Author: Lion City Sailors
The Lion City Sailors are now unbeaten in five Singapore Premier League (SPL) games, following a 3-1 win over Hougang United at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (19 October) evening.
A goal from Song Uiyoung, along with a brace from Lennart Thy, secured the valuable three points for the Sailors against a resilient Hougang side.
More significantly, the result, combined with BG Tampines’ 2-3 defeat to Albirex Niigata (S) at the Jalan Besar Stadium in the night’s other game, means the Sailors have now extended their lead at the top of the SPL to six points.
The last time these two teams met in the SPL back in July, the Cheetahs took a surprise early lead before the Sailors mounted a comeback to secure a comprehensive 7-1 victory.
Once again, it was Hougang who struck first on Saturday, when Stjepan Plazonja sent a cross in from the left to Shodai Yokoyama, who then squared the ball for Dejan Račić to tap the ball into the net from close range.
“I’m not happy that we conceded a goal again, especially as it was almost the same way that we conceded in our previous game against them,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković. “It wasn’t our best start, but maybe the international break slowed our momentum down.”
However, the Sailors did not take long to respond. In the 17th minute, Sailors captain Hariss Harun released Maxime Lestienne down the right with a chipped pass, and the Belgian delivered a perfectly-weighted cross for Song to score his first goal in eight matches across all competitions.
Just two minutes later, the hosts made it 2-1 through Lennart. Maxime Lestienne threaded a superb pass between two defenders for right-back Hafiz Nor, who delivered a low cross across the Hougang goal that the German forward comfortably slotted home.
With the wind up their sails, Ranko’s men pressed forward in search of a third goal. Hougang, however, proved a threat on the break, with Plazonja, in particular, proving a handful for the Sailors defence.
And Plazonja who came close to equalising in the 22nd minute when he latched onto a through ball and rounded Izwan Mahbud. But just as the Croatian was about to pull the trigger, the Sailors’ goalkeeper made a remarkable recovery and got his fingers to the ball to tip it out for a corner.
The Sailors responded almost immediately with a golden opportunity of their own. Maxime slipped a through ball to Song, who unselfishly tried to set up an onrushing Lennart, but the Hougang defence did just enough to clear the danger before the Sailors’ forward could get his shot away.
After a frenetic first half, the Sailors sought to control the tempo in the second 45 minutes, while also neutralising Hougang’s main threat, Plazonja.
Ranko explained, “Hougang was playing nine balls out of 10 to Plazonja, so knowing that, we had to be prepared to run and give him a bit more space when defending, rather than getting too close, because he’s very strong and fast. I think in the second half, we managed to control him better — he had one or two moments against us — but overall, I think the boys did a good job.”
Indeed, Plazonja was arguably fortunate not to see red after appearing to elbow Hariss in the box during a corner, with VAR ultimately deciding that the action did not warrant a sending-off.
The Sailors then secured a crucial third goal in the 68th minute, with Maxime delivering a precise curled cross that Lennart expertly finished past Hougang goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam. It marked Lennart’s 11th goal in Sailors colours and incredibly, Maxime’s 19th league assist of the campaign.
Maxime nearly completed a hat-trick of assists in the 76th minute when he dribbled past three defenders on the left before laying the ball off for Bart Ramselaar, whose powerful shot sailed over the crossbar.
Aside from a few half-chances, Hougang struggled to truly test the Sailors’ defence in the second half, with their most notable opportunity occurring in the 79th minute when Plazonja forced Izwan to make a save with a low shot to the near post.
Ultimately, the Sailors managed to see out the game with minimal fuss as they now turn their attention to the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two – in which they will play five matches between now and December.
Reflecting on the win, Lennart, who was named Man of the Match, said, “We had a tough start going 1-0 down; it wasn’t our best game, but we showed character to come back and secure the win. We’re happy with the three points — that’s what matters. Overall, our performances could be better, but we’re at the top now, and this is where we want to be.
“We have exciting games coming up in the ACL Two, and we look forward to them. Everyone will need to be at 100%. We need to focus and work hard, as these matches will be more challenging, but hopefully, if we prepare well, we can achieve some positive results.”
