Month: August 2025
The Lion City Sailors produced a spirited display against one of Southeast Asia’s heavyweights, but ultimately fell 3-1 to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in their opening ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup Group B match at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Thursday (21 August).
An early brace from João Figueredo and a stoppage-time strike from Arif Aiman put the home side in control, before substitute Shawal Anuar netted a stunning consolation late on for the Sailors.
At the post-match press conference, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković conceded that the damage was done in the opening stages, but was nonetheless encouraged by his team’s response after the break.
“The game was lost in the first half. We started too nervously, and conceding two early goals made things very difficult for us,” said Ranko.
“However, the second half performance was more like ourselves. We were more direct in our passing game and limited their chances, which helped us create one or two good chances. That should be our benchmark.”
Roared on by the majority of the 13,143-strong home crowd, JDT flew out of the blocks and were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute when Safuwan Baharudin was penalised for impeding Jairo da Silva in the area.
Up stepped Figueredo, who converted from 12 yards out to give the Malaysian champions the lead.
Just five minutes later, the Brazilian-born forward struck again, as he pounced on a loose ball in the box and slotted past Ivan Sušak from close range to double JDT’s advantage.
Despite the early setback, the Sailors kept their composure and held firm against JDT’s relentless pressure. The hosts came closest to adding a third in the 34th minute, but Ivan produced a fine save to deny Jairo at close range.
At the other end of the pitch, Anderson Lopes carved out a good opportunity just before the interval, but his effort was comfortably gathered by JDT goalkeeper Andoni Zubiaurre.
The Sailors emerged with renewed purpose after the break, and within nine minutes, Bart Ramselaar cut through the JDT defence before flashing a powerful effort just past the upright.
Moments later, he broke forward once more, delivering a dangerous ball across goal that Anderson agonisingly failed to connect with at the far post.
JDT replied with a chance of their own in the 57th minute, when Jairo pounced a Sailors defensive lapse and raced through on goal. Ivan, however, was alert and darted off his line to smother the Brazilian’s effort.
In the 78th minute, the Sailors thought they had pulled one back when Diogo Costa bundled in Anderson’s flick-on from a Tsiy Ndenge cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
JDT eventually killed off the contest in stoppage time, with Arif latching onto a quickly-taken free-kick to fire in their third.
Nonetheless, the Sailors kept going and managed to conjure a moment of brilliance in the 94th minute. Diogo won possession in midfield and released Shawal, who unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that arrowed into the bottom corner, giving the near 100-strong away fans’ contingent something to shout about.
While admitting that losing the Causeway derby was difficult to take, Ranko insisted that his side would respond to this defeat in the right way.
“We have to bounce back every time we lose – that’s expected of us,” Ranko stressed. “It’s good that our first Singapore Premier League (SPL) match is just a few days later. That gives us a chance to show that we can recover quickly from this result.”
The Sailors will now turn their attention to their SPL opener against Hougang United at Our Tampines Hub on Monday (25 August).
“Our full focus now is on recovering and preparing for the game against Hougang. They are a tough opponent as well, but we will be ready for them.”
A mammoth causeway derby awaits as the Lion City Sailors square off against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup Group B opener on Thursday (21 August) at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
The Malaysian juggernaut
This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides, with the Sailors looking to take a positive first step in their bid to make the semi-finals. Standing in their path, however, is one of Asia’s most dominant domestic forces.
Owned by the Crown Prince of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, JDT has amassed a staggering 31 domestic senior team trophies since 2013. Their haul includes a record-breaking 11 consecutive Malaysia Super League (MSL) titles, 10 Charity Shields, four FA Cups, five Malaysia Cups, and the 2015 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.
The Southern Tigers swept to their third straight domestic quadruple in 2024/25, finishing 18 points clear of Selangor after winning 23 and drawing one of 24 league games.
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They have carried that momentum into the new season, beating Selangor FC 3-0 in the Charity Shield, edging Negeri Sembilan 5-3 in their league opener, and cruising past UM-Damansara 5-0 in the FA Cup last weekend.
They are currently unbeaten in 86 home league matches, with their last defeat at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium coming in April 2021.
Currently ranked 10th in Opta’s Power Rankings for Asian clubs — above the likes of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Kawasaki Frontale — JDT also impressed in last season’s Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Elite, finishing third in the group stage and claiming famous wins over Pohang Steelers (5-2) and Ulsan HD (3-0).
