Month: August 2024
The Lion City Sailors will look to get off to a winning start in the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup at the Batakan Stadium tomorrow (22 August) night, but their task will not come easy against an in-form Borneo FC Samarinda side.
A Borneo side in fine form
The Dolphins have begun the 2024/25 Indonesia Liga 1 season in fine form, with victories over Semen Padang (3-1) and Arema FC (2-0) in their first two games. They are now joint-top of their domestic league, along with PSM Makassar and Bali United on identical records based on goals scored and conceded.
They had also excelled in the annual pre-season President’s Cup, progressing all the way to the final, where they lost to Arema on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
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Joint-top scorer in that tournament with three goals, Borneo’s new Brazilian no. 9 Léo Gaúcho carried that form into the league as he netted against Semen Padang on his Liga 1 debut.
The 23-year-old is one of several new foreign signings Borneo brought in during the off-season, along with Burundian midfielder Christophe Nduwarugira, Argentinian forward Mariano Peralta, and compatriots Ronaldo Rodrigues, Berguinho and Lucas Salinas.
Complementing a strong roster of former and current Indonesia internationals such as Diego Michiels, Stefano Lilipaly and Nadeo Argawinata, Borneo are heading into their first-ever regional tournament with optimism.
“We’re happy to participate in this competition, we’re fit and ready to play after a good start to the season,” said Borneo Head Coach Pieter Huistra at the pre-match press conference.
“My expectations for the team are always high – we want to win our next game. So far, it’s gone quite well, but of course, international football has a different dynamic to it. Furthermore, we only have a few clips of the Sailors, so it’ll be difficult to predict how they’ll play.”
Under the guidance of the 57-year-old Dutchman, Borneo finished the 2023/24 Indonesia Liga 1 regular season eight points ahead of eventual Championship series winners Persib Bandung, who are coincidentally the Sailors’ Group Stage opponents in the upcoming AFC Champions League (ACL) Two campaign.
Sailors going in with equally solid shape
The Sailors, too, are bullish about their prospects in the Group B opener, having started the season with nine wins and a draw in their first 11 league matches of the season.
A first defeat of the season to BG Tampines Rovers in mid-July served as a wake-up call for the team, who have since bounced back with three successive victories over Young Lions, Hougang United, and Brunei DPMM, to stay well in the title hunt.
“There’s no doubt about Borneo’s quality, and it’ll be tough, but we’re coming into this in a pretty good spot, given how our season has gone so far. The team will be ready to compete and try to represent the nation well in this tournament,” said Sailors tactician Aleksandar Ranković.
The Sailors can count on a fit-again Bart Ramselaar, who has recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out for the past four games. And the former PSV Eindhoven man is ready to play an influential role for the Sailors again in the attacking third.
“I’m happy to be back helping the team and playing this regional competition,” said the 28-year-old, who has scored five goals in six league appearances for the Sailors since arriving in the off-season.
“The intensity will be quite high and I know Indonesian clubs have big fanbases, so we’re expecting a huge crowd tomorrow. But that will only motivate us to prove ourselves on this stage.”
A testing schedule ahead for the Sailors
Along with Thailand’s Buriram United and Philippines’ Kaya FC–Iloilo, the Sailors are one of three teams playing in both the Shopee Cup and ACL competitions, on top of competing in the domestic league.
The Sailors will return to SPL action soon after the Borneo game to take on defending league champions Albirex Niigata (S) on Sunday (25 August) evening. This marks the start of a gruelling sequence of games for the Sailors in the continental competitions and domestic league matches in the coming months.
While Ranko acknowledged this would be a challenging period for his team, he has backed his charges to rise to the ocassion.
He said, “It’s going to be a challenge, that’s for sure, because we’re playing in four different competitions (including the Singapore Cup), and if you see our schedule especially from August to October, it’s pretty busy. So, my job is not only to get the team performing, but also to keep the squad fit.
“Out of experience, it’s not going to be easy, but I have full faith in the boys and I know they have what it takes to be competing on different fronts.”
Right after the fixtures for the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup Group Stage were announced, Song Uiyoung’s phone started buzzing non-stop – and understandably so.