The Sailors will next take on Indonesian side Persib Bandung at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in the ACL Two on Thursday (24 October) night.
Although the Lion City Sailors faced a challenging schedule of five games in just 16 days in September, this intense run presented a valuable opportunity for certain players to prove themselves and stake their claim as key members of the team, as Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković rotated his squad to keep everyone fresh and injury-free.
One player who seized the opportunity with both hands was Haiqal Pashia. The 25-year-old started the Sailors’ last two Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches, as he helped his team to a 3-1 win over Balestier Khalsa and a hard-fought 2-2 draw with title rivals BG Tampines Rovers.
With the Sailors set to return to action this Saturday evening (19 October) after a two-week international break, Pashia hopes that his strong performances in the last two games will earn him another start against Hougang United at the Bishan Stadium.
“It’s been going well for me, and I’m feeling really good right now,” shared Pashia, whose previous 10 appearances in all competitions this season have come off the bench.
“After this match against Hougang, we have important away fixtures in the ACL (AFC Champions League) against Persib Bandung and Port FC coming up. There’ll definitely be opportunities for everyone to get involved, and it’s up to us to show Coach what we can contribute to the team.”
However, Pashia acknowledges the fierce competition for places in this Sailors team, which features several Singapore internationals and seasoned European campaigners. Yet, he insists that this only fuels his determination to prove his worth.
“I know getting minutes here is really tough because of the calibre of players we have, but as long as I train hard and keep myself fit, there’s a role for me in this team,” the former Singapore youth international said.
“During training, it’s always go-time because everyone’s fighting for their spots in the team — including myself. I’m always on my toes, ready to step up whenever I’m called upon.”
Patience, versatility, and words of encouragement from Ranko have all played a crucial role in Pashia’s quest for more game time. After starting on the left wing against Balestier, he was deployed in the unfamiliar position of right wing-back during a high-stakes clash with BG Tampines — and he rose to the challenge admirably.
“I was surprised when Coach put me there, especially since it’s been a while since I last played in that position — the last time was in a friendly against Borussia Dortmund back in November 2022,” Pashia revealed. “But I consider myself a versatile player, so I made sure to prepare thoroughly in the days leading up to the game.”
Reflecting on his performance, he added, “I thought I did okay, and Coach was a big part of that. He told me he was proud of how I played and encouraged me to keep it up.”
Pashia is now aiming to secure his third consecutive league start this weekend, but he’s well aware of the need for a rock-solid performance to overcome the rejuvenated Cheetahs, who have lost just once in their last six league matches, including three consecutive draws that have helped lift them out of the bottom two.
“We can’t take anything for granted, even though we’ve beaten them twice this season. They have physically imposing foreign players who can cause us problems, so we need to stick to our game plan — attack and defend as a unit, be clinical in front of goal, and make sure we finish our chances to get the win,” he emphasised.
With the Sailors currently holding a three-point lead in the SPL over second-placed BG Tampines, Pashia is urging his teammates to maintain their momentum before the league takes a break next month for the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
“The team spirit has been really high following some positive results in September, and we just want to keep our good run going. We’re focused on regaining our intensity and fitness for the important matches ahead,” he said.
Rasaq earns deserved maiden Lions call-up
Lion City Sailors striker Abdul Rasaq Akeem has been named alongside three other Sailors – Hariss Harun, Hami Syahin, and Izwan Mahbud – in Tsutomu Ogura’s 30-strong Singapore National Team squad that will travel to Japan for a training camp during the upcoming October international window.
This is Rasaq’s first-ever senior call-up, with the 23-year-old previously making appearances for the nation at the Under-23 level.
Rasaq has returned strongly from a year-long layoff due to a meniscus injury, and has scored two goals in three league appearances so far – with those strikes helping the Sailors to 6-0 and 3-1 wins over Tanjong Pagar United and Balestier Khalsa respectively.
Rasaq said he was honoured to get his first Lions call-up, and has vowed to go all out for the national cause.
