Author: Lion City Sailors
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team rounded off the month of May with another big victory, extending their winning streak to seven games as they thrashed BG Tampines Rovers 9-0 on Saturday (18 May) evening at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
The result means the Sailors will head into the month-long international break with a perfect record, while maintaining their three-point lead at the top of the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) table.
Equally impressive is that, with goals from Ho Hui Xin and Yuvika Suresh on Saturday, the Sailors now boast 14 different goalscorers this season, showcasing their diverse attacking threats.
Indeed, it was 15-year-old Yuvika who opened the scoring for the Sailors against Tampines in the sixth minute, tapping home Josephine Ang’s lay-off from close range to give her side the lead.
Reflecting on her goal, Yuvika, one of seven teenagers promoted from the club’s Girls Academy this season, said, “I didn’t expect the ball to come to me because I thought Josephine was going to take the shot. But I usually still make the run in case I need to get to the second ball. So when Josephine passed the ball to me, I knew I had to get a good connection on it.”
Josephine then turned from provider to goalscorer, scoring twice in quick succession. While her first strike was a straightforward finish from a Nur Syazwani Ruzi assist, her second goal, a long-range free-kick, was particularly eye-catching.
The match was as good as over as a contest by half-time, but the Sailors emerged from the break wanting more.
Within four minutes of the restart, Hui Xin scored her first goal of the season as she curled the ball into the bottom right corner after being teed up by Yuvika.
It was clear from Hui Xin’s exuberant celebrations that the goal meant a lot to her. She said, “Almost everyone has scored this season! We’ve been working a lot on shooting in training so it’s very satisfying to get a goal. I definitely hope to get on the scoresheet more this season.”
With the wind firmly in their sails, Daniel Ong’s side went onto rack up the goals with Cara Chang, current WPL top scorer Raeka Ee, Dorcas Chu and Madison Telmer all contributing to the scoreline to give it a shinier gloss.
When asked about the reasons behind the Sailors’ recent impressive form, Hui Xin attributed it to the team’s effective communication on the pitch and their disciplined positioning.
“We reminded each other that instructions should be communicated on the pitch to keep the game flowing. Whether you’re a senior or junior player, it’s important to speak up and provide guidance to your teammates,” she elaborated.
“It ensures that we all know what’s going on at all times, and move cohesively as a unit. As midfielders, we have a wide view of the pitch, so we can facilitate team movements effectively.
“This cohesion, supported by effective communication, within the midfield is crucial for the team. We play a pivotal role in coordinating attacks by moving forward together and in defensive situations by dropping back. Essentially, we act as the engine that drives the team forward.”
Despite the big win, Hui Xin is confident that the Sailors can still improve, and believes that the upcoming break will be the perfect opportunity for the team to refine their tactics even further.
She said, “It’s inevitable that there’ll be gaps in our formation when we attack due to our high-pressing style of play. We need to work on keeping possession better to prevent counter attacks.”
The Sailors will next take on Geylang International on Sunday, 23 June at ITE College East.
The relief on the Lion City Sailors bench at the end of what should have been a straightforward 90 minutes was palpable.
After all, the scoreline at the Bishan Stadium may have read 3-1 in favour of the Sailors over the Young Lions, but there was no mistaking the fact that on another day, the outcome could easily have been very different.
Ultimately, though, it was the Sailors’ tenacity, determination, and quality – especially in the final third – that made the difference, as Aleksandar Ranković’s men survived going down to 10 men to maintain their winning start to the 2024/2025 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season.
Playing in front of their home fans for the first time this season, the Sailors flew out of the blocks and dominated proceedings early on, with Hariss Harun and new signing Bart Ramselaar both coming close to opening the scoring.
It took just 19 minutes for the home side to make the breakthrough, as Shawal Anuar was set free down the left, and his pinpoint cross into the box was expertly volleyed by Maxime Lestienne past the despairing reach of Young Lions goalkeeper Umayr Sujuandy.
Bart – a constant threat to the Young Lions defence throughout the game – nearly doubled the Sailors’ lead just two minutes later, but his shot from the left was well kept out by Umayr.
