Author: Lion City Sailors
The Lion City Sailors’ match schedule for the 2024/25 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two Group Stage has been confirmed, with all six matches to be played on Thursday nights.
Aleksandar Ranković’s men will kick off their Group F campaign with a home game against 2023 Chinese Super League second runners-up Zhejiang Professional on 19 September, before travelling to Pathum Thani, Thailand to face Thai League 1 side Port FC at BG Stadium on 3 October.
A double-header against Persib Bandung then beckons, with an away day at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium on 24 October, before the Sailors play hosts to the reigning Indonesia Liga 1 champions a fortnight later on 7 November.
The Sailors will then visit Hangzhou, China to play Zhejiang at Yellow Dragon Sports Center on 28 November, before wrapping up the group stage with a home game against Port on 5 December.
All three of the Sailors’ home ACL Two group-stage fixtures will be played at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The Lion City Sailors will face opposition from China, Thailand, and Indonesia in the rebranded 2024/25 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two competition.
This was confirmed earlier this afternoon (16 August) following the official Group Stage draw which took place in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
The Sailors, who qualified for the competition after finishing as the top-ranked local side in the 2023 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, have been placed in Group F (East Region) along with 2023 Chinese Super League second runners-up Zhejiang Professional, 2023/24 Thai League 1’s third-placed side Port FC, and reigning Indonesia Liga 1 champions Persib Bandung.
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The new tournament in Asia consists of eight groups — four in the West and four in the East — each with four teams in the Group Stage. Matches will be played in a home-and-away round-robin format from 17 September to 5 December.
The top two sides from each group will advance to the Round of 16, which will be played in February next year. The tournament will then conclude with a one-off final on 17 May 2025.
Looking ahead to the Sailors’ first-ever ACL Two Campaign, Head coach Aleksandar Ranković has backed his charges to be competitive and represent Singapore with pride and distinction.
“The club has achieved some impressive results in the ACL over the past few years. I can only speak for last season when I was in charge – we showed in the majority of those matches that we can be very competitive, and that we can go toe-to-toe with the best of Asia,” said the Serb.
“The target for this season is to build on that foundation and outdo ourselves at this level. Our players are extremely motivated, and you can see that from our strong start in the domestic league. All of them are very eager to prove themselves, and we’ll be looking to make Singapore proud with some solid performances.”
In what feels like no time at all, the 2024 Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) season is already nearing its conclusion.
However, unlike in recent years, the race for the WPL title is still wide open.
Both the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team and Albirex Niigata (S) remain in the title race – they are currently tied at the top of the table with 33 points each, though the Sailors have a game in hand and a significant advantage in goal difference.
While the Sailors are still considered favourites to retain the WPL trophy for a third consecutive year, they know they cannot afford to take it easy in their remaining four games — especially with Albirex hot on their heels, ready to capitalise on any slip-ups.
For many in this young Sailors squad, this is their first experience in such a tight title race.
Among them is 15-year-old Tyan Foong, one of seven teenagers promoted from the Sailors Girls Academy at the start of the season.
The former Women’s National League (WNL) defender has been an integral part of the Sailors’ backline this season, and has developed significantly while playing alongside and learning from senior players such as Sara Hayduchok, captain Umairah Hamdan, and her older sister Tia Foong.
Reflecting on what has been a productive but challenging season so far, Tyan said, “I’ll always cherish the moment I made my debut — the nerves, playing alongside the team’s big sisters, and feeling the pressure of the fans.
“Admittedly, though, it’s a relief that the season is ending so I can take a break from the stress of competing every weekend.”
After a four-day training camp in Pathum Thani, Thailand over the weekend, the Sailors will head into their next match against Balestier Khalsa on Saturday (17 August) at Choa Chu Kang Stadium with renewed vigour, as they look to take another step towards lifting the WPL trophy.
“We definitely broadened our perspectives during the training camp. We’ve returned stronger and are ready to face the rest of the season with no fear and at full force,” said Tyan.
“At this stage of the season, every club will be fighting for their goals and giving 110% effort. It’s crucial that we stay calm and ensure every pass is firm and accurate.”
Tyan also revealed that the team focused on the psychological aspects of the game during their time in Bangkok, which she believes was beneficial when they tested themselves against Thai Women’s League 1 sides Bangkok WFC and Kasem Bundit FC in closed-door friendlies.
