Month: October 2026
When French midfielder Giovanni Haag joined the Lion City Sailors, he brought with him a reputation for adding physicality and composure to the heart of midfield.
Yet it did not take long for another aspect of his game to stand out. His pinpoint set-piece deliveries have added a new dimension to the Sailors’ attacking threat, making him a key weapon in dead-ball situations.
Since his debut, Gio’s set-piece deliveries have played a part in seven of the Sailors’ 22 goals across all competitions, accounting for almost a third of the team’s goals.
His influence has been felt on both the domestic and continental stages, with his deliveries contributing to goals against BG Pathum United and Tai Po FC in the ACL Two, as well as Young Lions and Tanjong Pagar United in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).
The 26-year-old was equally influential away at Adelaide United, producing arguably his most telling contribution yet.
With the score deadlocked after 80 minutes, Gio’s corner found Hugo Gomes, who broke the deadlock and set the Sailors on their way to a memorable 2-0 victory.
“The win against Adelaide meant a lot to us. We knew how important it was to get all three points, and we’re happy that we managed to fight together as a team,” explained Gio.
“We work a lot on set-pieces because we have players like Hugo, Bailey (Wright) and Toni (Datković) who are dangerous in those situations. It’s one of my strengths, and the most important thing is that I use it to help the team.”
The match also marked Lennart Thy’s long-awaited return to action, with the German announcing his comeback in style with a deft dinked finish to put the result beyond doubt.
“It was great to see everyone happy, especially Lenny coming off the bench and scoring on his first appearance of the season. It was a perfect night for us, but we want to build on this performance on Sunday and when we face them again next week,” said Gio.
Beyond the collective effort on the pitch, the midfielder was also quick to acknowledge the coaching staff’s contributions and the vital role they played in securing the win.
“A lot of preparation went into this game, with the coaches and staff paying close attention to every detail. (Assistant) Coach Cameron (Toshack), for example, takes the time to speak with every player and make sure everyone is on the same page,” he explained.
“Communication across the team is especially important when it comes to set-pieces, and we saw the results again with another goal from a dead-ball situation. The staff’s guidance made the difference, so credit goes to them.”
While the Sailors celebrated with their travelling supporters after full-time at the Coopers Stadium, there was little time to savour the hard-fought victory.
Less than 12 hours after the final whistle in Adelaide, the team was already at the airport for an almost seven-hour flight back to Singapore.
The Sailors now turn their attention to league duties as they face Balestier Khalsa at Bishan Stadium on Sunday (1 November), looking to close the gap on leaders Geylang International.
They will then welcome Adelaide United to Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (5 November) for the return fixture in the ACL Two.
“We want to win every match, so we have to keep our momentum going, especially with the next two games coming up quickly. This is what the season will be like if we want to go far in the different competitions, so it is our job to be prepared,” said Gio.
“We have little time to recover, but the entire team is putting in the work and ready to give our best against Balestier to maintain our winning run.”
Although the Sailors began October on a frustrating note with a narrow defeat to Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) in their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup opener, they have since bounced back emphatically with five consecutive wins, scoring 17 goals and conceding just once.
But with the reigning SPL champions competing on multiple fronts this season, Gio emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards and consistency every time they step onto the pitch.
“Just like the game against Adelaide, we must be at our best in every match, whether it is in the ACL Two, Shopee Cup, or the domestic league. We have to approach every game with the right mentality and do everything we can to win and score goals.
“The teammates, coaching staff, club and fans have all made me feel very welcome here. Everything has been top-class, and we just want to keep winning and enjoying what we are doing.”
The Lion City Sailors made history in Down Under as they secured a superb 2-0 victory over Adelaide United at the Coopers Stadium on Thursday (29 October) to climb to the top of Group F in the 2026/27 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two after three matchdays.
Late goals from Hugo Gomes and Lennart Thy sealed a memorable night for the Sailors, who became the first Singaporean club to win a competitive match on Australian soil, while leapfrogging Adelaide in the group standings.
The result also marked a second successive away victory in the competition for Mark Jackson’s men, following their hard-fought triumph over Tai Po FC in Hong Kong earlier this month.
“To win in this competition away from home is a big achievement. I’m delighted to get the win and am proud of my players for what they did on the pitch throughout the match. They showed courage, attacked a lot and executed our game plan to perfection,” said the Sailors Head Coach, who was only appointed in September.
Jackson made three changes from Sunday’s emphatic 6-0 Singapore Premier League (SPL) victory over Tanjong Pagar United, with Toni Datković, Giovanni Haag and Antonio Mance drafted into the starting line-up.
For the hosts, the big news was the inclusion of 18-year-old Amlani Tatu, who was handed his first start as proceedings got underway in pleasant conditions in Hindmarsh.
The Sailors seized the initiative right from the outset, with Kyoga Nakamura testing Adelaide goalkeeper Joshua Smits from outside the box in the seventh minute.
Matthias Phaëton then had three attempts in the space of five minutes as the visitors continued to pile on the pressure, although they suffered an early setback when Antonio was forced off and replaced by Ilhan Fandi.
The Sailors came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 25th minute when Giovanni’s inviting cross was met by Hugo, whose header cannoned off the woodwork.
Matthias and Kyoga continued to torment the Adelaide defence, testing Smits on separate occasions, before Ilhan became the second Sailors player to be denied by the woodwork when he headed Giovanni’s corner against the frame of the goal from a difficult angle in the 33rd minute.
Despite being firmly on the back foot, Adelaide weathered the storm and carved out two gilt-edged opportunities of their own towards the end of the half.
In the 42nd minute, captain Craig Goodwin released Brody Burkitt, whose effort was kept out by Victor Aznar, before Tatu blazed the rebound over the bar.
Three minutes later, Victor produced a vital touch to a low ball played across the face of goal, with Tatu subsequently failing to convert into an open net, much to the dismay of former Adelaide forward and current Norwich City player Mo Toure, who was watching from the stands.