After all, the Lion City Sailors will kick off their Group B campaign with a trip to Balikpapan, Indonesia, where they’ll face the 2023/24 Liga 1 Regular Series champions, Borneo FC Samarinda, on 22 August. This match marks Song’s first return to Indonesia since leaving Persebaya Surabaya in mid-March to rejoin the Sailors.
“My Indonesian friends, ex-Persebaya teammates, and even reporters have all been messaging me about this match because they know I’m returning to Indonesia,” said the 30-year-old, who made 17 Liga 1 appearances between July and December 2023, including a start in Persebaya’s 2-1 win over Borneo on 3 September.
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“I have many good memories of playing in this country, and I’m really looking forward to Thursday night. I remember that match — Borneo were top of the table, and it was a tough game against one of the biggest teams in Indonesia, but we fought really hard to win.”
Known as a big-game player, Song has a history of scoring against Indonesian opposition. In December 2021, he netted for the Singapore national team against Borneo’s regular starting goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata in a 4-2 loss to Indonesia at the National Stadium.
Back in May 2018, he scored in front of a packed Gelora Bung Karno Stadium to help Home United to a famous 3-1 victory over Persija Jakarta in the previous version of the AFC Cup.
And Song is looking forward to yet another epic showdown – this time at the 40,000-seater Batakan Stadium, against a Borneo side that has started their 2024/25 Liga 1 season with two wins out of two.
“The fan culture in Indonesia is massive, with each team boasting a large number of supporters, especially a big team like Borneo. I’m anticipating a great atmosphere and a very competitive game; everyone in our team is highly motivated for this challenge,” said the Singapore international.
“Borneo have made some changes since I last played against them, but there’s no doubt they remain a very strong team. Their midfielder, Stefano Lilipaly, is a top player we need to watch closely. Indonesian football is known for its physicality and direct style of play, so I’m expecting a game like that.”
Heading into this game after a series of strong individual performances in the Sailors’ recent Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches, Song seems to be rediscovering his best form, and credits his teammates for his resurgence.
He said, “It wasn’t easy (at the start) as I had to adapt to a new team and was dealing with some injuries. But now, I’m feeling really good, and I believe I can push even harder to help the team. You can see on the pitch that we’re all working together and helping each other to score – our team spirit is really high and that will help us in this tough game.”
While it will be a stern test for the Sailors, Song has backed his teammates to rise to the occasion.
“For sure, the intensity and the physicality of the game will be different from the SPL,” Song mused. “But first and foremost, we have to believe in ourselves. We’ve got good quality in this team and we want to show that we’re capable of playing at this level.
“It’s important that we enjoy the 90 minutes as a team, as well as the experience of playing in front of a huge away crowd. We just need to focus on what we’ve been working on during training, support each other throughout the match, and I think we can go home with the three points.”
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team will head to Jordan for the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Women’s Champions League (AWCL) in high spirits, after securing a confidence-boosting 11-0 victory over Balestier Khalsa on Saturday (17 Aug) night at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
With this win, the Sailors took a huge step towards securing their third consecutive Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) title, pulling three points clear of their nearest challengers, Albirex Niigata (S), at the top of the table with three matches left to go.
The high-scoring win also extended their goal difference advantage over Albirex to 22, and Liyana Rickit, one of the scorers on the night, believes this could be crucial as the season draws to a close.
“It’s crucial to score as many goals as we can, especially now that we’re in the final stretch of the season,” said Liyana.
Miray Altun, who netted her first goals of the campaign and became the 17th Sailor to score this season, echoed Liyana’s sentiments.
“Every goal counts when you’re aiming for the top, and goal difference plays a significant role this season,” she explained. “The team’s mentality of always pushing forward — whether for the next goal or the next match — is vital, and it’s a mindset we all share.”
It took only six minutes for the Sailors to get their first goal of the night, with in-form wing-back Nur Syazwani Ruzi tapping the ball in after being set up by a well-weighted pass from Sarah Zu’risqha.
Liyana, 15, then doubled the team’s lead seven minutes later, as she capitalised on Balestier’s failure to clear the ball in their box to score her second goal of the season.
