Armed with the lessons of last season’s AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL), the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team are primed to deliver a stronger showing in their second tilt at the tournament.
Daniel Ong’s charges will kick off their Group C Preliminary Stage campaign against reigning Jordan Women’s Pro League champions Etihad Club at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka on Monday (25 August), before facing hosts Kelana United on 28 August and Kyrgyz Republic’s SDYUSHOR SI – Asiagoal on 31 August.
Ahead of the Sailors’ game against Etihad, Sailors captain Umairah Hamdan spoke of the pride in flying the flag for both club and country once again.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the 23-year-old said, “The girls are all very excited to be part of this competition again. To have the chance to represent not just our club, but also Singapore, on this prestigious stage is something we don’t take lightly. Especially for myself as a Singaporean, it’s very meaningful and fulfilling.
“Our preparations have gone smoothly and we’re bracing ourselves for three tough matches against strong opposition.”
Last season, the Sailors fought valiantly, but ultimately fell to defeats against Etihad and India’s Odisha FC.
This year, the mission is clear: to secure their first-ever points on the continental stage and give themselves a fighting chance of qualifying for the tournament proper. Only the group winners and the best runner-up across the five centralised groups will progress to the next round.
To that end, Sailors Head Coach Daniel has thrown down the challenge to his squad to play without fear.
“It’s our second year in the AWCL and it’s interesting to face Etihad again. Last season gave us valuable lessons, and we’re confident of doing better this time,” said the 36-year-old.
“Of course it won’t be easy, but we want to be as competitive as possible and give a good account of ourselves. Playing in the AWCL is something we’ve aspired to, and I know the girls will give their utmost over these three matches.”
Despite their domestic dominance, the Sailors enter the AWCL as underdogs, with all three of their opponents hailing from nations ranked above 149th-placed Singapore in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings: Jordan at 76th, Malaysia at 92nd, and Kyrgyz Republic at 139th.
Etihad, in particular, will be formidable opposition. The Jordanian champions won all 15 league matches in 2024, scoring 72 goals and conceding just twice to clinch a second consecutive title and a first-ever cup triumph.
Led by experienced internationals including goalkeeper Shireen Al-Shalabi, defender Lana Feras, midfielder Enas Al-Jamaeen, as well as forwards Rouzbahan Fraij and Mai Sweilem, Etihad have further sharpened their squad with the Ghanaian trio of Anima Naomi, Zakaria Takia and Eugenia Tetteh, with the latter finishing as the AWCL’s third-highest scorer last season.
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Kelana, champions of the 2024 Malaysia National Women’s League, will be no pushovers as well. Their squad includes six Indonesian internationals, among them Shalika Aurelia – the first Indonesian female to sign for a European club with Roma CF in 2022 – and Helsya Maeisyaroh, who had a stint with Japan’s FC Ryukyu.
Little is known about SDYUSHOR SI – Asiagoal, though their dominance at home is unquestionable. With four straight domestic titles and just one defeat across the past three league campaigns, they feature several Kyrgyz internationals led by Baktygul Toktobolotova, who has experience in the Turkish Women’s Super League.
Despite being underdogs, the Sailors are quietly confident of springing a surprise, with five new Japanese signings strengthening a core led by Singapore internationals Nurhidayu Naszri, Dhaniyah Qasimah and Farah Nurzahirah.
“I feel that this year, we’re ready to compete, and not just show up,” Daniel asserted. “Our new signings bring not only technical ability, but also hunger and desire. The squad have gelled well over the past two weeks, and it’s been a positive, healthy environment where players are eager to learn and push each other.
“This is a highly motivated group fuelled by the chance to break new boundaries for Singapore women’s football. To be the first Singaporean club to win in the AWCL would be a huge milestone.”
Since arriving in Melaka on 21 August after a four-hour journey from their Mattar Road base, the Sailors have settled in well. They sharpened their match fitness with a closed-door friendly against the Melaka Under-14 Boys the following day, and later bonded off the pitch with a relaxed evening at Jonker Street, where they immersed themselves in the local culture.
And Umairah believes the bonding off the pitch will be just as important as their efforts on it.
“It’s an honour to be part of this team; everyone’s motivated and has made sacrifices to be here. We’re a closely-knit group, and we’ll fight for each other on the pitch,” she said.
“We’re prepared and steadfast in our objectives. We know it’ll be difficult, but we’re determined to push for the next round.”