“It’s every footballer’s dream to represent their senior national team, and I’m extremely honoured to get this call-up. I’ll work hard and show everyone further about my abilities,” he declared.
The Lions will play training matches against three J1 League clubs as part of their training camp as they continue preparations for the upcoming ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup in December.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that the 2024/25 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Group F match between the Lion City Sailors and Thai League 1 side Port FC at the BG Stadium tonight (3 October) was unable to take place due to adverse weather conditions and safety reasons.
The match has been rescheduled to take place at the same venue on Wednesday, 30 October at 8.00pm SGT.
After kicking off their 2024/25 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two campaign with an impressive 2-0 win over China’s Zhejiang Professional two weeks ago, the Lion City Sailors are aiming for another three points as they face 2023 Thai League 1 second runners-up Port FC at the BG Stadium on Thursday (3 October) night.
An established Thai League 1 side in Port
The Sailors’ task is easier said than done, however, as Port are one of the most established teams in the Thai top flight, having finished in the top-three in five out of their last six campaigns.
Last season, Port scored the most goals in the Thai League, netting 72 in 30 matches — two more than eventual champions Buriram United, despite finishing 12 points behind them.
This season, Port are among the frontrunners for the Thai League 1 title, currently sitting second in the table, four points behind league leaders Buriram, with four wins, three draws, and one loss.
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However, all their victories came in the first four games of the season. Since then, their domestic form has faltered, and they are currently winless in four matches, including a 2-1 defeat to fellow title contenders BG Pathum United.
Nonetheless, Port have started their ACL Two campaign with a gritty 1-0 win away at Indonesia’s Persib Bandung, secured by an 89th-minute goal from Brazilian forward Willen Mota. They currently sit second in Group F, trailing the Sailors on goal difference.
That win has fuelled belief among the Port ranks that they can achieve a historic qualification for the tournament’s last-16.
For now, however, Port’s Head Coach Rangsan Viwatchaichok — who has achieved 18 wins, 11 draws, and just four losses in 33 matches since taking over in November 2023 — is focused on what he anticipates will be a tightly contested encounter against the Sailors.
He said, “We’ve done our homework and know that the Sailors are the top team in Singapore. Both Thai and Singaporean football have progressed over the years, particularly at the club level. I believe it won’t be an easy game for either side, but it should be an enjoyable one. Since we’re playing at home, we hope to secure three points to boost our chances of qualifying.”
The Irfan Fandi factor
The immediate reaction from the wider Singapore football fraternity to the ACL Two draw was the prospect of Irfan Fandi facing a Singaporean side and reuniting with some familiar teammates from the national team on the pitch.
The 27-year-old admits he is looking forward to a tantalising battle with his compatriots.
“For me, playing in these types of big games is very important,” said Irfan, who has made six Thai League 1 appearances and one ACL Two start since signing for Port from BG Pathum in June.
“I won’t lie… When the draw came out and I saw the Sailors in the group, I was really happy. I’ve been joking with my friends and (national team) teammates from their team that we’d face each other one day, so it feels like a dream come true. It’ll be a really good, exciting game, and a great occasion — but importantly, I want to get the three points.”
Apart from Irfan, Port boasts several other top stars from Southeast Asia, including Indonesian right-back Asnawi Mangkualam, who played for three seasons in South Korea’s K League 2 from 2021 to 2023 before joining Port last year.
However, their biggest scoring threat is likely to come from Mota, who was signed after finishing last season as the Thai League 1’s second-highest scorer with 20 goals for Bangkok United.
The 32-year-old faced the Sailors twice in last year’s ACL, playing the full 90 minutes in both of Bangkok’s narrow victories: a 2-1 win and a 1-0 win against the Sailors.
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Port also have other options upfront, including former Buriram and Shanghai Shenhua forward Lonsana Doumbouya, and rising local prospect Teerasak Poeiphimai, who is the current joint-second highest scorer in Thai League 1 with five goals.
At the other end, their defence is marshalled by Danish-born Iraqi international Frans Putros and Swedish-born Thai full-back Kevin Deeromram, who is the league’s joint-second highest assist maker with four.
