Month: September 2025
Exactly four months after their historic Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Final appearance, the Lion City Sailors are back in continental action, hungry to build on last season’s success and eager to prove a point.
Standing in their way of a winning start to the 2025/26 campaign are familiar foes Persib Bandung, whom the Sailors face away at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium on Thursday (18 September) night.
Familiar foes, but a fresh look
The two sides crossed paths in last season’s group stage, where Persib held the Sailors to a 1-1 draw at home before snatching a dramatic 3-2 victory away in Singapore with two stoppage-time goals. While those results gave Persib fond memories, they ultimately fell short of progressing to the knockout stage.
This year, however, Persib Head Coach Bojan Hodak has his sights set on going all the way in the tournament, though he acknowledges they face a tough opening fixture against the Sailors.
“The target is to win, so let’s see how far we can go,” said Hodak, who has led them to back-to-back domestic titles. “But tomorrow will be a tough match because they (Sailors) reached the final of this competition last season, and on paper, they are the favourites in our group.
“They’re stronger than last year, but we’re playing at home, so we will try for a positive result, though it will not be an easy game.”
A lot has changed for the Bandung giants since those meetings. While Hodak remains in charge and Dutch-born Indonesian international Marc Klok continues to wear the armband, many key players have moved on.
Notably, all three scorers from Persib’s 3-2 win over the Sailors — David da Silva and Tyronne del Pino, who both moved to Malut United, and Mateo Kocijan, now with Persis Solo — have since departed. Gustavo França, Ciro Alves, and Dimas Drajad (on loan), have all also left the club to join Malut as well.
In their place, Persib have added a strong South American influence to their squad this season, bringing in five Brazilians and two Argentines. Among them is Berguinho, who scored against the Sailors for Borneo FC Samarinda in last year’s ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, and former Boca Juniors youth product Luciano Guaycochea.
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Between the posts, former Wales Under-21 goalkeeper Adam Przybek was brought in to replace Kevin Ray Mendoza, though Przybek has yet to feature due to injury.
With such a major overhaul, Hodak knows it will take time for his new-look Persib side to fully settle, but he is encouraged by the progress so far.
“We have a completely new squad — we changed 22 players from last season — so we need time to adapt,” explained Hodak. “We’re improving match by match, the new players are starting to understand each other, and slowly the team is gelling. We’re expecting a positive result tomorrow.
“We also have a very packed schedule. Some players are not yet 100 per cent fit, some can only play one half, so rotation is important. This month alone, in 24 days, we have five or six matches.”
New faces in Bandung
August saw another wave of reinforcements, with Indonesian-heritage midfielders Thom Haye and Eliano Reijnders — the younger brother of Manchester City star Tijjani — arriving from the Dutch Eredivisie. French forward Andrew Jung and ex-AS Roma Academy defender Federico Barba also joined the ranks.
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All four made their debuts in Persib’s 1-0 league victory over Persebaya Surabaya last Friday (12 September) at the GBLA Stadium, in front of more than 22,000 fans. That result lifted Persib to sixth in the Indonesian top flight, five points behind early leaders Borneo FC after four rounds.
The GBLA, which Persib returned to last November following renovations, will once again play host to this continental showdown. The Sailors’ last visit was to the nearby Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, but this time, Persib will enjoy the full backing of their home crowd.
Guaycochea underlined the confidence of playing in front of their supporters, but acknowledged the challenge posed by the Sailors.
“It will be a tough match, they have quality players and they know how to play in this competition. But we’re Persib, we’re a big team, and at home we need to deliver a good performance and go for three points,” said the 33-year-old, who is the cousin of current Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister.
“I’m very excited to play. I came here to compete in the ACL Two, and tomorrow we need to be fully focused. We’ll take it game by game, but we know we have to put in a top performance.”
Sailors fuelled by last season’s run
For the Sailors, their motivation is straightforward — to build on their maiden ACL Two campaign, which ended in a proud but painful final defeat.
Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković is determined to right the wrongs against Persib, but knows the Indonesians will be no easy opponents.
“We’re aware of Persib’s strengths — they’ve brought in many new players, so this is a totally different team from last season,” said the Serb. “It’s also a different game in a different stadium, and tomorrow we’ll see how it goes. They do have the advantage of playing at home and a strengthened squad, but nevertheless, we believe we can get a result here.
“We always look forward to matches like this in the ACL Two. They bring out the best in my players, and the best in my staff.”
