Author: Lion City Sailors
The Lion City Sailors can confirm that Maxime Lestienne will depart the club at the end of December, bringing to a close an illustrious and successful four-year spell in Singapore.
The Belgian talisman helped lead the Sailors back to the summit of local football, lifted every major domestic trophy, and spearheaded the club’s historic run to the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Final — the first achieved by a Singaporean club side.
Having joined the Sailors in February 2022 on a free transfer from Belgian top-tier side Standard Liège, Maxime initially signed a two-year deal before agreeing to a further two-year extension at the end of the 2023 season, before the Singapore Premier League’s (SPL) transition to the European football calendar. That extension concludes this December, and while the Club were keen to renew his contract beyond 2025, the 33-year-old has chosen to return home after many years abroad to be closer to family and begin the next chapter of his life.
Maxime can look back on a brilliant four-year spell with the Sailors, during which he became a league champion, lifted the Singapore Cup twice, and collected a host of individual accolades. Armed with experience in the UEFA Champions League and top European leagues such as La Liga and Serie A, he needed little time to sprinkle his magic on local shores and sustained that excellence week after week.
The league’s top assist-maker and a member of the SPL Team of the Year in each of his three full seasons in Singapore, he also claimed the Golden Boot and Player of the Year awards in 2023. His numbers speak for themselves, with 162 goal contributions — 69 goals and 93 assists — in 128 appearances across all competitions, including a memorable injury-time equaliser in the 2025 ACL Two Final.
The Sailors’ all-time top scorer, he is currently the club’s third-highest appearance maker and one of only five players to have surpassed the 100-appearance mark. His bewitching mix of guile and skill, coupled with an uncanny ability to conjure moments of brilliance from nowhere, has cemented his status as one of the most influential foreign players ever to grace Singapore football.
Reflecting on his time at the club, an emotional Maxime said, “These four years have been among the most special of my career. Singapore became home, and the Sailors became my family.
“I’m so proud of what we achieved together. We won trophies, brought the club back to the top, and, most importantly, made significant breakthroughs on the international stage in the ACL Two. All these memories will stay with me forever.
“However, after many years away, it is now time for me to return home and be closer to my loved ones. This was a difficult decision, but the right one for my family and me. I want to thank the fans, my teammates, the coaches, and everyone at the club for making me feel welcome from day one. The Lion City Sailors will always have a special place in my heart.”
Paying tribute to the departing icon, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković said, “Maxime’s contribution and impact go far beyond goals and assists. He set the benchmark for professionalism, mentality, and leadership in our dressing room.
“He not only demanded the best of himself, but also elevated the players around him. His ability to step up in crucial moments was second to none, and it has been a great honour to work with him.
“While we are all sad to see him go, we understand and fully respect his decision, and we’re grateful for everything he has given to us.”
Expressing the club’s profound gratitude, Sailors Chairman Forrest Li said, “Maxime will forever be remembered as one of the greatest players in Sailors history. We knew we could not pass up the chance to sign a player of his quality, and we are delighted with the impact he has made over the years.
“His hunger and drive were always evident, and he played a huge role in the club’s breakthrough on the continental stage last season. Beyond the success on the pitch, the trophies, and the milestones, he embodied the values we want this club to stand for.
“He has been a true inspiration to our young players, and the legacy he leaves behind will be hard to match. We respect his decision to return home, and we thank him for his immense contributions. The doors of this club will always be open to him, and he will always have a home here.”
Maxime is set to feature in three more matches for the Sailors, with his final appearance likely to come in the Singapore Cup semi-final second leg against Balestier Khalsa on 20 December.
Departing with a legacy built on excellence and ambition, the Lion City Sailors family extends our deepest appreciation to Maxime Lestienne, and we wish him every success and happiness as he begins a new chapter back home.
The Lion City Sailors did all they could to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds of the 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two alive, but ultimately fell short despite a 1-0 win over Selangor FC at the MBPJ Stadium on Wednesday (10 December).
Tsiy Ndenge’s first-ever goal in Sailors colours settled a hard-fought Group G contest in front of 2,354 fans and secured all three points for the reigning Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions on their trip across the Causeway.
While the victory saw the Sailors finish level with Bangkok United on 10 points from six matches — and with a superior goal difference — they missed out on a place in the next round due to an inferior head-to-head record against the Thai side.