She said, “We attended mental health talks on managing anxiety and stress, which helped us stay calm during the matches in Thailand and improved our overall performance.”
Echoing Tyan’s sentiments, Sailors forward Josephine Ang is confident that the team has what it takes to go the distance this season.
“We need to believe in ourselves and keep playing our style of football to finish the last few matches strongly,” the 17-year-old said. “In training, everyone consistently gives their 100%, and there’s always a positive energy. I really appreciate that this team is eager to learn and grow from their mistakes. They demonstrate resilience, even when training gets tough.”
Josephine, who is currently the joint-third highest goalscorer in the WPL this season with 11 goals, is determined to play a crucial role in leading the Sailors to the title.
“It’s crucial for me to convert my chances. My goal this season is to win the title, and it would be even more rewarding if I can contribute by scoring more goals,” she said.
Josephine also offered some advice to her younger teammates on handling the intensity of the title race.
“There will be sacrifices along the way, but that’s all part of life,” Josephine said. “Just keep going and never give up, because good things will come, and all the hard work will be worth it. Things will only get better from here!”
The Lion City Sailors players lined up in two rows on the pitch at Bishan Stadium, forming something akin to a guard of honour while they waited with cheeky grins for the man of the moment to walk past them.
As Hafiz Nor stepped between the two rows of players, hands reached out from both sides to give him friendly, congratulatory slaps on the back of his head – a classic gesture of camaraderie and playful ribbing in football.
A roar of approval erupted from the crowd at Bishan Stadium as Hafiz finally emerged from the group of players, his hair slightly ruffled but otherwise unharmed and in high spirits.
It was a deserved tribute to a player who has been a mainstay with the Sailors since the club’s inception in 2020. A well-liked figure in the team, Hafiz is known for always giving 100 percent and leaving everything on the pitch for the Sailors.
Fittingly, Hafiz has now etched his name into the Sailors’ history books as the first player to reach 100 appearances in all competitions for the club – a milestone he reached when he came on as a 78th-minute substitute in a 6-0 win over Young Lions on 22 July.
For his achievement, the 35-year-old was presented with a special framed Sailors jersey – emblazoned with his name and the words ‘100 APPEARANCES’ – by club chairman Forrest Li last Saturday (3 August) evening, just before their 3-0 Singapore Premier League (SPL) win over Brunei DPMM.
Hafiz’s century of appearances for the Sailors includes 82 in the SPL, nine in the Singapore Cup, one in the Community Shield, and eight across two AFC Champions League campaigns in 2022 and 2023.
He has since played two more SPL games for the Sailors, bringing his total number of appearances to 102.
Wearing a proud and grateful expression throughout the jersey presentation ceremony, Hafiz expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the club for recognising his contributions over the years.
“It’s an absolute honour to receive this special jersey and be recognised for this achievement, especially with our chairman presenting it and my family watching. This moment really makes me feel that all my hard work and sacrifices have been worthwhile,” said the Sailors’ vice-captain.
“It has been a privilege to wear the Sailors’ badge for the past four years and I’ll continue to give my best as long as I’m needed by the club. I am deeply grateful to the club for this recognition, and this jersey will be a treasured keepsake for me.”
Hafiz revealed that he did not keep track of his appearances and was unaware he was approaching the 100-match milestone.
Nonetheless, he admitted to being pleasantly surprised by the club’s gesture, as he said, “To be honoured in this way shows how much the club values and appreciates its players. It’s also a message to everyone that if you give your all in training and on the pitch, the club will recognise your efforts.”
Hafiz was among the players who transitioned from Home United to the Lion City Sailors when the club rebranded in February 2020. The following month, he featured in the Sailors’ first-ever SPL match, a 1-1 draw against Tanjong Pagar United, alongside teammates such as Song Uiyoung, Zulqarnaen Suzliman, and Haiqal Pashia.
Over the past four years, Hafiz has selflessly contributed to the Sailors’ success, helping the club evolve into a team that consistently competes with Asia’s top sides through its qualification for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL).
Reflecting on the Sailors’ evolution over the years, Hafiz said, “It’s surreal to see the progress the club has made. We’re now regularly competing in the ACL and achieving credible results against some of Asia’s elite teams. We also have promising Academy players breaking into the first team, and a robust pipeline for youth development.