But the Sailors did not have to wait too long for their next goal. In the 23rd minute, Bart found Maxime in acres of space down the right, and the Belgian sent an inviting low cross into the six-yard box for Shawal to tap the ball into an unguarded net.
Racing into an early two-goal lead, there were many at the Bishan Stadium who expected the Sailors to go on and rack up a heavy victory.
However, they allowed the Young Lions to settle into the affair and assert control over the game, much to Ranko’s chagrin.
“We started pretty well, got a 2-0 lead, then we just started doing some things that I wasn’t satisfied with,” Ranko said after the game. “I told the boys this is not the level we want to see. Of course, we’re happy with three points, but I’m not happy with how the team responded after going two goals up.”
Ranko’s misgivings turned out to be justified, as the visitors eventually reaped the rewards for their efforts in the third minute of first-half stoppage time.
A long punt from defence set Itsuki Enomoto through on goal, but the 23-year-old had his ankles clipped by a recovering Bailey Wright before he could get his shot away.
A penalty was initially awarded to the Young Lions for the infringement, but after a lengthy VAR review, it was found that contact was made just outside the box, and a free-kick was given instead.
However, this also meant that Bailey, as the Sailors’ last man, was handed his marching orders for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
With a numerical advantage, the Young Lions emerged from the break with renewed vigour, almost halving the deficit within just two minutes. A cross from the left found substitute Raoul Suhaimi unmarked at the far post, but the 18-year-old completely fluffed his shot, sending the ball harmlessly wide for a goal kick.
Three minutes later, Rashid Hayek flicked a header that found Enomoto in a dangerous position. However, the Japanese striker was unable to generate enough power or accuracy in his header to beat Sailors goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad from close range.
The misses proved costly for the Young Lions, as in the 57th minute, the Sailors got the all-important third goal through Bart, whose deflected effort at the end of yet another devastating counter-attack looped over Umayr and into the back of the net.
“It was a really important goal because in the second half, they (Young Lions) played really well. We were one man down as well, so it was difficult for us, and I think that the goal came at a good moment because they had a few chances in the second half,” reflected the former PSV Eindhoven man.
Despite the setback, the Young Lions continued to press on, and they finally got on the scoresheet in the 64th minute through captain Farhan Zulkifli, who nodded home from close range after capitalising on a well-placed header from Kan Kobayashi into the six-yard box.
The Young Lions had another golden opportunity to reduce the deficit eight minutes from time, as former Sailor Nur Adam Abdullah raced to the byline on the left before sending in a low, hard cross into the box. However, Zharfan just managed to get a touch on the ball to disrupt an onrushing Enomoto, who slid in but somehow failed to divert the ball into the back of an empty net.
Minutes later, another dangerous cross from the left found Jun Kobayashi unmarked in the box, but his header sailed just wide of the post, as the Sailors hung on to secure a valuable win that keeps them top of the SPL.
It was a battling victory that Ranko believes showed the strength of character of this Sailors side.
“I have to compliment the boys for the character they showed because it’s not easy to play with 10 men, especially against this Young Lions team,” said Ranko.
“They (Young Lions) might still lack experience, but I’m certain they are going to pose problems for other teams in the league. However, I think we defended well, and it was important that we managed to score even with a man down.”
Bart, who was named Man of the Match, echoed Ranko’s sentiments, but added that the Sailors were always confident of getting the win.
“I wouldn’t say we were worried (that the Young Lions would equalise), but we knew we had to work very hard,” the Dutchman elaborated. “We did give them maybe too many chances in the second half, although I think we also created some good opportunities for ourselves.
“What certainly helped us was the wonderful atmosphere created by our fans – we were all motivated to fight and get the three points for them.”
The Sailors will have a short break in between matches, with their next SPL game scheduled for 15 June after the international break as they take on Brunei DPMM away at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.
With six wins out of six this season, and a whopping 36 goals scored, the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team have clearly shown that they deserve to be where they are in the 2024 Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) table — right at the very top.