Indonesia’s Persib Bandung won the group after a 1-0 victory against Bangkok, thanks to Ramon Tanque’s first half stoppage time winner.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for last season’s ACL Two finalists, even as Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković acknowledged the fiercely competitive nature of a group featuring four ASEAN sides.
“I have mixed feelings right now because we didn’t go through,” said Ranko. “There are not many teams that finish with 10 points and still not qualify. That says enough about this group, and just how tough it was.”
Nonetheless, the Sailors acquitted themselves well against Selangor in a match they knew they had to win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
“I think this is the most effective match that we’ve played in a long time,” Ranko reflected. “Both teams were playing to win, and I thought we controlled the match well, especially in the first half.”
The Sailors’ task in Malaysia was made harder by the absence of Lennart Thy, though Selangor were also without several key players due to injury, including Kevin Deeromram, Alvin Fortes, Zach Clough and Sharul Nazeem.
Backed by their home crowd, the Red Giants carved out the early openings. Faisal Halim fired over from Quentin Cheng’s cross in the sixth minute, before Sailors custodian Ivan Sušak was called into action to deny Chrigor Moraes twice in the space of five minutes.
At the other end, Anderson Lopes forced Kalamullah Al Hafiz into a save in the 17th minute after fashioning a couple of opportunities of his own.
The Sailors began to settle as the match went on, and in the 23rd minute, combative midfielder Tsiy showed his attacking instincts with a shot that was saved, before Maxime Lestienne sent a half-volley over at the end of the move.
Maxime was then fouled at the edge of the box and dusted himself off to take the resulting free-kick, which clipped the top of the crossbar as both sides went into the break still on level terms.
The Sailors carried that attacking spark into the second half and were duly rewarded after a clever short-corner routine. Song Uiyoung and Bart Ramselaar exchanged passes, with the Dutchman backflicking the ball into Song’s path. The Singapore international then picked out the arriving Tsiy, who rifled his shot emphatically into the net to break the deadlock.
“We were a bit sloppy in front of goal because in the final third we had a lot of crosses, but they were not really hurting Selangor. Luckily, we scored from the set-piece. Honestly, I thought it was a beautiful goal, and something straight from the training ground. We’ve tried it in many games, and we finally got it right,” said Ranko.
The goal marked the first time that Tsiy had found the back of the net in 297 days, with his last strike coming in February this year for former club Grasshopper Club Zürich against Servette FC in the Swiss Super League.
Selangor, who had yet to win in the ACL Two this season, looked to respond quickly through Faisal and Chrigor, though neither effort troubled the commanding Ivan in goal.
At the other end, Anderson embarked on a surging solo run but saw his shot saved by Kalamullah in the 84th minute. Chrigor then had one final attempt for Selangor in the closing stages, but he too could not find the target, as the Sailors held firm to secure the victory.
Despite bowing out of the ACL Two, Ranko insisted he was proud of the way his players fought on the pitch in the face of adversity.
“When you have a season like the last one, when you win every domestic trophy and play in the ACL Two final, the expectations were always going to be sky high,” said Ranko.
“I think we struggled with the group we had, and despite all of that, my players deserve all the credit for what we’ve been through since the start of the season, especially with some players getting injured in what is a considerably small squad for us.”
The Sailors will have little time to lick their wounds, with the Singapore Cup semi-final first leg against Balestier Khalsa at Bishan Stadium coming up this Sunday (14 December), as Ranko urged his charges to refocus quickly and look towards winning the remaining trophies still on offer this season.
“For the remainder of the season, we have to win the league and, hopefully, the domestic cup as well,” said Ranko. “We are still in with a shout in the (ASEAN Club Championship) Shopee Cup too. There’s still a lot to play for.”
The Lion City Sailors’ vital comeback victory against Persib Bandung the last time out has set up a tantalising finale to Group G in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two. They now face Selangor FC at the MBPJ Stadium on Wednesday (10 December), knowing that only a win will give them a chance of reaching the tournament’s last 16 for a second successive season.
For that to materialise, however, the Sailors will also need Bangkok United to defeat Persib in the concurrent fixture. For now, though, their attention remains firmly on taking care of business in Petaling Jaya.
A tricky challenge against the Red Giants
The previous meeting between the sides, in Singapore on 1 October, ended in a 4–2 win for the Sailors, and marked Christophe Gamel’s first match as Selangor’s interim head coach.
Since then, the Frenchman has overseen 14 matches across four competitions, recording five wins and four draws. While positive results in continental competitions such as the ACL Two and ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup have been harder to come by, Selangor’s form in the Malaysia Super League (MSL) has been notably stronger.