Sailors up for the fight
Despite Port’s quality, the Sailors are prepared to take the fight to their more favoured opponents, especially with the added motivation from their successful Matchday One performance.
Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković also believes his team can draw on their experiences from last season’s matches against Bangkok United to help them prepare for another strong Thai opponent in Port.
“Port and Bangkok are two different teams, but we can take some lessons from those games,” said Ranko.
“Some of the players they have are similar, and both sides have a lot of quality, especially their local players, who are mainly national team members. If we perform at the same level as last year, I think we can get a good result.”
As the Sailors wrap up a gruelling stretch of six matches in 20 days, defender Bailey Wright has backed his team to maintain the same commitment and desire they have displayed in recent weeks, as they look to head into the October international break on a high.
“We’re excited for the game. The ACL Two is a big stage, and we understand the level of competition we’re facing,” said the 32-year-old, who represented Australia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“But we’re confident after our strong start. Despite a tight schedule, we’ve refreshed ourselves both mentally and physically, and we’re ready to show what we’re capable of in this match.
“We’re representing the Sailors and Singapore, and that’s a massive motivation for us. With that comes the expectation, hunger, and desire to win. We know what we’re capable of, and it’s up to us as a team to make sure we work hard and compete because we have the quality.
“These are the moments you play football for – to face strong opponents in meaningful games, and we’re looking forward to it.”
It has been two weeks since the Lion City Sailors’ impressive 2-0 victory over China’s Zhejiang Professional in the 2024/25 AFC Champions League (ACL) – a result which saw them go top of Group F after Matchday One – but the encouragement and confidence that the team took from that result is still fresh in their minds.
This Thursday (3 October), the Sailors will be hoping to build on that momentum when they face Thai League 1 powerhouse Port FC at the BG Stadium on Matchday Two.
Port FC, who are currently second in Thai League 1 after eight rounds of matches, also won their opening ACL Two game with a gritty 1-0 victory against Persib Bandung.
Though many consider the Thai side favourites for the upcoming match, Sailors midfielder Hami Syahin has backed his team to take the fight to the more-fancied hosts.
“It was so important for us to start the campaign with a win – it boosted our morale tremendously, and we just want to keep this momentum going,” said the 25-year-old.
“Port will be another tough challenge for us; Thai teams generally have great technical ability and love to keep possession. But given our recent performances and results, we’re confident in ourselves, and hopefully, we can spring a surprise on Thursday night.”
As a key member of the Sailors squad competing in an AFC club competition for a third consecutive season, Hami firmly believes that the team is ready to take the next step in their progress.
Indeed, the 25-year-old is determined to help the Sailors make history by qualifying for the last 16 of the ACL Two — a feat that requires them to finish in the top two of their group.
“Quite a few of us have played in the ACL already over the past two years, where we took on and even beat some of the best teams in Asia. It’s a privilege for us to be competing on this prestigious stage, and as a team, we have the belief that we can get out of this group,” said Hami, who has started 17 of the Sailors’ 20 games in all competitions this season.
“All we have to do is follow our coach’s tactics, be more compact as a team, and compete for every point with everything that we have. We want to show everyone that we’re serious about this competition.”
Having started all three of the Sailors’ continental matches so far this season – with two appearances in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, and one in the ACL Two – Hami is looking forward to continuing playing an integral role in the heart of his team’s midfield.
The 74 minutes Hami completed in the victory against Zhejiang also meant that he has already surpassed the total playing time he accumulated across the 2022 and 2023 ACL campaigns combined, where he logged just 58 minutes.
And Hami is determined to seize this opportunity on the continental stage to learn as much as possible.
“To play at the highest level possible is what every footballer aspires to,” Hami, who has 23 caps for the Singapore national team, elaborated.
“Obviously, I was disappointed not to contribute more to the Sailors’ past ACL campaigns. So, I’m grateful for the chance to play more this season, and I’m not taking it for granted. I’m relishing every moment on the pitch, as it helps me become a more accomplished player.
“For example, the Zhejiang game was an eye-opener in terms of seeing first-hand how they were able to play out from the back with a much higher intensity. Playing against the best teams in this region also means that not much time is given to you as a midfielder. You always have to think two or three steps ahead and play with a quicker tempo.