“I know there were doubts about the club’s rebranding to become LCS at the time, but I believe most people now understand our vision – to elevate Singapore football to new heights through the things we do here.
“We are very grateful to Forrest for his continual trust in us, and for investing the resources needed to build a reputable club.”
But it was not all smooth sailing for Hafiz and the Sailors at the start of their journey.
The club’s inaugural season in 2020 was curtailed after just two matches – a draw and a defeat – due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant the Sailors had to wait seven months before playing their next competitive match, where they finally secured their first-ever win by beating Geylang International 4-0 at the Bishan Stadium.
That victory sparked the Sailors’ momentum, leading them to finish the season strongly in third place. The following year, under the guidance of Head Coach Kim Do-hoon, they went on to lift their first SPL title in history.
“That triumph was truly memorable. Not only was it our first league title, but it was also the first time a local team had won the league in seven years. So many people were rooting for us, and we’re incredibly proud to have restored some local pride for Singaporeans,” recalled Hafiz.
The Sailors’ maiden league title was followed by another year of significant progress, particularly in regional competition.
After starting the 2022 season by winning their first Community Shield, the Sailors went on to represent Singapore with distinction in the ACL. They achieved the highest points tally ever by a Singaporean side in the competition — seven points — highlighted by a stunning 3-0 victory over South Korea’s Daegu FC.
“We were quite nervous before the ACL because we didn’t know what to expect. But we followed our coaches’ instructions diligently and we’re proud to have made history for the club and for the nation,” said Hafiz, who played a total of 32 matches that year.
The opening of the Lion City Sailors Training Centre – Singapore’s first integrated football training facility – greatly accelerated the team’s development, with Hafiz admitting that he had never had access to such resources in his career before.
Another 33 appearances came in 2023 – a season in which Hafiz scored the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United, lifted the Singapore Cup with captain Hariss Harun, and contributed to an ACL campaign where the Sailors defeated K-League opposition for the second consecutive year with a 2-0 win over two-time ACL champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Hafiz’s WhatsApp profile picture features a memorable photo of him wearing the armband at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, with the passionate Mad Green Boys of the Jeonbuk Motors Supporters’ Club in the background, taken during the Sailors’ away fixture in Korea — a moment he cherishes despite the defeat.
“It was an electrifying atmosphere, with the Jeonbuk fans cheering throughout the match. Although we lost, it was quite an experience for us to be playing in such a world-class stadium. It serves as a reminder of the privilege we have as footballers,” he said.
Over the years, Hafiz’s role has naturally evolved into that of a team leader, fittingly as the elder statesman of the squad. The veteran is now relishing the opportunity to impart his knowledge to the next generation.
Hafiz explained, “I see myself more as a leader on the pitch now. With young players like 16-year-old Nathan Mao in the first team, I try to offer guidance based on my years of experience. It motivates me, especially when they ask challenging questions — it pushes me to think deeply and reflect on how to be a better leader.”
Hafiz’s humility and versatility have been key to his success with the Sailors. Whether playing as a right-back, left-back, right midfielder, or auxiliary striker, he has consistently performed his duties with excellence and always prioritised the team.
Hafiz’s next target? To make 150 appearances, while continuing to serve as a guide and mentor to the younger players.
“I’m not thinking about 200 appearances just yet; 150 is the more realistic goal!” Hafiz remarked. “I hope to perform well enough to secure a contract for next year because I’m truly enjoying my time at the club. It’s great to have a core group like Adam (Swandi), Pashia, and myself who have been with the club for a while, as our presence helps the newer players settle in more quickly.”
‘Viva Hafiz Nor, Viva Hafiz Nor, Running down the wing, hear the Sailors sing, Viva Hafiz Nor!’ is a familiar chant that has resonated in the stands from Sailors fans over the past four years. As Hafiz approaches his 36th birthday this month, he remains determined to give the fans even more reasons to smile by continuing to contribute to the team’s success.
“Whenever I hear the fans sing this song, it always pumps me up and motivates me to do even more for them. We have the most amazing fans who support us through every match, win, lose, or draw,” said Hafiz, who is now in his 14th consecutive professional season since making his SPL debut in 2011.
“My job is to stay in the best possible condition and give my all for the club. Despite my age, I know what I can offer, and I’ll keep going until my body tells me I can’t do it anymore.”