“It feels great to score just before competing in the AWCL because it shows what I’m capable of, and I hope to score even more moving forward,” Liyana shared. “It’s crucial to commit when you see the ball coming your way. I saw the opportunity in that chaos and took my shot.”
Sarah then turned from provider to scorer in the 17th minute, netting the Sailors’ third goal, before Josephine Ang made it 4-0 just 16 minutes later. The goal brought 18-year-old Josephine’s season tally to 12, making her the third-highest goalscorer in the WPL this season.
Eight minutes before the break, Seri Nurinsyirah extended the Sailors’ lead to five goals, heading in a precise corner for her second goal of the season.
The second half continued much like the first, with the Sailors pressing forward to further extend their lead.
And it took just four minutes after the restart for Miray — who was deployed in central midfield for the first time this season — to curl the ball home to give her side a 6-0 lead.
Miray, who had previously played on the wings for the Sailors, revealed that she trained as a centre-midfielder during the team’s recent training camp in Pathum Thani, Thailand.
“I’m really enjoying this new position; it’s completely different from playing on the wings. The new responsibilities are quite refreshing, and I think scoring has helped boost my confidence in the middle,” shared 19-year-old Miray, who played as a central midfielder until her time in the under-18s.
Sailors’ leading scorer Raeka Ee, who came on as a half-time substitute, then scored a quickfire double in the 62nd and 65th minutes, bringing her goal tally to 14 for the season — just four behind the current WPL top scorer, Manami Fukuzawa of Albirex (18 goals).
The final 10 minutes of the game saw the Sailors further extend their lead through goals from Miray, Umairah Hamdan, and Cara Chang, as Daniel Ong’s charges secured their third win of the season with a margin of at least 10 goals.
Now, the Sailors will turn their focus to their next big challenge — the AWCL.
Miray said, “I know the AWCL will be a tougher test, but scoring tonight and our consistent performance in the WPL give us momentum. Hopefully, we can carry that forward in Jordan and through the rest of the WPL season.”
The Lion City Sailors’ match schedule for the 2024/25 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two Group Stage has been confirmed, with all six matches to be played on Thursday nights.
Aleksandar Ranković’s men will kick off their Group F campaign with a home game against 2023 Chinese Super League second runners-up Zhejiang Professional on 19 September, before travelling to Pathum Thani, Thailand to face Thai League 1 side Port FC at BG Stadium on 3 October.
A double-header against Persib Bandung then beckons, with an away day at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium on 24 October, before the Sailors play hosts to the reigning Indonesia Liga 1 champions a fortnight later on 7 November.
The Sailors will then visit Hangzhou, China to play Zhejiang at Yellow Dragon Sports Center on 28 November, before wrapping up the group stage with a home game against Port on 5 December.
All three of the Sailors’ home ACL Two group-stage fixtures will be played at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The Lion City Sailors will face opposition from China, Thailand, and Indonesia in the rebranded 2024/25 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two competition.
This was confirmed earlier this afternoon (16 August) following the official Group Stage draw which took place in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
The Sailors, who qualified for the competition after finishing as the top-ranked local side in the 2023 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, have been placed in Group F (East Region) along with 2023 Chinese Super League second runners-up Zhejiang Professional, 2023/24 Thai League 1’s third-placed side Port FC, and reigning Indonesia Liga 1 champions Persib Bandung.
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The new tournament in Asia consists of eight groups — four in the West and four in the East — each with four teams in the Group Stage. Matches will be played in a home-and-away round-robin format from 17 September to 5 December.
The top two sides from each group will advance to the Round of 16, which will be played in February next year. The tournament will then conclude with a one-off final on 17 May 2025.
Looking ahead to the Sailors’ first-ever ACL Two Campaign, Head coach Aleksandar Ranković has backed his charges to be competitive and represent Singapore with pride and distinction.
“The club has achieved some impressive results in the ACL over the past few years. I can only speak for last season when I was in charge – we showed in the majority of those matches that we can be very competitive, and that we can go toe-to-toe with the best of Asia,” said the Serb.
