Month: January 2026
After suffering a disappointing 4-1 defeat to BG Tampines Rovers in the Community Shield at the start of the season, the Lion City Sailors arrived in the Singapore Cup Final with redemption firmly on their minds.
That intent was clearly reflected on the pitch, as the Sailors produced a commanding display and collected a deserved victory over the Stags after extra time to secure their third consecutive Singapore Cup title.
Central to their dominant display was full-back Akram Azman, who was tasked with containing BG Tampines’ main threat Trent Buhagiar. It was a test the 25-year-old passed with maturity, as he produced a disciplined and assured performance to nullify the winger’s threat.
“Winning my second Singapore Cup title felt great. That is why I joined the Sailors – to win trophies,” said Akram. “The team put in a dominant display, and I’m happy we came away with a win that we fully deserved.”
That early setback against the Stags made this triumph all the more satisfying, and underlined how much the team had progressed since the Community Shield defeat.
“Losing the Community Shield was very disappointing for all of us. We were caught by surprise by the way they played and attacked in that game,” Akram recalled. “But we learned from it and adopted a different approach in the cup final. Both matches were played for silverware, so any victory in games like these is hugely important.”
Introduced at half-time for the injured Christopher van Huizen, Akram was immediately thrown into the thick of the action, with Buhagiar’s nine goals and five assists this season making him a formidable challenge for any full-back.
“I was very clear on what the coach wanted me to do. We all knew how dangerous Trent and his runs in behind can be, but we were already well prepared for that thanks to the work on the training ground,” said the Singapore international.
“The whole backline did well to limit the spaces he could exploit, and that came down to everyone carrying out their duties effectively.”
With the Sailors adding a host of new signings during the transfer window, including winger Luka Adžić and midfielders Kyoga Nakamura and Lucas Agueiro, the battle for places has intensified.
That, in turn, has pushed the local contingent to raise their game, with Hami Syahin providing a prime example by coming off the bench to break the deadlock in the 115th minute.
“The new signings have added a lot of quality on top of the players we already have, so we’re looking forward to building on that,” said Akram. “All of us are working hard to earn our place in the team. Rather than turning it into a competition, we want to uplift one another and make sure whoever plays gives their best.”
After a three-month hiatus, the reigning Singapore Premier League champions return to league action against Geylang International at Our Tampines Hub on Sunday (18 January). Recent meetings have been closely contested, with the Sailors recording one win, two draws, and losing once across the four league encounters last season.
“We are very determined to defend our title this year, and it starts with this game,” declared Akram. “It doesn’t matter who we face. Our goal is always to take the three points and move closer to the title.”
The Eagles have bolstered their squad with former FC Augsburg youth centre-back Kim Tae-Ho, as well as young Japanese goalkeeper Yu Kanoshima, who featured for Japan at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the AFC Under-20 Asian Cup.
“We know Geylang has technical players like Vincent Bezecourt who have caused us problems in recent seasons,” Akram noted. “But as long as everyone fulfils their responsibilities on the pitch, we should be able to handle them.”
Having notched one goal and two assists in his previous two SPL outings, Akram is eager to further develop the attacking side of his game.
“I want to be more present in the final third and contribute more to our attacking play,” he explained. “That takes time, but it’s something I’m actively working on.”
Buoyed by the energy of the Sailors’ faithful in the cup final, Akram called on the fans to once again bring that same passion for the run-in.
“I hope the fans can come down to all our matches. We need the unwavering support they showed during the final, because our 12th man always gives us that extra boost.”
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team will begin their push to return to the summit of domestic women’s football on Sunday, 25 January, when they face Balestier Khalsa at Bukit Gombak Stadium.
Fixtures for the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) were officially released by the Football Association of Singapore on Tuesday (13 January). The new campaign will start earlier than in previous years and run through to 28 June, aligning strategically with key international commitments for the Singapore women’s national teams, including the AFF Women’s Cup 2026 in July.
