Umairah Hamdan may not find herself on the scoresheet often, but when she does, it is usually spectacular.

On Saturday (16 August) at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, the Lion City Sailors Women’s captain produced a stunning strike from distance to secure a 1-0 win over a stubborn Tanjong Pagar United side. The victory handed the Sailors a crucial three points as the Women’s Premier League (WPL) resumed after a near three-month break, with the title race heating up once again.

The result sees the Sailors climb back to the top of the WPL table with 19 points, one ahead of Albirex Niigata (S), who have a game in hand. Still Aerion sit third with 16 points.

“Winning our first game back after the long international break was a blessing for the team. It gave us a real boost, not just for the WPL campaign, but also as we prepare for the upcoming AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL),” shared Umairah.

Teammate Dhaniyah Qasimah, who struck the post in the 26th minute, echoed her captain’s sentiments. “We’re really happy, but with Albirex so close to us in the table, we know we need to find our rhythm quickly, maintain our intensity, and keep winning,” she said.

The Sailors, featuring debutants Farah Nurzahirah and Siti Nurerwadah, started brightly and dominated possession, but found chances hard to come by against a compact Tanjong Pagar defence. Their first real opening came in the 19th minute, when Sarah Zu’risqha’s close-range effort was denied by Jaguars goalkeeper Elizabeth Tan, who was in inspired form all evening.

Another new signing, Wan Nashirah, came on for Dorcas Chu in the 43rd minute and almost marked her Sailors debut with a goal, as she glanced a header from a corner just wide.

With the Sailors pressing relentlessly and pinning Tanjong Pagar back, the breakthrough always felt inevitable, and it arrived in spectacular fashion in the 62nd minute. Surging forward from centre-back, Umairah unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that crashed off the crossbar before nestling into the net.

“We had been trying the whole game, but it was tough against such a defensive team. Scoring that goal gave us relief and confidence, and we started to play more freely after that,” said the skipper, who frequently pushed high into midfield to support the attack.

The Sailors had further chances to extend their lead through Sarah, Raeka Ee and Nurhidayu Naszri, but could not find a second goal. It mattered little, however, as they comfortably held on to secure a crucial victory.

“With the title race this close, transitions in midfield become crucial,” explained Dhaniyah. “Quick switches catch opponents off guard and give us the space to create chances before they regroup. We just need to be sharper in the final third and more composed in front of goal.”

The Sailors will now shift focus to their second foray into the prestigious AWCL in Malacca, where they will kick off their Preliminary Stage campaign against Jordan Women’s Pro League champions Etihad Club on 25 August at the Hang Jebat Stadium.