The Sailors had registered a remarkable 16 shots to Adelaide’s four by the interval, but had nothing to show for their dominance as the sides headed into the break on level terms.
Jackson, who was no stranger to the Coopers Stadium from his time in charge of Central Coast Mariners, nevertheless remained confident that his side’s patience would eventually pay off.
“We’ve got a lot of experienced players on the pitch, particularly in defensive positions. We knew that if we stayed solid at the back, the chances would keep coming and the ball would eventually go in. Not many teams come here and dominate as we did in the first half,” said the Englishman.
The Sailors picked up where they left off after the restart, with Ilhan having a cheeky effort ruled out for offside before failing to steer Diogo Costa’s low cross on target.
Diogo then fired over the bar, while Matthias saw a powerful attempt sail over in the 65th minute as the Sailors continued their search for the elusive breakthrough.
With the match entering its final quarter, Adelaide substitute Joey Garuccio threatened to turn the tide with a deflected effort that Victor did well to gather just beneath the crossbar.
At the other end, Jackson introduced Lennart for his first appearance of the season following his recovery from injury, adding fresh impetus to the Sailors’ attack.
The visitors’ relentless pressure finally told in the 80th minute, albeit in somewhat fortuitous circumstances.
Giovanni whipped in another dangerous corner that caused confusion in the Adelaide penalty area, with Smits misjudging the flight of the ball and allowing Hugo to calmly stroke home into an empty net.
The breakthrough sparked jubilant scenes in the Vidmar Stand, where around 60 away fans – including a close-knit group of Singaporean students studying in South Australia – celebrated wildly as the Sailors edged closer to a famous victory.
“We had many chances to score in the first half, but it was important to keep the clean sheet at the other end. We knew the opportunities would come, and I’m happy to get the goal for us,” said Hugo, who opened his ACL Two account with the crucial strike and has now scored 3 goals in just six appearances for the Sailors.
Adelaide, however, were not about to surrender without a fight.
Airton Andrioli’s side came close to restoring parity in the 89th minute when substitute Ajak Riak unleashed an effort that was brilliantly kept out by Victor.
There was more late drama to come in stoppage time, as Victor produced another important save following an Adelaide corner before Bailey Wright made a heroic goalline clearance seconds later to preserve the Sailors’ slender advantage.
It was a moment of immense significance as the Sailors held firm to secure a fourth successive clean sheet and a fifth straight win in all competitions.
“As a defender, I prefer clearing the ball off the line to scoring a goal. Bailey’s moment was just as important as my goal,” said Hugo, who was full of praise for the former Socceroo’s defensive heroics on his return to Australian soil.
“We had set ourselves the target of getting three points before arriving in Australia, so it’s a big result for us.”
Having survived that late scare, the Sailors immediately launched a counter-attack that culminated in Matthias picking out Lennart, who delivered the knockout blow three minutes into stoppage time.
It was a fitting way for the German striker to mark his return to competitive action, as he celebrated once again in front of the away end named after former Adelaide and Sailors Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar.
Lennart had previously found the net against Australian opposition in the Sailors’ memorable 2024/25 ACL Two semi-final triumph over Sydney FC, and his latest strike added another chapter to the club’s growing collection of continental milestones.
The final whistle confirmed a historic achievement for the Sailors, who became the first Singaporean club to record a competitive victory in Australia, in front of 3,762 spectators at Coopers Stadium.
While Hugo and Lennart grabbed the headlines with their goals, it was an accomplished collective display from Jackson’s charges.
Toni, Bailey and Jorge Karseladze were resolute at the back, while Bart Ramselaar grew increasingly influential in midfield as the contest wore on, helping the Sailors maintain their attacking rhythm and composure.
With the Sailors now sitting atop Group F, attention will quickly turn to the reverse fixture against Adelaide at the Jalan Besar Stadium next Thursday (5 November).
Before that, Jackson’s men must first navigate a domestic assignment against Balestier Khalsa this Sunday (1 November) as they look to sustain their winning run on both fronts.
And despite the significance of Thursday’s triumph, Jackson was quick to stress that his side could ill afford to rest on their laurels, with Adelaide certain to arrive in Singapore determined to exact revenge.
“The team is growing every day, and we will continue with the same process. We will analyse this match because we know Adelaide will be really determined when they come to Singapore next week for the return leg,” he said.
“It won’t be easy, and we will look at a second plan for how we want to play in that match. We also have an SPL match in between, so the players need to rest and then get ready for the next match.”
Nineteen days before the Foo Fighters take centre stage at Coopers Stadium, the Lion City Sailors will look to put on a show of their own when they face Adelaide United in a crucial AFC Champions League (ACL) Two encounter on Thursday (29 October) evening.
Fresh from a commanding 6-0 domestic victory over Tanjong Pagar United, the Sailors head into the Matchday Three clash full of confidence as Group F’s two early frontrunners go head-to-head.
Adelaide lead the way with six points from two matches, while the Sailors sit two points behind following a win and a draw. With the group stage approaching its halfway mark, a positive result in South Australia would strengthen the Sailors’ bid for a place in the last 16.
An Adelaide side with pedigree
Adelaide are no strangers to making their mark in Asia.
In 2008, the Reds became the first A-League club to reach the AFC Champions League final under Aurelio Vidmar, who would later serve as the Sailors’ first Head Coach from February 2020 to April 2021.
(Photo: 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC))
This is Adelaide’s sixth appearance in AFC club competitions, but their first since 2017. They returned to the continental stage after finishing second in the 2025/26 A-League Men regular season, just five points behind Newcastle Jets.
Although defeat to Vietnam’s Công An Hà Nội in the ACL Elite preliminary stage saw them drop into ACL Two, the Reds have made an assured start to their Group F campaign, as they followed up a 3-0 home victory over Hong Kong’s Tai Po with a 2-1 away win against Thailand’s BG Pathum United.
