has quietly gone about his business in the middle of the park: Hami Syahin.
The midfielder cut a mature and composed presence in the heart of the Sailors team, as he completed the full 90 minutes in both the Community Shield win against Albirex Niigata (S) on 4 May, as well as the league-opening victory over Hougang United a week later.
Having seemingly established himself as the fulcrum of the Sailors’ midfield, Hami is determined to ensure that he continues to keep his place in the team for the rest of the season.
“It’s not easy to compete with players like Anu (M Anumanthan), Rui (Pires), Song (Uiyoung), and Adam (Swandi) in the midfield positions. So, whenever I have the chance, I’ll try to prove myself and show what I can offer,” said the 25-year-old, who has made 145 appearances in all Singapore domestic competitions.
Hami enjoyed an encouraging campaign last year, making a total of 23 league appearances — the highest since his professional debut in 2016.
However, he played only a bit-part role in last season’s Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) campaign, making just four appearances off the bench.
Having had a taste of what it is like to play at the highest level, Hami knows he will have to work hard and improve to help the Sailors as they compete in the brand new second-tier ACL Two competition later this year.
He elaborated, “You don’t have a lot of time on the ball when you’re playing in a competition like the ACL; you need to be smarter in your positioning and think two steps ahead about what you want to do. That’s what I’ve been working on to try and be a better player for the team.”
For Hami, being able to learn from Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković — an accomplished midfielder in his playing days — has also helped him progress in his game.
“Coach Ranko and (Assistant) Coach Marko Perović know their stuff in midfield; they’re always trying to guide us and give us more tips,” the Singapore international shared. “I always try to apply whatever they’ve been teaching in my game.”
Hami also acknowledged that having capable teammates to rely on has given him the confidence to assert himself during games.
“It helps when I’m playing in a team where there’s the likes of Bailey (Wright) and Toni behind me,” Hami reflected. “With them around, I feel confident in doing what I do best – playing good passes and creating space for our attackers. Collectively, we’ve been able to produce what Coach Ranko wants us to display, and we have to continue in this manner.”
The Sailors’ next fixture is their first home match of the season, where they will host the Young Lions at Bishan Stadium on Saturday (18 May) evening.
Hami warned that the Young Lions, now with a revamped squad featuring four Japanese players alongside top local talents like Farhan Zulkifli, Nur Adam Abdullah, and Khairin Nadim, will be no pushovers.
Nazri Nasir’s side also announced a fifth foreign signing earlier in the week in former Western United centre-back Rashid Hayek.
“The Young Lions are undoubtedly a much-improved side from last season, as they have several players with significant experience in the SPL,” said Hami. “It would be foolish for us to underestimate them, so we must give our all in this game to secure the win.
“Last year, we had a strong record at home, and we aim to carry this momentum into the current season. Our focus is on delivering a dominant performance and creating exciting moments on the pitch for our fans to savour.”
On paper, it looked to be a tricky fixture for the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team.
After all, Still Aerion had made an impressive start to the season, and was unbeaten in three Deloitte Singapore Women’s Premier League (WPL) games (two wins and one draw).
But at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Saturday (11 May) night, the Sailors’ quality shone through once again, as they ended Aerion’s unbeaten streak with a comfortable 4-0 victory to remain top of the WPL standings on 18 points.
The Sailors are three points ahead of their closest rivals, Albirex Niigata (S), who recorded an impressive 14-0 win over Balestier Khalsa earlier in the day.
While Albirex’s heavy win put the pressure back on the Sailors, Daniel Ong’s side remained calm and composed when they took to the field against Aerion.
Indeed, all that the Sailors squad was focusing on was playing their own game.
“We weren’t really concerned about Albirex’s result; our main focus was on getting the three points. As a team, we did well in our possession, and followed the game plan closely,” Sailors Captain Umairah Hamdan said.
Having also beaten Albirex and third-placed Hougang United earlier this season, Umairah believes the Sailors are only growing stronger with each game.
She elaborated, “Confidence is growing, especially among the younger players who are eager to step up even more than they already have. The passes within the team are getting better, leading to smarter runs and decisions. Additionally, we want to work towards scoring more goals to put some distance between us and Albirex in terms of goal difference.”
It took all of 13 minutes for the Sailors to strike on the night, and unsurprisingly, it was the league’s current top scorer, Raeka Ee, who made the decisive contribution.
The 20-year-old latched onto Madison Telmer’s perfectly weighted pass before coolly tapping the ball home from close range for her ninth goal of the season.
The Sailors continued to threaten the Aerion goal, but it was only in the 37th minute that they were able to double their lead, with Nur Syazwani Ruzi converting from the penalty spot after Aerion’s Bernice Lim was penalised for handling the ball in the box.
Any faint hopes of an Aerion comeback were promptly quashed three minutes into the second half, when Umairah’s hopeful free-kick from distance skidded on the wet pitch and wrongfooted the Aerion goalkeeper to give the Sailors a three goal lead.
Umairah made it 4-0 in similar fashion 13 minutes later, as her shot from distance bounced over the Aerion goalkeeper and ended up in the back of the net.
Reflecting on her goals, Umairah stated, “I usually take the free kicks for the team, and I’m quite good with the long balls. The goals just came naturally to me, but it was still quite thrilling. As a center back, my primary responsibility is to prevent goals, so being able to contribute offensively is a bonus.”
Despite the Sailors’ overall dominance, Aerion – boosted by the return of experienced Thai international Sunisa Srangthaisong after the lifting of a four-match suspension – occasionally posed a threat to Beatrice Tan in the Sailors goal.
One such moment occurred in the 59th minute, when Beatrice rushed off her line to smother a loose ball before an onrushing Carmen Calisto could get to it.
“I saw her coming and honestly I was a little scared as she showed no sign of slowing down,” Beatrice recounted. “My instinct was to just go for the ball even though it was a 50-50, but I knew I had to also protect myself. I was so relieved after collecting the ball.”
Having kept Aerion out, the Sailors have now recorded five clean sheets in six games, with their only blemish coming in a 2-1 win over Albirex in March.
Umairah attributed the Sailors’ defensive solidity to the team’s collective willingness to support and cover for each other. She elaborated, “If someone lets the ball through our defence, there’s always someone else to help cover for the mistake. We never give up because we are confident we can still recover the ball.”
Echoing Umairah’s sentiments, Beatrice added, “We always reassure each other not to worry about leaving our position because someone’s always going to be there to cover. Nobody ever blames another player. Whoever’s recovering the ball knows to delay while everyone else gets back to support. That shows both team spirit and good work rate.”
The Sailors will next turn their attention to BG Tampines Rovers, who they will play next Saturday (18 May) at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.