They enter Wednesday’s clash unbeaten in five league outings, a run that was capped by a morale-boosting 5–1 victory over Penang FC on Sunday (7 December).
Brazilian striker Chigor Moraes netted a superb hat-trick in that match to take his tally to 18 goals in 23 appearances this season, while talismanic winger Faisal Halim also struck to reach double figures for the campaign. Both were also on the scoresheet in October’s defeat to the Sailors, and are expected to be Selangor’s primary threats once again.
Although already consigned to finishing bottom of Group G with no chance of reaching the knockout stage, the Red Giants remain eager to sign off their campaign with a spirited performance for their home supporters.
“I know it’s not the best situation for us (to not have qualified for the next stage), but this game is still important for our young team. I know we have some immature moments on the pitch, but mistakes are part of the process. I trust them to correct the mistakes over time, and we’re always focused on improvement,” said Gamel.
“We understand the fans’ frustrations, but I’m glad they’re still supporting the team. I hope to see them tomorrow against a strong team that is playing for qualification.
“Offensively, the Sailors can kill anyone. They have powerful speed… They exploit the space on the sides and in the six-yard box. Outside of it, they also have good maturity. It’ll be a tough game, but we’ll still try to get the three points.”
Sailors keeping focus on themselves
For the Sailors, their comeback against Persib two weeks ago has injected fresh belief into their ACL Two campaign, and they will head into Wednesday’s match intent on maintaining that positive momentum.
“Of course, we don’t have everything in our hands, but what we can control is tomorrow’s game. It won’t be easy because Selangor are a totally different team from the one we played the first time (in October). They have adjusted to the new coach and you can see that on the pitch,” said Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković.
“I don’t like to single out players, but their captain (Faisal Halim) is one of my favourites, and can be very dangerous. We’ve faced many high-pressure situations in the past two seasons, so my players know how to deal with it.”
While Ranko’s side knows that their fate hinges partly on events elsewhere, their priority is clear: secure three points and keep the pressure on.
“We just have to focus on our job: that’s to win this game and do it for the supporters who’re coming all the way to watch us play,” said midfielder Bart Ramselaar, who sat out last week’s 2-2 away draw with Bangkok United in the Shopee Cup.
“As Coach said, we’ve been in a similar situation before where we had a must-win game, but we know that we’re a team that performs well under pressure, and that gives us a lot of strength. It’s very important for this club to compete on the continental level, and we want to show what we can do tomorrow night.”
The Lion City Sailors will be utilising the newly returfed Jalan Besar Stadium as our home ground for the remainder of the 2025/26 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, as confirmed by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) earlier today (9 December).
The 6,000-seater venue is now ready following a successful turf replacement project, and will replace Bishan Stadium as the Sailors’ base for both domestic and international matches.
The team will take to Jalan Besar’s new natural surface for the first time on 17 December in an ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup Group B clash against Myanmar’s Shan United, before returning three days later (20 December) for the second leg of the Singapore Cup semi-final against Balestier Khalsa.
Safuwan parts ways with the Sailors
The Club confirms that it has reached a mutual agreement with Safuwan Baharudin and Selangor FC for the early termination of the loan of Safuwan to the Club.
Originally on loan until the end of December 2025, the Singapore international requested an early end to the loan arrangement to settle personal matters in Kuala Lumpur ahead of his return to Selangor FC from January 2026.
Safuwan made a number of appearances for the Sailors after joining in the off-season, including two in the AFC Champions League Two.
The Club thanks him for his contributions and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.
The Lion City Sailors are pleased to announce that Applied Nutrition, one of the world’s fastest-growing sports nutrition brands, has come on board as the club’s Official Nutrition Partner for the 2025/26 season.
This collaboration represents an important step in the Sailors’ ongoing drive to elevate player performance and deepen professionalism across the club, from the first team through to the youth development pathways.
As Singapore’s only privatised football club, the Sailors constantly strive to drive higher standards on and off the pitch. The partnership with Applied Nutrition provides our players with access to world class, Informed Sport certified nutritional products designed to support elite performance, optimise recovery, and enhance overall athletic development.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Applied Nutrition to the Sailors family,” said Sailors’ Head of Commercial, John Morris. “Peak performance requires peak preparation, and nutrition plays an essential role in helping our players compete at the highest level. Partnering with a globally respected brand like Applied Nutrition reflects our commitment to providing our players with the best resources to succeed.”