Their success, however, has not just been predicated on the team’s ruthlessness in front of goal. With just one goal conceded so far — which came against title rivals Albirex Niigata (S) in a 2-1 win in March — the Sailors’ defence has played its part in the team’s impressive start to their campaign.
According to Sailors wing-back Khairunnisa Anwar, the solidity of the team’s defence can be attributed to their discipline, both in and out of possession.
“We’ve been moving together as one defensive line, ensuring that there are no gaps for attackers to exploit,” she explained.
“Each player covers for their teammates by providing support and protection in case someone is beaten or pulled out of position. This level of discipline requires constant communication, anticipation of opponents’ movements, as well as a strong understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities.”
It helps that some of the team’s more experienced players, including captain Umairah Hamdan and vice-captain Nur Syazwani Ruzi, play in defence, allowing them to mentor the younger players in the backline.
As a result, players like Seri Nurinsyirah and Tyan Foong — who were recently promoted from the academy to the senior squad — along with Tia Foong, have benefited and flourished under the leadership and guidance of Umairah and Wani.
This is especially important as maintaining a strict, defensive shape, while pressing the opponents high up the pitch, requires every member of the Sailors backline to be focused and on the same wavelength.
“Maintaining defensive shape is a key instruction for the defenders. Even when we play with a back three, it’s crucial for them to stay compact and organised to make it difficult for opponents to create scoring opportunities,” the 21-year-old shared.
“We also focus a lot on bypassing opposition lines by playing out from the back. By having a high-pressure attacking style, it means we have a lot of space to bring the ball out, so we’re encouraged to initiate attacks from deep.”
One tactical shift that Sailors Women Head Coach Daniel Ong has made this season is to line up with a back-three, which allows them to play on the front-foot and try to win the ball in the opponent’s half.
This has enabled the Sailors’ attack to thrive, as forward Cara Chang elaborated, “We have a lot of trust in our defenders’ ability to regain possession.
“As such, we’re a lot less worried about losing the ball, so we are more confident in trying new things. Paired with the strength of our defence, our new formation has helped us to score more goals as we are now attacking with more players.”
Up next for the Sailors is a clash against eighth-placed BG Tampines Rovers on Saturday (18 May) evening at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
This will be the Sailors’ last match before a month-long break, and while the team is on a good run of form, both Cara and Nisa have warned against complacency.
“We remain fully focused on the next game and have maintained our intensity in training throughout the week. We are determined to extend our winning run, and we are absolutely committed to avoiding any hint of complacency,” declared 15-year-old Cara.
Echoing Cara’s sentiment, Nisa added, “We’ve been focusing on our high pressing, pushing up the wingers and fullbacks. Hopefully it’ll disrupt the opponent’s build-up play, force turnovers in dangerous areas, and create scoring opportunities for us.”
As the Lion City Sailors’ new signings this season, the likes of Bart Ramselaar, Obren Kljajić, and Toni Datković have all garnered attention in the club’s first two games, with fans excited to see what they have to offer for the campaign ahead.
But while attention has been focused on the club’s high-profile signings, one player has quietly gone about his business in the middle of the park: Hami Syahin.
The midfielder cut a mature and composed presence in the heart of the Sailors team, as he completed the full 90 minutes in both the Community Shield win against Albirex Niigata (S) on 4 May, as well as the league-opening victory over Hougang United a week later.
Having seemingly established himself as the fulcrum of the Sailors’ midfield, Hami is determined to ensure that he continues to keep his place in the team for the rest of the season.
“It’s not easy to compete with players like Anu (M Anumanthan), Rui (Pires), Song (Uiyoung), and Adam (Swandi) in the midfield positions. So, whenever I have the chance, I’ll try to prove myself and show what I can offer,” said the 25-year-old, who has made 145 appearances in all Singapore domestic competitions.
Hami enjoyed an encouraging campaign last year, making a total of 23 league appearances — the highest since his professional debut in 2016.
However, he played only a bit-part role in last season’s Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) campaign, making just four appearances off the bench.
