Month: March 2026
The Lion City Sailors are pleased to announce that our Women’s Team has entered a strategic partnership with Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies, as both clubs look to promote the development of the women’s game in Singapore and Japan.
Focused on raising standards locally, this collaboration will provide the Sailors Women’s youth players with opportunities to experience the Urawa philosophy through structured exchanges and training camps.
A powerhouse in Japanese women’s football, Urawa has long been a breeding ground for top talent in the country. Notably, seven members of Japan’s recent AFC Women’s Asian Cup-winning squad began their footballing journey at the club, including 161-capped Saki Kumagai and forward Kiko Seike, who now plays for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Attacker Ami Takeuchi is also a product of the Urawa system, having progressed through their youth ranks to feature in the top-tier WE (Women’s Empowerment) League before joining the Sailors in February 2026.
The partnership will centre on two key pillars:
1. Youth Player Exchanges
Outstanding players aged 15 to 18 will be selected for overseas stints, with Sailors prospects heading to Japan to train with Urawa, while Urawa players will have opportunities to train with the Sailors in Singapore.
- Coaching Exchanges
Urawa will share their coaching methodologies and technical expertise with staff of the Sailors Women’s Team staff. In return, their coaches will also gain exposure to working in an English-speaking environment, and with a diverse, international squad.
Further initiatives will be jointly developed as both clubs deepen their collaboration, underlining a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of players and coaches through meaningful international exchange.
The Sailors look forward to building a fruitful and lasting partnership with Urawa Reds.
Normal service resumed in the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) as the Lion City Sailors Women swept to a commanding 7-0 victory over Tiong Bahru at the Bukit Gombak Stadium on Saturday (28 March) night.
Ami Takeuchi and Eri Kitagawa led the charge with a hat-trick each, while Nur Ain Salleh added another in a dominant attacking display.
The result marked a swift response from Daniel Ong’s side, who were looking to bounce back after their first defeat of the season against title rivals Albirex Jurong a fortnight ago.
The Sailors set the tone early and needed just nine minutes to break the deadlock. Ami and Eri combined neatly, with the latter lifting a deft finish over Tiong Bahru goalkeeper Larissa Ortmann to make it 1-0.
Ami soon turned from provider to scorer, doubling the lead in the 24th minute with a precise low strike from the edge of the box. Venetia Lim was the architect, marking her WPL return after spells in Australia’s second tier with Boroondara-Carey Eagles FC and Eltham Redbacks with an assist.
“I’m grateful to be back playing for the Sailors after a long time,” said Venetia, who was part of the club’s 2022 and 2023 title-winning squads. “The girls have been welcoming, and I’m thankful for all the support I’ve received from everyone, including the coaching team.
“I’m happy to have contributed with an assist, but my focus now is to keep improving and give more to the team.”
Tiong Bahru grew into the game midway through the first half, with Claris Gan testing Alysha Nasrina in the 32nd minute. Alysha, making her second start, was called into action again just before the break, tipping Lim Li Xian’s effort around the post after a swift counterattack.
Any hopes of a contest after the interval were quickly extinguished. Ami struck from range in the 47th minute to extend the lead, before Eri made it 4-0 six minutes later after weaving past defenders following good work from Farah Nurzahirah.
Eri came close to scoring her third on the hour mark, but saw her header from Dhaniyah Qasimah’s cross crash against the woodwork.
Ami, however, completed her treble in the 70th minute, taking her tally to 18 league goals, four behind Albirex Jurong’s Ruriko Takashima in the Golden Boot race.
“My role is to score goals, so I put pressure on myself to deliver in every game,” said the former Urawa Reds Ladies starlet. “That’s how I contribute to the team, and I know I have to keep improving.”
Eri was not to be denied her hat-trick either as she fired into the roof of the net from close range after Ortmann had made two initial saves to reach double figures for the season.
Ain rounded off the scoring in the 82nd minute with her fifth league goal, as the Sailors surged past the 50-goal mark for the campaign.
The victory also saw the Sailors close the gap at the top to three points, while Tiong Bahru remain without a win after six matches.
“To win the title, we have to win every game from now,” added Ami. “We’ve reset our mindset and we’re aiming to win every remaining match.”
The Sailors return to the Bukit Gombak Stadium next weekend to face Hougang United on Saturday, 4 April.