A third successive victory would put Adelaide firmly on course for the knockout stages.
“We’ve got our game plan already. We’ve worked on that. I think this is an important match, we’re playing at home, and if we can consolidate the result tomorrow night, then we put ourselves in the position that we want to be,” said Adelaide head coach Airton Andrioli, who has been in charge since May 2025.
(Photo: Adelaide United)
Experience meets youth
The hosts boast a well-rounded squad comprising seasoned campaigners and emerging Australian talent.
Leading the way is 34-year-old captain Craig Goodwin, who represented Australia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Alongside him are former Johor Darul Ta’zim playmaker Juan Muñiz, also 34, and 37-year-old midfielder Anselmo de Moraes, whose career includes a spell with Italian Serie A side Genoa.
Yet there is a distinctly youthful feel to the team. With goalkeeper Joshua Smits, 33, and left-back Ryan Kitto, 32, completing the experienced contingent, six of the 11 players who started the win over BG Pathum were aged 22 or younger.
Among the standout talents is Ethan Alagich, who has scored in both of Adelaide’s ACL Two matches so far. The midfielder has already made more than 100 appearances for the club and captained the senior side for the first time in their opening victory over Tai Po.
Other promising youngsters include 18-year-old striker Amlani Tatu, 21-year-old midfielder Jonny Yull and the centre-back pairing of Panagiotis Kikianis, 21, and Sotiri Phillis, 20.
(Photo: Adelaide United)
For Kikianis, his partnership with Phillis is built on a familiarity that extends beyond the pitch.
“I’ve known Sotiri for a long, long time. We both come from Greek families, so we’re very similar in certain ways,” said Kikianis, who has 62 club appearances.
“He’s a very good footballer and doesn’t need me telling him what to do on the pitch. He’s very confident in himself and has been performing really well.”
Familiar surroundings, new challenge
The Sailors departed Singapore on Monday (26 October) night, just a day after the emphatic domestic league victory over Tanjong Pagar.
That result made it four successive wins in all competitions for Mark Jackson’s men, who will now look to build on that run against the Group F leaders.
While the trip brings a change of climate and a stern test on the pitch, Australian football is familiar territory for the Sailors’ Head Coach.
Jackson famously guided Central Coast Mariners to a treble in 2023/24 before leaving the club in October last year. His most recent visit to Coopers Stadium, in October 2024, ended in a 1-1 draw with the Mariners.
“I think I’ve won one, drawn one and lost one here,” recalled the 49-year-old. “I know this is a very difficult stadium to play in. It’s a good, old-fashioned ground where the fans really get behind the team. I’m expecting a great game of football with a great atmosphere, and we’ll have to be ready both psychologically and tactically.
“I have a few contacts in Australia, which helps. Adelaide haven’t played many games this season, but we’ve done our work on them and we know the challenge they’ll pose. For us, it’s about continuing to improve how we play.
“I’m pleased with our recent results, but we’re always looking to improve, and we’re here to get a positive result.”
For vice-captain Bailey Wright, the fixture carries personal significance as well.
The defender returns to his homeland for his second continental club match on Australian soil, having faced Sydney FC in the 2024/25 ACL Two semi-finals. He is also set to face former Socceroos teammate Goodwin for the first time in his career.
The pair featured together seven times for Australia, with Bailey heading home Goodwin’s free-kick in a 2-1 friendly victory over Jordan in June 2022.
Thursday could also bring another milestone for Bailey: his 100th appearance in Sailors colours.
It would be a fitting occasion to reach that landmark, with the Sailors seeking a valuable away result to strengthen their position in Group F.
“To come back to Australia, smell the freshly cut grass, see the blue skies and breathe in the air always gives me that nice feeling of home. I’ve played here for the national team, but haven’t had many opportunities to face Australian opposition at club level,” said the 34-year-old, who has 29 Socceroos caps.
“To come here with the Sailors and represent the club and Singaporean football is exciting. Both we and Adelaide will be backing ourselves to top this group, so these games against each other are important, as are the rest of our group matches.
“We know they’ve made a good start in this competition, but we’re also building momentum under the gaffer. Since he came in, the level of training and the standards across the board have certainly risen. The detail the staff go into when preparing us for matches like this gives us a lot of confidence, and we’re looking forward to putting on a good show tomorrow.”
The Lion City Sailors turned on the style to sweep aside Tanjong Pagar United 6-0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday (25 October), as they extended their winning run to four matches in all competitions.
Hugo Gomes opened the scoring with a stunning long-range strike before the Sailors added five goals after the break through Matthias Phaëton, Giovanni Haag, Hariss Harun and a brace from substitute Antonio Mance.
The emphatic victory, in a match delayed by 30 minutes due to inclement weather, provided another confidence boost ahead of Thursday’s AFC Champions League (ACL) Two encounter away against Adelaide United.
“There are always things that we can do better, but I’m really pleased with the result, the three points with a clean sheet and the performance from the group as well. It’s an important victory for us to keep our momentum going,” said Head Coach Mark Jackson.
Jackson made four changes to the side that beat FC Jurong 2-0 away the previous weekend, with Hugo among those drafted into the starting line-up.
With players from the Lion City Sailors Girls Academy accompanying the teams onto the pitch as player escorts, the hosts wasted little time getting on the front foot.
By the seventh minute, Ilhan Fandi had forced Aitor Mújica to palm away his header from Diogo Costa’s cross, while Song Uiyoung had fired narrowly wide.
Ilhan then saw his 11th-minute goal disallowed for offside, before full-back Jorge Karseladze saw his goal-bound effort denied by the post five minutes later.
The pressure continued as Kyoga Nakamura struck the base of the exact same post from outside the box in the 20th minute, before Mújica denied Diogo’s glancing header a minute later.
