The Lion City Sailors Women kick off their maiden Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Group Stage campaign with arguably their toughest test yet – facing two-time Ninja A-League Premiership winners and last season’s AWCL finalist Melbourne City at the Thong Nhat Stadium on Thursday (13 November) afternoon. 

Up against the best 

Hailing from a league regarded as the number one women’s club football competition in Asia, Melbourne enjoyed a remarkable 2024/25 domestic campaign, going unbeaten with 16 wins and seven draws to clinch the Ninja A-League Premiership title.

They also reached the AWCL final in May, where they were narrowly beaten by China’s Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC on penalties after a 120-minute stalemate. 

Captained by New Zealander centurion Rebekah Scott, who has featured at the past three FIFA Women’s World Cups and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in last season’s inaugural AWCL tournament, Melbourne’s squad is packed with quality and experience from back to front.

Partnering Scott in defence is former Everton and Aston Villa veteran Danielle Turner, while their midfield options include Australian internationals Alexia Apostolakis and Leah Davidson. 

In attack, they boast two of the brightest young talents in the region — 17-year-old attacking midfielder Shelby McMahon, who scored in both the AWCL semi-final and final last season, as well as 22-year-old Holly McNamara, who finished as top scorer of the 2024/25 Ninja A-League with 15 goals.

Both players continued their fine form over the past weekend, as they netted braces in a convincing 4-0 victory over A-League Championship winners Central Coast Mariners. Crucially, it was a result that extended Melbourne’s unbeaten streak in the league to 29 matches, a run stretching back to March 2024. 

Sailors out to defy the odds

Fully aware of the challenge ahead, the Sailors Women remain resolute and determined to put up a strong showing on Asia’s biggest stage. 

“When we first entered the AWCL in 2024, we came in with not much information and didn’t know what to expect. We learned from that experience, strengthened the team this year, and we showed that we are capable of challenging at this level,” said Assistant Coach Yeong Sheau Shyan, who stood in for Head Coach Daniel Ong at the pre-match press conference.

The latter is set to join the team in Vietnam on Wednesday (12 November) after attending his ongoing AFC ‘A’ Diploma Coaching Course.

“This is the first time the club qualified for this stage, and it’s really important for our Singaporean players to participate in this tournament,” added Sheau Shyan, who is also the club’s Head of Women’s Football.

“It represents a pathway beyond Singapore for girls in the country to aspire towards — to be more ambitious in their goals and to understand the level they need to reach. All the girls are very excited to showcase what they can do.”

The Sailors have maintained their training intensity for the past month since the conclusion of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) on 5 October, with the team holding four training sessions per week. 

While their domestic campaign ended on a disappointing note with a third-placed finish, it has only strengthened their resolve to acquit themselves well in the AWCL.

Having made several key signings and with the influential Japanese duo of Ami Takeuchi and Eri Kitagawa in their ranks, defender Syazwani Ruzi has stated that the team is relishing the chance to test themselves against Asia’s elite as they step into unchartered territory. 

“We’ve learned a lot from past lessons and we’re now better prepared to deal with the intensity at this level,” said the 23-year-old, who started all three matches in the Preliminary Stage earlier in August. 

“While we’ve strengthened with some foreign signings, we also have a group of really capable local players in the team. Together, I believe we can do well in this competition and put up a good showing for Singapore women’s football.”