It was a debut to remember for the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team’s latest addition, Priscille Le Helloco, as she bagged a brace to spur her side to a 3-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United on Saturday (3 August) night at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
With her two goals, the Sailors now boast 16 different scorers this season, as Daniel Ong’s side consolidated their spot at the top of the 2024 Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) table with only four matches left to play.
They now lead closest rivals Albirex Niigata (S) by six points, with the White Swans looking to close the gap when they take on Hougang United tonight (4 August) in their game in hand.
Deployed on the right wing, Priscille was determined to make her Sailors debut a special one despite feeling nervous before the game.
“There’s so much talent on this team. Starting and being able to play with all these players meant so much,” gushed the 17-year-old, who has only had three training sessions with the Sailors so far.
“It was nerve-wracking at first because everyone on the team knows each other, and I was a mid-season signing. But the kindness shown by my teammates calmed my nerves. It’s only the first game, and I have to earn my place. I still have a lot to prove.”
Daniel was all smiles after seeing yet another young talent in Priscille make her mark with the Sailors. He said, “I’m very happy (with Priscille’s performance). It shows that everyone is giving their very best for the team and deserves to start the game when given the opportunity.”
The Sailors, however, initially struggled to break the deadlock as Tanjong Pagar custodian Elizabeth Tan made a series of saves to keep the game goalless.
But the Sailors’ relentless pressure eventually told in the 24th minute. Nurhidayu Naszri’s pass through the middle found Raeka Ee, who unselfishly squared it for an unmarked Priscille to tap the ball into an empty net to give the Sailors a 1-0 lead.
The French teenager came close to doubling the lead just after half-time with a superb curled effort from range, but her shot cannoned off the crossbar.
But Priscille did not have to wait long for her second goal. In the 55th minute, she found herself one-on-one with Elizabeth after being set through by Raeka, and the Sailors’ new signing calmly rounded the goalkeeper before placing it into the back of the net.
Reflecting on her two goals, Priscille credited her new teammates for giving her the confidence to perform at her best and make an impact in her debut.
“I had Sara Hayduchok, one of my former teammates at Tampines Rovers, guiding me in trainings and helping me to assimilate into the team. Raeka was also instrumental, assisting with the goals. We had even planned a celebration before the match, so it was wonderful to be able to execute it,” Priscille revealed.
“It felt surreal to play alongside so many players with great reputations. Scoring really helped me feel at ease. It’s incredible to combine with these players, especially since I had been watching them from afar before joining the team.”
The Sailors then wrapped up the three points through substitute Josephine Ang, who scored for the 11th time this season with yet another free-kick goal – her fourth of the campaign.
“Everyone in the team knows that Josephine’s free-kick technique is exceptional,” Daniel said. “Scoring more goals will boost her confidence, and in turn, she’ll show what she is capable of. The best is yet to come from her.”
With the Sailors — who will face Balestier Khalsa next on 17 August — set to ramp up their preparations for the upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League, Daniel believes his charges are heading in the right direction.
“The team is showing a lot of positive movement on and off the ball, which is a good sign,” said Daniel. “It demonstrates that everyone is applying what they’ve practised in training. As long as they give their best and work together, everyone will benefit and help each other develop their game further.”
The Lion City Sailors continued their recent fine form as they put on a dominant display to defeat Brunei DPMM 3-0 at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (3 August) evening.
Lennart Thy struck his second straight league brace, while Shawal Anuar scored the other as Aleksandar Ranković’s men notched up their third win in as many Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches.
With the victory, the Sailors remain second in the table, one point behind league-leading BG Tampines Rovers, who also picked up a 3-0 win against Tanjong Pagar United in a concurrent match.
Having kept the same starting eleven that plundered 13 goals in the last two matches, Ranko’s men started the game with red-hot intensity and chalked up 18 shots in the first 45 minutes.
However, a combination of great goalkeeping from DPMM goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski and wasteful finishing meant the Sailors finished the first half with only a goal to the good.
The goal came deservedly in the 20th minute through Lennart, who scored in his third straight league game with a delightful backheel finish that deceived Naumovski, after being teed up by an inch-perfect pass from Maxime Lestienne.
With Lennart working well with the likes of Maxime, Song Uiyoung, and Shawal, the Sailors carved open the Bruneians’ defence time and again with delightful link-up play in the attacking third.
