The Lion City Sailors Women produced a ruthless attacking display to open the second round of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in style, as they swept aside Balestier Khalsa 15-0 to keep the pressure on at the top of the table.

With goal difference set to play a decisive role in the title race, and the Sailors sitting second, three points behind leaders Albirex Jurong, they wasted no time asserting their intent.

Eri Kitagawa and Ami Takeuchi led the charge with four goals apiece, while Farah Nurzahirah struck a rapid hat-trick. Dhaniyah Qasimah, Syazwani Ruzi, Venetia Lim and Nur Ain Salleh (pictured below) also got on the scoresheet in a commanding team performance.

“Our main goal coming into tonight’s game was to play our style of football and maintain high intensity. If we do that consistently, the goals will come,” said Dhaniyah.

Priscille Le Helloco, handed her first start of the season, echoed that approach. “We wanted to be aggressive in attack and make the most of every opportunity. My role was to deliver quality crosses and keep creating chances, so I focused on doing that throughout the game.

“As a team, we played really good football. Our chemistry and combinations were strong, and we created a lot of chances. There are always things to improve, but overall it was a great performance.”

The Sailors needed just five minutes to break the deadlock, as Dhaniyah’s teasing delivery slipped past the Balestier goalkeeper and into the net, making her the club’s 12th different scorer this season.

“I was surprised to see the ball go in. It was meant to be a cross, but I think I hit it too hard. Still, a goal is a goal, and I guess I was a bit lucky,” she said with a smile.

Ami doubled the lead four minutes later with a sharp turn and finish inside the box, before the floodgates opened.

In the 14th minute, Farah turned provider with a precise ball into the area for Syazwani to tap home her first goal of the season. Eri then made it 4-0 shortly after with a powerful strike, before Farah took centre stage with a thunderous finish and two more quick goals to complete her hat-trick.

The hat-trick meant Farah has now chalked up 12 goals in 2026 and is the first local player to reach double digits for the Sailors Women this season.

Priscille’s dangerous deliveries from the right wing continued to cause problems, and in the 35th minute, her cross led to Eri heading home. Ami then added another with a header of her own to send the Sailors into the break nine goals up.

“It felt great to be named in the starting eleven,” said 19-year-old Priscille. “It was nerve-wracking at first because of the high standards in the team, but I focused on my role and once I settled in, I really enjoyed it.

“It meant a lot to contribute. As an attacking player, you always want to impact the game, but it also comes from the guidance of the coaches and the movement of my teammates.”

The intensity did not drop after the restart. Dhaniyah was again involved in the 50th minute, her cross finding Eri, who controlled well before finishing for her third. She added a fourth from range in the 65th minute, before turning provider for Ami to complete her hat-trick.

Raeka Ee then came on in the 68th minute to mark her return from a foot injury, while Aria Romano and Sofia Rusi (pictured below) — both from the Sailors Women ‘B’ Team — then made their WPL and senior debuts in the 81st minute. 

Sofia duly made an immediate impact, delivering a pinpoint cross a minute later for Ain to finish.

“I was really excited and even surprised to be called up and experience this with the senior players,” said the 2012-born midfielder.

“I’m happy to contribute. I’ve been working on my crosses and my left foot, so I’m proud of that.”

With that, Sofia also became the 20th Girls Academy graduate to feature for the Sailors in the WPL — and doing so as the youngest debutant ever at 13 years, 7 months and 17 days old. 

There was still time for more late goals, as Venetia struck from range in the 87th minute, before Ami rounded off the scoring in stoppage time with a composed penalty.

The four-goal hauls from Ami and Eri also meant they took their season tallies up to 31 and 17 respectively, reflecting their importance to the team. 

With the second round of the WPL now in full swing, the Sailors remain focused on maintaining their style and momentum.

“I’m happy to see that what we worked on in training translated into the game,” said Dhaniyah. “We achieved our aim of playing good football, and the goals came when we combined well instead of rushing forward.

“We can still improve on being more clinical and making the most of our chances, and that’s something we will keep working on,” added Priscille.

The Sailors will be back in action again this Saturday (25 April) at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, where they will face third-placed Still Aerion as they continue their push for the title.