Applied Nutrition currently works closely with several top European football clubs such as Fulham FC, Rangers FC, and Preston North End, and this latest partnership with the Sailors reflects their commitment to growing the sport in Southeast Asia.
Their product range will be integrated into the club’s performance programmes, ensuring the Sailors players receive tailored nutritional support aligned with training and competition demands.
“Partnering with Lion City Sailors is an exciting opportunity for us,” said Nutrition Always’ Marketing Director, Jamie Lim. “The Sailors’ ambition and professionalism align perfectly with our mission to fuel athletes with premium and reliable sports nutrition. We look forward to supporting the team as they strive for success this season.”
The year-long partnership will also include joint marketing initiatives, digital content collaborations, and brand activations to engage fans and promote the importance of sports nutrition in supporting a high-performance lifestyle.
With Applied Nutrition now powering the team’s nutritional needs, the Lion City Sailors are poised to continue its pursuit of excellence on the local and regional stage.
The Lion City Sailors battled to a hard-earned 2-2 draw against Bangkok United, picking up their first point of the 2025/26 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup campaign at the True BG Stadium on Thursday (4 December) night.
The Sailors struck twice inside the opening exchanges through Maxime Lestienne and Anderson Lopes, but were unable to press home their advantage as Bangkok scored a goal in each half to leave Group B honours even.
Speaking after the match, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković lamented the missed chances that could have tilted the contest, but conceded that a point apiece was a fair outcome from a tightly fought affair.
“A draw is a fair result. We took our first two chances, but we should have scored one or two more. We knew the pressure would come, especially with the players they brought on in the second half,” said the 47-year-old, whose side had lost all four previous meetings with the Bangkok Angels.
“As I’ve said before, our matches with Bangkok are always decided by fine margins. If you don’t convert your chances, you can lose games like this, so we were a bit fortunate today.”
Bangkok began brightly, with Seia Kunori firing an early warning shot, but it was the Sailors who landed the first blow — and in some style.
An incisive counter-attack, sparked by slick interplay between Hami Syahin and Tsiy Ndenge, sent the ball out to Maxime on the right. The Belgian winger needed no second invitation, cutting inside before unleashing a stunning strike into the top corner to hand the visitors an 11th-minute lead.
Tsiy was involved again nine minutes later, as he threaded a precise through-ball that sent Anderson racing clear. The Brazilian made no mistake, sliding his finish beyond Thai national no. 1 Patiwat Khammai and into the bottom left corner.
However, Bangkok halved the deficit in the 24th minute when Jakkapan Praisuwan’s effort from outside the area sneaked past Ivan Šušak.
Ivan, however, produced a brilliant stop in the 37th minute, as he reacted sharply to tip Kyoga Nakamura’s speculative shot over the bar.
Returning to the Sailors’ starting XI, Bailey Wright nearly marked his comeback with a goal in the 43rd minute, but his glancing header from a corner drifted just over the bar. Bangkok then passed up a golden chance in first-half stoppage time, as Kunori fired over from close range.
Chasing an equaliser after the break, the hosts introduced forwards Luka Adžic and Ilias Alhaft early in the second half. While Bangkok enjoyed more possession, it was the Sailors who carved out the clearer openings, most notably in the 70th minute which saw Maxime embark on a lung-busting run that ended with the Belgian flashing his effort narrowly wide.
Two minutes later, the Sailors threatened again when Maxime slipped a clever reverse pass into the path of Shawal Anuar, who also dragged his shot off-target.
They were made to pay for those missed chances as Bangkok eventually found the equaliser in the 76th minute. Thitiphan Puangchan’s effort was parried into the path of Alhaft, who squared it for Kunori to sweep home the equaliser.
The Japanese forward was later presented with a huge chance to put Bangkok ahead when he stretched to meet a Kyoga Nakamura cross from the left, but he could not make a clean connection.
Song Uiyoung then tried his luck from distance late on, though his effort drifted wide as the match ended honours even.
“I think we did well in the first half, but Bangkok came out strong in the second. We tried to win the game and gave everything we had, but we’ll improve on this performance,” said Shawal, who wore the captain’s armband for a second successive match.
Elsewhere in Group B, Nam Định defeated Shan United 3-0 while PKR Svay Rieng held Johor Darul Ta’zim to a 2-2 draw. The Sailors now sit fourth in the standings, ahead of Bangkok and bottom-placed Shan United on goal difference, the latter of whom they will host on 17 December.