Tanjong Pagar offered a reminder of their threat just past the half-hour mark when Boris Kopitović drew a low save from Victor, although the Montenegrin was adjudged to be in an offside position.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 37th minute in spectacular fashion. Stepping forward from defence, Hugo unleashed a long-range strike from 30 yards out that flew into the net for his second Sailors goal, having opened his account against Young Lions earlier this month.
“When you shoot, you always expect to score. Every time I have an opportunity to shoot in training, I go for it. It’s not usual for a centre-back to score like this, but it was my lucky day,” said the Brazilian.
Despite his side’s control, Jackson demanded greater focus at the interval, mindful of the openings that had fallen to Kopitović even if the offside flag had spared the Sailors.
“We controlled most of the first half, but we did have a couple of sloppy moments where we could have been punished. I reminded the team that if we take our foot off the gas, then any team can cause problems.”
The half-time break also saw the club’s Women’s Premier League (WPL) and Women’s National League (WNL) players recognised for their successful year, while Giovanni and Farhan Zulkifli entered the fray.
The Sailors doubled their advantage on the hour mark, when Kyoga’s clever first-time pass found Matthias, who turned away from Lazar Vujanić and Kieran Teo before applying a clinical finish past Mújica for his fourth goal in Sailors colours.
Jackson then introduced Antonio, Hariss and Shawal Anuar in the 65th minute, and Antonio soon made his presence felt, glancing home Diogo’s cross to put the hosts firmly in command at 3-0.
It marked Diogo’s 26th assist since arriving in Singapore and Antonio’s first goal since the opening-day draw with Hougang United.
After Vujanić sent a low free-kick wide in the 78th minute, Giovanni made no mistake with a set-piece at the other end eight minutes later. The Frenchman cleverly drilled his effort beneath the jumping wall to make it four.
The Sailors remained relentless in stoppage time. Antonio grabbed his second in the 93rd minute when Mújica let his shot from Kyoga’s cutback slip into the net, before Hariss headed home a corner two minutes later to complete the rout.
It was the club captain’s first SPL goal in four years, and capped a dominant display in which the Sailors did not concede a shot on target.
“I think we had a really good game, especially because of the delay at the start. In times like this, you need a strong mentality,” said Hugo, who was named Man of the Match.
“We showed good quality today, scoring many goals as well as keeping a clean sheet. It’s a good step in our journey in the SPL.”
Jackson again deployed the 3-4-3 system that had served his side well against Jurong, as he made full use of the Sailors’ width and attacking depth.
And with four successive victories secured, the Englishman is determined to keep raising standards.
“I’ll always push the team to be better. Whether we play with the conventional back four or other systems, we know we can be dominant in the wide areas. We have got the firepower on the flanks and in the middle to finish off those chances. We want to create as many opportunities as possible so that we can convert those chances as well.”
That combination of attacking quality and defensive discipline will be crucial when the Sailors travel to Australia to face Adelaide in their third ACL Two group-stage fixture this week.
Adelaide began their domestic A-League campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC on Sunday, but Jackson’s focus remains on ensuring his own side carry their confidence and clinical edge into the continental contest.
“Of course, winning football matches breeds confidence and that’s what we’re here to do. We want to win playing our style of football and give our creative players opportunities to shine,” he said.
“We have a ruthlessness about us while also being solid defensively. That factor will be important when we play in big competitions such as the ACL Two.”
When Ryhan Stewart joined the Lion City Sailors in early July, he cited the club’s lofty ambitions as a key reason behind his decision to return to Singapore.
Three and a half months on, the 26-year-old is beginning to find his feet in Sailors colours, having made his first Singapore Premier League (SPL) start for the club in last weekend’s impressive 2-0 victory over fellow title contenders FC Jurong.
“It’s been good to return to the SPL, especially with the Sailors. The quality has been really good, and every match has been exciting,” said Ryhan, who has now chalked up six appearances for the club.
While fellow wing-back Diogo Costa played a pivotal role in both goals against Jurong, Ryhan was equally lively down the opposite flank, with his dynamism and tireless work rate coming to the fore as Head Coach Mark Jackson deployed him in a more advanced role.
The result was particularly significant as it marked the Sailors’ first victory at the Jurong East Stadium in nine attempts, and Ryhan was pleased to have played his part in the hard-fought triumph.
“Against Jurong, I was able to get forward quite a bit and help create chances in the final third, which allowed me to contribute both offensively and defensively,” he reflected.
“My main aim is to help the team in whatever way I can. I usually prefer playing in a more advanced role as a right wing-back, but regardless of where I’m deployed, I always try my best to do my job and follow the coach’s instructions.”
The victory over Jurong was also the latest sign of the Sailors finding their rhythm under Jackson, with the team now on a three-match winning streak across all competitions after an initial period of adaptation following the Englishman’s appointment.
Interestingly, Ryhan and Jackson were both involved in the Thai League 1 during the 2025/26 season, with the former turning out for Kanchanaburi Power while the latter was at the helm of Buriram United.
Now working together at the Sailors, Ryhan, who also has experience playing top-flight football in Lithuania, believes the team is beginning to reap the rewards of embracing Jackson’s philosophy, even if there is still plenty of room for improvement.
“I’ve really enjoyed playing under Coach Jackson so far, and I feel we’re still some way from being the finished product,” he said.
“We’re gradually getting used to his ideas and understanding what he expects from us. Slowly but surely, we’re finding our rhythm. I think we’re doing really well at the moment, and hopefully, we can keep this positive momentum going.”
The Sailors will look to extend their winning run when they take on Tanjong Pagar United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday (25 October), although they can expect a stern test from a Jaguars side who have also enjoyed a promising start to the campaign.
Sporting a new club crest for the 2026/27 season, Tanjong Pagar head into the contest on the back of consecutive victories, having followed up a thrilling 4-3 triumph over Balestier Khalsa last month with a 2-1 win against Hougang United at the Jurong East Stadium.