“Also, in terms of physique, I’m quite a small player, so I have to be smart in knowing how to get away from the challenges, while continuing to play my game to help the team.”
An unused substitute in the Sailors’ 2-2 draw against BG Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) this past weekend, a well-rested Hami is eager to help the team secure a positive result against Port, allowing them to head into the October international break on a high.
“It was good to get a breather, especially with so many games in a short period recently,” Hami said. “But as Head Coach Ranko (Aleksandar Ranković) mentioned, he needs everyone in the squad, and we’re all ready to give our best when called upon.”
A brace from Shawal Anuar and a penalty save by Izwan Mahbud helped the Lion City Sailors secure a point against BG Tampines Rovers in a 2-2 draw in the Singapore Premier League (SPL)’s top-of-the-table fixture at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday (September 29) evening.
The Sailors forward both opened and finished the scoring on the night, with his stunning long-range strike in the 8th minute being a strong contender for goal of the season.
The draw maintains the Sailors’ three-point lead at the summit, and Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković, who made eight changes to his starting lineup, was proud of the players who made their opportunity count.
“It was a tough match against a good opponent,” said Ranko. “Of course, when you look at the starting lineup, there were many changes, including some positional adjustments.
“For example, (Haiqal) Pashia played as a right full-back, a position which he had never played before. I told my players I was proud of them — the way they performed and fought until the end. I believe it’s a well-deserved point.”
The Sailors came into this match with less than 72 hours of preparation time following their 5-0 away defeat to Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) FC in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup on Thursday (26 September) night.
Izwan, Bailey Wright, and Toni Datković were the only players to retain their spots in the starting lineup from the defeat in Hanoi, while Bart Ramselaar and Lennart Thy were left out of the matchday squad for this crucial fixture.
In contrast, BG Tampines – winless in their previous five matches in all competitions – named what was arguably their strongest starting XI for the match.
But it was the Sailors who drew first blood in the 8th minute, and in some style.
Shah Shahiran’s effort was charged down by Shawal, who accelerated past the Stags midfielder to reach the rebound, before striking the bouncing ball with his weaker foot from just beyond the centre circle, sending it flying over Syazwan Buhari in the BG Tampines goal.
The goal – Shawal’s 10th in the SPL this season – got the Sailors fans off their seats, but the forward insisted after the game that he is more focused on the team’s overall performance, rather than his individual achievements.
“I always strive to contribute in any way I can on the pitch. I’m happy for my teammates. To be honest, I don’t keep track of my goals; once the final whistle blows, I tend to forget about them,” remarked Shawal, who was named Man of the Match.
BG Tampines came close to finding the equaliser in the 32nd minute, but Seia Kunori’s effort was cleared off the line by Bailey.
Eight minutes later, Gavin Lee’s men had another golden opportunity to level the score when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Kyoga Nakamura by Bill Mamadou.
Up stepped BG Tampines’ top-scorer Boris Kopitović to take the penalty, but the Montenegrin’s spot-kick was well-saved by Izwan.
As such, the Sailors went into the dressing room with a slender 1-0 lead after an intriguing opening 45 minutes.
However, just four minutes after the restart, BG Tampines found themselves level – Glenn Kweh drove forward from the left before slipping a through pass for Faris Ramli, who slotted home from close range.
Just six minutes later, BG Tampines took the lead when Kunori’s shot deflected off Kopitović’s shoulder to wrong-foot a helpless Izwan in the Sailors goal.
Ranko’s immediate response to going behind was to bring on Maxime Lestienne, who nearly made an impact right away with two attempts that went over the bar, much to the frustration of the Sailors’ faithful.
At the other end of the pitch, Izwan was called into action once more, getting down smartly to tip away Kunori’s low attempt in the 84th minute to keep the Sailors in the game.
It was a stop that ultimately proved crucial for the Sailors, and Ranko was quick to praise the Singapore international for stepping up whenever he was called upon.
Ranko reflected, “I think the match could have gone either way today. But credit to our goalkeeper for stepping up to save a crucial penalty and making a few other good saves.