Before that, however, the Sailors make a crucial trip to Malaysia for their AFC Champions League (ACL) Two decider against Selangor FC next Wednesday (10 December). A win, combined with a defeat for group leaders Persib Bandung, would secure progression to the knockout stage.
“Our priority now is to regroup and recover, and then assess who will be available,” said Ranko. “Anderson has picked up a knock, and Lennart (Thy) is expecting the birth of his child. It won’t be easy, but we’ll do everything we can to make the best of the situation.”
The Serbian also paid tribute to the travelling Sailors contingent in the away end, and emphasised that his side will give their all in what promises to be a pivotal fortnight ahead.
“The support from the fans was great today. I know it’s tough to fly here midweek, but I’m really happy and grateful for their voices,” said Ranko.
“The group is still open, and we have important matches coming up. Our goal is to win all of them and put ourselves in the best position to qualify for the next stage.”
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.”
When Persib Bandung’s Andrew Jung put his side ahead at Bishan Stadium last Wednesday (26 November), it looked as though another difficult night in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two was looming for the Lion City Sailors.
This time, however, the hosts responded with conviction. Two quickfire goals from Shawal Anuar and Anderson Lopes flipped the contest on its head and sealed a vital win that kept the Sailors’ hopes of qualifying for the next round alive.
The result was especially satisfying for centre-back Lionel Tan, who still recalls last year’s corresponding fixture, which saw the Sailors concede three times in the final 15 minutes to fall 3-2 to the Indonesian side.
“I remember last year’s game vividly. We were disappointed, and nobody returned to the changing room happy,” said Lionel.
“This time, we managed to beat them by the same scoreline. Persib are a much stronger side this year, but we worked really hard and took our chances well.”
Beyond his defensive shift, Lionel also played a key part in the Sailors’ opener, delivering a pinpoint ball over the top for Lennart to finish. That assist was his third in Sailors colours.
“It was a good goal as my pass landed right behind the centre-back,” said Lionel. “But more importantly, Lennart’s touch and finish were perfect, so I’m just happy to have contributed.”
The victory was the Sailors’ fourth in five matches at Bishan Stadium this season, and Lionel felt the team’s response under pressure reflected their spirit and character.
“Everyone knew what was at stake. We certainly didn’t want to be eliminated from the competition, so we gave everything to get the win,” he said.
“Thankfully, we have a squad full of strong characters who can change a game even when we’re behind. That’s something we’ll carry into the final match.”
Despite securing a crucial win against the Group G leaders, the Sailors will still head into the final round of fixtures with their fate not in their hands. They must first beat Selangor FC and then hope Persib slip up against Bangkok United in order to reach the knockout stages.
Even with the uphill task ahead in the qualification race, Lionel remained intent on staying grounded in the Sailors’ own approach, and emphasised that the team’s mentality will be key heading into the decisive game.
“Focusing on what you can control is very important because you need to go into every game fully tuned in to your own performance, as well as what the coach has planned,” he said.
“Although qualification is not in our hands, we will go into the game aiming for a win. What we can control is giving our very best until the final whistle.
But first, the Sailors face a tricky away test against Bangkok United in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup on Thursday (4 December). This marks the Sailors’ third meeting with the Thai side in the past two months.
The Sailors’ only two defeats in their last eight matches against Thai opposition came against Bangkok, having recently lost 1-0 and 2-1 to them in the ACL Two group-stage encounters.
“Bangkok have some great players and are very competitive in the Thai League. This is the third time we’re playing them in a short span of time, and I think even they’re tired of seeing us,” Lionel said with a grin.
“Our past two meetings have been very close, and I expect the same this time. Losing all three games would not be ideal, so we’re definitely going there to get a result.”
The Sailors endured a disappointing Shopee Cup campaign in the 2024/25 season, finishing fourth in their six-team group after three defeats in five matches. They also made a tough start to this year’s edition, falling 3-1 to Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in their Group B opener back in August.
Even so, the experience has only strengthened Lionel’s resolve to help the team turn their fortunes around.
“The Shopee Cup is a very important competition to all of us. We know we have to push to do better than last year, which is why this game is so important,” said Lionel.
“It’s going to be tough, but I know the character we have in this team. We’re ready to bring the same spirit we showed against Persib and fight for all three points.”
Still riding the high of Singapore’s historic qualification for the Asian Cup, Lionel — one of eight Sailors called up for that decisive clash against Hong Kong — is keen to use that achievement as a springboard for further growth.