Following their opening game against Balestier, Daniel Ong’s charges will take on Still Aerion on Saturday, 31 January at Choa Chu Kang Stadium, before a run of three further fixtures in February.
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After lifting three consecutive WPL titles between 2022 and 2024, the Sailors endured a frustrating 2025 campaign, finishing third behind eventual champions Albirex Niigata (S) — now rebranded as Albirex Jurong — and Still Aerion.
The Sailors will then take on Albirex on Friday, 13 March at Choa Chu Kang, before facing them again on Friday, 12 June at the same venue, with the two fixtures potentially proving pivotal in shaping the title race.
With the league retaining its 16-match double round-robin format with matches to take place at either Choa Chu Kang Stadium or Bukit Gombak Stadium, the Sailors will wrap up their season against Hougang United in late June, with the exact date and venue to be confirmed.
The full fixtures list for our 2026 WPL season can be accessed here, while squad details will be announced in due course.
The Lion City Sailors began 2026 on a triumphant note, as they clinched their first trophy of the season after a 2-0 victory over BG Tampines Rovers over 120 minutes in the 2025/26 Singapore Cup final at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday (10 January).
The result was subsequently amended to a 3-0 forfeit after a substitution-related regulatory breach by BG Tampines, who failed to maintain the minimum requirement of four Singaporean players on the pitch in the second half.
However, the match was allowed to run its natural course, with extra-time goals from substitutes Hami Syahin and Anderson Lopes delighting a 3,767-strong crowd and ensuring the Sailors completed a Singapore Cup hat-trick in emphatic fashion.
The victory also meant the Sailors became the first local team in Singapore football history to win three Singapore Cups in a row.
Despite the unusual circumstances, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković was keen to underline the manner in which his side earned the trophy.
“The decision to continue the game was perfect. All the fans did not come here for nothing, and we were eager to win the game and show that we are the better team,” said Ranko.
“For the Singapore Cup, I’m emotionally attached to it. It’s the trophy I value the most in my career. Winning it for the first time in 2023 was the start of something great for us as a club, and I would never have imagined winning it three times.”
The Sailors set the tone from the opening whistle and immediately pinned BG Tampines back with their attacking intent. And they fashioned the first real chance of the game just three minutes in, when Bart Ramselaar’s pinpoint delivery picked out Shawal Anuar, whose header forced an early save from Syazwan Buhari.
Song Uiyoung went even closer moments later, crashing a first-time volley against the crossbar, before testing the BG Tampines goalkeeper again from range five minutes after that.
Tsiy Ndenge then grazed the roof of the net with a dipping strike in the 14th minute, while the Stags’ only proper chance in the first half came three minutes later with Takeshi Yoshimoto’s audacious long-range effort landing just off-target.
Unfazed by the incessant boos from the BG Tampines faithful, former Stag Kyoga Nakamura, who was named in the starting XI just two days after being unveiled as a new Sailor, dictated proceedings in midfield, though neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval.
With the contest remaining cagey after the restart, Ranko decided to freshen things up for his side by introducing Anderson Lopes and Hami Syahin in the 75th minute.
Then came the moment when BG Tampines breached competition regulations, when Joel Chew was replaced by Yuki Kobayashi in the 81st minute, leaving just three local players on the pitch. Although they subsequently introduced Ong Yu En three minutes later to replace Japanese midfielder Koya Kazama, it was too late to negate the breach.
Nonetheless, play was allowed to continue, and Bart forced Syazwan into a sharp near-post save late in regulation time, before new signing Luka Adžić almost made an instant impact with a dipping free kick that was tipped over the bar.
While the earlier breach led to a lengthy pause before extra time, the delay did little to disrupt the Sailors’ momentum. Bailey Wright’s header forced another save in the 101st minute, before the breakthrough finally arrived in the 115th.
