Author: Lion City Sailors
On paper, the odds are stacked against the Lion City Sailors.
The Singapore side are making just their second foray into the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL), and will stand across two-time ACL champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the South Korean outfit’s own Jeonju World Cup Stadium.
But the stoic Sailors are unfazed.
“Jeonbuk is undoubtedly one of the strongest teams in Asia, but we came here to compete and show what Singapore football can do. We believe we’re capable of playing good football, even against the best in the region,” said defender Zulqarnaen Suzliman, who started in the Sailors’ first two Group F ACL games.
Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković sang from the same hymn book.
“Jeonbuk is a big club with a lot of tradition in the AFC Champions League, with physically very strong players, local players who are playing at the highest level for South Korea and a very experienced coach as well. We’re here as a new club trying to represent the best of Singapore football,” said the 45-year-old.
“But we’re ready to come here and compete – my players are ready for this challenge and we’re not intimidated.”
A tough trek into Jeonju
Barely 12 hours after Saturday’s (21 October) 4-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United to put one foot into the Singapore Cup semi-finals, Ranko’s men hopped on a six-and-a-half hour flight to Incheon and then had to travel another four hours by bus before settling into Jeonju-si late on Sunday night.
Issues with training grounds on Monday saw the Sailors improvise, training on the artificial surface at Deokjin Sports Park, a public football facility owned by the Jeonju City Sports Council, and even had to clear the pitch due to prior bookings made by a local amateur group.
The Korean autumn has not helped.
Average temperatures hovers between 18°C and 7°C with the Sailors backroom staff hard at preparation before the trip to make sure the players are acclimatised. Thermal innerwear and winter jackets have been provided for each player, with this the first time most of the Sailors’ local footballers are playing under such conditions.
But Zulqarnaen (Mamat) is adamant the unfamiliar climate will not deter their drive to put on a good performance.
“After a few days here, we’re getting used to things. This weather is actually perfect for football – it’s not too cold and we don’t sweat as much compared to when we’re playing in Singapore,” he said.
“We’re just focused on what we want to achieve as a team. This is a big game – a tough test – for us and we’re going in with everything we’ve got to make our fans proud.”
To say that it is a tough test is no understatement.
Up against an Asian giant
Jeonbuk – semi-finalists at last season’s ACL – are Asian football royalty.
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal have the most ACL titles winning the tournament four times. Pohang Steelers (South Korea) and Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) have three each, while Jeonbuk have won Asia’s flagship club competition twice – in 2006 and 2016 – while finishing runners-up in 2011.
They are amongst the most successful teams in K League 1 and have been champions a total of nine times – including a string of five consecutive titles from 2017 to 2021.
Players who have suited up for them in the past includes the legendary Lee Dong-gook, current Bayern Munich star Kim Min-jae and forward Cho Gue-sung who featured at the 2022 FIFA World Cup for South Korea.
Jeonbuk’s current squad features much talent as well. Current South Korea internationals include the likes of Kim Jin-su, Moon Seon-min (pictured below) as well as Paik Seung-ho who scored a long-range screamer against Brazil at the Qatar World Cup.
But they have wobbled a little this season, seeing former coach Kim Sang-sik stepping down in May, and languishing in mid-table for portions of the 2023 K League 1 season.
A surprise 3-2 defeat to Thailand’s Bangkok United on the last ACL matchday meant the Thai side currently lead Group F with six points, with Jeonbuk level on three points with the Sailors.
Jeonbuk’s upturn in form
However, they have been on a mini-renaissance since then. Jeonbuk defeated FC Seoul 2-0 on the final day of the 33-round Regular K League 1 season, finishing within the top six to clinch a spot in Final A – where they will play another five matches within the group to determine their final position.
In their first match in Final A last week, they struck a last-gasp winner to down Daegu FC 2-1 to go into this game brimming with confidence.
Their bid for the three points against the Sailors are boosted by the return of five players who missed the first two matchdays due to their Asian Games participation with South Korea’s Under-23 side.