How a team responds to adversity can shape its season, and for the Lion City Sailors Women, Saturday’s (28 March) Women’s Premier League (WPL) clash against Tiong Bahru at the Bukit Gombak Stadium offers the chance to do just that.
A 2-0 defeat to title rivals Albirex Jurong two weeks ago meant the Sailors suffered defeat for the first time in 2026 and they now trail the White Swans by six points, albeit with a game in hand. It was a result that stung, but with time to reflect, the squad has emerged more determined to put things right.
“The loss hit us hard because we had worked really hard over the past few months for that game. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way we wanted. But that’s the nature of football,” said midfielder Nurhidayu Naszri.
“We learn and move forward. The team has been working even harder in training, and we see this as a small setback for better results in the future.”
Now, the Sailors find themselves at a delicate juncture, where they will have to balance the pursuit of the title with the need to stay grounded, play their own game, and enjoy their football. For Ayu, in particular, maintaining belief within the squad will be essential.
“It’s very important for us to maintain confidence after the loss. As a team, we need to stay united and move forward together. Instead of seeing it as a big challenge, we treat it as motivation to keep pushing and chasing the title.”
That unity has been evident in training this week, with the squad doubling down on their identity and sharpening the chemistry that has underpinned their campaign.
“The team’s mentality is strong. We’re coming together again, improving our chemistry, and training well. Hopefully, this will translate into good results in the upcoming games,” she said.
At the heart of that cohesion is the Sailors’ midfield, where Ayu plays a key role in setting the tempo and linking play, whether from the start or off the bench.
“We focus a lot on understanding each other’s movements and style of play. This helps us control the game better and set the tone for the rest of the team,” explained the 22-year-old.
That control will be vital against a Tiong Bahru side the Sailors are expected to overcome. But beyond securing three points, goal difference could yet prove decisive in the title race.
After struggling to convert clear chances against Albirex, the Sailors are determined to be more clinical in the final third.
“We want to improve on creating more chances and being more clinical in front of goal, as that was something we lacked in the previous game. We’ve been working on this in training, and we hope to show that improvement against Tiong Bahru,” said Ayu.
“We’re also aware that football is unpredictable. Anything can happen, and that’s what makes it special. We take each game one at a time and focus on improving step by step. For the Tiong Bahru match, we see it as a new challenge and aim to stick to the game plan set by our coach.”
A strong performance would not only boost their goal difference, but also restore momentum heading into the decisive stretch of the season.
For Ayu, the objective is clear — lead by example, influence the game, and help the team rediscover their rhythm.
“My personal goal is to contribute more to the team, whether through creating chances or scoring goals. I also want to stay composed, keep possession well, and distribute the ball effectively.”
Lion City Sailors full-back Nur Adam Abdullah has been named in Gavin Lee’s 26-man strong Singapore National Team squad for the upcoming March international window, alongside six of his Sailors teammates: Hariss Harun, Hami Syahin, Shawal Anuar, Lionel Tan, Akram Azman, and January signing Kyoga Nakamura.
The call-up is the 24-year-old’s first since November 2024, when he came on as a second-half substitute for the Lions in an international friendly against Chinese Taipei at the National Stadium.
Nur Adam has been enjoying a strong run of form, featuring in six of the Sailors’ last seven Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches since February – including successive starts against Geylang International and Balestier Khalsa before the international break.
“It’s always a huge honour to get a call-up to the national team and I have to say I really missed pulling on the Lions jersey,” said Nur Adam, who has earned 10 caps since making his national debut in November 2021.
(Photo: Football Association of Singapore)
“I’m going to work very hard during the upcoming centralised training so that I can earn another national team cap.”
With their international friendly against the Faroe Islands in Dubai cancelled due to safety concerns, the Lions will instead take part in a local centralised training programme before taking on Bangladesh on 31 March in their final match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers.
The Singapore national team have already qualified for next year’s showpiece event following an important away victory over Hong Kong last November.
The Lion City Sailors brought Balestier Khalsa’s impressive Singapore Premier League (SPL) run to an end with a dominant 3-0 victory at Bishan Stadium on Sunday (15 March) night.
