The Lion City Sailors Women clawed their way back from two goals down on Sunday (28 September) night to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw with Still Aerion, in a result that ultimately decided the Women’s Premier League (WPL) title race.
With Aerion chasing a maiden WPL crown and the Sailors fighting to keep their hopes of a second-place finish alive, both sides rose to the occasion at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, and produced a contest that had fans on the edge of their seats.
An own goal from Aerion’s Afiqah Omar and a stoppage-time free kick from Sarah Zu’risqha cancelled out strikes from Sunisa Srangthaisong and Jaruwan Chaiyarak, with the draw ending Aerion’s title hopes.
It also sealed Albirex Niigata (S)’s triumph as 2025 WPL champions, ending the Sailors’ three-year grip on the crown.
Now third in the standings with 32 points and two matches left, the Sailors are determined to regroup and overtake Aerion in pursuit of the runners-up spot before turning their focus to their maiden Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Group Stage appearance in November.
“We created chances by putting in effort to build up play, but we just didn’t finish in front of goal. We need to work on our finishing for the next few games and be more tactful in both midfield and in the box,” reflected skipper Umairah Hamdan.
Sarah echoed her captain’s words, adding: “We didn’t convert our chances and that’s something we should work on more for the future. I think my performance could have been better in terms of supporting teammates and creating movement. That’s what I’ll look to improve on in the final two games and before the AWCL.”
While the first half ended goalless, it was far from uneventful. Aerion threatened as early as the third minute, but Sailors goalkeeper Hazel Lim was equal to the task.
Sunisa then came close to opening the scoring in the 37th minute, while Dhaniyah Qasimah and Syazwani Ruzi also threatened before the break, though Aerion’s pressing denied the Sailors their usual rhythm.
“We could have done better in the first half in terms of keeping composure. We were nervous and didn’t play to our feet. But in the second half we encouraged each other and supported the play better,” admitted Umairah.
After the restart, the Sailors grew into the game through Dhaniyah and Farah Nurzahirah’s efforts, but it was Aerion who struck first. In the 61st minute, Sunisa pounced on a loose ball to chip Hazel for the opener.
The Sailors responded almost instantly, with Dorcas Chu’s bicycle kick drawing gasps before Dhaniyah fired narrowly wide.
The Sailors were soon made to pay for their missed chances in the 72nd minute when Jaruwan doubled Aerion’s advantage with a crisp finish.
Just seven minutes later, however, the Sailors were handed a lifeline when Afiqah inadvertently turned the ball into her own net. That slice of fortune galvanised the Sailors, who pushed relentlessly for an equaliser.
With Hazel standing firm at the back, the stage was set for late drama. And deep into stoppage time, Sarah lined up a free kick from distance and struck sweetly to beat the keeper and spark wild celebrations.
“I’m really happy to score and that we found the equaliser in the end. It was out of my range but I felt confident to take it on and it paid off,” Sarah said, before urging her teammates to finish the season strongly. “We have to take this result, regroup and continue to focus on our style of football in the last two games. Whatever happens, we need to play at our own pace.”
The Sailors will next take on Tiong Bahru on Wednesday (1 October), before wrapping up their 2025 WPL campaign against Geylang International four days later (5 October).
