The Lion City Sailors kicked off their 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Group G campaign with a battling 1-1 draw against Indonesia Super League champions Persib Bandung at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium on Thursday (18 September) night.

The hosts took the lead early in the second half, but the Sailors dug deep and eventually found a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time through substitute Lennart Thy to return home with a hard-earned point.

Speaking after the match, Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković acknowledged the challenge of playing in such a hostile away environment, but praised his side’s composure and response to going a goal behind.

“We came here expecting a tough match,” said Coach Ranko. “The team was under a little pressure in the first half, which is normal when you play at this stadium.

“We made a mistake which led to a goal in the second half, but from then on we had control of the game as Persib were more focused on defending. This draw is a fair result.”

Backed by a raucous 13,566-strong crowd, Persib tried to seize the initiative early on, and nearly found the breakthrough in the 18th minute when the ball fell kindly for Saddil Ramdani, but Diogo Costa produced a vital last-ditch challenge to snuff out the chance.

Just four minutes later, Eliano Reijnders unleashed a fierce effort that Ivan Sušak did well to beat away at his near post. That was as good as it got for Persib in the first half, as the Sailors defence grew in confidence and both sides went into the break goalless.

However, the deadlock was broken almost immediately after the restart, when an uncharacteristic Sailors defensive lapse led to Saddil racing forward and lashing a shot past Ivan in the 47th minute.

Ranko responded by introducing Lennart just after the hour mark, and the substitute immediately injected fresh impetus into the team. The Sailors almost drew level soon after, but Júlio César produced a crucial intervention to prevent Anderson Lopes from getting a clear sight of goal.

In the 70th minute, Bart Ramselaar’s quick feet carved open the Persib defence, but goalkeeper Teja Paku Alam was alert to smother Lennart’s attempt. The visitors came close again four minutes from time, but Persib goalkeeper Paku Alam pulled off a brilliant double save to deny Bailey Wright and Lennart in quick succession.

Despite being denied on several occasions, the Sailors kept pressing for the equaliser, and their persistence was finally rewarded in stoppage time. Maxime Lestienne whipped in a perfect cross from the left for Lennart, who guided his header into the net to silence the home crowd and spark raucous celebrations in the Sailors camp.

“We were unlucky to concede the first goal, but the team created good chances after,” said Man-of-the-Match Lennart. “Maybe we could have scored more, but it was a difficult game as Persib have such strong support here.”

There was still time for late drama, with Ivan producing a superb 94th-minute save to deny substitute Berguinho’s header and preserve the point for the Singapore side.

Looking ahead, Coach Ranko acknowledged the weight of expectation following last season’s fairytale run to the ACL Two final, but stressed that his side are better equipped than ever.

“Nobody expected us to reach that final, but now the bar is set much higher,” he said. “That brings extra pressure, but also confidence for us in the big matches. We are already a completely different and more competitive team than when I arrived two years ago.”

The Sailors will have little time to recover, as they return to Singapore Premier League (SPL) action against Tanjong Pagar United on Monday (22 September) night.