Shawal was especially influential in the build-up phase, as he unselfishly teed up Song, Lennart, and Maxime on three separate occasions, but their shots were all either blocked by the DPMM defence or repelled by the on-song Naumovski.
The Sailors picked up where they left off after the break, with Shawal finally doubling the advantage five minutes into the second half.
A lethal counter-attacking move saw Maxime releasing the 33-year-old, who gave DPMM centre-back Nurikhwan Othman the slip before coolly finishing underneath Naumovski for his eighth goal of the season.
Shawal could have scored a second on 67 minutes when Hami Syahin found him with a defence-splitting pass, but his attempted lob landed inches wide of the post.
But he quickly moved past that disappointment as he teed up Lennart for a crisp low finish from just outside the box to make it 3-0 two minutes later.
That strike was the German’s fifth goal in his last three games for the Sailors – a firm indication that he is now fully settled in after his move to the club just slightly more than two months ago.
“I’m really happy to be scoring now and it’s really enjoyable to be playing with this team. Hopefully there’s more to come in the coming games, and I want to keep helping the team secure the victories we need,” said the former PEC Zwolle forward, who was named the Man-of-the-Match.
The Sailors could have ended with more goals on the night, but Lionel’s header off Toni Datković’s sublime cross, and Lennart’s finish off Shawal’s delivery into the box were both denied by the offside flag.
Equally important, the Sailors defended resolutely throughout, with the centre-back pairing of Toni and Bailey Wright coming up trumps when it mattered. The duo made a number of crucial interceptions and swept up everything that came into their box to help the Sailors pick up their fourth clean sheet of the season.
Ahead of the Sailors’ participation in the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, Coach Ranko hailed his side’s defensive solidity, as he said, “I’m really happy with how we defended as a team.
“It’s not just about the defenders; the key is how we work together as a team. It’s how we keep things compact, keeping the distance between attackers and defenders very tight to make it very difficult for the opposing team to penetrate us.
“The only critique is that we probably should have finished the game in the first half, but we bounced back really well in the past three games, and this run of form gives us a lot of confidence going into the Shopee Cup.”
The Sailors will now take a short break before turning their attention to the regional stage. Their next match will see them take on Indonesia’s Borneo FC Samarinda on 22 August in their opening Group B match of the Shopee Cup.
To the casual observer, it can be hard to discern exactly what position Lion City Sailors’ Raeka Ee plays.
Is she a defender? A midfielder? A winger? A forward?
The answer, of course, is that Raeka is a forward – a deadly one at that, with 12 goals to her name this season, making her the Sailors’ leading scorer and the second top scorer in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) behind Albirex Niigata (S)’s Manami Fukuzawa who has 17.
Her goalscoring feats are even more impressive considering she spends most of the game outside the penalty box and away from the goal. While most forwards may prefer to remain in the attacking third, waiting for the opportunity to score, Raeka is often seen tearing around the pitch, helping the team in any way she can.
As such, the pacy 20-year-old can sometimes be found in the defensive third trying to win the ball off the opposition, in the middle of the pitch providing an option for a pass, or on the wings creating scoring opportunities for her teammates.
This all-action style of play stems from Raeka’s desire to contribute to every aspect of the game for the team in their quest to retain the WPL title.
“It would definitely be nice to top the WPL goalscoring charts, but my primary focus is on winning the league with the team,” Raeka shared. “While I understand that scoring goals as a forward is crucial, I aim to contribute to the team in any way possible, whether by scoring goals, creating chances, or defending.
“Forwards are often the first line of defence, so it’s very important that I help out by pressing opposition players and disrupting their play early. After all, football is a team effort, both offensively and defensively.”
While Raeka has led the line well this season, she is confident that she can achieve even more, especially with the Sailors set to compete in their inaugural Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League campaign later this month.
Revealing that she is working on the psychological aspect of her game, Raeka said, “Confidence means staying composed during crucial, high-pressure moments and quickly recovering from setbacks in games. While I haven’t fully mastered this trait yet, I am constantly working on it to improve as a player. The attacking drills in training have been helping me build on that.”
Raeka’s work ethic and willingness to go the extra mile for the team has not gone unnoticed by her teammates. Defender Qarissa Putri, who helped marshal the backline alongside Umairah Hamdan in the Sailors’ 3-0 win over Hougang United last Saturday (27 July), highlighted the importance of players like Raeka dropping deep to help defend when needed.