The Sailors head into the clash buoyed by the return to fitness of key men Hariss Harun and Bailey Wright, and a strong start to their Singapore Premier League (SPL) title defence, which was capped off by a 5-0 thrashing of Balestier Khalsa last weekend.
With memories of last season’s journey still vivid, Hariss insists the squad is hungrier than ever to create more milestones for Singapore football.
“We’re really excited to start our ACL Two campaign,” said the Singapore captain. “It’s normal that people look at us as favourites (in certain matchups) because of what we achieved last season. We had a good run, but that’s behind us now.
“Last year was a good example of what happens when we come together, keep our heads down, and work hard, and we saw the results. Tomorrow will be another big challenge, but we’re ready and fully focused to get a good result here.”
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team have bolstered their goalkeeping department with the signing of Singapore international Hazel Lim.
The 23-year-old joins the Sailors after the experienced Beatrice Tan suffered a season-ending posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury during the club’s recent Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) campaign.
A commanding presence between the posts, Hazel brings valuable international experience from her time in Australia. She turned out for Melbourne-based Southern United in the Victorian Premier League Women’s (VPLW) in 2024, before moving to State League 1 side Croydon City Soccer Club this year.
On the international front, she has earned three caps with Singapore, featuring against Timor-Leste, Laos, and Indonesia at the 2024 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Cup.
“With Beatrice out for the season, we needed cover, so it was a no-brainer to bring Hazel in,” explained Sailors Women Head Coach Daniel Ong. “Her presence and overseas experience will give us the stability and composure we need in goal for the final stretch of the season.”
Already familiar with several Sailors teammates from her time with the Lionesses, Hazel did not hesitate when the opportunity to join them arose.
“With my season in Australia finished, I thought it’d be great to return to the local league and play with my friends again after being away for two years,” said Hazel, who previously turned out for Balestier Khalsa and BG Tampines in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2022 and 2023.
“Joining the Sailors felt like a fantastic opportunity to keep improving myself, especially given the club’s consistent success and their involvement in the AWCL. I’m excited to reunite with teammates I know well, while also building new partnerships with the rest of the squad.”
Hazel hopes to draw on her experience from Down Under to play a key role as the Sailors gear up for the business end of the WPL season, starting with a crucial clash against Still Aerion on 17 September.
“Having played two seasons in Australia, I’ve learned a lot about handling high-tempo matches and the importance of communication and composure in tight situations,” she shared. “I want to bring stability at the back and use my overseas experience to help the team in key moments.
“Off the pitch, I aim to be a positive influence by supporting the girls, keeping the energy up, and fostering good connections. Hopefully, I can help the team achieve our objectives.”
Last season, the Lion City Sailors made Singapore football history in the inaugural Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two by becoming the first local club to reach the final of a major Asian competition.
At the heart of that fairytale run was Shawal Anuar, whose eight goals in 13 appearances made him the tournament’s second-highest scorer – just one behind Shabab Al-Ahli’s ex-AS Roma star Sardar Azmoun.
The 34-year-old forward’s campaign began with a brilliant brace in a 3-1 away win against Port FC, before he struck in key matches against Persib Bandung, Muangthong United and Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Having not scored in three previous continental campaigns, it is unsurprising that this achievement is one that Shawal treasures deeply.
“To finish as the second-highest scorer of the tournament wasn’t something I expected, so it’s definitely a huge honour. I have to credit my teammates, because without their hard work and eagerness to win, I wouldn’t have been able to score, especially that fastest goal in ACL Two history,” reflected the Singapore international.
“I’m just so happy for the team. We had a strong campaign together and created memories that Singapore football fans can cherish.”
Among his many goals, one of Shawal’s favourites is the strike away at Muangthong United, which came inside 18 seconds – the fastest in the competition’s history.
“It was an important game for us, and we needed a strong start in front of their fans. I made the pass to Max (Lestienne), and I knew he would find me once I made the run. To get ahead of the defender and nip it in was such a great moment,” he recalled.
But there are no prizes for guessing which goal tops his list.
‘“It has to be the goal I scored in Hiroshima. We were defending a corner, won the ball and broke on the counter, which is my speciality. I just kept running, and it was such a special moment to score against a big Japanese team in their own stadium,’ said Shawal.”
The Sailors’ dream run in the ACL Two ultimately ended in heartbreak, with a last-gasp defeat to Sharjah FC in the final at a packed Bishan Stadium. And Shawal, who went close to scoring twice that night, admitted it was a bitter pill to swallow.
