Matthias Phaëton’s third goal of the season proved decisive as the Lion City Sailors secured their first victory of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League (ACL) Two campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Hong Kong’s Tai Po FC on Thursday (15 October).

The Guadeloupe international struck early in the second half at Mong Kok Stadium to settle a tricky away encounter and lift the Sailors to second in Group F, following their opening-day draw with BG Pathum United.

Sailors Head Coach Mark Jackson praised his side’s resilience in seeing out the result, while acknowledging there was room for improvement as his players continued to adapt to his methods.

“These were three important points for us in this competition and a platform for us to build on and achieve greater things. I congratulated the players, although I told them there were easier ways to get those three points,” he said.

“We are still evolving into a new way of playing and working, and a result like this can do wonders for the team’s belief and confidence. We are also very happy to have fans travelling with us, both at home and away, and that we get to take the three points back home.”

The Sailors began brightly, controlling possession and fashioning their first opening in the sixth minute when Matthias’s cross from the left found Ilhan Fandi, whose header was straight at goalkeeper Tse Ka Wing.

Clear-cut chances were otherwise scarce against Tai Po’s deep defensive block, although Song Uiyoung came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 31st minute when his long-range effort crashed against the crossbar.

Bart Ramselaar and Matthias also showed glimpses of their attacking understanding, but the hosts held firm to keep the game goalless at the break.

The Sailors renewed their push immediately after the restart. Hugo Gomes could not make clean contact with a header from Giovanni Haag’s corner a minute into the second half, but another delivery from the Frenchman brought the breakthrough just two minutes later.

Giovanni’s inswinging delivery was flicked on by Toni Datković into the path of Matthias, who instinctively stuck out a leg to steer the ball past Tse to spark celebrations among the travelling Sailors faithful.

It was Matthias’s first continental goal for the club, but the winger was more pleased with the result than his personal milestone.

“Every game is important, especially in the ACL Two. I’m really happy to score, but most importantly, we got three points for the team and the club. We want to keep pushing like this, and hopefully, this is the start of many more to come,” said the 26-year-old, who was named the Man of the Match. 

Tai Po sought a response, but the Sailors remained dangerous and nearly doubled their advantage in the 65th minute when Bart stabbed over after Ilhan’s knockdown fell into his path inside the box.

The hosts turned to Brazilian substitutes Wallisson Bahia and Paulinho Simionato to bolster their attack, and Bahia curled an effort narrowly wide of Victor Aznar’s far post in the 71st minute.

A few minutes later, Diogo Costa produced a crucial goal-line clearance to protect the Sailors’ slender lead.

Tai Po committed further attacking resources with the introductions of Gabriel Murilo and Nando Welter, while Bahia continued to pose a threat, slipping the ball through for Simionato to fire into the side netting.

The Sailors had opportunities to put the result beyond doubt late on. Matthias picked out Diogo inside the box, but the full-back fired over, before substitutes Ryhan Stewart and Antonio Mance combined to create another opening that the Croatian striker sent over the bar.

Those missed chances ensured a tense finish, but the Sailors held on to claim all three points.

“We knew it would be a tough game, especially playing away from home while still adjusting to the new coach. In our first ACL Two game, we dropped two points, but we took the positives from that performance and knew we would continue to grow as a team,” said Toni.

“We work on different things in training every day, and we believe in what we are doing. I’m really happy for the team and the fans, and to have made Singapore proud. We will continue working hard and building on this performance.”

The Sailors now turn their attention to Sunday’s Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash with FC Jurong at the Jurong East Stadium, where victory would take them above their opponents, who sit one place ahead in the standings.

For Coach Jackson, the resolve shown in Hong Kong offered encouragement as he looks to build a side capable of going deep in continental competition.

“I’ve been in this competition before, and I know what it takes to win it. I’m with the Sailors now, and I believe I’m at a club with the resources, players and staff to have a real go at this competition,” he said.

“It takes a lot of hard work, and you have to find different ways to win against different types of teams. Of course, you always want to play free-flowing football and score lots of goals, but sometimes you have to win ugly and dig in, and the players showed towards the end they can do just that.

“They fought hard for the three points, and that ability to win in different ways is going to be crucial if we want to go far in this competition.”