The Tigers had arrived on the back of a four-match winning streak, but goals from Diogo Costa, Lennart Thy and Anderson Lopes ensured the Sailors kept up their unbeaten start to the 2025/26 league campaign with 12 wins and two draws.
“We created a lot of chances today and also kept a clean sheet. We were in control throughout the match, but there is always room for improvement,” said Head Coach Jesús Casas after the win.
Jesús made two changes to his starting line-up, bringing in Shawal Anuar and Diogo for Anderson Lopes and the injured Hami Syahin. Meanwhile, Balestier were without influential midfielder Lazar Vujanić, who missed the match through suspension.
The Sailors began brightly and quickly asserted their dominance, but Balestier goalkeeper Hafiz Ahmad kept his side in the contest with a string of early saves. The custodian denied Lennart’s header, Tsiy Ndenge’s free-kick and Kyoga Nakamura’s stinging effort, all within the opening 18 minutes.
At the other end, Balestier’s in-form Croatian winger Jakov Katusa attempted an ambitious long-range strike, but the effort went straight into the arms of Ivan Sušak on the half-hour mark.
The Sailors’ persistence finally paid off in the 33rd minute when Akram Azman cut the ball back for Diogo inside the box, and the Portuguese rifled home from close range.
It was the 22-year-old’s third SPL goal of the season and his second against Balestier. His goal was made even more notable by the fact that he was deployed as a right winger for the first time in his career.
“I have never played as a right winger, even back in Portugal,” Diogo said after the match. “It’s never easy when it’s your first time playing in a different position, but I’ll always play wherever the club asks me to.”
Seven minutes later, Lennart doubled the Sailors’ advantage with his 10th SPL goal of the season, as he lobbed the ball into an unguarded net from outside the area after Hafiz had ventured off his line for a clearance.
After the break, Akram continued to cause problems down the right flank, and the full-back nearly added a third in the 54th minute when he met Bart Ramselaar’s cross with a header that struck the crossbar.
Akram also impressed defensively, producing a superb piece of 1v1 defending shortly after to deny Katusa.
Jesús then introduced Anderson for Lennart on the hour mark to refresh the attack as the Sailors continued to press forward, and Bart came close to adding a third goal following a rapid counterattack, but Hafiz was again equal to the effort.
On the opposite flank, Nur Adam Abdullah, who was making back-to-back starts for the club for the first time since August 2023, showed great determination as he surged into the box and almost teed up Anderson in the 78th minute.
But the Brazilian forward would not have to wait long for his moment. Harith Kanadi’s dangerous challenge on Diogo inside the box resulted in a Sailors penalty following a VAR check, with the Balestier full-back also shown a red card.
Anderson stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past Hafiz from 12 yards for his eighth SPL goal of the season — his third in as many matches — as the Sailors saw out the rest of the game with minimal fuss to help Ivan secure his sixth league clean sheet.
It capped a complete performance from the Sailors, who finished the match with 27 attempts on goal compared to Balestier’s five. Diogo was duly named Man of the Match after an outstanding display.
“Diogo has the skill set to play in different positions,” said Jesús. “We need balance when attacking on both sides of the pitch. He scored a goal and also won a penalty for us tonight, so it was a very good performance.”
For some in attendance at the Bishan Stadium, Diogo’s display on the right wing evoked memories of former Sailors star Maxime Lestienne. However, the Portuguese midfielder was quick to play down such comparisons.
“Maxime is a legend of the club, and he can never be replaced,” Diogo said. “I faced him many times in training, and I learned a lot from those moments.”
With the international break approaching, the Sailors will now take time to regroup before returning to action.
Their next match sees them face Tanjong Pagar United at Jurong East Stadium on Monday, 6 April.
“Our plan now is to rest for a week, with the national team players going on duty soon,” Jesús revealed. “The rest of us will continue to train thereafter, and we will continue to push to put in more good performances for our fans.”
When the Lion City Sailors signed Anderson Lopes at the start of the season, the Brazilian striker arrived in Singapore amid considerable fanfare.
The forward’s move from J1 League giants Yokohama F. Marinos was widely viewed as a coup for the Sailors, given his impressive record in Japan and across Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions.
And after a brief period of adjustment — during which he scored two goals in his first five Singapore Premier League (SPL) appearances — Anderson has gradually found his rhythm in the domestic competition.