“To be honest, the final is still in our heads even after a few months. But since we cannot turn back time, we have to let it go and move on,” he said.
“It was still a campaign everyone can be proud of, and we want to keep making history for Singapore football.”
This season’s ACL Two draw has placed the Sailors in an all-Southeast Asian Group G alongside Bangkok United, Selangor FC and Persib Bandung – something Shawal is relishing.
“It’s an interesting group where travel won’t be too heavy, and the teams know each other well. We’ve seen the Southeast Asian rivalry at international level, so I expect the same intensity in the ACL Two,” said Shawal, who is particularly looking forward to facing Singapore teammate Kyoga Nakamura who is now with Bangkok United.
First up for the Sailors is a reunion with Persib, who the Sailors drew 1-1 away and lost 3-2 at home to last year.
“We made a lot of mistakes in both games, especially at home where we were leading and conceded two late goals. Bandung will have a fantastic atmosphere, and we must be at our best to get the result,” he noted.
With the Sailors bolstering their squad with high-profile additions like Tsiy Ndenge and last season’s ACL Elite second-top scorer Anderson Lopes, the expectations on the team are higher than ever. But Shawal is determined to embrace the pressure.
“We’ll take one game at a time, just like last season when we treated every match like a final. That mentality carried us far,” he said.
“It’s important we show hunger from the very first game to prove we mean business again this season. We now have top players with big-game experience. I believe their quality and mentality will help push us further.
“Last season’s run gave us the belief that we can excel on the continental stage. We’re going to push hard as a team again, and hopefully create another memorable campaign for Singapore football fans.”
The Lion City Sailors maintained their perfect start to the Singapore Premier League (SPL) season with a commanding 5-0 victory over Balestier Khalsa at Our Tampines Hub on Sunday (14 September) night.
Bart Ramselaar starred for the reigning league champions with a goal and two assists, while Bailey Wright, Lennart Thy, Abdul Rasaq Akeem, and Maxime Lestienne also got on the scoresheet to help the Sailors secure their second win in as many SPL games this season.
Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković was pleased with how his charges got the job done on the night, but stressed the importance of remaining consistent for the rest of the season.
“It was a very good performance tonight and it’s great that we kept our first clean sheet of the season,” said Ranko. “We created many chances and could have scored more, but credit must go to Balestier despite the scoreline.
“I’m excited for what’s ahead. Every game and point matters, so it’s important to keep this momentum going.”
The Sailors put up a strong lineup, with the experienced likes of Bailey, Hariss Harun and Christopher van Huizen handed their first starts of the season while Izwan Mahbud was given the nod in goal.
The Tigers thought they had struck first after eight minutes when Tin Matić bundled the ball home, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Matić then went close again in the 17th minute with a fierce strike that Izwan had to beat away.
However, the Sailors came to life in the 27th minute when vice-captain Bailey, making his first start of the season, ghosted in at the far post to turn home Maxime’s cross.
Bart nearly doubled the lead five minutes later, only to see his shot come back off the upright after being teed up by Shawal Anuar.
The next clear-cut opportunity would come in the 68th minute, when Balestier’s Bogdan Mandić forced a near-post save from Izwan with a well-struck free-kick.
That was as good as it got for the Tigers, as the floodgates opened for the Sailors soon after. In the 72nd minute, Bart made it 2-0 after linking up well with left-back Diogo Costa before cutting inside his marker and expertly firing past Balestier’s Croatian keeper Mario Mustapić from inside the area.
Bart then turned provider for the Sailors’ next two goals – first crossing for Lennart to net at the far post on his 50th club appearance in the 82nd minute, before slipping in Rasaq to score in the 90th.
Maxime added gloss to the scoreline deep into stoppage time, calmly tucking the ball into the far corner after Lennart’s effort had been parried.
Named Man of the Match, Bart said, “We showed what we’re capable of today and I’m happy with the goal and two assists. We did very well, but in the end the most important thing is the three points.”
With the win, the Sailors have moved two points clear at the top of the SPL table albeit at an early stage.
Their focus now shifts to continental duty, with a 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Group G opener against Indonesian champions Persib Bandung on Thursday (18 September).
And Ranko acknowledged the challenge ahead of them in Indonesia.
“We’ve played in the ACL Two before, so we know what to expect. Persib are a very good team with quality foreigners, so it’s going to be a tough game for us,” the Serb said.