“The target for this season is to build on that foundation and outdo ourselves at this level. Our players are extremely motivated, and you can see that from our strong start in the domestic league. All of them are very eager to prove themselves, and we’ll be looking to make Singapore proud with some solid performances.”
In what feels like no time at all, the 2024 Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) season is already nearing its conclusion.
However, unlike in recent years, the race for the WPL title is still wide open.
Both the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team and Albirex Niigata (S) remain in the title race – they are currently tied at the top of the table with 33 points each, though the Sailors have a game in hand and a significant advantage in goal difference.
While the Sailors are still considered favourites to retain the WPL trophy for a third consecutive year, they know they cannot afford to take it easy in their remaining four games — especially with Albirex hot on their heels, ready to capitalise on any slip-ups.
For many in this young Sailors squad, this is their first experience in such a tight title race.
Among them is 15-year-old Tyan Foong, one of seven teenagers promoted from the Sailors Girls Academy at the start of the season.
The former Women’s National League (WNL) defender has been an integral part of the Sailors’ backline this season, and has developed significantly while playing alongside and learning from senior players such as Sara Hayduchok, captain Umairah Hamdan, and her older sister Tia Foong.
Reflecting on what has been a productive but challenging season so far, Tyan said, “I’ll always cherish the moment I made my debut — the nerves, playing alongside the team’s big sisters, and feeling the pressure of the fans.
“Admittedly, though, it’s a relief that the season is ending so I can take a break from the stress of competing every weekend.”
After a four-day training camp in Pathum Thani, Thailand over the weekend, the Sailors will head into their next match against Balestier Khalsa on Saturday (17 August) at Choa Chu Kang Stadium with renewed vigour, as they look to take another step towards lifting the WPL trophy.
“We definitely broadened our perspectives during the training camp. We’ve returned stronger and are ready to face the rest of the season with no fear and at full force,” said Tyan.
“At this stage of the season, every club will be fighting for their goals and giving 110% effort. It’s crucial that we stay calm and ensure every pass is firm and accurate.”
Tyan also revealed that the team focused on the psychological aspects of the game during their time in Bangkok, which she believes was beneficial when they tested themselves against Thai Women’s League 1 sides Bangkok WFC and Kasem Bundit FC in closed-door friendlies.
She said, “We attended mental health talks on managing anxiety and stress, which helped us stay calm during the matches in Thailand and improved our overall performance.”
Echoing Tyan’s sentiments, Sailors forward Josephine Ang is confident that the team has what it takes to go the distance this season.
“We need to believe in ourselves and keep playing our style of football to finish the last few matches strongly,” the 17-year-old said. “In training, everyone consistently gives their 100%, and there’s always a positive energy. I really appreciate that this team is eager to learn and grow from their mistakes. They demonstrate resilience, even when training gets tough.”
Josephine, who is currently the joint-third highest goalscorer in the WPL this season with 11 goals, is determined to play a crucial role in leading the Sailors to the title.
“It’s crucial for me to convert my chances. My goal this season is to win the title, and it would be even more rewarding if I can contribute by scoring more goals,” she said.
Josephine also offered some advice to her younger teammates on handling the intensity of the title race.
“There will be sacrifices along the way, but that’s all part of life,” Josephine said. “Just keep going and never give up, because good things will come, and all the hard work will be worth it. Things will only get better from here!”
The Lion City Sailors players lined up in two rows on the pitch at Bishan Stadium, forming something akin to a guard of honour while they waited with cheeky grins for the man of the moment to walk past them.
As Hafiz Nor stepped between the two rows of players, hands reached out from both sides to give him friendly, congratulatory slaps on the back of his head – a classic gesture of camaraderie and playful ribbing in football.
A roar of approval erupted from the crowd at Bishan Stadium as Hafiz finally emerged from the group of players, his hair slightly ruffled but otherwise unharmed and in high spirits.
It was a deserved tribute to a player who has been a mainstay with the Sailors since the club’s inception in 2020. A well-liked figure in the team, Hafiz is known for always giving 100 percent and leaving everything on the pitch for the Sailors.