“My adaptation has been great,” said Anderson. “From the first day I arrived, I was welcomed by everyone — the players, the directors, especially Luka Lalić (Director of Football), who supported my family. Right from the start, I felt at home.”
Despite scoring five goals in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two group stage — including all four Sailors goals in a 4-2 victory over Malaysia’s Selangor FC — league goals were initially harder to come by.
However, that changed in February, with Anderson having now scored five goals in his last five league starts.
With a wealth of attacking talent at the Sailors’ disposal, Anderson was not always the first-choice striker early in the campaign and had to remain ready whenever opportunities arose.
“I feel very happy to be scoring more regularly in recent matches,” he said. “If the team depended only on me, I would want to score in every game, that is always my objective. But we have changed the way we play, and that has helped me a lot.”
The Sailors have also looked revitalised since the appointment of Head Coach Jesús Casas at the end of last month. The former Iraq national team head coach has signed a deal until the end of the 2027/28 season.
Having previously held roles with the Spanish national team and Watford FC, Jesús has quickly begun stamping his authority on the team.
“My experience playing under Coach Jesús has been very good,” said Anderson. “He has brought a new identity to the team and renewed our energy.
“Our team has a lot of technical quality, but we need to show it. We need to keep more possession, press more, and I think that makes a big difference in the SPL.”
Indeed, the striker believes the team has already begun adapting to the Spaniard’s demands.
“In a short period of time he has already shown his style of play and we understand what he wants from us. With more time, things will get even better,” Anderson explained.
“For me, I am used to playing this way from my time in Japan, and I like pressing opponents constantly and having more of the ball. My teammates also know that I am in the box to score goals. Having a similar approach here will help me a lot.”
Crucially, Jesús has already proven that his methods can yield success, having guided Iraq to the cusp of their first FIFA World Cup qualification in 40 years.
Now, the Sailors are hoping to script their own chapter with Jesús by securing back-to-back SPL titles for the first time in club history, with Anderson becoming an increasingly important part of the system.
“When I first arrived here, I had a bit of difficulty,” Anderson admitted. “But now things are starting to fall into place. In a short time, Coach Jesús has already changed a few things and I’m very happy with it.”
The impact of that tactical shift was evident in last weekend’s 4-0 victory over Geylang International, when the Sailors scored twice in quick succession. The second goal came when Anderson dispossessed Joshua Pereira with an aggressive press before doubling the lead.
“This high-press strategy works well not only for me as a striker but also for the midfielders higher up the pitch,” Anderson explained.
“It helps the full-backs too, because we run less and don’t give the opposition time to breathe. Playing this way allows us to press more, keep possession and create more chances.”
With seven goals in this season’s SPL, Anderson is currently four behind BG Tampines Rovers striker Hide Higashikawa in the race for the Golden Boot.
Having twice finished as the J1 League’s top scorer, the 32-year-old is determined to add another scoring accolade to his collection.
“For sure, my mission is to be the SPL top scorer,” said the Recife native. “A striker should always think this way, and help the team by scoring goals.
“I always have the ambition to be top scorer in every competition I play. But I never neglect the collective. I always think about the team and the most important thing is to make contributions to a title-winning side.”
That team-first mentality is reflected across the Sailors’ attack, with Lennart Thy contributing nine SPL goals and Bart Ramselaar providing eight assists this season.
Local stars such as Shawal Anuar and Kyoga Nakamura have also played key roles, and Anderson believes the squad’s collective strength will be vital in achieving the club’s ambitions.
“It is an honour and a privilege to play alongside players like Shawal, Lenny and Bart,” Anderson said. “They have been at the club for a long time and have their own stories here. I have great respect for each of them.
“I also enjoy playing with everyone in the squad like Kyoga, Lucas (Agueiro), who is a rising talent, and Luka (Adžić), who has just arrived but has a lot of quality. We all help each other, and the club benefits from that.”
Next up for the Sailors is a Sunday (15 March) night clash against Balestier Khalsa, who are enjoying an impressive run of form with four consecutive SPL victories and 14 goals scored during that stretch.
Marko Kraljević’s side will be without influential midfielder Lazar Vujanić, but much will depend on Croatian winger Jakob Katusa, who has four goals and nine assists in just 10 SPL appearances.