With this their first foray into the Shopee Cup, the Johor outfit will be eager to make an early statement, especially at a venue where Buriram United remain the only Southeast Asian side to have triumphed in continental competitions.
Speaking ahead of the tie, JDT Head Coach Xisco Muñoz emphasised that focus and mentality will be key against the Sailors.
“We know we are facing a strong opponent who will push us. We want to show our full potential, but it’s also important that we maintain concentration throughout the game,” said Xisco, who previously guided Watford to English Premier League promotion in the 2020/2021 season.
“One of the key values at JDT is our winning mentality, so we will always give our best and enjoy our football, regardless of the opponent,” he added.
Malaysian international Jon Irazabal echoed his head coach’s words, highlighting the threat posed by the Sailors.
“It will be a difficult game for us as the Sailors have a lot of experienced players. We know they are dangerous on the transition with players who can run in behind, so we need to stay focused at all times,” said the centre-back.
An abundance of quality
Having overseen a major squad overhaul in the off-season, Xisco now has a squad full of both experience and quality at his disposal.
Their headline recruits include Brazilian striker Jairo da Silva, who arrives with 117 career goals and a league title from his recent spell at Cyprus’ Pafos FC, and Argentine left-back Jonathan Silva, who was capped twice for his country and boasts experience in La Liga, Sporting CP, and Boca Juniors.
Further depth has been added with forward João Figueiredo, midfielder Hector Hevel, and defender Irazabal, who announced himself with a brace on his MSL debut. Spanish duo Nacho Méndez and Teto Martín also bolster the midfield, bringing over 290 appearances in Spain’s LaLiga 2.
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Despite the influx of signings, JDT have retained the core of their championship-winning squad. Prolific striker Bérgson da Silva scored 43 times last season, taking his tally to 151 in 143 appearances for the club, while local star Arif Aiman remains indispensable after racking up 19 goals and 15 assists in 2024/25.
Veterans such as Óscar Arribas, Heberty Fernandes, and Italian Serie A winner Samu Castillejo add further pedigree to an already star-studded side.
Sailors fired up for the challenge
Determined to improve on last season’s group stage exit, the Sailors are targeting a strong showing at one of Southeast Asia’s most daunting venues.
Confidence can be drawn from their memorable run to the ACL Two final, where they overcame fancied opponents like Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Sydney FC. That experience, combined with high-profile additions Anderson Lopes, Tsiy Ndenge, and Ivan Sušak, gives Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković belief his side can rise to the challenge.
Despite the sting of last Saturday’s (16 Aug) 4-1 Community Shield defeat, the 46-year-old insists the Sailors have the resilience to respond immediately.
“The motivation within the team is very high. Losing the Community Shield will only push us to perform even better against JDT,” he said. “The Shopee Cup brings a different level of pressure, but the squad is clear and focused on how we want to play tomorrow.
“We have five games in this tournament, so we want to start with a good result and pick up as many points as possible to progress from the group.”
One key figure will be the ever-reliable Toni Datković, who will be tasked with anchoring the Sailors’ backline against JDT’s free-flowing attack. The Croatian’s leadership and composure will be crucial in nullifying a side renowned for their cutting edge in the final third.
“We want to qualify for the semi-finals this year, but we’ll take it one game at a time,” said Toni.
“JDT are a strong team, but just like how nobody expected us to reach the ACL Two final last year, I believe being the underdog is our strength. Personally, I love these kinds of games and I can’t wait to get started.”
The 31-year-old will also be up against familiar faces, having previously lined up alongside Jonathan Silva and Antonio Glauder at Albacete Balompié in Spain’s LaLiga 2. Sentimentality, however, will be set aside as he concentrates on leading the Sailors’ charge in Johor.
“I’ve played with and against many of the players in the JDT team, so I know the quality they have and how tough it will be for us,” he said.
“That said, it won’t affect my game. I’m glad to see them again, but we’re enemies on the pitch tomorrow and I’m determined to get a positive result.”
What a difference a year makes.
Just 12 months ago, Putri Alyiah Seow was turning out for Mattar Sailors in the second-tier Women’s National League (WNL). Today, the 22-year-old forward stands on the brink of her AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL) debut with the Lion City Sailors.
Drawn into Group C, the Sailors are set for their second AWCL campaign at the iconic Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka. For Alyiah, though, this will be more than just another match — it will be a homecoming, in the land that raised her family.