Fittingly, Hafiz has now etched his name into the Sailors’ history books as the first player to reach 100 appearances in all competitions for the club – a milestone he reached when he came on as a 78th-minute substitute in a 6-0 win over Young Lions on 22 July.
For his achievement, the 35-year-old was presented with a special framed Sailors jersey – emblazoned with his name and the words ‘100 APPEARANCES’ – by club chairman Forrest Li last Saturday (3 August) evening, just before their 3-0 Singapore Premier League (SPL) win over Brunei DPMM.
Hafiz’s century of appearances for the Sailors includes 82 in the SPL, nine in the Singapore Cup, one in the Community Shield, and eight across two AFC Champions League campaigns in 2022 and 2023.
He has since played two more SPL games for the Sailors, bringing his total number of appearances to 102.
Wearing a proud and grateful expression throughout the jersey presentation ceremony, Hafiz expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the club for recognising his contributions over the years.
“It’s an absolute honour to receive this special jersey and be recognised for this achievement, especially with our chairman presenting it and my family watching. This moment really makes me feel that all my hard work and sacrifices have been worthwhile,” said the Sailors’ vice-captain.
“It has been a privilege to wear the Sailors’ badge for the past four years and I’ll continue to give my best as long as I’m needed by the club. I am deeply grateful to the club for this recognition, and this jersey will be a treasured keepsake for me.”
Hafiz revealed that he did not keep track of his appearances and was unaware he was approaching the 100-match milestone.
Nonetheless, he admitted to being pleasantly surprised by the club’s gesture, as he said, “To be honoured in this way shows how much the club values and appreciates its players. It’s also a message to everyone that if you give your all in training and on the pitch, the club will recognise your efforts.”
Hafiz was among the players who transitioned from Home United to the Lion City Sailors when the club rebranded in February 2020. The following month, he featured in the Sailors’ first-ever SPL match, a 1-1 draw against Tanjong Pagar United, alongside teammates such as Song Uiyoung, Zulqarnaen Suzliman, and Haiqal Pashia.
Over the past four years, Hafiz has selflessly contributed to the Sailors’ success, helping the club evolve into a team that consistently competes with Asia’s top sides through its qualification for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL).
Reflecting on the Sailors’ evolution over the years, Hafiz said, “It’s surreal to see the progress the club has made. We’re now regularly competing in the ACL and achieving credible results against some of Asia’s elite teams. We also have promising Academy players breaking into the first team, and a robust pipeline for youth development.
“I know there were doubts about the club’s rebranding to become LCS at the time, but I believe most people now understand our vision – to elevate Singapore football to new heights through the things we do here.
“We are very grateful to Forrest for his continual trust in us, and for investing the resources needed to build a reputable club.”
But it was not all smooth sailing for Hafiz and the Sailors at the start of their journey.
The club’s inaugural season in 2020 was curtailed after just two matches – a draw and a defeat – due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant the Sailors had to wait seven months before playing their next competitive match, where they finally secured their first-ever win by beating Geylang International 4-0 at the Bishan Stadium.
That victory sparked the Sailors’ momentum, leading them to finish the season strongly in third place. The following year, under the guidance of Head Coach Kim Do-hoon, they went on to lift their first SPL title in history.
“That triumph was truly memorable. Not only was it our first league title, but it was also the first time a local team had won the league in seven years. So many people were rooting for us, and we’re incredibly proud to have restored some local pride for Singaporeans,” recalled Hafiz.
The Sailors’ maiden league title was followed by another year of significant progress, particularly in regional competition.
After starting the 2022 season by winning their first Community Shield, the Sailors went on to represent Singapore with distinction in the ACL. They achieved the highest points tally ever by a Singaporean side in the competition — seven points — highlighted by a stunning 3-0 victory over South Korea’s Daegu FC.
“We were quite nervous before the ACL because we didn’t know what to expect. But we followed our coaches’ instructions diligently and we’re proud to have made history for the club and for the nation,” said Hafiz, who played a total of 32 matches that year.
The opening of the Lion City Sailors Training Centre – Singapore’s first integrated football training facility – greatly accelerated the team’s development, with Hafiz admitting that he had never had access to such resources in his career before.