Having had a taste of what it is like to play at the highest level, Hami knows he will have to work hard and improve to help the Sailors as they compete in the brand new second-tier ACL Two competition later this year.
He elaborated, “You don’t have a lot of time on the ball when you’re playing in a competition like the ACL; you need to be smarter in your positioning and think two steps ahead about what you want to do. That’s what I’ve been working on to try and be a better player for the team.”
For Hami, being able to learn from Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković — an accomplished midfielder in his playing days — has also helped him progress in his game.
“Coach Ranko and (Assistant) Coach Marko Perović know their stuff in midfield; they’re always trying to guide us and give us more tips,” the Singapore international shared. “I always try to apply whatever they’ve been teaching in my game.”
Hami also acknowledged that having capable teammates to rely on has given him the confidence to assert himself during games.
“It helps when I’m playing in a team where there’s the likes of Bailey (Wright) and Toni behind me,” Hami reflected. “With them around, I feel confident in doing what I do best – playing good passes and creating space for our attackers. Collectively, we’ve been able to produce what Coach Ranko wants us to display, and we have to continue in this manner.”
The Sailors’ next fixture is their first home match of the season, where they will host the Young Lions at Bishan Stadium on Saturday (18 May) evening.
Hami warned that the Young Lions, now with a revamped squad featuring four Japanese players alongside top local talents like Farhan Zulkifli, Nur Adam Abdullah, and Khairin Nadim, will be no pushovers.
Nazri Nasir’s side also announced a fifth foreign signing earlier in the week in former Western United centre-back Rashid Hayek.
“The Young Lions are undoubtedly a much-improved side from last season, as they have several players with significant experience in the SPL,” said Hami. “It would be foolish for us to underestimate them, so we must give our all in this game to secure the win.
“Last year, we had a strong record at home, and we aim to carry this momentum into the current season. Our focus is on delivering a dominant performance and creating exciting moments on the pitch for our fans to savour.”
On paper, it looked to be a tricky fixture for the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team.
After all, Still Aerion had made an impressive start to the season, and was unbeaten in three Deloitte Singapore Women’s Premier League (WPL) games (two wins and one draw).
But at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Saturday (11 May) night, the Sailors’ quality shone through once again, as they ended Aerion’s unbeaten streak with a comfortable 4-0 victory to remain top of the WPL standings on 18 points.
The Sailors are three points ahead of their closest rivals, Albirex Niigata (S), who recorded an impressive 14-0 win over Balestier Khalsa earlier in the day.
While Albirex’s heavy win put the pressure back on the Sailors, Daniel Ong’s side remained calm and composed when they took to the field against Aerion.
Indeed, all that the Sailors squad was focusing on was playing their own game.
“We weren’t really concerned about Albirex’s result; our main focus was on getting the three points. As a team, we did well in our possession, and followed the game plan closely,” Sailors Captain Umairah Hamdan said.
Having also beaten Albirex and third-placed Hougang United earlier this season, Umairah believes the Sailors are only growing stronger with each game.
She elaborated, “Confidence is growing, especially among the younger players who are eager to step up even more than they already have. The passes within the team are getting better, leading to smarter runs and decisions. Additionally, we want to work towards scoring more goals to put some distance between us and Albirex in terms of goal difference.”
It took all of 13 minutes for the Sailors to strike on the night, and unsurprisingly, it was the league’s current top scorer, Raeka Ee, who made the decisive contribution.
The 20-year-old latched onto Madison Telmer’s perfectly weighted pass before coolly tapping the ball home from close range for her ninth goal of the season.
The Sailors continued to threaten the Aerion goal, but it was only in the 37th minute that they were able to double their lead, with Nur Syazwani Ruzi converting from the penalty spot after Aerion’s Bernice Lim was penalised for handling the ball in the box.
Any faint hopes of an Aerion comeback were promptly quashed three minutes into the second half, when Umairah’s hopeful free-kick from distance skidded on the wet pitch and wrongfooted the Aerion goalkeeper to give the Sailors a three goal lead.
Umairah made it 4-0 in similar fashion 13 minutes later, as her shot from distance bounced over the Aerion goalkeeper and ended up in the back of the net.