“Making my AWCL debut is already a milestone in itself, seeing as it’s such a prestigious competition,” she said. “But to do it in Malaysia, where my family is from, makes it even more personal and emotional.”
Alyiah could barely contain her excitement when she learnt that Melaka would host the tournament. After all, it meant she had been handed a rare opportunity to bring her “two identities together in one moment” by flying Singapore’s flag high on a stage deeply meaningful to her and her loved ones.
Home is where the heart is
Alyiah’s roots trace back to Kuala Lumpur (KL), just a two-hour drive from Melaka, where her parents and older sister were born and raised. In 2002, her family moved to Europe, and that was where Alyiah’s own story began.
“My dad took up a job in Den Haag in the Netherlands, where my younger brother and I were born. That’s where I grew up, and where I first discovered my love for football. After seven years there, we moved to Singapore,” she recounted.
Alyiah’s journey has since spanned the coastlines of the Netherlands, Singapore’s Little Red Dot, a year in Abu Dhabi, and later Central London for university, but through it all she has carried her Malaysian heritage with pride, despite never having lived there herself.
(Alyiah – front row, second from left – with her extended family in KL)
“I’ve always stayed super close to my Malaysian roots despite never living in Malaysia,” she shared. “It’s my home away from home. I’ve managed that mainly through my big family there. We visit KL multiple times a year, whether it’s for festive periods, school breaks, or the surprisingly frequent weddings we have in the family.
“Being in Singapore has helped too, because of the shared culture and food, and of course the proximity. When I was living in the Netherlands and in London, trips back weren’t as frequent, but I surrounded myself with Malaysian communities…even my two flatmates in London were Malaysian!”
Family: Alyiah’s biggest fans
And so, Alyiah is looking forward to seeing her extended family in the stands at Hang Jebat Stadium, cheering her on throughout the Sailors’ AWCL fixtures, starting with their opener against Etihad Club next Monday (25 Aug).
(Alyiah – front row, second from left – with her extended family)
“I don’t have an exact number of relatives coming, but maybe around eight,” she said with a grin. “They wouldn’t miss it for the world! They’re my number one supporters, and having them there always means so much to me. Knowing they’re behind me through ups and downs is what keeps me motivated. I just hope I can continue to make them proud.”
Indeed, Alyiah’s family already has plenty to be proud of. Last year, she finished as joint second-highest scorer in the WNL while helping her team lift the trophy. Since then, she has made her Women’s Premier League (WPL) and first-team debuts, and despite the step up in level, she has continued to impress. She is currently the Sailors’ joint top-scorer, having already matched last season’s tally of seven.
But despite her rapid rise, Alyiah is keen to keep her feet on the ground. For her, football has always been about the team, whether creating chances or finishing them herself.
“Back then, I saw the first team as the benchmark I wanted to reach,” Alyiah explained. “Now, to not only be part of the squad, but also represent the only Singaporean club in a competition as big as the AWCL, is surreal. The growth you get from such opportunities is invaluable.”
Even as Alyiah prepares for the biggest stage of her career, she keeps her goals simple: to give her all and honour the people who have stood by her.
“I hope I’ll really test and push myself playing against some of the best in Asia,” Alyiah said. “Of course, I’d love to make an impact with strong performances, and hopefully a goal or two. But most of all, I want to walk away from this tournament knowing I made my friends and family in both Singapore and Malaysia proud.”
Umairah Hamdan may not find herself on the scoresheet often, but when she does, it is usually spectacular.
On Saturday (16 August) at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, the Lion City Sailors Women’s captain produced a stunning strike from distance to secure a 1-0 win over a stubborn Tanjong Pagar United side. The victory handed the Sailors a crucial three points as the Women’s Premier League (WPL) resumed after a near three-month break, with the title race heating up once again.
The result sees the Sailors climb back to the top of the WPL table with 19 points, one ahead of Albirex Niigata (S), who have a game in hand. Still Aerion sit third with 16 points.
“Winning our first game back after the long international break was a blessing for the team. It gave us a real boost, not just for the WPL campaign, but also as we prepare for the upcoming AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL),” shared Umairah.
Teammate Dhaniyah Qasimah, who struck the post in the 26th minute, echoed her captain’s sentiments. “We’re really happy, but with Albirex so close to us in the table, we know we need to find our rhythm quickly, maintain our intensity, and keep winning,” she said.