“If we don’t drop when needed, a good long ball can break our defence,” Qarissa explained. “Communication is crucial, especially when we identify an opponent planning to play a long ball. Someone has to signal for us to drop together and move as a team.
“Raeka’s work rate allows her to make runs that open up space in the attack and score. Meanwhile, her ability to win the ball in the attacking half prevents counter-attacks and dangerous plays that could lead to opposition goals.
“Having both of these qualities in a player is a great asset, and we’re very lucky to have Raeka on our team.”
Up next for the Sailors is a clash against Tanjong Pagar United on Saturday (3 August) at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, where they will look to strengthen their position at the top of the WPL table with another convincing victory.
Qarissa believes that it is important for the Sailors to put in another good performance, as she said, “I hope we continue playing as well as we have been. At the same time, we need to learn from any mistakes made in the Hougang game to ensure we don’t make the same errors against Tanjong Pagar.”
Team’s success over personal glory: Shawal
With seven goals already this campaign, Lion City Sailors forward Shawal Anuar is on track to surpass his best-ever tally of 11 goals, set in 2022.
Those who have watched Shawal closely this season, however, know he could have easily scored a few more by now, and that the only reason he has not is because of his unselfishness in front of goal.
Indeed, this is backed up by the seven assists that Shawal has already notched up this year, with his latest — a lay-off for Song Uiyoung — coming in the Sailors’ 7-1 win over Hougang United last Sunday (28 July) evening.
But Shawal is not the only one in the team who has been unselfish in front of goal, with the likes of Maxime Lestienne and Lennart Thy also chipping in with the assists this season.
Shawal believes that this mindset of prioritising the team over personal achievements is one that will greatly benefit the Sailors.
The 33-year-old explained, “From the start of the season, all of us have had only one goal: to win trophies together as a team. There’s no point in any one of us trying to go for the top scorer award if the team doesn’t play well or win matches.
“If I can help someone else score, I will, and I guess the same applies to the rest of the team. We’re building a great understanding and bond with each other, which makes it easier for us to combine on the pitch. We’re always working on different variations to score, and what’s important is that all of us reap the rewards together after the game.”
Nonetheless, Shawal acknowledged that he is pleased with his form and performances for the Sailors this season.
“I’m happy with how my season has gone so far, but to be honest, I don’t really keep track of my statistics,” the Singapore international shared. “My priority is always the team, and I believe I can do even more to help us stay near the top. So, for example, if I need to defend more, I’ll gladly do it to support my teammates.”
Up next for Shawal and the Sailors is a Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash against an out-of-form Brunei DPMM side at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (3 August) evening.
The last time both teams met — in Matchweek 3 — the Sailors secured a 2-0 victory, thanks to late goals from Shawal and Maxime.
That match marked the beginning of a wretched run for DPMM, who have yet to secure a victory since that defeat.
Now languishing in sixth place in the nine-team SPL, the Bruneian outfit will have their work cut out against a Sailors side that has scored an impressive 13 goals and conceded just once in their last two games.
Despite being the clear favourites this weekend, Shawal insists the Sailors will not underestimate their upcoming opponents.
“Sometimes, people expect us to go out there and steamroll other teams, but that’s usually not the case. DPMM have the capacity to cause trouble with their quality foreign players, and we’ve been hurt by them before,” Shawal said, referring to his team’s 3-1 defeat to the Bruneians in July 2023 — the only time the Sailors were beaten at home last season.
“I’m sure they’re hurt by their recent results and will be eager to prove themselves against us. For us, we just need to focus on our task, keep doing what we did in our last two matches, and let the result take care of itself.”
The clash against DPMM will be the Sailors’ final game before they participate in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup. They will open their Shopee Cup campaign against Indonesia’s Borneo FC Samarinda on 22 August, and Shawal has urged his team to carry their recent winning momentum into the tournament.
He said, “I know our fans are very excited about the Shopee Cup, and we’re eager to represent Singapore well at the regional level. For now, we need to focus on delivering a strong performance against DPMM and maintaining our position in the league before we shift our attention to the Shopee Cup match.”