Remarkably, the Tigers have yet to lose a match in which Katusa has either scored or assisted.
“Balestier are a good team and will be a difficult opponent,” Anderson said. “But if we play with the same intensity and style, we will have a good chance to win.
“We know it will be tough, but we are conscious that we are the favourites and we must show that on the pitch.”
Under Jesús, the Sailors – who are unbeaten in all 13 SPL games this season – are developing a new identity built on intensity and attacking football.
“We should not be satisfied with winning 1-0 or 2-0,” Anderson stressed. “Coach Jesús always wants us to win with conviction.
“We need to play well, press hard, keep possession and give everything on the pitch so we can continue to grow as players.”
The Choa Chu Kang Stadium witnessed the Lion City Sailors Women suffer their first setback of the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season on Friday (13 March) night, as defending champions Albirex Jurong claimed a 2-0 victory in a top-of-the-table clash.
The result brings the Sailors’ unbeaten start to the campaign to an end, while Albirex move three points clear at the summit of the standings.
Yet even in defeat, the team’s spirit remained clear. At the final whistle, there were tears, but also embraces, quiet words of encouragement, and a collective acknowledgement of the supporters who had backed them from the first whistle to the last.
In that moment, the Sailors showed their resolve and determination to pick themselves up and go again.
Both sides entered the match with five wins from five, separated at the top of the table only by goal difference. Albirex had scored 55 goals and conceded just twice, while the Sailors had netted 47 and kept a perfect defensive record.
With both sets of fans in full voice, the stage was set for a fiercely contested encounter, and the intensity of the occasion was evident throughout, with both sides eventually finding themselves in the referee’s book.
“We went in knowing that they are a really physical team,” said Sailors captain Umairah Hamdan, who made her long-awaited return to WPL action after recovering from injury.
“But we didn’t really expect them to manage the game by going down a lot towards the end, and that really killed our momentum. We had to reboot a few times and I guess that was part of their game plan.”
It was a bittersweet return for the 24-year-old, who nonetheless chose to focus on the positives.
“I felt really honoured to make my comeback just in time to face Albirex in a big game. I was really looking forward to this match during my rehab. Despite the result, I’m still really proud to make my comeback today and contribute to my team.”
The Sailors started brightly and almost took the lead in the 14th minute. After earning a free kick deep inside their own half, Umairah attempted to deliver the ball into the box, but her effort bounced dangerously towards goal and had to be tipped away by Albirex goalkeeper Talia Sachet.
The Sailors came even closer in the 25th minute when Eri Kitagawa cleverly backheeled the ball into Nur Ain Salleh’s path. Ain’s shot was parried by Sachet, and Farah Nurzahirah reacted quickest to the rebound, but her follow-up effort drifted just wide.
The closest chance of the half arrived in the 33rd minute following an Albirex error at the back. Ami Takeuchi pounced to win possession and unleashed a powerful effort that struck the underside of the crossbar before bouncing agonisingly on the line and staying out.
“I think we were actually doing really well in terms of building up play and passing,” said Umairah. “But we could have been more composed in front of goal and more clinical with our finishing.
“The biggest challenge today was getting the ball into the net. We created a lot of chances. In terms of transition, we could also have been more compact and more disciplined in our marking.”
And those missed chances came back to haunt the Sailors as Albirex broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when Manami Fukuzawa’s cross found Riho Katayama, who powered a header into the bottom corner.
Just two minutes later, Albirex doubled their lead. WPL top scorer Ruriko Takashima curled a free kick past Sailors custodian Izairida Shakira to make it 2-0.
“In the second half, we tried to be more composed and play to each other’s feet rather than playing into space,” explained Umairah. “We tried penetrating down the middle before switching play out wide.”
“It was really important for us to maintain confidence and morale after we went down. If we had done that better, it might have helped us keep pushing. But we still did our best and were creating chances in the final 10 to 15 minutes.”
The Sailors nearly pulled one back late on when Farah’s cross found substitute Izzati Rosni, who had come on in the 81st minute, but her first-time volley flashed wide of the post.
A long-range strike from Irsalina Irwan deep into stoppage time also failed to trouble the Albirex goal as the visitors held on for the win.