The Sailors, featuring debutants Farah Nurzahirah and Siti Nurerwadah, started brightly and dominated possession, but found chances hard to come by against a compact Tanjong Pagar defence. Their first real opening came in the 19th minute, when Sarah Zu’risqha’s close-range effort was denied by Jaguars goalkeeper Elizabeth Tan, who was in inspired form all evening.
Another new signing, Wan Nashirah, came on for Dorcas Chu in the 43rd minute and almost marked her Sailors debut with a goal, as she glanced a header from a corner just wide.
With the Sailors pressing relentlessly and pinning Tanjong Pagar back, the breakthrough always felt inevitable, and it arrived in spectacular fashion in the 62nd minute. Surging forward from centre-back, Umairah unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that crashed off the crossbar before nestling into the net.
“We had been trying the whole game, but it was tough against such a defensive team. Scoring that goal gave us relief and confidence, and we started to play more freely after that,” said the skipper, who frequently pushed high into midfield to support the attack.
The Sailors had further chances to extend their lead through Sarah, Raeka Ee and Nurhidayu Naszri, but could not find a second goal. It mattered little, however, as they comfortably held on to secure a crucial victory.
“With the title race this close, transitions in midfield become crucial,” explained Dhaniyah. “Quick switches catch opponents off guard and give us the space to create chances before they regroup. We just need to be sharper in the final third and more composed in front of goal.”
The Sailors will now shift focus to their second foray into the prestigious AWCL in Malacca, where they will kick off their Preliminary Stage campaign against Jordan Women’s Pro League champions Etihad Club on 25 August at the Hang Jebat Stadium.
The Lion City Sailors fell to a 4-1 defeat against BG Tampines Rovers in the 2025/26 Community Shield on Saturday (16 August) night at Jurong East Stadium.
Played in support of the Singapore Cancer Society, the match saw new signings Anderson Lopes, Ivan Sušak and Safuwan Baharudin making the starting 11, with Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković looking to set the tone for the campaign.
Despite the defeat, Ranko struck an optimistic note. He said, “It was a good game, a good opening to the new season. These are two teams who will challenge for the league title. BG Tampines deserved to win today, they were very effective.
“You want to win every trophy, but this will give us insight into what we need to work on.”
The Stags also unveiled fresh faces, with Akbar Nawas back at the helm and several new signings in the starting line-up. Among them was Trent Buhagiar, who broke the deadlock in the second minute after racing onto a weighted pass from fellow debutant Koya Kazama.
“With the opening goal, there was a lot of space behind the defence. It’s something we already know how to deal with, but today we didn’t,” admitted Ranko.
The Sailors regrouped quickly after the early goal and pressed for a response, but the Stags patiently soaked up the pressure before turning the screw.
Sailors’ new Croatian goalkeeper Ivan was soon called into action to deny Irfan Najeeb, before Safuwan cleared a Takeshi Yoshimoto effort off the line.
However, BG Tampines’ pressure eventually told in the 43rd minute, when Buhagiar raced onto Seiga Sumi’s long pass and clinically fired home his second of the night.
The Sailors then went close to halving the deficit just before the break, but Bart Ramselaar’s goal-bound drive was tipped over by BG Tampines’ Thai custodian Nalawich Inthacharoen.
“I think we had some unfortunate moments, especially in the first half with the goals, but Tampines defended very well. They didn’t give us enough space to exploit behind their backline,” reflected Ranko.
Seeking to shift the momentum of the game, Ranko brought on Hami Syahin and Hariss Harun after the restart, but the Stags stayed compact. In the 61st minute, it was instead BG Tampines who struck again, as Kazama curled in a free-kick to give his side a three-goal lead.
Despite the deficit, the Sailors kept fighting. Song Uiyoung struck the base of the post in the 72nd minute, Anderson headed narrowly wide soon after, and debutant Tsiy Ndenge was denied by a sharp save from Nalawich.
The Sailors’ persistence paid off on 87 minutes when Tsiy won possession from Jacob Mahler and teed up fellow substitute Lennart Thy, who coolly fired home from the edge of the box to open the Sailors’ scoring account for the season.
But in stoppage time, Hide Higashikawa struck to seal a 4-1 victory and BG Tampines’ first Community Shield since 2020.
“This match shows the league’s not going to be a walk in the park, like some people think. It’s good for my players to see what needs to be done to adjust and step up this season,” said Ranko. “The big games are yet to come, and we’re confident we’ll bounce back.”
