As the Sailors strode out onto the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium pitch last week, they knew they had to be flawless to stand a chance against regional heavyweights Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup.
The night, however, began in ominous fashion, with the Sailors falling two goals behind early on.
Despite a spirited second-half fightback that saw them carve out several chances, the Singapore outfit eventually succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.
At the heart of the Sailors’ second-half improvement was midfielder Hami Syahin. Deployed at the right full-back position against the likes of João Figueiredo, the 26-year-old stood out with his composure and technical quality under pressure.
“JDT are one of the strongest teams in Southeast Asia, and we knew it was going to be a huge test,” reflected Hami. “But that didn’t stop us from competing and sticking to our football. Even at 2-0 down, we believed that if we could score one, we were back in it.”
While Shawal Anuar’s stunning late strike proved only a consolation, Hami believes the experience of facing one of Southeast Asia’s top sides will benefit the Sailors in the long run.
“Our second-half performance is the benchmark, we cannot dip below that,” he insisted. “Against a team of JDT’s quality, every mistake is punished. We have to refine our game and learn quickly so those errors don’t happen again.”
With the result coming on the back of a 4-1 Community Shield defeat to BG Tampines Rovers, the Sailors enter the new Singapore Premier League (SPL) season in search of their first win of the campaign.
But Hami remains unfazed, and has backed his team to bounce back sooner rather than later.
“In difficult moments, the most important thing is to stay united,” he said. “If we keep working hard and stick to what we’ve prepared in training, the results will come.”
Much has been expected of the Sailors’ new signings — Brazilian striker Anderson Lopes, Croatian goalkeeper Ivan Sušak, and Cameroonian midfielder Tsiy Ndenge — and Hami is backing them to shine once they find their feet.
“They’re all top-quality players,” he noted. “It’s just a matter of time before they show their best and really help the team.”
That time could come as early as Monday (25 August), when the Sailors begin their Singapore Premier League (SPL) title defence at Our Tampines Hub against Hougang United.
For Hami, the clash is more than just an opening fixture — it is a chance for redemption and a springboard for momentum.
“Everyone is fired up for this game,” Hami declared. “We want all three points to build confidence and set the tone for the season. Whatever it takes, we’ll get the job done.”
Standing in their way is a new-look Hougang outfit boasting of several new faces such as Canadian winger Victor Blasco and American defender Sam Strong, as well as Sailors loanee Zharfan Rohaizad and Thai international Yotsakorn Burapha.
“Every team has new faces this year, so you never fully know what to expect,” said Hami. “But as Coach Ranko always reminds us, it’s about us, our game, our preparation, and how we execute our plan.”
Coming off a historic 2024/25 season in which they reclaimed the SPL title, Hami knows the Sailors will have a target on their backs this campaign. But he is determined to embrace the challenge head-on.
“We know every team will be out to beat us. That’s what comes with being champions,” he said. “It won’t be easy, but we’re professionals. Whatever comes our way, we’ll deal with it. We’re determined to defend our title.”