Another 33 appearances came in 2023 – a season in which Hafiz scored the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United, lifted the Singapore Cup with captain Hariss Harun, and contributed to an ACL campaign where the Sailors defeated K-League opposition for the second consecutive year with a 2-0 win over two-time ACL champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Hafiz’s WhatsApp profile picture features a memorable photo of him wearing the armband at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, with the passionate Mad Green Boys of the Jeonbuk Motors Supporters’ Club in the background, taken during the Sailors’ away fixture in Korea — a moment he cherishes despite the defeat.
“It was an electrifying atmosphere, with the Jeonbuk fans cheering throughout the match. Although we lost, it was quite an experience for us to be playing in such a world-class stadium. It serves as a reminder of the privilege we have as footballers,” he said.
Over the years, Hafiz’s role has naturally evolved into that of a team leader, fittingly as the elder statesman of the squad. The veteran is now relishing the opportunity to impart his knowledge to the next generation.
Hafiz explained, “I see myself more as a leader on the pitch now. With young players like 16-year-old Nathan Mao in the first team, I try to offer guidance based on my years of experience. It motivates me, especially when they ask challenging questions — it pushes me to think deeply and reflect on how to be a better leader.”
Hafiz’s humility and versatility have been key to his success with the Sailors. Whether playing as a right-back, left-back, right midfielder, or auxiliary striker, he has consistently performed his duties with excellence and always prioritised the team.
Hafiz’s next target? To make 150 appearances, while continuing to serve as a guide and mentor to the younger players.
“I’m not thinking about 200 appearances just yet; 150 is the more realistic goal!” Hafiz remarked. “I hope to perform well enough to secure a contract for next year because I’m truly enjoying my time at the club. It’s great to have a core group like Adam (Swandi), Pashia, and myself who have been with the club for a while, as our presence helps the newer players settle in more quickly.”
‘Viva Hafiz Nor, Viva Hafiz Nor, Running down the wing, hear the Sailors sing, Viva Hafiz Nor!’ is a familiar chant that has resonated in the stands from Sailors fans over the past four years. As Hafiz approaches his 36th birthday this month, he remains determined to give the fans even more reasons to smile by continuing to contribute to the team’s success.
“Whenever I hear the fans sing this song, it always pumps me up and motivates me to do even more for them. We have the most amazing fans who support us through every match, win, lose, or draw,” said Hafiz, who is now in his 14th consecutive professional season since making his SPL debut in 2011.
“My job is to stay in the best possible condition and give my all for the club. Despite my age, I know what I can offer, and I’ll keep going until my body tells me I can’t do it anymore.”
It was a debut to remember for the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team’s latest addition, Priscille Le Helloco, as she bagged a brace to spur her side to a 3-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United on Saturday (3 August) night at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
With her two goals, the Sailors now boast 16 different scorers this season, as Daniel Ong’s side consolidated their spot at the top of the 2024 Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) table with only four matches left to play.
They now lead closest rivals Albirex Niigata (S) by six points, with the White Swans looking to close the gap when they take on Hougang United tonight (4 August) in their game in hand.
Deployed on the right wing, Priscille was determined to make her Sailors debut a special one despite feeling nervous before the game.
“There’s so much talent on this team. Starting and being able to play with all these players meant so much,” gushed the 17-year-old, who has only had three training sessions with the Sailors so far.
“It was nerve-wracking at first because everyone on the team knows each other, and I was a mid-season signing. But the kindness shown by my teammates calmed my nerves. It’s only the first game, and I have to earn my place. I still have a lot to prove.”
Daniel was all smiles after seeing yet another young talent in Priscille make her mark with the Sailors. He said, “I’m very happy (with Priscille’s performance). It shows that everyone is giving their very best for the team and deserves to start the game when given the opportunity.”
The Sailors, however, initially struggled to break the deadlock as Tanjong Pagar custodian Elizabeth Tan made a series of saves to keep the game goalless.