“Our biggest area for improvement is maintaining our morale when we concede,” said Umairah. “We did go a little quiet after the first goal. We need to keep going, keep pushing, and most importantly continue supporting each other.”
While the result sees the Sailors surrender their unbeaten record, there remains plenty of football to be played in the 2026 WPL season as the title race continues to take shape.
Daniel Ong’s charges will next be in action two weeks later when they take on Tiong Bahru on 27 March.
With four clean sheets in as many matches, Izairida Shakira has been a commanding presence between the posts for Lion City Sailors Women this season.
More than that, it is her control of the backline that stands out, with her voice often carrying across the pitch as she organises the defence and keeps the team compact in key moments.
This Friday (13 March) night at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, however, the 18-year-old will face her biggest test yet as the Sailors take on defending champions Albirex Jurong in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Both sides have begun the season in ruthless fashion, piling up goals and victories with impressive consistency. And with the title race already shaping into a tight contest that could come down to goal difference if both teams maintain their form, this encounter could prove pivotal.
The Sailors currently sit second in the WPL standings, behind Albirex on goal difference. The rivalry extends beyond the league table as well, with players from both teams dominating the race for the league’s Golden Boot.
Despite the stakes, Shakira remains confident in the team’s defensive organisation, pointing to communication as a key factor in keeping Albirex at bay.
“Communication is a big part of goalkeeping. I always make sure to talk to my defenders because it helps us stay composed,” said Shakira.
“It’s especially important for players who come on as substitutes, like Nisa (Khairunnisa Anwar), Ayu (Nurhidayu Naszri) or even youngsters like Tyan (Foong) and Remi (Ogawa). There are bound to be nerves at times, so communication at the back helps them settle quickly, especially in high-intensity games like this.”
Leadership within the backline has also been crucial in maintaining the Sailors’ defensive solidity. With captain Umairah Hamdan yet to play a part this season due to injury, the likes of Syazwani Ruzi and Dhaniyah Qasimah have stepped up to marshal the defence.
“Having Wani as captain is a bonus because even without the armband, she always does her job to perfection,” said Shakira. “Knowing she is there with the rest of the defenders gives me confidence. I trust them.”
Albirex’s reputation needs little introduction. The reigning champions boast a wealth of experience and attacking quality, including players who have competed on the international stage.
For Shakira and the Sailors’ defence, staying alert to their key threats will be vital, while the midfield battle could also prove decisive.
“We know Albirex are a very good team with great players, some of whom have played in the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” Shakira noted. “We are aware that Ruriko Takashima, Manami Fukuzawa and Kana Kitahara are key players we need to watch closely.
“They have a strong group of midfielders, but so do we. I’m confident that players like Eri Kitagawa and Ami Kawase will step up, even though it will be their first time facing Albirex as opponents.”
While Shakira’s clean-sheet record has been impressive, the goalkeeper was quick to emphasise that it is a collective achievement.
“I’m proud of the clean sheets, but I can’t take all the credit,” she said. “I wouldn’t have them without my defenders and the whole team, so the credit goes to them.”
With anticipation building ahead of Friday’s clash, the mood within the Sailors camp remains one of confidence and unity.
“Games against Albirex are always tough. They are quick in transition and will try to use that against us,” Shakira said.
“Matches like this are the ones I look forward to most because they allow me to test myself and see how much I’ve improved. Mentally it’s always a challenge, but every training session leading up to the game helps build my confidence.
“With each game, we’re growing stronger and closer as a team. We’re excited for this match and we want to keep improving.”
The Lion City Sailors got off to a winning start in their first home match under new Head Coach Jesús Casas with a comfortable 4-0 win over Geylang International at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday (7 March).
After being held to back-to-back draws in their previous outings, the Sailors responded in emphatic fashion as goals from Shawal Anuar and Anderson Lopes, along with a brace from Toni Datković, saw them become the first team in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) to cross the 50-goal mark this season.
Speaking to fan media outlet SailorFanTalk after the match, Coach Jesús expressed satisfaction with the progress his team has made in a short time, while stressing that there is still more to come.
“It’s not easy to implement our model and ideas within just two weeks, but I’m very happy that we’ve been able to showcase some aspects of our philosophy,” the 52-year-old shared.
“You can see it not just in attack, but also in defence. We are pressing high and aggressively, and we always strive to recover the ball as quickly as possible. Step by step, we are improving.”