Montenegrin forward Boris Kopitović, who struck the decisive penalty deep into stoppage time against Balestier, is among a host of experienced players recruited by Miquel Lladó’s side ahead of the new campaign.
Other notable arrivals include Madhu Mohana, Taufik Suparno, Jared Gallagher, Masahiro Sugita and Riku Fukashiro, giving the Jaguars a refreshed look as they seek to build on their encouraging early-season form.
Ryhan, who previously found the net against Tanjong Pagar while representing the Young Lions in 2020, is well aware of the challenge that awaits the Sailors.
“Tanjong Pagar may have a new team, but I know they’re always a stubborn side to play against. They tend to defend resolutely and make it difficult for opponents to score, so it won’t be easy for us,” he explained.
“This is a different Tanjong Pagar side from the one that the league is used to seeing, so it should be an exciting game for us and our fans.”
As the Sailors continue to build momentum on the pitch, Ryhan believes the strong camaraderie within the dressing room will be equally important in sustaining their progress over the course of the campaign.
Having established himself as a regular in the Singapore national team, with 41 senior international caps since making his debut in 2022, the wing-back is no stranger to several of his Sailors teammates.
Indeed, the opportunity to strengthen those existing relationships at club level has made his return to Singaporean football all the more enjoyable.
“I’m very close to a lot of the national team boys, like Glenn, Ilhan, Hariss and Song,” shared Ryhan.
“We’ve played together for the national team for a long time, so it’s a great feeling to now be able to train and play alongside them on a daily basis at club level.
“We’re all motivated by the same objectives: to deliver success for this club and to push the club to scale greater heights on the continental level.”
The Lion City Sailors delivered an assured performance to beat title rivals FC Jurong 2-0 at the Jurong East Stadium on Sunday (18 October), ending their wait for a victory at the venue after eight winless visits.
Goals in either half from Giovanni Haag and Shawal Anuar secured all three points in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash as Mark Jackson’s men made it three consecutive wins in all competitions.
Coming just three days after a hard-fought away victory over Tai Po FC in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two, the result was further evidence of the Sailors’ growing confidence under their new Head Coach.
For Jackson, his side’s mentality was key to overcoming both the short turnaround and their difficult recent record at the ground.
“We had a short turnaround for this game. The main thing tonight was our mentality,” said the Englishman.
“Everybody told me what a tough place this is to come and get a result, as our record here hasn’t been good in the past. However, the boys showed a fantastic mentality from start to finish and didn’t let what happened in the past affect them.”
Jackson made three changes to the side that won in Hong Kong, bringing Ryhan Stewart, Hariss Harun and Kyoga Nakamura into the starting line-up. Jurong, meanwhile, were without injured former Sailors Christopher van Huizen and Akram Azman.
Despite pre-match concerns over the haze, with the new FAS-SPL Haze Management Protocol in place, the match kicked off as scheduled and the Sailors quickly forced a couple of corners.
The hosts carved out the first clear opening in the 11th minute, when Haziq Kamarudin drove into the box but fired into the side netting. The Sailors remained composed, however, patiently building their attacks as they began to take control.
Kyoga and Ryhan both sent efforts off target before the latter delivered a cross that Ilhan Fandi headed over in the 23rd minute.
Matthias Phaëton and Giovanni then had goals ruled out for offside in the build-up, but the Sailors’ sustained pressure eventually brought its reward.
A persistent threat down the left, Diogo Costa drew a lunging challenge from Kim Yoonsik inside the box to earn the visitors a penalty.
“It’s always a tough pitch for everyone who comes to play at the Jurong East Stadium, but I felt the breakthrough goal was always going to come because we were playing well,” said Diogo.
Giovanni duly stepped up to send Hassan Sunny the wrong way from the spot in the 41st minute, as he opened his Sailors account with a goal he dedicated to his wife.
It was also the French midfielder’s first league goal since scoring a direct free-kick for Red Star FC in Ligue 2 in September 2025.
With Ryhan and Hariss helping to keep Jurong at bay, the Sailors had controlled much of the half. And while their lead was much deserved, Jackson felt greater precision in attack could have yielded a more comfortable advantage.
“We were in full control of the game in the first half. We were just lacking a bit of quality in the final third. At times, our players made good runs into the box without the end product. I thought the first half was probably the most dominant part of our game,” said Jackson.
Jurong looked to respond after the restart, with Sim Jun Yen testing Victor Aznar at his near post in the 47th minute. That ultimately proved to be the hosts’ only shot on target all evening, as the Sailors comfortably held the hosts at bay.
At the other end, Jackson turned to Shawal in search of a sharper cutting edge, introducing the Singapore international for Ilhan on the hour mark.
The change paid off in the 77th minute, with Diogo again at the heart of the move. The Portuguese full-back cut inside and picked out Shawal, whose perfectly timed run allowed him to double the lead and mark his first appearance since returning from national team duty with a goal.
That also meant the 35-year-old has now netted for a 12th consecutive SPL campaign, continuing a longstanding run which started in 2015.
Both teams then made changes, with Antonio Mance coming on for the Sailors in the closing 10 minutes, while Jurong introduced their headline signing Keisuke Honda in a bid to claw a goal back.
But it ultimately proved a fruitless night for Jurong, as Victor marked his 24th birthday with a clean sheet on his SPL debut, before being serenaded by the Sailors fans during the post-match celebrations.
“I think we completely dominated both halves in this match. It’s good to have contributed to both goals, but the most important thing is the three points,” said Diogo, who was adjudged the Man of the Match on his 60th Sailors appearance and now has 24 assists overall for the club.
Jackson was equally pleased with the full-back’s influence on a memorable away win.
“Diogo has got fantastic energy and can go up and down the pitch all day long. He is a fantastic talent and contributed massively to a great away performance,” he said.