The Sailors will now turn their attention to this Thursday (21 August), as they travel to Johor to face Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup Group B opener.
“It will be a totally different opponent in a totally different venue, and a big rivalry. I’m sure our players will get themselves up for it,” Ranko said.
“This defeat is disappointing, but it’s still only the first game of the season. We’ll continue to work on the things that we need to work on, and push forward step by step.”
The Lion City Sailors’ match schedule for the 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two Group Stage has been confirmed.
Aleksandar Ranković’s men will kick off their Group G campaign away at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium against reigning Indonesia Super League champions Persib Bandung on Thursday, 18 September, before hosting 2024/25 Malaysia Super League runners-up Selangor FC at Bishan Stadium on Wednesday, 1 October.
A double-header with Bangkok United then beckons, with an away day at the True BG Stadium in Pathum Thani on Thursday, 23 October, before the Sailors entertain the Thai League 1 side exactly a fortnight later at home on 6 November.
The Sailors will then welcome Persib on Wednesday, 26 November, before wrapping up the group stage away against Selangor at the MBPJ Stadium in Petaling Jaya two weeks later on 10 December.
All three of the Sailors’ home ACL Two group-stage fixtures will be played at Bishan Stadium.
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The Lion City Sailors are set for an all-Southeast Asian challenge in their second foray into the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two competition.
This was confirmed earlier this afternoon (15 August) following the Official Group Stage Draw in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
The Sailors have been placed in Group G (East Region) along with 2024/25 Thai League 1 runners-up Bangkok United, last season’s Malaysia Super League runner-ups Selangor FC, and reigning Indonesia Super League champions Persib Bandung.
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This means the Sailors will play Bangkok United at least three times this season, having also been drawn in the same group in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup as well.
They will also face Persib for a second straight season, after being drawn together in 2024/25 – a campaign that saw the Sailors battle to a 1-1 draw away, before a dramatic 3-2 defeat at home.
The 2025/26 tournament will follow last season’s format, featuring eight groups in total, split equally between the West and East regions, with four teams in each group. Matches will be played in a home-and-away round-robin format from 17 September to 11 December.
The top two sides from each group will advance to the Round of 16 in February next year, before the tournament concludes with a one-off final on 16 May 2026.
The Sailors enjoyed a memorable debut in the inaugural ACL Two last season, taking on top teams from Thailand, China, and Australia, before overcoming Japanese powerhouse Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarter-finals to become the first Singaporean side to reach the final of a major Asian club competition.
Reflecting on that historic run, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković wants his players to channel last season’s experience into another strong continental campaign.
“It was an extraordinary achievement to reach the final, and I have to acknowledge that we got there with a bit of luck as well as the hard work from everyone in the team,” he reflected. “It wrote us into the history books, but it’s not realistic to expect that every season.
“For sure, our results in the ACL Two last season mean a few teams will take us more seriously, but we’re still considered underdogs at the Asian level. There are still many steps for us to take to reach the level of the top teams in the region. For us, the focus is on our own journey and taking a few steps forward each season at the continental level.
“The primary target remains getting past the group stage, and we’ll talk about other objectives once we get there.”
In less than 48 hours, the Lion City Sailors will take their first steps into the 2025/26 season when they take on BG Tampines Rovers in the traditional curtain-raising Community Shield on Saturday (16 August) night at Jurong East Stadium.
At the Sailors Training Centre in Mattar Road, preparations are in full swing as head coach Aleksandar Ranković fine-tunes tactical details ahead of the clash.
The Community Shield may not hold the same prestige as other trophies on offer this season, but Ranko and his charges know the value of starting with a win – and silverware – to set the tone for the campaign.
Just 76 days ago, the Sailors completed their most successful season since its inception in 2020 – sweeping all three domestic titles and becoming the first Singaporean side to reach the final of a major Asian club competition in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two).
And that remarkable run all began with victory over Albirex Niigata (S) in last year’s Community Shield.
“Last year showed us how the Community Shield can set the tone for a remarkable season,” said Ranko. “It may not be viewed as a major trophy to some, but we’re treating it with the same respect as any other competition. We’ll be taking this game extremely seriously.”
While the Serbian tactician acknowledges it will be difficult to replicate last season’s feats, he believes his squad’s hunger for success is undiminished.
“To top last season, we’d probably have to win the ACL Two,” he quipped. “It’s not normal for a Singapore club to reach a continental final, so I’m managing expectations and blocking out the outside noise.