But the Sailors’ relentless pressure eventually told in the 24th minute. Nurhidayu Naszri’s pass through the middle found Raeka Ee, who unselfishly squared it for an unmarked Priscille to tap the ball into an empty net to give the Sailors a 1-0 lead.
The French teenager came close to doubling the lead just after half-time with a superb curled effort from range, but her shot cannoned off the crossbar.
But Priscille did not have to wait long for her second goal. In the 55th minute, she found herself one-on-one with Elizabeth after being set through by Raeka, and the Sailors’ new signing calmly rounded the goalkeeper before placing it into the back of the net.
Reflecting on her two goals, Priscille credited her new teammates for giving her the confidence to perform at her best and make an impact in her debut.
“I had Sara Hayduchok, one of my former teammates at Tampines Rovers, guiding me in trainings and helping me to assimilate into the team. Raeka was also instrumental, assisting with the goals. We had even planned a celebration before the match, so it was wonderful to be able to execute it,” Priscille revealed.
“It felt surreal to play alongside so many players with great reputations. Scoring really helped me feel at ease. It’s incredible to combine with these players, especially since I had been watching them from afar before joining the team.”
The Sailors then wrapped up the three points through substitute Josephine Ang, who scored for the 11th time this season with yet another free-kick goal – her fourth of the campaign.
“Everyone in the team knows that Josephine’s free-kick technique is exceptional,” Daniel said. “Scoring more goals will boost her confidence, and in turn, she’ll show what she is capable of. The best is yet to come from her.”
With the Sailors — who will face Balestier Khalsa next on 17 August — set to ramp up their preparations for the upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League, Daniel believes his charges are heading in the right direction.
“The team is showing a lot of positive movement on and off the ball, which is a good sign,” said Daniel. “It demonstrates that everyone is applying what they’ve practised in training. As long as they give their best and work together, everyone will benefit and help each other develop their game further.”
The Lion City Sailors continued their recent fine form as they put on a dominant display to defeat Brunei DPMM 3-0 at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (3 August) evening.
Lennart Thy struck his second straight league brace, while Shawal Anuar scored the other as Aleksandar Ranković’s men notched up their third win in as many Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches.
With the victory, the Sailors remain second in the table, one point behind league-leading BG Tampines Rovers, who also picked up a 3-0 win against Tanjong Pagar United in a concurrent match.
Having kept the same starting eleven that plundered 13 goals in the last two matches, Ranko’s men started the game with red-hot intensity and chalked up 18 shots in the first 45 minutes.
However, a combination of great goalkeeping from DPMM goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski and wasteful finishing meant the Sailors finished the first half with only a goal to the good.
The goal came deservedly in the 20th minute through Lennart, who scored in his third straight league game with a delightful backheel finish that deceived Naumovski, after being teed up by an inch-perfect pass from Maxime Lestienne.
With Lennart working well with the likes of Maxime, Song Uiyoung, and Shawal, the Sailors carved open the Bruneians’ defence time and again with delightful link-up play in the attacking third.
Shawal was especially influential in the build-up phase, as he unselfishly teed up Song, Lennart, and Maxime on three separate occasions, but their shots were all either blocked by the DPMM defence or repelled by the on-song Naumovski.
The Sailors picked up where they left off after the break, with Shawal finally doubling the advantage five minutes into the second half.
A lethal counter-attacking move saw Maxime releasing the 33-year-old, who gave DPMM centre-back Nurikhwan Othman the slip before coolly finishing underneath Naumovski for his eighth goal of the season.
Shawal could have scored a second on 67 minutes when Hami Syahin found him with a defence-splitting pass, but his attempted lob landed inches wide of the post.
But he quickly moved past that disappointment as he teed up Lennart for a crisp low finish from just outside the box to make it 3-0 two minutes later.
That strike was the German’s fifth goal in his last three games for the Sailors – a firm indication that he is now fully settled in after his move to the club just slightly more than two months ago.
“I’m really happy to be scoring now and it’s really enjoyable to be playing with this team. Hopefully there’s more to come in the coming games, and I want to keep helping the team secure the victories we need,” said the former PEC Zwolle forward, who was named the Man-of-the-Match.