While ending the Sailors’ winless run against the Swans at Jurong East provided another boost to confidence, Jackson stressed that his side still have work to do as they adapt to his playing philosophy.
“We are growing in our understanding of how we want to play as a team. We have some very creative players and we need to get them firing more,” said the 49-year-old.
“We work on every phase of the game and are constantly looking at how to improve. The area where we need to be more consistent is probably our execution in the final third. When we put in a good cross, we didn’t get the timing of the runs in the box right, and vice versa. That consistency needs to improve.”
Elsewhere in the SPL on Sunday, Tampines Rovers came from behind to beat Young Lions 4-1 and maintain their perfect start with three wins from three matches.
The Sailors, who defeated the Stags in the season-opening Community Shield before going three matches without a win, have now put together three successive victories as they begin to find their rhythm under Jackson.
They will look to extend that run when they host Tanjong Pagar United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday, 25 October.
“It’s all about creating momentum and I have to say these boys are responding really well,” said Jackson.
“That bodes well for a good season, but we need to keep it going. We need to keep our foot on the gas and keep learning and developing. Tonight was a big step forward for us.”
On a bruising, hard-fought night in Hong Kong, one moment perhaps encapsulated the Lion City Sailors’ unity better than any other.
After battling to a 1-0 victory over Tai Po FC on Thursday (15 October), the Sailors gathered arm-in-arm at the final whistle to join their small but vocal contingent of travelling supporters in singing the familiar strains of “Lion City Sailors All The Way” — a fitting celebration of the bond between the team and its fans.
On the pitch, however, it had been anything but straightforward for the Sailors, who were made to dig deep to secure all three points.
Their collective resilience and determination ultimately proved decisive, with Portuguese full-back Diogo Costa among those who stood tall in a battling team performance.
“It was a difficult game, but we managed to get the goal and secure the win. The important thing now is to keep this momentum going, because moments like these bring the team closer together,” said Diogo.
“It’s a positive step forward, but this is only the beginning. We want to go on and achieve even bigger things.”
The 23-year-old was also quick to acknowledge the travelling supporters, whose unwavering backing made the victory all the more special.
“Everyone was exhausted after the game, but it’s important we celebrate these types of moments with our fans. Their support was incredible,” he recalled. “We knew they had travelled a long way to be there, and we could hear them cheering us on throughout the game.”
Diogo also played his part in the Sailors’ attacking forays, combining effectively down the flank with Matthias Phaëton, who struck the decisive goal as the Sailors showed glimpses of their attacking potential.
“Matthias and I have a good relationship. I enjoy getting forward and linking up with the winger ahead of me, just as I did with Bart Ramselaar previously,” explained Diogo. “Matthias and I have developed a really good understanding.”
Beyond his burgeoning partnership with Matthias, Diogo has also forged a close bond with fellow full-back Jorge Karseladze, who operates on the opposite flank.
Having himself arrived at the Sailors as a 21-year-old, Diogo knows first-hand the challenges of adapting to life in a new country and has taken it upon himself to help Jorge, who joined the club at the same age, settle into his new surroundings.
“Jorge played really well against Tai Po. He’s a good player with plenty of room to grow, and he plays with his heart. It’s great to have him here,” said Diogo.
“We speak the same language, which makes communication easier, and I try to help him whenever I can. Moving to the other side of the world at such a young age isn’t easy. I experienced that myself when I first arrived, so I want to make things easier for him.”
That willingness to look out for one another reflects the close-knit spirit within the Sailors’ dressing room, which has remained strong despite the significant changes at the club this season.
After managing just one win in their opening four matches across all competitions, the Sailors have begun to find their rhythm, recording back-to-back victories to build some much-needed momentum.
“When there are changes and new ideas at the start of a season, it takes time to adapt. But we have great depth in the squad and quality players in every position, which pushes everyone to keep improving,” said Diogo.
“More importantly, we have a great group of people, not just footballers. There are strong bonds throughout the squad, and what you see on the pitch is a reflection of the relationships we’ve built off it.”
The Sailors will now look to carry that renewed belief into their next assignment, with little time to rest before returning to Singapore Premier League (SPL) action against FC Jurong on Sunday (18 October).
Just 48 hours after returning from Hong Kong, the Sailors face another stern test at the Jurong East Stadium, where they will be seeking to end an unwanted run of eight winless visits against the western-based outfit since their inception.
The challenge is made all the more intriguing by the presence of several familiar faces in the Jurong ranks, including former Sailors full-backs Christopher van Huizen and Akram Azman, as well as former Japan international Keisuke Honda.
But Diogo is unfazed by the prospect of another demanding encounter and is confident the Sailors can rise to the occasion despite the quick turnaround.
“It’s a short turnaround, but our focus is on getting all three points against Jurong and building on our momentum,” he said.
“Playing at their stadium is never easy. They’re a good side who are aggressive and physical, but these are the challenges we relish.
“They also have a former World Cup player in Keisuke Honda and plenty of other quality players. But we have our own strengths, and we know what we need to do to get the win.”
Amid the Sailors’ recent resurgence, Diogo also spared a thought for teammate Nur Adam Abdullah, who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his right knee against the Young Lions.
For Diogo, Thursday’s victory carried added significance as the team rallied around their injured teammate.
“That win was for Nur Adam too. Being away from the pitch and the game you love is never easy, and we wanted to show him that we’re all behind him,” he said.
As he closes in on 60 appearances for the Sailors, Diogo is also taking pride in how far he has come since arriving in Singapore last January, while remaining hungry to achieve even more in the club’s colours.
“It feels like just yesterday that I joined the club, so reaching this milestone means a lot to me,” he reflected.
“I’m happy here, and all I want is to keep helping the team improve and win as many trophies as possible.”
Matthias Phaëton’s third goal of the season proved decisive as the Lion City Sailors secured their first victory of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League (ACL) Two campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Hong Kong’s Tai Po FC on Thursday (15 October).