“My players know what’s expected of them from Day One. They’re playing for an ambitious club that’s determined to raise the bar in Singapore football. And I see a motivated, hungry group ready to push for more. We want to win everything domestically again, and go as far as possible in Asia.”
To fuel their push for more success this season, the Sailors have strengthened smartly in the off-season, bringing in Croatian goalkeeper Ivan Sušak, Singapore defender Safuwan Baharudin, German-Cameroonian midfielder Tsiy Ndenge and Brazilian forward Anderson Lopes, while retaining the core of last year’s history-making squad.
Ranko believes this blend of continuity and quality additions can take the team to the next level.
“I think we have a slightly stronger squad this season, and continuity is key,” said Ranko, who signed a two-year extension in the off-season. “The new signings are high-level players who will not only raise our game at continental level, but also guide the younger players.”
To prepare for what is likely to be another long season, the Sailors endured an intense pre-season, including an 11-day training camp in Thailand with double sessions the norm. But Ranko is convinced their hard work will eventually pay off.
“People might think this season will be a walk in the park for us, but it won’t. The other SPL teams have strengthened significantly, and with one fewer round of matches, the margin for error is smaller.
“We’ll see more high-quality games this season, so every match will be a battle, and my players are ready for it.”
Three months ago, the Sailors stepped onto the Jurong East pitch and clinched the 2024/25 SPL title with a 1-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United. This Saturday, they will return to face BG Tampines with the aim of making it another night to remember.
Tickets for the clash have sold quickly since going on sale last Sunday, and Ranko has a simple message for the Sailors faithful.
“I know how much the fans are looking forward to this game after a few months away from action. I’ve missed them a lot too, and I can’t wait to see them behind us again, just like they were in every game last season.
“We’ll give everything on Saturday to start 2025/26 with silverware for them to celebrate.”
After a near three-month break from Women’s Premier League (WPL) action, the Lion City Sailors Women are set to return with renewed fire — and fresh faces — as they prepare to face Tanjong Pagar United at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium this Saturday (16 August) evening.
The Sailors currently sit second in the WPL standings, two points behind Albirex Niigata (S), who surged to the summit with a 7-0 win over BG Tampines Rovers on Wednesday (13 August).
Bolstered by three mid-season arrivals from Geylang International — centre-back Siti Nurerwadah Erwan, winger Wan Nashirah Mohammed, and forward Farah Nurzahirah — the Sailors will be aiming to reclaim top spot with a win against the eighth-placed Jaguars.
And new signing Nashirah, known for her speed and flair on the left flank, cannot wait to link up with seasoned teammates like attack-minded defender Syazwani Ruzi.
“Players like Wani have such great vision and awareness, and they can change a game in a single moment. I’m looking forward to building that understanding on the field, knowing where she wants the ball and how we can create chances together,” said 20-year-old Nashirah.
“From the experienced players in the team, many of whom also represent the senior national side, I want to learn composure and decision-making under pressure. They’ve played at the highest level and know how to handle big moments. Watching how they prepare and react in games is something I can absorb and apply to my own game.”
Wani, who has already scored twice this season from defence, is equally excited about the boost the newcomers will bring.
“It’s been really exciting as most of us already know each other from the national team. They will give us a lift because all of them have quality. Nashirah is always dangerous and creating something. Having a player like that opens up so many possibilities on the pitch,” she said.
Since joining, the new signings have worked hard to adapt to the Sailors’ style of play and build on-pitch chemistry with their teammates.
“The sessions have been intense but positive. Everyone’s helped me settle in quickly, and every day we’re fine-tuning the details so we’re ready to hit the ground running,” Nashirah shared.
She is also relishing the chance to make her debut in front of the Sailors faithful, as she said, “I’m buzzing to make my debut, honestly. Wearing Sailors colours is a huge honour, and I can’t wait to step onto the pitch and feel that energy from the fans. Whether it’s scoring, assisting, or doing the hard work off the ball, I just want to help the team win.”
Facing a real battle to win a fourth successive WPL title, Wani has emphasised on focus and composure as the season heads into its final months.
“We take one game at a time,” she said. “We’ve been working on our weaknesses in training, and now it’s about executing, getting the three points in both games, and giving the fans a strong performance.”
When Bart Ramselaar arrived in sunny Singapore in February last year, expectations for the Dutch playmaker were sky-high.