Bart added, “We are looking forward to playing in the competition. We have been drawn in a group with three tough opponents, but our main target is to first qualify for the next round.”
The Lion City Sailors Women kept their Women’s Premier League (WPL) title push on track with a commanding 12–0 win over BG Tampines Rovers on Saturday (13 September) night.
New forward Farah Nurzahirah stole the show with an astonishing five-goal haul, while Sarah Zu’risqha bagged a hat-trick to move clear at the top of the club’s scoring charts. There were also maiden Sailors goals for Dhaniyah Qasimah (pictured below) and Wan Nashirah to cap off a night to remember for the defending champions.
The victory kept the Sailors in third place, 11 points behind leaders Albirex Niigata (S), but with three games in hand.
“It’s pleasing to see a variety of scorers tonight. We don’t just rely on one or two players, everyone is contributing, making runs, and creating chances,” said Head Coach Daniel Ong.
“I’m especially happy for Farah. It took her some time to adapt, but her potential is clear for all to see. My job is to push her to grow both on and off the pitch.”
Sarah, who is now on 10 goals for the season, attributed the result to improved chemistry following their successful Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Preliminary campaign.
“Our teamwork and discipline made the difference. Everyone stuck to the plan and gave everything until the final whistle,” said the 19-year-old.
“Players like Farah and Nashirah have brought great energy and quality. We’re learning more about each other’s strengths every game, and it’s showing on the pitch.”
With Albirex winning 4–0 against Hougang United earlier in the day, the Sailors knew nothing less than victory would do, and they wasted no time asserting themselves on the game.
Just two minutes in, Dorcas Chu (pictured below) converted Farah’s low cross for her first goal of the season. Dhaniyah then doubled the lead in the 10th minute with a composed finish, before Nashirah tapped in Sarah’s cross seven minutes later to become the Sailors’ 17th different scorer this year.
Farah then sprang into action, as she coolly finished Syazwani Ruzi’s through ball on 29 minutes, before turning provider for Sarah to make it 5–0. A goalkeeping lapse allowed Farah to score again in the 36th minute to send the Sailors into the break with a six goal lead.
The tempo dipped slightly after half-time until BG Tampines goalkeeper Maisarah Ramat was sent off on 61 minutes for a foul on Farah outside the area.
The Sailors immediately pressed their numerical advantage, and Sarah soon made it seven from close range after Syazwani’s shot was parried, before Farah completed her hat-trick with a stunning long-range strike in the 73rd minute. Substitute Putri Alyiah Seow also found the back of the net within five minutes of coming on with a composed finish from Sarah’s pass.
Sarah coolly dispatched a penalty a minute later to complete her hat-trick to take the Sailors into double digits, before Farah added two more in stoppage time to round off a five-goal masterclass.
Despite the resounding win, however, Daniel insisted there is still work to do in order for his team to retain their WPL title.
“This wasn’t our best performance…I’ve seen better in training. We need to sharpen our attacking movement and be more clinical; we missed quite a few chances tonight,” he noted.
The Sailors now face a crucial run of six matches to close out the season, starting with a clash against second-placed Still Aerion next Wednesday (17 September).
And Sarah is confident the team has what it takes to finish the job.
She said, “We’re motivated to keep pushing until the end. Every game counts, and we’ll keep working hard for each other to deliver the best results, and hopefully a fourth straight WPL title.”
After playing a pivotal role in the Lion City Sailors’ historic 2024/25 campaign, centre-back Bailey Wright was eager to ride that momentum into the new season.
Unfortunately for the 33-year-old, his plans were derailed by an untimely injury that sidelined him for much of pre-season and the Sailors’ opening two fixtures.
“Being injured is frustrating, but it’s part and parcel of the game,” Bailey reflected. “It wasn’t the first time I’ve had a spell out, so I used the opportunity to reset – physically and mentally. I knew I had to get it right to make sure I came back stronger.”
The Sailors endured a tough start to their 2025/26 season, as they fell to defeats against BG Tampines Rovers and Johor Darul Ta’zim within five days in the Community Shield and ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup respectively.
However, they responded with an important 2-1 win over Hougang United in their Singapore Premier League (SPL) opener – a match where Bailey marked his return, coming off the bench to help the team see out the victory.
