After reigniting their hopes of reaching the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two knockout stages with a vital win over Persib Bandung, the Lion City Sailors now turn their attention to another international competition – the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup. 

The Sailors take on familiar foes Bangkok United in a Group B Matchday Two clash away at the True BG Stadium on Thursday (4 December) night, and the target is clear: to get a good result and improve the team’s chances of reaching the knockout stages after an opening-day loss to Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT). 

Up against the Bangkok Angels (again)

This will be the fifth meeting between the two sides since 2023 – and their third in just 43 days – after facing off in the ACL Two on 23 October and 6 November.

On all four previous occasions, the Sailors were edged out by a solitary goal – an unwanted trend that head coach Aleksandar Ranković is determined to put right.

“We’ve played each other numerous times, so we’re very familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” said the Serb. “To be honest, I felt we didn’t deserve to lose in the last two meetings. What we learnt is that Bangkok are a side that know how to compete at this level, and they manage games with a lot of experience.

“We’re happy to be able to compete with them again and hopefully we can finally beat them this time.”

Like the Sailors, Bangkok United are still chasing their first points of this year’s Shopee Cup after an away defeat to JDT, and they arrive for this fixture in mixed form.

Since their 2-1 win in Singapore, they have drawn two of their last three Thai League 1 matches, with goalless results against Port FC and Sukhothai bookending a 4-1 victory over Prachuap FC.

On the continental stage, they were also held by a 94th-minute equaliser against Selangor FC a week ago (26 November), although the draw ultimately proved enough for them to clinch qualification to the ACL Two last 16.

“This is our second match in the Shopee Cup and we’re targeting a win to improve our chances of reaching the next round. We’ve beaten the Sailors in our past four meetings, and of course we want to make it five. But it will be a different game this time,” said Bangkok head coach Totchtawan Sripan.

“In the last two matches against them, the boys maintained full concentration and we were able to take advantage of the Sailors’ weaknesses. They had their chances but didn’t take them, while we took ours — that was the key difference.

“For tomorrow night, I believe the team that plays their football and makes the fewest mistakes will come out on top, and I hope that will be us.”

Sailors coming in with hunger 

Once again, the Sailors will be up against several familiar names, including Thai internationals Patiwat Khammai, Weerathep Pomphan and Teerasil Dangda, as well as the former BG Tampines duo Seia Kunori and Kyoga Nakamura, with the latter having recently scored his first goal for Bangkok against Prachuap on 22 November.

Nonetheless, the Sailors’ priority is to focus on themselves and continue building on their recent improvements ahead of the clash.

The numerous encounters with Bangkok has also served to strengthen this point: the team will be decided on fine margins and the Sailors have been hard at work on the small details in training. 

“There have been some great, closely fought encounters between both teams over the years. For us, we’re relishing this game, and we all know it comes down to the little details. Every mistake at this level gets punished, so we have to be fully switched on and play with a lot of pride tomorrow night,” said defender Lionel Tan.

It was a sentiment shared in the opposite camp.

“I didn’t play in the recent matches against the Sailors, but I watched them closely and felt we were just slightly ahead of them technically and tactically,” said Bangkok midfielder Wisarut Imura, who has recently returned from a long injury layoff.

“We’re a motivated team, and whether you’re in the starting eleven or coming off the bench, everyone is ready to contribute and help the team.”

The Bangkok match kicks off a hectic spell in which the Sailors will navigate five games across three competitions in just 17 days before the year draws to a close. However, it is a challenge Ranko believes has only fuelled the team’s motivation.

“We’re happy to have a run of games again, because we haven’t had that in the past couple of months. We’ve only played five league matches so far and that’s not enough for us. The players would always rather be playing than just training,” he said.

“I believe the team will be up for it, and we’re determined to deliver a good result for our fans who have travelled here.”