Luka’s outside-of-the-boot pass released Diogo Costa down the left, and his driven cross was met emphatically by Hami, who rifled the ball into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations.
Not long after, in the 123rd minute, another substitute delivered the finishing touch for the Sailors, as Ivan Sušak’s long punt found Anderson, who outmuscled Dylan Fox before smashing a powerful effort home to seal the victory on the pitch.
“We were very cautious with our substitutions because we knew the game might go into extra time,” Ranko added.
“I’m happy with all the players who came on because they all made a difference. This is exactly what we want from our squad.”
At the other end of the pitch, Bailey produced a commanding display at the heart of defence and anchored a backline that kept BG Tampines quiet all night.
“You never want to win a final like that, as we didn’t want the trophy to be handed to us,” said Bailey, who was named Man of the Match. “We wanted to earn it on the pitch, and we’ve done that.”
The Sailors will return to league action against Geylang International on Sunday (18 January), before facing Hougang United on 24 January and travelling to Vietnam to take on Nam Định FC in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup five days later.
“I’m very proud of my team,” Ranko said. “This win gives us real momentum. We’re hungry, and our aim is to win the remaining trophies this season.”
When Bailey Wright joined the Lion City Sailors over two years ago, he did so with one clear aim in mind: to win silverware with the club.
It took just five months for the Australian centre-back to achieve that goal. Playing the full 90 minutes in the 2023 Singapore Cup final, Bailey delivered a composed performance at the heart of defence as the Sailors defeated Hougang United 3-1 to lift their first domestic cup trophy since the club’s inception in 2020.
To this day, the 33-year-old still looks back on that milestone with pride.
“Any trophy you lift is memorable,” Bailey reflected. “You remember the game and the people you did it with, and you want to relive that feeling of pride and achievement again.”
Bailey and the Sailors will have the opportunity to do just that when they take on BG Tampines Rovers in this year’s Singapore Cup final at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday (10 January).
The Sailors will be chasing a third consecutive triumph in the competition, having edged the Stags 1-0 in last season’s Final at the same venue. To date, only Albirex Niigata (S) have achieved that feat, having won the competition four times in a row between 2015 and 2018.
Standing in their way once again, however, is a BG Tampines side which won the first encounter of the season against the Sailors in last August’s Community Shield.
Since then, the Sailors have responded emphatically, winning all five of their domestic matches.
“We have a lot of respect for all of the opposition we play, and revenge for the Community Shield is certainly something we’re looking for too,” said Bailey. “Things are a little different with this being a mid-season final, but at the end of the day, it’s about winning the game, and we’re ready to embrace it.”
Seeded directly into the semi-finals based on their finish in last season’s Singapore Premier League (SPL), the Sailors cruised past Balestier Khalsa 5-1 on aggregate to book their place in the final. BG Tampines, meanwhile, overcame Albirex Niigata (S) 5-3 in the other semi-final tie.
Encounters between the two sides are typically tightly contested, with each team claiming two wins from their last six meetings. Bailey, however, believes the rivalry only adds extra edge to the occasion.
“There’s healthy respect between the clubs, but we’re rivals for a reason and we want to beat them every time we get the chance,” he said.
“We won this trophy last year and we want to lift it again. This final is very important for all of us, and it’s our responsibility to deliver that sense of pride to the club.”
Since their last meeting, both sides have strengthened their squads. Noh Rahman’s charges have bolstered their ranks with former Japan international Yuki Kobayashi, alongside the youthful trio of Ong Yu En, Rae Peh and defender Raoul Suhaimi.
The Sailors, meanwhile, have secured the services of Serbian winger Luka Adžić, who brings top-flight experience from the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as Singapore international Kyoga Nakamura.
And while the reigning champions are determined to defend their crown, their focus remains firmly on preparation and performance.
“There is always a bit of added belief and expectation going into a Final, but that doesn’t change how we prepare,” Bailey explained. “Everybody in the team is fit, focused and recharged.”