Reflecting on her goals, Umairah stated, “I usually take the free kicks for the team, and I’m quite good with the long balls. The goals just came naturally to me, but it was still quite thrilling. As a center back, my primary responsibility is to prevent goals, so being able to contribute offensively is a bonus.”
Despite the Sailors’ overall dominance, Aerion – boosted by the return of experienced Thai international Sunisa Srangthaisong after the lifting of a four-match suspension – occasionally posed a threat to Beatrice Tan in the Sailors goal.
One such moment occurred in the 59th minute, when Beatrice rushed off her line to smother a loose ball before an onrushing Carmen Calisto could get to it.
“I saw her coming and honestly I was a little scared as she showed no sign of slowing down,” Beatrice recounted. “My instinct was to just go for the ball even though it was a 50-50, but I knew I had to also protect myself. I was so relieved after collecting the ball.”
Having kept Aerion out, the Sailors have now recorded five clean sheets in six games, with their only blemish coming in a 2-1 win over Albirex in March.
Umairah attributed the Sailors’ defensive solidity to the team’s collective willingness to support and cover for each other. She elaborated, “If someone lets the ball through our defence, there’s always someone else to help cover for the mistake. We never give up because we are confident we can still recover the ball.”
Echoing Umairah’s sentiments, Beatrice added, “We always reassure each other not to worry about leaving our position because someone’s always going to be there to cover. Nobody ever blames another player. Whoever’s recovering the ball knows to delay while everyone else gets back to support. That shows both team spirit and good work rate.”
The Sailors will next turn their attention to BG Tampines Rovers, who they will play next Saturday (18 May) at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
The Lion City Sailors’ fixtures for the inaugural 2024/25 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup have been confirmed by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), with three out of the five group-stage matches to be played away from home.
Aleksandar Ranković’s men will start off with trips to Indonesia and Vietnam to face Borneo FC Samarinda on 22 August and 2023 V.League 1 champions Công An Hà Nội FC on 26 September respectively, before playing at home in their following two matches.
The Sailors will host 2023 Malaysia FA Cup runners-up Kuala Lumpur City on 9 January 2025, before welcoming Thai heavyweights Buriram United to Singapore a fortnight later on 23 January.
Hariss Harun and company will then conclude Group B with a visit to the Philippines to face Kaya FC–Iloilo on 6 February 2025, as they look to finish amongst the group’s top two teams to progress into the two-legged semi-finals scheduled for next April.
The exact timings and stadium venues will be announced at a later date. For now, lock those dates in, Sailors fans!
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In honour of Mother’s Day, we shine the spotlight on Madam Samsinah Hassan, who has taken on the dual roles of both mother and father to our Sailor, Nur Muhammad Asis, since her husband passed away earlier this year.
Madam Samsinah Hassan appeared visibly nervous in front of the cameras, but she immediately relaxed when her son, Sailors midfielder Nur Muhammad Asis, asked her about his childhood.
“You’re actually a ‘gembeng’ (Malay word for crybaby) boy, you know?” replied the 52-year-old, as Asis looked on wistfully at her.
“You used to cry over all the small things, so I was surprised to see how tough you are on the pitch… When the ball hits you or someone gives you a strong tackle, you just stand up and continue playing.”
Indeed, Asis has come a long way from being a ‘gembeng’ boy to becoming one of the most promising talents in Singapore football, as evidenced by his promising career trajectory thus far.
At the tender age of 19, Asis made his debut for the Sailors’ first team, showcasing his talent against Tanjong Pagar United in a Singapore Premier League (SPL) match in July 2023. Two months later, he was called up to represent Singapore at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-23 Asian Cup.
Following his completion of mandatory National Service at the end of last year, he became the first player from the Sailors Elite Academy to sign a professional contract with the club.
Now, Asis is set on establishing himself as a key member of Aleksander Ranković’s squad.
Elegant on the ball and boasting bags of technical ability, it is clear that Asis has the potential to achieve big things in the game in the future.