The Guadeloupe international struck early in the second half at Mong Kok Stadium to settle a tricky away encounter and lift the Sailors to second in Group F, following their opening-day draw with BG Pathum United.
Sailors Head Coach Mark Jackson praised his side’s resilience in seeing out the result, while acknowledging there was room for improvement as his players continued to adapt to his methods.
“These were three important points for us in this competition and a platform for us to build on and achieve greater things. I congratulated the players, although I told them there were easier ways to get those three points,” he said.
“We are still evolving into a new way of playing and working, and a result like this can do wonders for the team’s belief and confidence. We are also very happy to have fans travelling with us, both at home and away, and that we get to take the three points back home.”
The Sailors began brightly, controlling possession and fashioning their first opening in the sixth minute when Matthias’s cross from the left found Ilhan Fandi, whose header was straight at goalkeeper Tse Ka Wing.
Clear-cut chances were otherwise scarce against Tai Po’s deep defensive block, although Song Uiyoung came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 31st minute when his long-range effort crashed against the crossbar.
Bart Ramselaar and Matthias also showed glimpses of their attacking understanding, but the hosts held firm to keep the game goalless at the break.
The Sailors renewed their push immediately after the restart. Hugo Gomes could not make clean contact with a header from Giovanni Haag’s corner a minute into the second half, but another delivery from the Frenchman brought the breakthrough just two minutes later.
Giovanni’s inswinging delivery was flicked on by Toni Datković into the path of Matthias, who instinctively stuck out a leg to steer the ball past Tse to spark celebrations among the travelling Sailors faithful.
It was Matthias’s first continental goal for the club, but the winger was more pleased with the result than his personal milestone.
“Every game is important, especially in the ACL Two. I’m really happy to score, but most importantly, we got three points for the team and the club. We want to keep pushing like this, and hopefully, this is the start of many more to come,” said the 26-year-old, who was named the Man of the Match.
Tai Po sought a response, but the Sailors remained dangerous and nearly doubled their advantage in the 65th minute when Bart stabbed over after Ilhan’s knockdown fell into his path inside the box.
The hosts turned to Brazilian substitutes Wallisson Bahia and Paulinho Simionato to bolster their attack, and Bahia curled an effort narrowly wide of Victor Aznar’s far post in the 71st minute.
A few minutes later, Diogo Costa produced a crucial goal-line clearance to protect the Sailors’ slender lead.
Tai Po committed further attacking resources with the introductions of Gabriel Murilo and Nando Welter, while Bahia continued to pose a threat, slipping the ball through for Simionato to fire into the side netting.
The Sailors had opportunities to put the result beyond doubt late on. Matthias picked out Diogo inside the box, but the full-back fired over, before substitutes Ryhan Stewart and Antonio Mance combined to create another opening that the Croatian striker sent over the bar.
Those missed chances ensured a tense finish, but the Sailors held on to claim all three points.
“We knew it would be a tough game, especially playing away from home while still adjusting to the new coach. In our first ACL Two game, we dropped two points, but we took the positives from that performance and knew we would continue to grow as a team,” said Toni.
“We work on different things in training every day, and we believe in what we are doing. I’m really happy for the team and the fans, and to have made Singapore proud. We will continue working hard and building on this performance.”
The Sailors now turn their attention to Sunday’s Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash with FC Jurong at the Jurong East Stadium, where victory would take them above their opponents, who sit one place ahead in the standings.
For Coach Jackson, the resolve shown in Hong Kong offered encouragement as he looks to build a side capable of going deep in continental competition.
“I’ve been in this competition before, and I know what it takes to win it. I’m with the Sailors now, and I believe I’m at a club with the resources, players and staff to have a real go at this competition,” he said.
“It takes a lot of hard work, and you have to find different ways to win against different types of teams. Of course, you always want to play free-flowing football and score lots of goals, but sometimes you have to win ugly and dig in, and the players showed towards the end they can do just that.
“They fought hard for the three points, and that ability to win in different ways is going to be crucial if we want to go far in this competition.”
Buoyed by an emphatic 6-1 victory over the Young Lions on Sunday, the Lion City Sailors will now look to carry that momentum onto the continental stage when they face Hong Kong’s Tai Po FC in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two on Thursday (15 October) evening.
The clash at Mong Kok Stadium offers Mark Jackson’s men the chance to secure their first win in this season’s competition after a 1-1 home draw with BG Pathum United, but they face a Tai Po side who went unbeaten at home in last season’s ACL Two.
Tai Po’s home threat
Founded in 2002, Tai Po have deservedly built up a reputation for punching above their weight. After all, they became the first district club to win the Hong Kong Premier League in 2018/19, before claiming a surprise second title in 2024/25.
And although they finished second in the league last season, Tai Po still enjoyed a successful season as they lifted both the FA Cup and Senior Shield, while also making their mark in the ACL Two.
Notably, all seven of their points in the ACL Two came at home, as they beat Vietnam’s Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) FC 1-0 and Australia’s Macarthur FC 2-1, before coming from behind to hold Beijing Guoan to a 3-3 draw. They ultimately missed out on a place in the last 16 by a narrow margin.
And their impressive home record at the Mong Kok Stadium should give Lee Chi Kin’s side confidence as they look to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat to Adelaide United in their opening group match this season.
“The team did very well at home in this competition last season, and that gives us a lot of motivation,” said the 59-year-old. “Of course, it’s a different season with different opponents, but we’ll always give our best to compete in every match and put in a strong performance for our fans in Hong Kong.”
Tai Po boast a strong Brazilian contingent, with six of the 11 players who started against Adelaide hailing from the South American nation. Among them are long-serving defender Gabriel Cividini and his centre-back partner Léo Rigo.
Their other foreign players include Argentine attacker Facundo Aranda and Taiwanese winger Emilio Estevez, who played for Tanjong Pagar United in Singapore last season.