A former Eredivisie winner with PSV Eindhoven, he was tipped to take the Singapore Premier League (SPL) by storm, and his solid early-season form, which included scoring in the Sailors’ opening league game — a 4-1 win over Hougang United — suggested he would do just that.
But football rarely follows a straight script.
After being substituted with what looked like a minor hamstring problem during the Sailors’ 1-1 draw with Geylang International in June 2024, Bart returned to action against Balestier Khalsa just two weeks later. His comeback started brightly, as he opened the scoring with a beautifully controlled volley, but within a minute the injury flared up again, forcing him off the field.
“That injury came at a bad time,” recalled Bart, who had already racked up four goals and three assists in his first five league games. “I started the season well, scoring almost every game, and winning the Community Shield. It halted my momentum, but these things happen. I just stayed positive and fought even harder to come back.”
Bart’s positivity and determination paid off, as he went on to make a career-high 43 appearances in all competitions, in what was his most prolific campaign yet, finishing with 19 goals and 15 assists.
Indeed, he delivered when it mattered most, and played a pivotal role in the Sailors’ fairytale run to the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final.
But his ACL Two campaign was not without its bumps. In just the Sailors’ second match of the competition, away against Persib Bandung, he was sent off for a dangerous tackle and had to sit out the next two group games.
While it was frustrating for Bart to be sidelined, he now looks back on the red card – the first of his career – with good humour.
“It was strange – I’d never been sent off before – and hopefully never again,” he said with a laugh.
But it was in the knockout rounds that Sailors fans saw Bart at his brilliant best. He tormented Muangthong United in the round of 16, set up Shawal Anuar for a crucial away goal at Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarter-finals, and then capped it off with one of the goals of the season against Sydney FC in the semi-finals.
Receiving the ball from Diogo Costa on the left flank, most inside the Jalan Besar Stadium expected Bart to whip in a cross. Instead, he unleashed a curling right-foot rocket into the top corner to send the home crowd into raptures.
“It was early in the game, so I thought, why not try it?” he recounted. “Only after the season ended did I realise how important it was. That goal played a big part in us reaching the final.”
Unsurprisingly, the Sailors’ exploits in the ACL Two caught the eye across the continent, and Bart believes this means many are now expecting them to deliver another strong showing in the competition this year.
“I believe this ACL Two run was one of the club’s biggest achievements,” he explained. “It changed perceptions of Singapore football, not just locally but across Asia. Nobody expected a Singapore team to compete like this, but now, we’re no longer the underdogs.”
Despite boasting an already decorated résumé that includes winning the Eredivisie and making three appearances for the Netherlands national team, Bart still ranks reaching the ACL Two final among the top five moments of his career.
And while he has played in the European Champions League against giants such as Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, Bart insists that competing in Asia is no less enjoyable.
“The level is different, of course, but still good. In Europe, the pressure is higher – especially when you’re at Camp Nou in front of 100,000 people – but Asia has its own challenges. Different countries, stadiums, pitches, styles… I enjoy that just as much.”
Bart also shone on the domestic front, finishing as top scorer in the Singapore Cup with six goals, including the winner in the final against BG Tampines Rovers.
“Lifting the cup was a great feeling. We’d just lost the ACL Two final, so this was our shot at the treble. To be the match-winner made it extra special,” he said.
After a gruelling season, Bart recharged with family time in the Netherlands and a holiday in Greece, before heading to Thailand for the Sailors’ pre-season.
With high-profile players like Anderson Lopes and Tsiy Ndenge signing for the Sailors in the off-season, Bart believes the 11-day trip was key to building chemistry within the squad.
“We had good training sessions and useful friendly matches to see how we could complement each other. Off the pitch, we bonded a lot, and we even celebrated Diogo’s birthday together at a restaurant.”
Bart believes that unity will be vital for another hectic season ahead, and while the foreign signings may grab the headlines, he is equally keen to highlight the progress of the local core.
“To me, there’s no difference between local and foreign players. They’re all my teammates, and I’ll support them however I can. The local players have improved a lot, especially after the big games we played last year, and I’m excited to see them continue to grow.”
With the Community Shield against BG Tampines on Saturday (16 August) kicking off the Sailors’ season, Bart was clear about the team’s targets for the season.
“We want to win everything domestically again, starting with the Community Shield this week. We also want to go further in the Shopee Cup and ACL Two. Most importantly, we want to play good football.
“Just like last season, I believe this team can make history. If we perform well collectively, everyone will shine. We’re all driven to do it all again.”