However, Asis’s talent in the game might not have been realised if it were not for the support of Mdm Samsinah, who initially took a while to come around to the idea but eventually backed his aspirations – both emotionally and financially – to become a professional footballer.
“Asis was really crazy about football since he was two years old, but I wasn’t sure about him pursuing it, as he was quite a small child, even when he went to Primary School. So, I thought I’ll just allow him to play football recreationally,” Mdm Samsinah recounted.
It was only after Sailors Academy Technical Director Luka Lalić – then a coach at Turf City Football Club – spoke to Mdm Samsinah to convince her of Asis’s talent that she relented, and allowed him to further his development in the game from seven years old onwards.
“Luka was really sincere, so I finally allowed him to go, even though it was far for us to send him from our house in Pasir Ris to Turf City a few times a week for training,” said Mdm Samsinah.
“He also went to Europe for overseas attachments a few times, which meant we had to fork out extra time and money for that. It was tough on us, but we happily did it because we wanted to support his dream.”
It proved to be the right decision, as Asis’s talent and potential became increasingly evident as he matured, garnering attention from European clubs such as Feyenoord and Galatasaray in 2016 when he was just 12. He then went on to join the Sailors Academy four years later, where he was reunited with Luka.
However, Asis’s life took a devastating turn earlier this year when his father, Mr Junaidi Karim, tragically passed away at the age of 55. This loss came just eight months after Mr Karim was diagnosed with Stage Four gastroesophageal junction (GOJ) cancer.
GOJ cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer that occurs where the oesophagus meets the stomach. It can significantly impact a person’s ability to eat and swallow solid and dry foods.
Mr Junaidi’s passing not only meant the loss of their family’s primary breadwinner, but also deprived Asis of his “biggest supporter and advisor” in life.
“His dad was always there for him… Whenever Asis came back from a game, his father would offer him advice on what he should or shouldn’t do, how he could improve, and so on. As for me, I may not understand the game as much, so I can only act as his cheerleader,” shared Mdm Samsinah.
Watching his once-rugged dad weaken day by day was a heart-wrenching experience for Asis, and it naturally took him some time to come to terms with the reality of his passing.
Asis, with two married sisters, has also had to step into the role of the proverbial ‘man of the family’, and assume the weighty responsibilities of caring for his mother.
“I’m the only son and guy in the family, so it’s only right that I’m the one taking care of my mum. I have to watch over her, make sure she’s well, and most importantly, make sure she’s not feeling too lonely. I want to ease her burdens as much as possible, and I’ve been trying to spend more time at home with her as well,” said Asis, who is now 20.
Similarly, Mdm Samsinah, a senior logistics coordinator at DHL, has taken on the dual responsibility of being both father and mother to her children following her husband’s passing. However, she acknowledges the near-impossible nature of this task.
“I’ve been trying to fill the void left by my husband, but I know there are certain things that I won’t be able to advise or help with,” she reflected. “So, sometimes I enlist the support of my son-in-law or brother-in-law to talk to Asis.
“I just want him to know that I’m always here to support him when he needs me, whether in football or in life.”
The Lion City Sailors set sail on their 2024/2025 Singapore Premier League (SPL) campaign with a clinical 4-1 victory over Hougang United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday (10 May) night.
Sailors Head Coach Aleksander Ranković made two changes from the line-up that started last Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Albirex Niigata (S) in the Community Shield, with Adam Swandi and Chris van Huizen coming into the team in place of Song Uiyoung and the suspended Lionel Tan.
Maiden goals in blue for new signings Bart Ramselaar and Obren Kljajić, as well as strikes from Shawal Anuar and Adam, capped off a thrilling SPL opening night for the Sailors and set the pace for their title charge.
Shawal, in particular, was in fine form for the Sailors, as the ex-Cheetah came away from the game with a goal and an assist to continue his strong start to the season.
The 33-year-old struck the opening goal the last time out to set the tone for the Community Shield triumph.
Earlier this week, Ranko made it unequivocally clear that his team would not underestimate Hougang. This was evident from the first whistle, as the Sailors started the game with intent, maintaining possession and creating numerous promising opportunities within the opening minutes.