The Lion City Sailors are pleased to announce that young midfielder Nur Muhammad Asis has secured an initial one-year loan to Portuguese Primeira Liga side C.F. Estrela da Amadora, making him the first Singaporean in history to sign a professional football contract with a top-flight club in Portugal.
Based in Amadora, northwest of Lisbon, Estrela finished 14th in the 18-team Primeira Liga last season, in their first campaign back in the Portuguese top-flight.
The previous iteration of the club helped develop several notable Portuguese players, past and present, including Abel Xavier – who famously turned out for Everton and Liverpool, former FC Porto defender Jorge Andrade, ex-Manchester United winger Bebé, and current Manchester City star Rúben Dias.
Asis’s talent and potential were evident from a young age. In 2016, at just 12 years old, he caught the attention of top European clubs such as Feyenoord and Galatasaray.
Asis’s progress accelerated after joining the Sailors’ Elite Academy in 2020. The following year, he became part of the first cohort of players under the Lion City Sailors Early Enlistment Bond. This bond offers selected Academy trainees the opportunity to pursue early enlistment for National Service (NS) under Singapore’s Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme after completing their secondary education, providing them with a longer period to fully focus on pursuing a career in professional football.
This paved the way for Asis to become the first player from the club’s youth setup to sign a professional contract with the Sailors following his NS completion last year. Since his promotion to the first team, Asis has made five Singapore Premier League (SPL) appearances.
Asis — who also skippers the Sailors’ Under-21 side — was then sent by the club to attend a series of trials in Portugal towards the end of the 2023 season. There, he caught the eye of local scouts, who proposed him to Estrela.
Negotiations between the Sailors and Estrela went smoothly, and with the necessary administrative arrangements now sorted, Asis will finally be able to realise his dream of playing professionally in Europe.
As part of the loan, which runs till 30th June 2025, Asis will primarily train and play with Estrela’s B Team, while also turning out for the club’s Under-23 side. He will be closely monitored by the senior team coaches.
Estrela’s B Team plays in the fourth-tier Campeonato de Portugal, while their Under-23s compete in the Liga Revelação U-23, a top-level national league which they won in the 2022/23 season.
Estrela Sporting Director José Faria, who played a key role in the deal, said, “Asis has huge potential to achieve big things in football, so we’re happy to have him with us and we want him to work as hard as he can over here. We hope this marks the beginning of a fruitful partnership between Estrela and the Lion City Sailors.
“Winning the Liga Revelação U-23 last year is a testament to the strength of our youth development programme, which is dedicated to investing in young international talents like Asis. I’m extremely confident that Estrela provides the most conducive environment for a young talent from Singapore to succeed, and we look forward to contributing to his development here.”
Sailors Technical Director Luka Lalić, who coached Asis when he was just seven years old at Turf City Football Club, is confident that the 20-year-old will make a significant impact at Estrela.
“Even when he was just seven or eight years old, he would often talk about his dream of playing in Europe one day,” Luka recounted. “Whether it was during the Gothia Cup, international matches in the Netherlands, or in Spain with the Academy, he always captivated with his play and frequently received praise and inquiries from foreign coaches.
“After overcoming multiple challenges, including the passing of his father earlier this year, he’s now ready to showcase his talents on a larger stage. This opportunity comes as no surprise. His quality has always been clear; he just needs the right environment to advance his development, and Estrela is certainly an excellent place for that.
“Given his flair, vision, and quality on the ball, he can definitely contribute to Estrela. As the first Singaporean to sign a professional contract with a Portuguese top-flight club, his future is now in his hands. It’s up to him to determine how hard he’s willing to work and fight for the next big step in his career.”
Having journeyed over 10,000 km to chase his footballing dreams, Asis is determined to give his all to secure a permanent move to a European club in the future.
He said, “This is what I’ve been aiming for since I started kicking a ball, and it still feels surreal to be at a top Portuguese club. I’m really grateful to everyone who made this move possible, especially my coaches at the Sailors Academy.
“They’ve made me a better player and are the reason I’m able to make this next step in my career. Many thanks as well to our club chairman, Forrest Li, for supporting this move.
“I’m really excited to wear the Estrela shirt and can’t wait to get started with the team.”
Asis’s move is yet another feather in the cap for the Sailors Academy, which consistently produces a steady stream of talent for Singapore’s football ecosystem.
Numerous Academy graduates have secured contracts with other SPL clubs, and a significant number of current and former academy players are regularly called up to the national age-group teams.