The Sailors could have ended with more goals on the night, but Lionel’s header off Toni Datković’s sublime cross, and Lennart’s finish off Shawal’s delivery into the box were both denied by the offside flag.
Equally important, the Sailors defended resolutely throughout, with the centre-back pairing of Toni and Bailey Wright coming up trumps when it mattered. The duo made a number of crucial interceptions and swept up everything that came into their box to help the Sailors pick up their fourth clean sheet of the season.
Ahead of the Sailors’ participation in the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, Coach Ranko hailed his side’s defensive solidity, as he said, “I’m really happy with how we defended as a team.
“It’s not just about the defenders; the key is how we work together as a team. It’s how we keep things compact, keeping the distance between attackers and defenders very tight to make it very difficult for the opposing team to penetrate us.
“The only critique is that we probably should have finished the game in the first half, but we bounced back really well in the past three games, and this run of form gives us a lot of confidence going into the Shopee Cup.”
The Sailors will now take a short break before turning their attention to the regional stage. Their next match will see them take on Indonesia’s Borneo FC Samarinda on 22 August in their opening Group B match of the Shopee Cup.
To the casual observer, it can be hard to discern exactly what position Lion City Sailors’ Raeka Ee plays.
Is she a defender? A midfielder? A winger? A forward?
The answer, of course, is that Raeka is a forward – a deadly one at that, with 12 goals to her name this season, making her the Sailors’ leading scorer and the second top scorer in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) behind Albirex Niigata (S)’s Manami Fukuzawa who has 17.
Her goalscoring feats are even more impressive considering she spends most of the game outside the penalty box and away from the goal. While most forwards may prefer to remain in the attacking third, waiting for the opportunity to score, Raeka is often seen tearing around the pitch, helping the team in any way she can.
As such, the pacy 20-year-old can sometimes be found in the defensive third trying to win the ball off the opposition, in the middle of the pitch providing an option for a pass, or on the wings creating scoring opportunities for her teammates.
This all-action style of play stems from Raeka’s desire to contribute to every aspect of the game for the team in their quest to retain the WPL title.
“It would definitely be nice to top the WPL goalscoring charts, but my primary focus is on winning the league with the team,” Raeka shared. “While I understand that scoring goals as a forward is crucial, I aim to contribute to the team in any way possible, whether by scoring goals, creating chances, or defending.
“Forwards are often the first line of defence, so it’s very important that I help out by pressing opposition players and disrupting their play early. After all, football is a team effort, both offensively and defensively.”
While Raeka has led the line well this season, she is confident that she can achieve even more, especially with the Sailors set to compete in their inaugural Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League campaign later this month.
Revealing that she is working on the psychological aspect of her game, Raeka said, “Confidence means staying composed during crucial, high-pressure moments and quickly recovering from setbacks in games. While I haven’t fully mastered this trait yet, I am constantly working on it to improve as a player. The attacking drills in training have been helping me build on that.”
Raeka’s work ethic and willingness to go the extra mile for the team has not gone unnoticed by her teammates. Defender Qarissa Putri, who helped marshal the backline alongside Umairah Hamdan in the Sailors’ 3-0 win over Hougang United last Saturday (27 July), highlighted the importance of players like Raeka dropping deep to help defend when needed.
“If we don’t drop when needed, a good long ball can break our defence,” Qarissa explained. “Communication is crucial, especially when we identify an opponent planning to play a long ball. Someone has to signal for us to drop together and move as a team.
“Raeka’s work rate allows her to make runs that open up space in the attack and score. Meanwhile, her ability to win the ball in the attacking half prevents counter-attacks and dangerous plays that could lead to opposition goals.
“Having both of these qualities in a player is a great asset, and we’re very lucky to have Raeka on our team.”
Up next for the Sailors is a clash against Tanjong Pagar United on Saturday (3 August) at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, where they will look to strengthen their position at the top of the WPL table with another convincing victory.
Qarissa believes that it is important for the Sailors to put in another good performance, as she said, “I hope we continue playing as well as we have been. At the same time, we need to learn from any mistakes made in the Hougang game to ensure we don’t make the same errors against Tanjong Pagar.”