“Qualification for the Asian Cup has been one of the best moments of my career, and it motivates all of us to keep working harder,” he said. “For me, it’s about staying consistent, staying disciplined, and continuing to do what I’ve been doing.”
With a number of Sailors fans expected to make the nearly 2,000km trip to Bangkok, Lionel is determined to put in a performance worthy of their support.
“We’ve been to Thailand countless times, and we always see them there cheering for us. They may be small in numbers, but their voices are always heard loud and clear,” he said.
“Our Shopee Cup campaign has only just begun, and we’ll work hard to win games so we can be happy together.”
The Lion City Sailors reignited their 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two qualification hopes with a spirited 3-2 comeback victory over Group G leaders Persib Bandung at the Bishan Stadium on Wednesday (26 November).
Having suffered a heartbreaking late defeat in the corresponding fixture last year, the Sailors showed tremendous character to overturn a one-goal deficit through strikes from Lennart Thy, Shawal Anuar, and Anderson Lopes.
Crucially, the win keeps the Sailors firmly in the hunt for a spot in the Round of 16.
Speaking after the game, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković acknowledged that missing key personnel had complicated preparations, but paid tribute to his side’s grit and togetherness.
“This victory feels a little more special. We had trouble setting up the team with many key players missing, but my players gave everything they had and did an amazing job,” said Ranko, whose team became the first to put three goals past Persib this season.
“We knew it was going to be tough, and although the win wasn’t pretty, today was about getting the three points. Our hopes of qualifying are still alive, so full credit to the boys.”
In front of a 2,578-strong home crowd, the Sailors got off to a blistering start, taking just eight minutes to open the scoring through Lennart, who latched onto a long pass from Lionel Tan and lifted the ball over Teja Paku Alam for his third ACL Two goal of the campaign.
Persib, however, hit back almost immediately. Two minutes later, a short-corner routine ended with Frans Putros firing from the edge of the area; his scuffed effort struck the post and trickled over the line.
Song Uiyoung came close to restoring the lead in the 38th minute when his ferocious drive from range skimmed just wide, but the sides eventually went into the break level.
Persib emerged with greater intent after the interval, and took the lead in the 56th minute when Thom Haye found space down the right and crossed for Andrew Jung, who steered a precise header beyond Ivan Sušak.
With the Sailors staring at defeat, Ranko turned to his bench, introducing both Hami Syahin and Maxime Lestienne into the fray.
And their impact was immediate.
Barely a minute after coming on, Maxime whipped in a sumptuous cross for Shawal, who nipped in front of Putros and fired home the equaliser.
Persib almost hit back again, with Haye dragging a shot wide moments later. They went even closer on 67 minutes, but Ivan produced a superb reflex stop to deny Ramon Tanque from point-blank range.
From the resulting corner, Hami was perfectly placed on the line to nod away Júlio César’s goal-bound header.
The midfielder then turned creator in the 71st minute, showing real composure under pressure in his own box before lifting a pinpoint long ball into the path of Anderson, who coolly slotted past Alam for what proved to be the winner.
“I’m happy with the result, but this win was a team effort,” said Anderson, who was named Man of the match. “Everybody gave their all. You could see how much we wanted the three points, and that says a lot about our character.”
Despite missing stalwarts Bailey Wright, Hariss Harun, and Safuwan Baharudin at the back, the Sailors’ defence held firm under late Persib pressure. Ivan then capped a standout performance with another crucial save in the 75th minute, spreading himself brilliantly to block Uilliam Barros’ effort.
The win leaves the Sailors third in Group G, three points behind Persib, but with a superior head-to-head record.
With Bangkok United sealing qualification after drawing 1–1 with Selangor earlier in the evening, the Sailors know they must beat the Malaysian side on the final matchday, and hope Persib fall to Bangkok, to qualify as runners-up.
Even so, Ranko emphasised that the focus must remain on matters within the team’s control, as they now turn their attention to two pivotal away fixtures: a meeting with Bangkok United in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup on 4 December, followed by the decisive ACL Two clash against Selangor six days later.
“Just like today, every game is a must-win, so nothing changes,” said Ranko. “Selangor will be at home, it’s their last game and they’ll have a point to prove, so it won’t be easy.
“But instead of thinking about what happens elsewhere, our full energy and focus will be on Bangkok United next week, and then getting that win away at Selangor.”