There are familiar faces among their Hong Kong players, too, with player-assistant coach Fernando Pedreira representing Hong Kong against Singapore in last November’s Asian Cup qualifier at the Kai Tak Stadium. He also scored the last time he faced the Sailors to help former club Kitchee SC to a 2-0 victory at the Jalan Besar Stadium in December 2023.
Meanwhile, vice-captain Philip Chan Siu Kwan made history by scoring the Asian Cup’s 1,000th goal while representing Hong Kong at the 2023 edition and has come up against the Singapore national team a number of times in his international career.
“I’ve known their captain, Hariss Harun, for more than 10 years, since he was playing for Johor Darul Ta’zim. He’s a legend in Singapore football. I also know the Fandi brothers, and one of them is at the Sailors after previously playing in Thailand,” said the 34-year-old.
“I have a lot of respect for Singapore’s national team players. Singapore football has been improving, and we’re trying to do the same in Hong Kong, so we look to Singapore as a reference. I’ve faced them many times, and I’m looking forward to this game at the club level.
“Mong Kok Stadium is a very special place. We always give visiting teams a hard time here, and we hope to do that again tomorrow.”
Sailors seek first continental win this season
For the Sailors, Thursday’s encounter presents an opportunity to claim their first continental victory of the season and get their ACL Two campaign truly up and running.
“Tomorrow’s a big occasion for us. We’re representing not just our club, but also Singapore on this stage. We want to be successful in this competition, and it’s important that we approach this game with an attacking mindset,” said Sailors Head Coach Mark Jackson.
“It’s going to be a tough game. Tai Po have a very structured style of play. They attack and combine very well in wide areas, and they have players who can hurt us individually. We know where their threats lie, but we’ve also identified areas we can exploit.
“We always focus on ourselves and want to impose our game on the opposition, whether we’re at home or away. We don’t underestimate our opponents, but we’re here to win.”
Following a 1-1 home draw with BG Pathum United on Matchday One, the Sailors will be keen to claim all three points in Hong Kong and strengthen their bid for a place in the last 16.
Having reached the final two seasons ago, they are hungry for another memorable run in Asia, and overcoming Tai Po on their own turf would be a significant step towards that goal.
“We’ve achieved good things in the ACL Two before, but that’s history. We’re as committed as ever to excelling at this level, and tomorrow’s goal is three points, nothing else,” said Toni Datković, who captained the side against BG Pathum United on Matchday One.
“We’ve spent some time with Coach Mark now, and everything is moving in the right direction, but we’re still at the beginning of this process. When we found out he was coming, we knew his calibre. He’s won titles wherever he’s been and has a winning mentality.
“When a coach like him comes in, you believe in what he says and follow his lead. We have to be fully committed to everything we do, and if we are, we can be very successful in every competition this season.”
With experience in France’s Ligue 1 and the Swiss Super League, Matthias Phaëton arrived at the Lion City Sailors with high expectations of what he could bring to their attack.
And the winger offered early glimpses of his quality, providing an assist on his Singapore Premier League (SPL) debut and posing a constant threat down the flanks. But it was against Young Lions on Sunday (11 October) that he truly made his mark, as he scored twice and set up two more goals in an emphatic 6-1 victory.
With his first goals for the club under his belt, the 26-year-old is eager to carry that form into the Sailors’ AFC Champions League (ACL) Two clash against Tai Po FC in Hong Kong on Thursday (15 October).
“The win was the most important thing for us, so I’m really happy for the team. I’m a competitor, and I like to score goals and provide assists,” said Matthias. “But the team always comes first. What I do on the pitch has to directly help the team and I’m hungry to contribute more in the coming matches.”
Matthias’s link-up with Ilhan Fandi offered another encouraging sign for the Sailors, with the pair setting up a goal for each other after the Singapore forward came off the bench.
For Matthias, that understanding reflects the bonds developing within the squad as he settles into life at the club.
“Playing alongside both the foreign and local players has been really good. The culture is new to me, but the team spirit is already very strong,” he said.
“I always make it an effort to talk to the local players to learn more about them, and I have a good relationship with many of the players in the squad. We’ll continue to grow closer as a team.”
The Sailors will look to build on that momentum when they travel to Hong Kong for their first meeting with Tai Po in their second Group F fixture.
Tai Po sit fifth in the Hong Kong Premier League with two wins from their opening five matches, and began their ACL Two campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Adelaide United.
The Sailors, meanwhile, are seeking their first continental win of the season after being held to a 1-1 draw by BG Pathum United at home.
“We want to win. As the club has made clear, we want to challenge on all fronts, both locally and regionally. To achieve that, we have to win as many games as possible,” said Matthias.
“We could only manage a draw in our first game, but that gives us even more motivation to perform well in our next match.
“The ACL Two is a tough competition, and every team is capable of posing a challenge. But this is where we want to be competing and we want to achieve something big in this competition. We are the Sailors, and as long as we’re well prepared and stay focused, we have what it takes to get all three points on Thursday.”
Matthias’s growing confidence on the pitch has been matched by how comfortable he feels off it, with the Guadeloupe international embracing the opportunity to explore Singapore with his family.
“Singapore is very different, especially when it comes to the weather. But I feel really good here, and the many nice people I’ve met have made it easy for me to adapt. I’m sure things will only get better as time goes on,” he said.
“My family is happy here too. Off the pitch, we enjoy visiting places like Sentosa, Night Safari and East Coast Park. The food is quite similar to what we have in Guadeloupe and Martinique, and I especially enjoy the spicy dishes.”
And as the Sailors prepare for their first away assignment in this season’s ACL Two, Matthias hopes the fans will help drive the team towards another positive result.
“The passion for football here has exceeded my expectations. The fans push us in every game, so we hope you’ll join us in Hong Kong,” he said.
“We need your support, and together, we’ll give everything we have to get the result and make Singapore football proud.”