With the clash set to be the first Cup final staged at the newly re-turfed Jalan Besar Stadium, Bailey also called on the Sailors faithful to once again turn out in force.
“Football is nothing without the fans and the energy they bring. That’s what makes a final feel like a big game,” he said.
“Jalan Besar is a great stadium, and it’s going to be a great occasion that no one will want to miss. We’re really looking forward to the support from our fans.”
When Kyoga Nakamura first arrived in Singapore football in 2019, he did so in the colours of Albirex Niigata (S). Appointed club captain, the young midfielder wasted little time in making his mark, delivering a string of eye-catching performances that earned him a place in the Singapore Premier League Team of the Year, as well as a nomination for Young Player of the Year.
Yet for many fans, Kyoga is more readily associated with the chapter that followed. After leaving Albirex in 2020, he joined BG Tampines Rovers, where he went on to spend five formative seasons. Across 158 appearances in all competitions, he established himself as a key figure and a firm fan favourite, before departing in June 2025 for a brief stint with Bangkok United.
Those five years at the Stags were defining not just professionally, but personally. Kyoga became a father to two daughters, gained Singapore citizenship, and donned the Lions jersey for the first time.
So when the opportunity arose to join the Lion City Sailors, it was never going to be a straightforward decision. Given the deep bond he shared with BG Tampines and their supporters, and the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs, Kyoga found himself torn.
In the end, however, his desire to keep pushing his limits prevailed, as the midfielder put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal with the firm conviction that the Sailors can help him take the next step in his career.
“I spent almost six years at BG Tampines and made so many good friends there, so I thought hard about whether I should join the Sailors,” Kyoga admitted in his first interview after signing. “But ultimately, I want to improve and challenge myself as a player. I believe the Sailors will give me the perfect platform to do that, and that’s why I decided to come here.”
Kyoga’s hunger to succeed has been evident from a young age. A Chiba native, he was once regarded as a hot prospect in Japan and was part of the national side that featured at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup. But with opportunities at the highest level proving hard to come by back home, Kyoga had no qualms about moving to Singapore seven years later to carve out a new path in his career.
That same drive was evident again last June, when he chose to step out of his comfort zone and seek a fresh challenge with Bangkok United. Trading familiarity in Singapore for one of the region’s most competitive leagues, Kyoga embraced the test, and while his half-season spell may not have caught the eye of some, it proved to be a deeply enriching experience.
In total, Kyoga made 17 appearances for the club, featuring in continental competitions such as the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two and the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup. He also netted a memorable long-range strike in a 4-1 Thai League 1 victory over Prachuap FC.
“It felt longer than six months, to be honest, because we played so many matches there,” Kyoga shared. “It was a tough situation because there are many quality players in midfield, both local and foreign. Even in training, you can feel how high the level is.
“But that taught me how to stay positive and how to handle difficult situations. It was a really good experience for my development as a footballer.”
Kyoga was born in Japan, but Singapore is where he now calls home, and where his heart firmly lies. He believes it offers the most supportive and stable environment for his wife and two young daughters, and that played a decisive role in his return to Singapore football.
“I was thinking seriously about my long-term plans, and from a family perspective, it made more sense for me to be in Singapore than Thailand,” Kyoga explained. “Most importantly, my family is happy with this choice, and we’re excited to start this new chapter together.”
With a strong Singaporean core already in the squad, Kyoga also admitted that keeping the move quiet proved challenging while paperwork and formalities were being finalised.
Kyoga, who counts Lions teammates Lionel Tan and Christopher van Huizen among his close friends, recalled, “Of course, I couldn’t say anything until everything was officially done. But a few players were already asking if I was going to join the Sailors, and I couldn’t give them any answers.”
Over the years, fans of Singapore football have taken to Kyoga not just for his technical quality and tireless energy on the pitch, but also for the infectious personality he brings off it. Always smiling and engaging with supporters, his positivity has become a defining part of who he is.