The Sailors Academy are one of only four academies in Southeast Asia to be conferred a Two-Star Academy status by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) under its AFC Elite Youth Scheme.
The Lion City Sailors appear to be well and truly over their recent minor dip in form, as they delivered a performance of the highest quality to beat Hougang United 7-1 in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at the Bishan Stadium on Sunday (28 July) evening.
Aleksandar Ranković’s charges dominated the match from start to finish, barely giving their opponents a sniff, with six different players – Bailey Wright, Song Uiyoung, Shawal Anuar, Toni Datković, Maxime Lestienne, and Lennart Thy – finding the back of the net for the Sailors.
Indeed, the statistics at the end of the game starkly highlighted the Sailors’ superiority – they enjoyed 52% possession, outshot Hougang 21 to eight (with 15 on target compared to the Cheetahs’ four), and earned 13 corners to their opponents’ single corner.
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Ranko said, “I think we played a very good match from beginning to end and deserved the win. We had a lot of chances and could have scored even more goals, while the one goal we conceded was very unlucky.”
Fresh from their 6-0 thrashing of the Young Lions on Monday (22 July), an unchanged Sailors outfit flew out of the blocks and put the Cheetahs under heavy pressure right from the get-go.
It took only six minutes for the hosts to carve out the first opportunity of the game, with Maxime chipping a delightful through ball to Lennart, whose attempt at goal was well saved by the legs of Hougang goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam.
That miss proved costly as Hougang took the lead against the run of play in the 11th minute.
A lethal counter-attacking move saw Cheetahs striker Stjepan Plazonja exchanging passes with Nazrul Nazari, before calmly finishing past Izwan Mahbud in the Sailors’ goal.
Hougang’s lead, however, lasted all of two minutes, as the Sailors equalised through birthday boy Bailey, who leapt highest to head home Maxime’s corner for his third goal of the season.
Hougang barely had time to settle down before the Sailors came close to taking the lead through Song, who rushed into the box to meet Maxime’s cross. The Incheon native’s half-volley, however, crashed off the Hougang crossbar, with Zaiful well beaten.
But Song did not have to wait long for his goal. In the 25th minute, Hami Syahin chipped the ball into the box for Shawal, who unselfishly laid it off for Song to sidefoot into the bottom corner to give the Sailors a 2-1 lead.
With the wind firmly in their sails, Ranko’s men continued to press Hougang aggressively, with Shawal, Maxime, and Lennart all coming close to extending the Sailors’ lead.
The Sailors’ relentless pressure eventually paid off just before half time, as Shawal ghosted into the box to head home Christopher van Huizen’s pinpoint cross to give his side a two-goal advantage heading into the break.
The Sailors started the second half just as they ended the first — on the front foot — and it took only seven minutes for them to score their fourth through centre-back Toni, who beat his marker to head Maxime’s corner past Zaiful to make it 4-1.
Maxime got on the scoresheet himself four minutes later, confidently dispatching a penalty he earned after being tripped in the box by Hougang defender Faris Hasić.
Song came close to doubling his tally in the 61st minute, but his shot from close range was well saved by Zaiful. The rebound, however, fell to Lennart, who calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner to give the Sailors a 6-1 lead.
The German got his second of the night in the 79th minute, as he capped off a devastating counter-attack with a smart finish after being teed up by substitute Haiqal Pashia.
Now with four goals to his name this season, Lennart – who only signed for the Sailors at the end of May – is confident that he will soon find his best form, even as he continues to adapt to his new club.
He explained, “I think I needed some time to get used to everything, having moved to a new country with new surroundings. But I’ve been improving. I can still do better – I should have scored four or five today – but it’s still early in a long season. What’s important for me is to make progress every week.
“From a team perspective, it was a very mature performance from us today. Despite the early setback, we came back strong and finished well.”
Ranko also backed the striker to improve over the course of the season, saying, “For us, we know he’s definitely a quality player. I think he had a lot of unlucky moments from the beginning and missed some chances that he should have scored. So, we are very pleased that he scored, and I think if you ask him, it’s a weight off his shoulders as well.”
With the win, the Sailors have moved to within one point of current SPL leaders BG Tampines Rovers. They will next take on sixth-place Brunei DPMM at Bishan Stadium on Saturday (3 August).