“When you consider the chances from both sides, particularly Maxime’s opportunities in the second half, those moments could have made a significant difference.”
Just three minutes later, the Sailors secured the crucial equaliser when Shawal leapt highest to head the ball just over the goal-line, despite Syazwan’s best efforts to stop it and the goal was eventually given after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check.
With 11 goals and 10 assists to his name, Shawal is the best-performing domestic player in the league this season and has already achieved career-best figures.
“Definitely, I will strive to assist or score even more goals to help my team make better decisions,” said the 33-year-old.
Given their recent fixture congestion and the tough run of games they have endured, claiming a draw against their closest title rivals was an acceptable result for the Sailors, according to Ranko.
“This draw was very important. We led 1-0, but they came back with two goals. We also saved a penalty in the first half. So, getting a draw keeps the points difference at three. That was our goal — not to lose this game,” he explained.
The Sailors will play their sixth match in 20 days when they travel to Thailand to face Port FC in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two on Thursday (3 October).
The Lion City Sailors will have less than 72 hours to brush themselves off from their bruising 5-0 defeat to Vietnam’s Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) FC in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup before returning to action on Sunday (29 September) evening, this time in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).
And the challenge awaiting them this weekend? None other than a high-stakes clash against title rivals BG Tampines Rovers at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The Sailors currently sit at the top of the SPL with 35 points, while the Stags trail just three points behind in second place.
While acknowledging that the short preparation time for a game of this magnitude is far from ideal, Sailors centre-back Toni Datković is still confident that his side can rise to the challenge.
“Yes, we don’t have much time to prepare, but we knew from the start of the season that we’d be competing in two regional competitions. We wouldn’t want it any other way — we want to be out there, competing at this higher level,” said the 30-year-old.
“So, we can’t use travel or fatigue as excuses. It’s all in the mind; we’ve physically prepared for this period, and we’re really looking forward to this game.”
The last time both sides met in mid-July, BG Tampines claimed a 5-0 victory, marking one of the Sailors’ lowest points of the season.
However, Toni insists the scoreline didn’t reflect the Sailors’ true quality, and he is eager to set things right in the return fixture.
The former LaLiga 2 man said, “Everything just went wrong for us in that match, and it was a painful result to take for sure. But I believe it was just a bad day in the office for us. We want to prove on Sunday that it was a one-off.”
Toni, however, acknowledged that they will need to focus on eliminating the errors that contributed to their heavy defeat against CAHN.
“The Shopee Cup is an international competition, so every mistake you make, opponents like CAHN will punish you,” Toni mused. “We made a lot of mistakes that night, and it shouldn’t happen. We have to learn and improve for our upcoming matches.”
Toni is expected to play an integral role in the heart of the Sailors’ defence against BG Tampines – a prospect that seemed highly unlikely just a month ago, following a rib injury he sustained in their match against Albirex Niigata (S).
Initially, it was feared that the injury would keep Toni out for a significant number of games. However, the man affectionately known as El Sicario returned after just a two-match absence, and has since completed the full 90 minutes in the Sailors’ last three games.
“They say Balkan guys are made different!” Toni quipped. “Yes, my recovery was faster than expected, but I feel really fit now. As I said, there’s no room for excuses.
“Every game means a lot to us… We want to beat Tampines because we know how much it means to our supporters.”
Sailors fall to second defeat in Shopee Cup
In what was arguably their toughest 2024/25 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup Group B fixture, the Lion City Sailors battled hard but still fell to a 5-0 defeat against V.League 1 powerhouses Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) FC in front of a 6,168-strong crowd at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium on Thursday (26 September) night.
It was the Sailors’ second consecutive defeat in the competition, following their loss to Borneo FC Samarinda in the opening fixture.
The loss leaves the Sailors’ hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the Shopee Cup hanging by a thread, but Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković is not giving up just yet.
“We still have three games in the Shopee Cup, two of them at home next January,” Ranko said. “Yes, it’s going to be tough for us, especially as we’re competing on multiple fronts with a lean squad. But it’s important that we do not mourn over this defeat, and instead prepare for the future.”
