As the final whistle echoed around Choa Chu Kang Stadium last Sunday (13 April), the look of disappointment etched on the faces of the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team was plain for all to see.

After all, despite dictating the tempo from start to finish, they had been held to a goalless draw by a resolute Hougang United side that stood firm against relentless pressure.

Granted, the Sailors had their chances – including a late penalty that was squandered and a goal chalked off for offside – but they were ultimately left to rue their missed opportunities. And while the point was enough to keep them atop the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) standings, the reigning three-time champions made no attempt to hide their frustration.

Midfielder Ho Hui Xin summed up the mood in the Sailors’ camp, admitting that the stalemate felt more like a defeat.

“Even though we drew the game, it still felt like a loss,” said the 32-year-old. “We really tried to break through their low block, but as the minutes wore on, I think we got a little too eager and couldn’t find the breakthrough.”

Recognising the tactical challenges that lie ahead, Hui Xin also stressed the importance of taking lessons from matches like these – especially with more sides expected to adopt similar defensive approaches against the Sailors.

“The positive thing is that this happened early in the season,” she pointed out. “We can now bring this back to training, work on the solutions, and be better prepared the next time we face a team that sets up like this. Everyone – even those on the bench – needs to understand what to do when we take to the field.”

Hui Xin found herself in a slightly different role that evening – instead of her usual spot in midfield, she was deployed at the heart of defence by Head Coach Daniel Ong. But the experienced campaigner took the change in her stride, and insisted that she is always ready to step in wherever the team needs her most.

“It’s different from where I played last season, but it’s not a position I’m unfamiliar with,” said Hui Xin. “I’m happy to play wherever I can help the team. Having already featured as both a full-back and centre-back this season, I believe my positional awareness will only get better with more training and match exposure.”

Having begun her football journey back in 2009 as a student at Victoria Junior College, Hui Xin now brings over a decade of experience to the Sailors. As the most senior player in the squad, she is determined to uphold the high standards the team has built over the past few seasons.

“There’s a strong winning mentality here at the Sailors – we push each other hard in training to achieve the results we want on gameday,” she explained. “That competitiveness runs through the whole squad because no one’s place is ever guaranteed.

“Equally important is open and constructive communication – that’s the kind of culture we’re building at the Sailors, where everyone is committed to growing and getting better together.”

Eager to bounce back from that blip on the road, Hui Xin is eyeing redemption as she and the Sailors shift their focus to their upcoming league clash on Saturday (19 May) against BG Tampines Rovers – a side that has recorded one draw and a loss in their opening two fixtures.

The Sailors’ preparations are already in full swing, with the team returning to their Mattar Road training facility less than 24 hours after the draw with Hougang to kickstart their recovery programme.

“The result against Hougang was a wake-up call for all of us,” Hui Xin declared. “The work starts now, because every game matters if we want to retain the title. We have to shift our mindset and figure out what’s needed to get the win – especially when it comes to converting the chances we create.”

“I know we have that in us, so I’m confident we’ll bounce back immediately.”