Bart shone as the Sailors’ primary attacking outlet, with his intelligent runs into the box causing all sorts of confusion among the Hougang defence.
Unsurprisingly, it was Bart who opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, with the former PSV Eindhoven man burying Maxime Lestienne’s cross to make it 1-0 to the Sailors.
The Sailors did not have to wait long to extend their lead. Three minutes later, Shawal controlled Hariss Harun’s lofted pass from midfield with a skillful flick, took it round Hougang defender Ensar Brunčević, and calmly finished past Hougang goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam.
Shawal, who now has two goals in as many games, said, “I’m always looking to give my best every game and trying to provide what the team needs. It’s not easy for me to play up front, but it’s a challenge I enjoy. Every goal I score is a bonus.”
Despite the strong start, the Sailors saw their lead halved in the 34th minute, after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled that Toni Datković had pushed Hougang forward Hazzuwan Halim in the box.
Hazzuwan brushed himself off to take the spot-kick, and though his initial effort was well saved by Sailors custodian Zharfan Rohaizad, he reacted quickest to tuck home the rebound from close range to give his side a lifeline heading into the break.
But the Sailors quickly thwarted any notion of Marko Kraljević’s side launching a comeback in the second-half, as they scored their all-important third goal in the 59th minute.
Once again, it was Shawal at the heart of the goal, as he threaded a pinpoint through pass for Adam, who coolly placed the ball into the bottom corner.
With a two-goal buffer, the Sailors sought to control the rest of the game and keep Hougang at arms’ length.
The Sailors ultimately put the game to bed in the 88th minute, when Zaiful parried Bart’s volley into the feet of Obren, who smashed the ball into an empty net before wheeling away in celebration of his first goal for the club.
When asked about Obren’s performance, Ranko praised the 20-year-old’s versatility and willingness to adapt.
“He’s such a multi-functional player for us,” Ranko mused. “As you can see, he can play in front, left-back, winger. So, I think he’s adjusted really well to what the team needs.”
Now with an unassailable 4-1 lead, the Sailors handed a debut to 2023 FAS Centre of Excellence Under-21 league top scorer Kian Jared Ghadessy, who came on in the 91st minute alongside M Anumanthan and Nur Muhammad Asis in a triple substitution.
While the Sailors might have made the perfect start to the SPL season with this victory and performance, Ranko was keen to emphasise to his charges that it is crucial they do not rest on their laurels.
“Everybody says that we are favourites (for the SPL), and of course that’s the pressure we have to deal with,” he said. “But it’s a long season, and I want to see consistency (throughout a game), which is exactly what the team has shown today.”
The Sailors will look to maintain their winning momentum when they host Young Lions next Saturday (18 May) at Bishan Stadium in their first home match of the 2024/25 season.
While the common saying, ‘If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it’, may ring true for some situations, it is not a mantra the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team will be adhering to any time soon.
It may sound counter-intuitive, especially in the aftermath of a historic 18-0 victory over Balestier Khalsa in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL), but the Sailors are working on reinventing themselves this season, according to Head Coach Daniel Ong.
After all, while the Sailors may be unbeaten in two years – securing back-to-back WPL trophies in the process – they have aspirations that extend beyond just domestic success.
In particular, Daniel’s charges are hoping to test themselves against the best in the region, with the Sailors bidding to feature in the inaugural AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Women’s Champions League, which commences in August this year.
“We’ve set our eyes beyond the WPL, and our ambition is to play in the AFC Women’s Champions League,” the 35-year-old declared.
“The girls have been doing well so far, but time and again, I want us to keep setting higher standards amongst ourselves. We don’t want to be a predictable team, so we’re always trying out new things to improve even further.”
The 18-goal demolition of Balestier last Saturday (4 May) night exemplified the relentless hunger of the Sailors, who currently lead the WPL standings with a perfect record of five wins in as many matches.
Their impressive run of form and performances is all the more remarkable considering the Sailors’ radical squad transformation in the off-season, as they transitioned to a predominantly youthful side.