That progress was evident early on, as the Spaniard’s charges fashioned the first chance of the evening in the third minute. Akram Azman delivered a teasing ball into the box that found the head of Lennart Thy, but the German forward’s effort drifted narrowly over the crossbar.
Faced with a deep Geylang backline, the home side continued to probe and nearly broke through in the 23rd minute when Tsiy Ndenge unleashed a powerful effort from distance that forced a save from former Sailor Rudy Khairullah.
That near miss seemed to spark the Sailors into life. Just five minutes later, Kyoga Nakamura’s corner found Toni in the box, and the Croatian centre-back expertly diverted the ball past Rudy to open the scoring.
The visitors barely had time to regroup before the Sailors struck again straight from the restart, as Anderson pounced on a loose touch from Joshua Pereira before delicately chipping the onrushing goalkeeper to notch his seventh goal of the season.
Bart Ramselaar then came close to adding a third just before half-time, but his curled shot from outside the box flew narrowly past the post.
In celebration of International Women’s Day on Sunday, three players from the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team — Putri Alyiah Seow and sisters Tia and Tyan Foong — were invited onto the pitch at half-time and presented with flower bouquets in recognition of the important role women play at the Sailors.
The second half began with the Sailors on the front foot once again, as Anderson fired a powerful volley straight at Rudy in the 48th minute.
Eight minutes later, Lennart thought he had added his name to the scoresheet when he beat Rudy with a nonchalant chip from long range, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
But the Sailors’ relentless pressure saw them eventually add a third in the 71st minute. Diogo Costa’s driven cross was met by fellow substitute Shawal, who nodded home decisively from close range with his first touch of the game.
“I was delighted that the plan to bring both of them on worked out, but I have confidence that any player from the bench can make a difference,” said Coach Jesús. “We were lucky with this combination, and I’m sure the rest can do the same as well.”
Diogo was involved again in the fourth goal, as his 79th-minute corner caused a scramble in the box, allowing Toni to lash home the loose ball and claim his first brace for the club.
While the Croatian defender’s goals grabbed the headlines, the Sailors’ defensive discipline also stood out. The Eagles were restricted to no shots in the second half as the reigning champions secured their seventh clean sheet of the season.
Despite picking up the first three points of his tenure, Coach Jesús remained focused on the bigger picture.
“We did well in following the plan today, and I am very happy for the team, the win, and the supporters who came out,” he said. “But this is still not enough. We must constantly demand more from ourselves because there are still many areas where we can improve.”
The Sailors will look to maintain their advantage at the top when they take on Balestier Khalsa at the Bishan Stadium next Sunday (15 March), before facing Tanjong Pagar United at the Jurong East Stadium on 6 April.
“We have a demanding stretch of games at the end of the season against BG Tampines Rovers and Albirex Niigata (S), so we must keep working to build as much momentum as possible.”
For Lion City Sailors full-back Nur Adam Abdullah, the past few years have been a test of patience and perseverance.
After joining the club from Young Lions in 2021, the then 20-year-old enjoyed a remarkable debut season, winning his first Singapore Premier League (SPL) title and being named the league’s Young Player of the Year.
A year later, he played a key role in the club’s maiden Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) campaign, completing the full 90 minutes against regional heavyweights such as Urawa Red Diamonds and Daegu FC.
“I was an unknown young player when I first joined the club, so I knew people were wondering whether I could make the cut,” he said. “I wanted to prove that I was capable, and being able to taste success and play in those big games are memories I will cherish for life.”
However, that momentum came to a halt in September 2023 when Nur Adam enlisted for National Service (NS). For several months, he was unable to do what he loved most — playing football.
“I was flying high and building strong momentum over the past few years, so to go from that to having limited exposure to football was difficult,” he explained. “But I had to accept the transition and the challenges that came with it, as it’s part of the highs and lows in life.”
Refusing to let the setback derail his progress, Nur Adam made the most of every available moment. During pockets of free time in camp, he would head to the gym to maintain his fitness or work on his ball mastery wherever he could.
“I missed football, but my focus was on what I could control,” said the 2018 Dollah Kassim Award winner. “People often say that your career can be affected during your time in the army, but I took it upon myself to maintain every aspect of my game so that I wouldn’t fall behind.”