He will now bring those same qualities to the Sailors, where he is determined to be a positive influence both on and off the pitch.
“I have a lot of respect for the Sailors from when they were my opponents,” Kyoga said. “Now I’m really happy and confident to be part of this team. I know expectations are high at this club, but I love challenges.”
While not the loudest voice in the dressing room, Kyoga believes in leading by example.
“I’m not so talkative, but I try to lead through my actions, my behaviour and my attitude,” he explained. “I also like to help the young players improve, whether it’s before or after training.”
Fans will also be pleased to know that Kyoga will continue sharing glimpses of his life through his YouTube channel, which he started during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he begins this new chapter.
“I’ve already taken some videos here in Mattar,” he said with a grin. “I have fans in Japan who don’t really see how I live in Singapore. I want to connect with them, and ultimately, I hope more people become interested in the SPL and now in the Sailors.”
Kyoga will now spend at least the next two and a half years with the Sailors wearing the number 46 on his back, a choice that carries deep personal meaning.
It is the number worn by his late childhood friend, Wataru Nakayama, during their time representing their elementary school together. Wataru tragically passed away at the age of 10 in a traffic accident in 2006, which Kyoga learned only after reading about it in the newspapers.
“I decided to wear number 46 because it feels like I’m playing together with him,” Kyoga shared. “We used to talk about our dreams of becoming professional footballers, so he’s very important to me. Every time I step onto the pitch, I think about honouring him.”
As fate would have it, Kyoga’s Sailors debut could come against BG Tampines Rovers in this Saturday’s (10 January) Singapore Cup Final at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Kyoga admits it will be an emotional occasion, but insists he is fully capable of balancing respect for his former club with his responsibility to his new one.
“When I realised the match could be against BG Tampines, my first reaction was, ‘Wow,’” he said. “I achieved many milestones there and I still have many friends at the club, so of course there will be a lot of emotions.
“But now I’m really looking forward to facing them as opponents. I’m with the Sailors now, and I understand the expectations here are to compete for, and win, every trophy possible.”
Sailors fans also showed Kyoga plenty of love when the team faced Bangkok United away at True BG Stadium in December, a gesture that left a lasting impression on him and only deepened his excitement about pulling on the white and blue.
“I remember that game very clearly,” Kyoga said. “So many Sailors fans came all the way to Thailand to support the team. I was really surprised that they also cheered for me and called my name after the match, so I’m very happy that I can now play for them.”
As for what lies ahead, Kyoga is focused less on numbers and more on commitment.
“I don’t want to talk about how many goals or titles,” he added. “All I can say is that I will try my best every single day, on and off the pitch. I want to enjoy being part of this team and create many memorable moments together.”
And perhaps fittingly, the first of those moments could come this Saturday.
The Lion City Sailors are delighted to announce the signing of Japan-born Singapore international Kyoga Nakamura on a two-and-a-half-year contract, which runs until the end of the 2027/28 season.
The 29-year-old midfielder joins the Sailors after terminating his contract with Thai giants Bangkok United, and arrives with a reputation as one of the region’s most cultured and intelligent midfield operators.
Kyoga’s move marks a return to Singapore football, where he established himself after beginning his professional career in Japan’s J3 League. He spent six seasons in the Singapore Premier League (SPL), making his debut in 2019 with Albirex Niigata (S), before clocking up the majority of his 141 domestic league appearances with BG Tampines Rovers over the next five years. He left for Bangkok United in June 2025, where he made 17 appearances in all competitions.
Over the years, Kyoga has endeared himself to the local football fraternity with his relentless work rate, warm personality and deep affinity with Singapore, which is underlined by his desire to represent the national team. The Chiba native – who played for Japan at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup – was granted Singapore citizenship in October 2024, and has since earned 17 caps for the Lions, playing an influential role in the nation’s historic qualification for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup on merit.