Daniel, however, has backed his young squad to confidently overcome any challenges that they come across this season.
“Our team this season may be young, but they’re full of fighters. They’re all players who want to prove their qualities and be given a chance to be amongst the starting 11 every week,” Daniel asserted.
“Competition for places may be fierce, but I can see the girls always have each other’s back regardless of who starts and all of them are ready when called upon.”
Next up for the Sailors is a tricky fixture this Saturday (11 May) night against Still Aerion, who are the only other team in the league to be unbeaten this year with two wins and a draw.
With their talismanic captain Sunisa Srangthaisong available for this game after the lifting of a four-match suspension, and fellow Thai import Uraiporn Yongkul in good form with four goals so far in 2024, Aerion looks set to put up a tough test for the Sailors.
As such, Daniel underlined the need for his team to remain focused to notch up a sixth straight victory.
“Still Aerion coach Jeremy (Chiang) has introduced quite a systematic style of play, and they’ve performed well in the past couple of matches, so it won’t be easy for us. We’ll need to be ready in terms of dictating how the game should be played,” he stressed.
“We always emphasise on trying to apply what we’ve practiced in training, and it won’t be different for this match.”
From impeccably timed challenges to pinpoint passes pinged from defence, Toni Datković stood out as an assured presence in the heart of the Lion City Sailors backline in their 2-0 win over Albirex Niigata (S) in the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League (SPL) Community Shield last Saturday (4 May) night.
Given how comfortable and confident he looked throughout the game, it was hard to believe that Toni – who is affectionately known as El Sicario – was making his competitive debut for the Sailors.
Though it is still early in his Sailors career, it already looks clear that the 30-year-old will be integral to his new team’s bid for domestic supremacy – a responsibility that he clearly relishes.
“It was the perfect start for the team – we wanted a trophy to kick-off the season because we’re aiming to win all the trophies in Singapore this year, and we made sure we did it,” said Toni.
“I don’t like to talk about my own performance – I think we played well as a team and controlled the game, but of course we can’t be satisfied as we’re always aiming to play even better.”
Having quickly forged strong bonds with his new teammates since joining the Sailors in February, Toni – boasting a century of appearances in Spain’s LaLiga 2 – shared that he feels at home off the pitch, especially with his wife and two children having relocated from his native Croatia to join him in the Lion City.
“From the moment I joined, the team has accepted me, and we’ve become incredibly close-knit. Of course, my centre-back partner Bailey (Wright) and I have developed a strong bond – we regularly share our footballing experiences with each other, and you can see our synergy is evident on the pitch,” Toni shared.
“The rest of the team are also great guys. Our captain Hariss (Harun) has helped me a lot to be comfortable here…we also have young guys like Nathan (Mao) who always gives the team a good vibe with his hunger and mentality to succeed, despite being only 16.”
Under the leadership of Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković, the Sailors have set ambitious goals for the 2024/25 season. This includes a breakthrough on the continental stage in the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, as well as the revamped Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League 2 (ACL2), both of which commence later this year.
However, the primary focus for the Sailors this season is clear: to reclaim the SPL trophy and bring it back home for the first time since 2021.
Their quest to overthrow Albirex as league champions begins this Friday (10 May) night, as they face a new-look Hougang United side in the SPL season-opener at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
With a blend of Balkan signings like Petar Banović, Stjepan Plazonja, Faris Hasić, and Ensar Brunčević, alongside a core Singaporean roster featuring Nazrul Nazari, Gabriel Quak, and Shahdan Sulaiman, the Cheetahs have strengthened their squad significantly.
As such, Toni has urged his teammates to maintain their full focus when they take on Hougang, as they look to start the Sailors’ SPL campaign on a strong note.
“We have to give our 100 percent in every game and showcase the brand of football that Coach Ranko wants us to display,” Toni declared. “That’s the key to a strong league season. We shouldn’t be underestimating any team.
“Coach Ranko pushes everyone hard, because he trusts us and wants the team to reach the levels that we’re capable of. We’re all working very hard because ultimately, we want to deliver the league trophy for our beloved fans.”