But the most demanding stretch of his two years of service came in early 2024, when he returned to Young Lions on loan and had to juggle his responsibilities as both a player and a soldier.
A typical day saw him complete his duties at SAFTI Military Institute in the far west of Singapore from 8am to 5pm, before grabbing a quick bite and heading for training in Kallang from 7pm to 9pm. By the time Nur Adam made it back to his home in Jurong, it was usually past 10.30pm.
“Sticking to such a routine was tough because I didn’t have time for much else,” he said. “But every time I stepped onto the pitch, all the fatigue and worries disappeared because I could finally enjoy playing football. Not everyone has the opportunity to do that while serving NS.”
After a long 797-day wait, Nur Adam finally pulled on the Sailors shirt again in a league match against Young Lions last October, and fans were once again treated to his trademark rampaging runs down the left flank.
“I can finally call myself a full-time professional footballer again,” joked Nur Adam. “It felt special to be back playing for the Sailors. Instead of feeling pressure to perform, I reminded myself to enjoy every minute and prove that I could still compete despite the time away.”
The 24-year-old made his 67th appearance for the reigning SPL champions in their recent 3-3 draw against Albirex Niigata (S). Although a natural left-back, he came on in the second half to fill in at right-back for Akram Azman.
“I initially thought I would be playing on the left, but Coach Jesús (Casas) told me he trusted that I could do the job at right-back,” said Nur Adam. “That reminded me of the first time I played there under former coach Kim Do-hoon during the 2022 ACL campaign.
“Although that was the last time I featured in that position, playing there at a high level gave me valuable experience. It can feel a little awkward at times as a left-footer, but what matters most to me is being ready to give my best anywhere on the field.”
Adding to the challenge, Nur Adam found himself up against Albirex winger Ryang Hyon-ju, who had already opened the scoring in the first minute. Nonetheless, it was a battle the full-back embraced, as he produced a composed display against the former North Korea Under-23 international.
“I was studying his play while warming up and noticed that he likes to cut inside to shoot,” said Nur Adam. “So I paid extra attention to my positioning to force him down the outside. As a left-footer playing at right-back, I had to be careful with how I tracked back and approached him.”
The match ended in dramatic fashion when Sailors goalkeeper Ivan Sušak became the first goalkeeper to score in the SPL, volleying home from a 98th-minute corner to rescue a point.
“My reaction to that goal said it all,” Nur Adam laughed. “When I saw Ivan coming up, I already had a feeling something might happen. With Diogo on the ball, you know his deliveries will always cause problems, and that was exactly what happened.”
While it was not the ideal start to newly appointed Coach Jesús’s tenure, Nur Adam believes the Sailors will continue to improve as the squad adapts to the Spaniard’s ideas.
“It takes time for us to understand and execute his philosophy, but there are already plenty of positive signs,” he said. “We are confident we can adapt to his tactical approach, which is geared towards an attacking and entertaining style of football.
“As a person, Coach Jesús is very respectful and always checks in on the players and staff. Beyond the professionalism he brings, he is focused on instilling a strong winning mentality. It’s an honour to learn from someone with his background.”
With his full focus now back on football, Nur Adam is determined to make every training session count while helping to raise standards across the squad.
“Nothing will change for me, no matter who the coach is. I will keep fighting and giving my best in every training session so that I never leave the pitch with any regrets,” he said.
“We all compete for our places, but more importantly we push each other to improve. Everyone in the squad must be ready on matchday, and that comes from building strong relationships within the team.”
The Sailors’ next SPL assignment comes on Saturday (7 March), when they face a wounded Geylang International side that has claimed just one win in their last seven league matches. Despite the Eagles’ struggles following the departure of top scorer Tomoyuki Doi, Nur Adam is taking nothing for granted.
“Playing against Geylang is never easy because they still have players who can hurt you,” he said. “We are taking this match very seriously as we cannot afford to drop any points. Everyone is committed to giving their all to secure the victory.”
With the Sailors looking to maintain their lead over BG Tampines Rovers at the top of the table as the season enters its final stretch, Nur Adam is clear about the team’s objective.
“All of us share the same mentality, which is to win as many games as possible,” he said. “We know what we are capable of, and our goal is to lift the league title at the end of the season.”
