For most Lion City Sailors players, the month of May has been nothing short of gruelling.
With six matches packed into just 21 days – a run that included the high-stakes Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Final – the month has tested both their physical endurance and mental grit.
So, when the Sailors took on BG Tampines Rovers in their final Singapore Premier League (SPL) fixture of the season on Saturday (24 May), head coach Aleksandar Ranković made wholesale changes to his starting lineup, resting most of his regulars ahead of their decisive Singapore Cup semi-final second leg against Brunei DPMM with only goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad keeping his place.
One of those brought into the team was fullback Chris van Huizen, who delivered an energetic shift, posing a consistent threat down the flanks and coming close to adding to his league tally for the season.
“I thought the draw was a great result, especially since most of our first-team players were being rested for the Singapore Cup,” said Chris. “We’ve got some important games coming up, so I’m glad we put in a solid performance and held our own against a strong BG Tampines side.”
The match also offered a valuable stage for the club’s rising stars to shine, as a handful of the Sailors’ promising youth players impressed with mature displays against experienced opposition.
“Some of the younger boys like Joshua Little and Henry Spence had outstanding games,” Chris added. “They didn’t look out of place at all going up against BG Tampines’ first-team regulars. In fact, they played a big part in breaking up the rhythm of top players like Kyoga Nakamura and Shah Shahiran. It’s exciting to see how bright the future looks for the club.”
Chris had two good opportunities in the first half to notch his first SPL goal since September 2024 – first being denied on the line by Tampines keeper Syazwan Buhari, before curling another effort narrowly wide moments later.
“I was frustrated not to put those chances away,” he admitted. “I’ve been trying to play a more attacking role this season, hoping to contribute with goals and assists, but it just hasn’t quite come off yet. Still, I’m happy to be fit again and out there helping the team.”
The 32-year-old had only recently returned from a hamstring injury sustained in a league clash against DPMM on 12 April – a setback that unfortunately ruled him out of the ACL Two Final.
“My hamstring gave me quite a bit of discomfort after that game,” recalled Chris. “It was tough to get going again because I had to start from scratch to rebuild my form and fitness. I played a few league games after that, but I just didn’t feel like myself. Thankfully, I’m now getting back to full fitness and finally showing what I’m capable of on the pitch again.”
Chris’s return to form couldn’t have come at a better time, with the Sailors preparing to defend a slender one-goal advantage in the second leg of their Singapore Cup semi-final against an in-form DPMM side on Tuesday (27 May), who head into the tie riding the momentum of a six-game winning streak in the league.
“They’ve got nothing to lose – especially since this is their last time playing in the Singapore Cup – and that puts the pressure on us,” noted the Singapore international. “We know they’ll look to sit back, wait for us to slip up, and then catch us on the counter. That’s something we need to be really cautious about.
“Fortunately, we’ve been working on these scenarios over the past week. We know what to expect and how to deal with it. Now, it’s just about showing up and giving our all on Tuesday.”
Having racked up 52 appearances this season – including three caps for the Singapore national team – Chris now stands at the final hurdle. And while the toll of such a relentless campaign is undeniable, he remains fully focused on winning yet another trophy.
“As a professional footballer, this is what you live for. The physical and mental fatigue – it’s all part of the game,” said Chris. “I want this trophy badly, and I’ll give everything I have to win it.”
With the Sailors on the brink of a historic clean sweep of all three domestic trophies, Chris is also hoping to lead by example for the club’s next generation.
“Not many players get the chance to win all three in a single season, so I hope what we’ve done this year can inspire the younger boys,” he added. “It’s been a thrilling ride, but we’re not done yet.”
Now just a few steps away from completing a historic domestic treble, the Sailors are on the cusp of their most successful season to date. But the weight of what’s at stake isn’t lost on the squad – if anything, it’s fuelling their final push for silverware.
“We’ve set high expectations for ourselves this season, and we’re not going to let fatigue lower those standards,” said Chris. “Everyone is determined to keep pushing until we lift the Singapore Cup. We’ll give everything we’ve got on Tuesday.”
As he reflected on a gruelling but fulfilling campaign, Chris expressed pride in his personal journey, having overcome injuries and played a more prominent role in the team.
“I’ve been playing a lot more games this year, which I’m really happy about,” he shared. “Each season, I challenge myself to be consistent and maintain the standards I’ve set. So being able to contribute regularly on the pitch means a lot to me. Moving forward, I just want to keep improving and learning as a player.”