“Nobody likes sitting out, especially when the team’s not getting results. You feel helpless watching from the sidelines,” he admitted. “That win against Hougang gave us a real lift mentally. It’s something to build on, because momentum comes from putting a run of results together.”
Now back in full training and match rhythm, Bailey insists his injury setback is firmly behind him.
“The international break gave us valuable time to regroup and strengthen as a unit, and we’re happy with the progress we’ve made,” he said. “Everyone’s been working hard and we feel well prepared for what’s ahead.”
That challenge begins on Sunday (14 September), when the reigning champions face Balestier Khalsa at Our Tampines Hub. And with the SPL more competitive than ever, Bailey knows they can ill-afford to be complacent against the Tigers.
“We want to dominate and feel comfortable in every game, but the league is much stronger this year. Teams have refreshed their squads and there are plenty of unknowns. We’ll need to adapt quickly,” he said.
Balestier, for one, have undergone an off-season overhaul. With Marko Kraljević returning to the dugout, the Tigers have added Balkan reinforcements, including Croatian defender Mario Šubarić and Serbian forward Bogdan Mandić.
“It won’t be smooth sailing, but we’ll go into every match determined to win,” Bailey emphasised. “Our standards are high. Strong performances matter, but ultimately, it’s about securing three points and continuing to grow together as a team.”
Having tasted the highs of a historic campaign last term, Bailey is intent on helping the Sailors scale greater heights this season.
“Winning becomes a habit, and we want to relive those special moments again. We push each other every day in training to fuel that hunger,” he said.
“As a team, we’ll keep demanding the best from one another to uphold our standards and chase even more success this season.”
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team are set for an all-ASEAN challenge in their maiden appearance in the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Group Stage.
This was confirmed earlier this afternoon (11 September) after the Official Group Stage Draw in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
Daniel Ong’s charges have been drawn in Group A alongside Australia’s Melbourne City, Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC, and Philippines’ Stallion Laguna. The group will be contested in a centralised format in Vietnam from 13 to 19 November.
From the 12 participating clubs in the AWCL, eight will advance to the Knockout Stage. The top two teams from each of the three groups will qualify automatically, while the two best third-placed sides across all groups will also progress.
These eight teams will then contest the Quarter-Finals, which are scheduled for March 2026.
The Sailors arrive at this stage on the back of a dream Preliminary Campaign in Melaka, where they won all three matches to book their place in the tournament proper — a first in club and Singapore football history.
Now, against some of Asia’s most established women’s sides, Daniel is calling on his players to rise to the occasion.
“We have already shown that we have the potential to go toe-to-toe with some of the region’s best clubs, so we shouldn’t be afraid to challenge ourselves in these matches. It’s a rare opportunity to play with teams from higher-ranked nations, so I want the girls to go out and enjoy the occasion,” said the 36-year-old.
“Ultimately, it’s about representing Singapore well on the continental stage, and we’ll make sure to prepare adequately for these matches ahead.”
Echoing her coach’s sentiment, captain Umairah Hamdan insists the team has earned the right to feel confident about their chances.
She said, “Our performances in the Preliminary Stage showed that we belong here. It’ll be tough taking on these top teams from the region, but we’ll endeavour to put up the best showcase, not just for the club, but also for Singapore and Southeast Asian football.”
The Lion City Sailors Women marked their return to Women’s Premier League (WPL) action in confident fashion, picking up a neat 2-0 victory over Hougang United at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Sunday (7 September) night.
The victory will be one to remember for Farah Nurzahirah, whose brace not only propelled the Sailors forward in their WPL title challenge, but also marked a heartfelt milestone — her first goals for the club since joining in August.
“I’m so excited to have been able to score these two goals today. They were my first for the club, and it was a really proud moment for me,” smiled the 21-year-old forward, who arrived as part of a trio of signings from Geylang International.
The Sailors’ victory over Hougang kept their hopes of a fourth consecutive WPL crown alive. They now trail frontrunners Albirex Niigata (S) and Still Aerion by eight and six points respectively, but crucially have two games in hand.
Fresh off a history-making AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Preliminary Stage campaign, they wasted no time and hit the ground running in what was a dominant display of attacking football.
It took only 11 minutes for the Sailors to draw first blood. A ball over the top from Khairunnisa Anwar released Farah, who displayed brilliant pace and control to leave a trail of Hougang shirts behind before slotting home comfortably for her first-ever Sailors strike.
