Causeway pride will be at stake on Wednesday (1 October) evening, when the Lion City Sailors host Malaysia’s Selangor FC at the Bishan Stadium in their Group G Matchday Two clash of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two.
A sleeping giant
In what will be the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides, the Sailors are determined to make an early statement in the competition. Standing in their way, however, is Selangor – the most decorated club in Malaysian football history.
Selangor have lifted 53 top-flight honours, including 33 Malaysia Cup titles, eight Charity Shields, seven league championships, and five FA Cups. Their last major trophy, however, came in 2015 when they won the Malaysia Cup.
The Red Giants have struggled in the early stages of the Malaysia Super League (MSL), with a recent 1-0 loss to Kuching City marking their third defeat in five games. Their ACL Two campaign also started poorly with a 4-2 defeat to Bangkok United.
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Nonetheless, they have shown their pedigree in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, holding Buriram United to a 1-1 draw before sweeping aside BG Tampines Rovers 4-2 in their opening two matches.
But Selangor’s preparations for the Sailors clash were unsettled by a sudden coaching change, with Katsuhito Kinoshi dismissed just five days before Wednesday’s match.
Christophe Gamel has since taken over as Interim Head Coach, and the 53-year-old Frenchman began his tenure with a 2-1 victory over a Singapore Premier League (SPL) Selection in the Sultan of Selangor’s Cup on Saturday (27 September).
Despite the short lead time, Gamel remains upbeat about his side’s prospects against the Sailors.
“Four days with the team and one game in between isn’t enough, but the players are highly motivated,” he said. “We’ll make up for the lack of time with extra focus and energy. No matter the circumstances, it’s our job to make things happen.”
But even with the Sailors’ formidable home record in ACL Two, the former Vietnam assistant coach is confident his side can rise to the occasion.
“We know the Sailors are strong at home, but we want to play good football, and if we do that, we can get a positive result. The team will fight to secure the maximum points possible,” he added.
No shortage of experience
Despite losing talisman Ali Olwan in the summer, Selangor have revamped their squad with several key signings.
The standout addition is English attacking midfielder Zach Clough, formerly of Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest, who arrives after being named Adelaide United’s Player of the Year in the 2023/24 A-League season.
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They have also recruited Thai internationals Picha Autra and Kevin Deeromram – both of whom faced the Sailors in last season’s ACL Two with Muangthong United and Port FC respectively – and Brazilian striker Chrigor Moraes, who already has nine goals and five assists in 10 games.
This foreign contingent joins an already strong spine featuring Jordan internationals Mohammad Abualnadi and Noor Al-Rawabdeh, who were both instrumental in their nation’s first-ever FIFA World Cup™ qualification, while Cape Verde winger Alvin Fortes adds further attacking options to the squad.
Selangor’s imports are complemented by a solid local core that includes four Malaysian internationals. Captain Faisal Halim is a constant attacking threat, while Finland-born midfielder Nooa Laine (pictured below) remains a mainstay for both club and country.
Midfielder Quentin Cheng has also been a creative force for Selangor from the right, having recorded five assists in eight matches. However, they will be without centre-back Harith Haiqal, who is suspended after his red card against Bangkok United.
Sailors return to familiar ground
After a testing start to the campaign, the Sailors have rediscovered their groove in recent weeks, with a resounding 7-0 victory over Tanjong Pagar United in their last SPL fixture giving them momentum as they head back into continental competition.
This will be the Sailors’ first continental match at the Bishan Stadium since their heartbreaking ACL Two final defeat to Sharjah FC, and they are determined to make their return a triumphant one in front of their supporters.
“We are playing at our home ground for the first time in all competitions this season, so we’re very happy to be back here after four months,” said Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković. “There’s no pressure on the team. We have a group of experienced players who know how to handle big occasions. The focus is on enjoying every moment of this competition.”
Vice-captain Bailey Wright echoed his coach’s sentiments, and stressed the importance of converting home advantage into points.
Reflecting on the Sailors’ opening 1-1 draw against Persib Bandung in Indonesia, the Australian said, “I thought we played very well against Persib Bandung, especially in the second half when we looked more likely to win it. But like Coach Ranko said, every point is valuable in this competition.
“Our home record is good, but it’s up to us to keep it that way. Selangor’s changes make them unpredictable, but we always focus on ourselves and aim for the win.”
With a Singapore–Malaysia rivalry adding spice to the contest, Bailey knows that national pride is also at stake in this game.
“History shows there’s always been a rivalry between the two countries, and it’s always nice to be part of a game with that extra edge. Such games attract good support, and we’ll have our fans behind us,” he said.
“Last year’s run showed that we weren’t just representing the Sailors, but also Singapore as a football nation. We feel a responsibility to do well for both club and country, and we’ll use that motivation to drive us tomorrow.”