Ranko understandably opted for the same starting eleven that impressed in the Sailors’ 2-0 AFC Champions League (ACL) Two win over China’s Zhejiang Professional a week ago. It seemed to pay off initially, as the Sailors moved the ball fluidly, stringing together precise and controlled passes in the early stages of the game.
Indeed, despite going up against a strong CAHN side headlined by top Vietnamese star Nguyễn Quang Hải and led by former Thailand national team coach Mano Pölking, the Sailors were actually the ones to create the first real chances of the game.
Maxime Lestienne curled wide after a solo run just three minutes in, while Lennart Thy narrowly hooked Hafiz Nor’s deep cross off-target seven minutes later.
CAHN’s main threat came from the flanks, with their speedy full-backs Jason Quang-Vinh Pendant and Vũ Văn Thanh pushing forward in attack. The Sailors maintained a compact defensive shape though, limiting space and producing several last-ditch blocks, with veterans Hariss Harun and Hafiz particularly standing out.
However, the Sailors’ brave resistance was broken in the 30th minute, when Văn Thanh snuck in behind the right channel before squaring the ball across goal for Brazilian forward Léo Artur to tap home.
The goal did not dampen the Sailors’ spirit, and they nearly equalised seven minutes later through Maxime, who exchanged passes with Bart Ramselaar before firing an effort from range that just failed to find the back of the net.
Despite their best efforts to stay in the game, the Sailors — playing their fourth match in just 13 days — eventually fell further behind in the second half.
On the hour mark, CAHN doubled their lead through Nguyễn Đình Bắc’s powerful strike, before they added a third goal four minutes later, as Lê Văn Đô converted a rebound from a half-cleared corner.
CAHN made it 4-0 in the 69th minute, with Artur firing home a stunning long-range shot past Izwan Mahbud in the Sailors goal.
That was the cue for Ranko to ring the changes, as he withdrew the likes of Maxime, Hami Syahin and Lennart Thy, no doubt with a view to resting them ahead of the top-of-the-table Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash against BG Tampines Rovers which will take place in less than 72 hours’ time on Sunday (29 September).
Five minutes from time, Artur put the icing on the cake for CAHN as he completed his hat-trick to secure a 5-0 win for his team.
Reflecting on the heavy defeat, Ranko identified CAHN’s second goal as the turning point in what had been a closer game than many had anticipated.
“I believe we conceded a couple of cheap and easy goals, particularly the second, third, and fourth,” he said. “We certainly didn’t expect this result. We were a bit unlucky; after the first goal, we played solidly, but once the second goal went in, we knew it would be an uphill battle.
“Honestly, I think we could have performed better on the ball, as there were plenty of spaces to exploit, but we couldn’t find them. Overall, CAHN played well as a team.”
The Sailors will turn their attention to the crunch SPL clash against BG Tampines on Sunday, before travelling to Thailand to face Port FC four days later (3 October) in the ACL Two.
After kickstarting September with three wins in as many matches, the Lion City Sailors face arguably their toughest challenge of the month yet, when they take on V.League 1 powerhouses Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) FC away at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium on Thursday (26 September) in Matchday Two of the 2024/25 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup.
A CAHN outfit littered with talent
Having qualified for this tournament as the 2023 V.League 1 champions, CAHN has several established Vietnamese national players in the ranks.
Nguyễn Quang Hải – who used to ply his trade in France’s Ligue 2 with Pau FC – is undoubtedly their biggest star, but they also boast the likes of experienced full-back Vũ Văn Thanh, Czech-born goalkeeper Filip Nguyễn, and reliable forward Phan Văn Đức.
These players are backed up by a complement of quality foreigners brought in during the off-season, such as Brazilian attacking trio Vitao, Leo Arthur, and Alan Grafite, as well as half-Vietnamese full-back Jason Quang-Vinh Pendant.
CAHN’s quality was on show on Matchday 1 of the ACC Shopee Cup, as they stunned pre-tournament favourites Buriram United 2-1 on a rain-soaked night at Hàng Đẫy.