What ensued was a relentless onslaught of attacks launched by Daniel Ong’s charges, leaving Hougang little choice but to lock themselves in their half. Farah then had the opportunity to double the lead four minutes after, but her shot sailed high above the bar.
The Sailors’ improved chemistry was evident, as they often carved out good openings with strings of quick and intricate passes.
“Having more bodies upfront is important since Hougang played quite defensively. We had to play closer to each other so that’s where the one-twos came in,” explained right-back Nisa, who played a significant role in the team’s attack.
“We focused a lot on our attacking movements in the lead-up to returning to the WPL. Our full-backs were inverted today, so we played on the inside more and ran more overlaps. From training to game day, we manage to execute our gameplan.”
Following a string of chances on goal from the likes of Syazwani Ruzi, Sarah Zu’risqha and Putri Alyiah Seow, their closest opportunity came in the 51st minute when Farah’s driven cross into the box skimmed inches past Alyiah’s boot.
Ten minutes later, Farah nearly found the net herself in a tense goalmouth scramble, only to be denied by Hougang custodian Intan Afiqah, who managed to tip the ball away at the last moment.
Farah’s persistence, however, was finally rewarded in the 71st minute. Latching onto fellow new signing Wan Nashirah’s precise delivery, Farah made no mistake as she powered the ball home from close range to double the Sailors’ lead – sealing victory in the process.
Be it a winger’s cross or a teammate threading a pass through the middle, the forward credited her teammates for helping her secure her brace.
“They are really so hardworking and worked for 90 minutes to create chances for me. We instinctively knew where we each were on the pitch, so that showed our chemistry,” shared Farah.
“We kept possession and I think we played well today. It’s important for us to catch up with the top teams so we can’t just win, but also score more goals to give us a better goal difference.”
But even as the Sailors celebrated a victorious WPL restart, Nisa highlighted the importance of seizing every opportunity to rack up the goals in their coming games, especially in light of this season’s fiercely-contested title race.
“Compared to our previous encounter against Hougang (earlier this season), we were better in our attack but in certain areas, there’s still room for improvement. We need to be braver and take more shots from outside the box if the opportunity arises,” shared Nisa.
“We have to constantly think of what comes next and keep trudging forward.”
The Sailors will next take on BG Tampines Rovers this Saturday (13 September) at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
Fresh off a fairytale Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Preliminary Stage campaign, the Lion City Sailors Women return to Women’s Premier League (WPL) duty closer, stronger, and more united than ever.
Currently sitting fourth in the WPL table with two games in hand, the Sailors resume their title defence against fifth-placed Hougang United this Sunday (7 September) at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
A perfect record of three wins in three in Melaka have transformed the Sailors from underdogs into history-makers. Along the way, the squad forged deeper bonds as they celebrated triumphs together, and bid bittersweet farewells to their Japanese teammates who were instrumental to their AWCL journey.
It is this tight-knit spirit that Dhaniyah Qasimah and Anaya Sehgal believe will fuel the Sailors’ push for a fourth consecutive WPL crown.
“The experience in Melaka was one in a million,” said 21-year-old Dhaniyah, who started all three AWCL matches at the right-back position.
“Winning any match feels good, but winning at the AWCL was unlike anything else. Every sacrifice we made suddenly felt worth it. We pushed ourselves out of our comfort zones, and it paid off. Now, we’ve grown so much closer as a team. We know we can count on each other to give everything until the final whistle. The goal is clear: finish the league on a high.”
Echoing Dhaniyah’s sentiments, 16-year-old Anaya added, “After qualifying for the AWCL group stage, our team is brimming with momentum and chemistry.
“It’s a pretty quick turnaround from the AWCL to being back in WPL action, but everyone’s staying focused. We’re hungry to keep the winning streak going and to test ourselves against local teams. We’re going to take it one game at a time.”
The Sailors’ continental adventure meant stepping away from WPL action temporarily, a pause that saw them slip down the standings. But with games in hand, the stage is set for a surge back to the top.
For Dhaniyah, who joined at the start of the season with a mission to help the Sailors reach the AWCL group stages, the focus now is clear: to channel everything she learned abroad into the WPL title chase.
“I learned so much from everyone, especially our five Japanese teammates,” said the 21-year-old.
“What stood out most was staying calm under pressure in high-stakes matches. Keeping intensity high while staying tactically disciplined is something I want to carry into the WPL. That composure will be crucial for us.”