Named in the SPL Team of the Year in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023, the left-footed midfielder is set to add creativity, vision and composure to the heart of the Sailors’ midfield as the club gears up for a crucial second half of the season, with three competitions still to fight for.
The Sailors are bidding to retain both the SPL and Singapore Cup trophies which they won last season, while also aiming to reach the semi-finals of the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup for the first time.
“Kyoga is a player we have admired for some time. He brings calmness and a strong positional sense in midfield, understands how to control the tempo of a game, and is one of the top players in Singapore football. That level of quality is exactly what we want in our squad. His experience and hunger to succeed are qualities that will boost us as we push on in the coming months,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković.
Sailors Sporting Director Luka Lalić added, “The opportunity to sign someone of Kyoga’s calibre was something we couldn’t pass up. His arrival reflects our intent to build for the long term while continuing to compete at the highest level.
“He is already proven in Singapore football, and his work ethic, leadership and professionalism will raise standards within the team. We’re excited to see the impact he can make in the months ahead.”
Kyoga’s first appearance in Sailors colours could come in a fittingly symbolic encounter — the Singapore Cup final on 10 January against his former club BG Tampines — as he embarks on the next chapter of his storied career.
“I’m very happy to be part of the Sailors. This is a club with big ambitions, high standards and a clear vision,” said the midfield maestro. “Singapore is my home, and I’m delighted to be back here and to represent the Sailors for the next few years.
“I’m going to give my all for this club and help us fight for every trophy. We have a great mix of local and foreign players here, and I’m confident we can finish this season strongly together.”
The Lion City Sailors are pleased to announce the signing of Serbian winger Luka Adžić, who joins the club on a deal until the end of the season following the mutual termination of his contract with Thai League 1 side Bangkok United.
The 27-year-old wide attacker adds quality and depth to the Sailors’ attacking options, bringing with him flair, creativity, and a consistent threat from set pieces. Comfortable operating on either flank, Luka is known for his direct dribbling, clinical finishing in tight spaces, and a sharp eye for creating chances for others.
Luka comes with a strong European footballing foundation, having come through the famed Red Star Belgrade Academy before making his first team debut for the club in 2016. He subsequently featured in the top-flight leagues of Belgium, the Netherlands and Turkey, turning out for clubs such as Anderlecht, Ankaragücü, FC Emmen and PEC Zwolle, before returning home for a fruitful spell with Čukarički between 2022 to 2024 – one that included scoring directly from corners twice in the same Serbian SuperLiga match in March 2024.
His impressive performances with Čukarički earned him a move to Southeast Asia in July 2024, when he joined Bangkok United. His one-and-a-half-year spell with the Thai side included several continental appearances, notably a goalscoring cameo against the Sailors in a 2-1 victory at Bishan Stadium in the AFC Champions League Two last November.
Luka’s arrival provides a timely boost for the Sailors as they prepare for the Singapore Cup Final against BG Tampines Rovers on 10 January, while also aiming to defend their Singapore Premier League title and reach the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup semi-finals for the first time.
“Luka is a player who gives us something different in wide areas – very strong in one-on-one situations, sharp in tight spaces, and capable of both scoring and creating goals. His playing style fits our philosophy perfectly, and I’m confident he will excel here,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković.
Sailors Sporting Director Luka Lalić added, “This signing reflects our intent to remain competitive on all fronts. Luka’s quality and experience add another dimension to our attack, and we believe he will integrate well into the team both on and off the pitch. We’re delighted to welcome him onboard as we head into a crucial phase of the season.”
Having already played – and scored – against the Sailors, the 1.84m Luka is now eager to help the club achieve its ambitions.
“I’m really happy to be here and grateful to the club for believing in me,” said the former Serbian U21 international, who will wear the No. 28 jersey. “I’ve followed the club’s journey and this is a project that truly excites me. I can’t wait to show my abilities, and I promise to give everything for the badge during my time here.”