However, CAHN has since lost the services of Grafite – who was the second-highest scorer in the 2023/24 V.League 1 season, and who netted a goal and assisted another against Buriram – due to a long-term injury sustained a couple of weeks before the start of the new domestic season.
Nonetheless, CAHN Head Coach Mano Pölking is confident that his team has the quality to compensate for Grafite’s absence.
“As you know, we’re missing an important player in Alan,” Pölking said. “He scored many goals for us during pre-season, and also last season with his former club. We’re now working on solutions, but I believe it’s just a matter of time. We have quality players, and we can create chances. Hopefully, tomorrow we’ll convert those chances into goals.”
Pölking’s insider knowledge
In Pölking, CAHN has a tactician who knows Singaporean players well from his tenure as Thailand’s national team Head Coach between 2021 to 2023. During that time, he faced Singapore twice – most recently in a 3-1 win over the Lions at Singapore’s National Stadium last November.
Song Uiyoung teed up Shawal Anuar – two of seven Sailors who featured that night – for the Lions’ only goal of that game. The other Sailors who played in that game included captain Hariss Harun, Lionel Tan, Anumanthan Kumar, and Christopher van Huizen.
Pölking believes his knowledge of Singaporean players could work to his advantage.
“I know the Sailors’ players well, and some of them have also played in the Thai League like Izwan Mahbud. They’re experienced and have participated in many international games,” said the 48-year-old Brazilian, who took charge as CAHN head coach on a two-year contract in June.
“Hariss Harun, for example, is a legend – a good player and a good guy. I hope this familiarity helps with my analysis of the team. It’s advantageous to play against players you’re familiar with, so I hope we can find a good strategy.
“The Sailors are a strong team… accustomed to dominating their league and winning, which brings confidence and fosters a positive dressing room atmosphere – both of which are crucial in football.
“However, I believe in our team’s ability to compete with them. We’ve already analysed their strengths and identified areas where we can exploit opportunities. With our fans here to support us, I’m confident we’ll see a great game between two strong teams.”
While Pölking enjoyed a dream start to life at CAHN by beating Buriram in his first competitive match in charge of the club, he has struggled to get his team purring in their first two V.League 1 matches of the new season.
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They were held to a 1-1 draw by Hải Phòng on Matchday 1 – conceding a heartbreaking 94th-minute equaliser – and fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Đông Á Thanh Hóa this past weekend, as they continue to wait for a first domestic win of the season.
However, Pölking insists it’s still too early in the season to make any definitive judgements about his team.
“We’re not satisfied with just one point from two games. We need to analyse our performance and identify areas for improvement. But it’s too soon to call this a bad start. I hope that tomorrow we can build on a solid performance in the competition, which will boost our confidence.”
A Sailors side in buoyant mood
With the Sailors falling to a 3-0 away loss to Borneo FC Samarinda on Matchday One of the Shopee Cup, they will be eager to get their first points of the tournament against CAHN.
While a star-studded CAHN side prove a stern challenge, the Sailors have been buoyed by their recent performances and results, with back-to-back Singapore Premier League (SPL) victories over Tanjong Pagar United and Balestier Khalsa sandwiching a stunning 2-0 triumph over China’s Zhejiang Professional in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two.
Ranko has urged his team to maintain their winning momentum against CAHN.
“The target is always to get the three points,” he declared. “We dropped points in the first game against Borneo, but we were a bit unlucky as we played with 10 men. Now, if we want to progress in this competition, we have to get a result here.
“We know it won’t be easy. They play a very direct style, and they have a lot of quality players, many from abroad. If I compare them to the other teams in the group, they might be our toughest opponent, especially in their style of play. So it’s going to be a tough match, but we’ll give our all to get a result. They also come into this strong from their last match in the Shopee Cup, but we’re ready for the challenge.”
Sailors goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, who has started the last nine games in all competitions, added, “It’s always tough playing away, but if we stick to the plan — we’ve trained hard, and we’ve had some good results recently, including in the ACL Two. We just need to carry that momentum forward, and hopefully, tomorrow will be a good game for us.”