She added: “After the final whistle against Etihad Club, I felt something I’d never felt before. Even though it was only the first match, we knew the result was vital to set the tone. That win gave us belief and momentum. Now, it’s about channelling all of that into the WPL. We’re ready.”
For Anaya, the AWCL was as much about learning as competing. She watched closely from the sidelines, soaking up the standards set by her senior teammates in training and in matches.
“One of the biggest lessons I took was the raised level of intensity, awareness, and composure under pressure,” she reflected. “These are essential in football, and I want to bring them into my own game for the WPL.”
She added with a smile: “Of course we want to win this Sunday and score as many goals as possible, but beyond that, we want to play our style of football.”
The Lion City Sailors wrapped up their AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Preliminary Stage campaign in style with a commanding 3-0 victory over Kyrgyz Republic’s SDYUSHOR SI – Asiagoal at Hang Jebat Stadium on Sunday (31 August).
Goals from Ami Takeuchi, Miyu Inayama and Sarah Zu’risqha capped a flawless run for the Sailors, who topped Group C with three wins from three.
Having seen his charges dominate throughout, Sailors Head Coach Daniel Ong hailed the strides his side has made since last year’s debut campaign, when they lost both matches.
“Topping the group and finishing unbeaten is not something I expected,” he admitted. “Full credit goes to the girls for applying what we learned from last year and consistently putting in the hard work in training.
“Winning three games out of three against international opposition is a huge confidence booster. This will help them build a positive mentality moving forward.”
With qualification already secured, the 36-year-old rotated his squad against Sdyushor, as he handed starts to Beatrice Tan in goal and Nurhidayu Naszri on the wings.
Just like in the previous two games, the Sailors once again flew out of the blocks and in the 10th minute, Miyu split the defence with a perfectly weighted pass for the in-form Ami, who calmly slotted home her fourth goal of the campaign.
Sdyushor threatened to respond when Kenzhebubu Yrysbek Kyzy found space in the box minutes later, but Beatrice reacted sharply to smother her close-range effort.
The Sailors kept up the pressure, with Miyu and captain Umairah Hamdan both forcing saves from goalkeeper Dilnura Abibulla Kyzy.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 33rd minute, when Ayu’s mazy run led to Sarah’s clever backheel into the path of Miyu, who unleashed a fierce strike that rattled the crossbar, ricocheted off Abibulla, and nestled into the net.
It was a goal that owed much to the brilliance of Ayu, who was deployed in an unfamiliar wide role. She admitted, however, that linking up with close friend Dhaniyah Qasimah down the right side made the adjustment a natural one.
“Even though I’m not used to playing out wide, being alongside Dhani felt natural,” she shared. “We’ve known each other for a long time, so we understand each other’s playstyles very well.”
The Sailors were denied a third before the break only by Abibulla’s heroics, as she pulled off a string of saves from Eri Kitagawa, Sarah and Ami.
The Sailors finally struck again in the 62nd minute, when substitute Nur Ain Salleh whipped in a driven cross for Ami, who unselfishly laid the ball off for Sarah to net her first AWCL goal.
It was a goal that highlighted the growing chemistry between the Sailors’ local core and their Japanese teammates — a partnership that Ayu believes will only help the Singapore players raise their game.
“The quality of the Japanese players has pushed the locals to improve and elevate our game,” explained Ayu. “We’ve grown a lot together, and you can see the progress in how we connect on the pitch. It’s ultimately been a true team effort.”
The Sailors continued to press, with Sakurako Ohashi’s late header drawing another fine save, but Beatrice and her defence stood firm as the latter collected her first-ever AWCL clean sheet.
Reflecting on a historic AWCL campaign for the Sailors, Daniel paid tribute to his squad’s spirit and sacrifice.
“I have to praise their mentality. Despite many of them still juggling school and work, they’ve trained incredibly hard and made sacrifices to pursue the sport,” he said.
“Everyone knew this was a chance to raise the profile and standard of women’s football in Singapore, and they all embraced it.”
Now just one of three remaining Southeast Asian sides in the competition alongside Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Women’s and Philippines’ Stallion Laguna, the Sailors will learn their fate in the 12-team competition when the Group Stage draw takes place on 11 September.
Flying the Singapore flag high on the continental stage is an honour for Ayu, who believes the Sailors can carry their momentum forward.
“We’ve already shown what we’re capable of. If we’ve done it once, there’s no reason we cannot do it again, and even better,” she said.
“We’ll keep pushing ourselves to give everything on the pitch.”