Paik captained the young Taegeuk Warriors to a 2-1 victory over Japan in the final, alongside the likes of goalkeeper Kim Jeong-hoon, defender Park Jin-seop, midfielder Song Min-kyu and forward Park Jae-yong.
Head Coach Dan Petrescu is adamant that they put on a strong display at home after failing to win all four (two draws and two losses) of their last home games in domestic football.
“Tomorrow is a really important game for Jeonbuk because of the loss in Thailand. I want to see a very good reaction from the players. While I want my team to be offensive, I want them to control the game and have balance,” said Petrescu.
“We’ve shown in our last two games that if we concentrate, other teams will find it hard to score against us,” added the Chelsea legend, who was appointed only on 9 June.
“But it won’t be an easy game, the Sailors have top national players who play for Singapore and some very good foreigners. So we definitely have to play good in defence to win the game.”
In Battlegrounds Asia, we look into the history and lore of the stadiums that will host the Lion City Sailors’ second foray into the AFC Champions League (ACL), Asia’s top-tier club competition.
In the second part of this series, we dive headfirst into the Jeonju World Cup Stadium where the Sailors will line up against two-time ACL champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
In the picturesque South Korean city of Jeonju – a four-hour bus journey from Seoul – sits a physical manifestation of the city’s rich sporting heritage and its love for football – the Jeonju World Cup Stadium, one of the 10 stadiums constructed for the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.
Real local flavour
The Stadium – which cost 133.1 billion Korean won (approximately SGD$135.3 million) to construct – was built with tradition in mind: the design of its roof and stands were inspired by the Hapjukseon, the traditional Korean fan.
The pillars of the Stadium’s fan-shaped roof are a metaphor for Sotdae, in Korean tradition, a pole erected as a talisman for well-being, protection, and a good harvest; while its 12 tensile cables embody the 12 strings of Korean musical instrument, the Gayageum.
The stadium can host some 43,000 spectators.
And this is perhaps where the city’s love for sports and its physical manifestation of that spirit come together in a simple, but beautiful intersection: from the stadium’s rooftop park, visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Jeonju city and its surroundings.
World Cup and ACL heritage
Officially opened on 8th November 2001, the Stadium hosted three FIFA World Cup matches – two group-stage games that saw Spain defeat Paraguay 3-1 and Portugal beat Poland 4-0, before a Round-of-16 match welcoming 36,380 fans who watched the United States defeat Mexico 2-0.
The Jeonju World Cup Stadium has been home to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors since its official opening, witnessing several football moments over the years.
But strangely – despite winning the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) twice – Jeonbuk have never lifted the continental trophy in front of their own fans. In 2006 and 2016, they beat Syria’s Al-Karamah and UAE’s Al-Ain in the first leg of the respective finals at home before sealing the triumph in the away legs.
In 2011, when the final was held as a one-off affair to be hosted by one of the finalists, decided by draw, Jeonbuk were heavy favourites to win in front of a passionate 41,805-strong home crowd. But opponents, Qatar’s Al-Sadd, stunned the hosts by winning on penalties after an enthralling 2-2 extra-time draw.
International focus
The Jeonju World Cup Stadium has been the scene of football dreams of young upstarts as well.
In 2017, the venue hosted 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup matches – including a memorable match that saw the Taegeuk Warriors claim a 2-1 group-stage win over an Argentina side that featured Juan Foyth and Gonzalo Montiel who went on to win the 2022 World Cup alongside Lionel Messi.
The football world’s attention again turned to Jeonju in May 2020 when the K League 1 became the first major competition to resume following the global Covid-19 shutdown, with the legendary Lee Dong-gook scored a late winner against Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
A year later, the Stadium hosted the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the 2021 ACL.
The knockout stages of the tourney were hosted in a single location, with Pohang Steelers beating Nagoya Grampus 3-0 while Ulsan Hyundai got the better of Jeonbuk 3-2 to advance to the ACL semi-finals. Pohang then emerged victorious over Ulsan at the venue to reach the final.
The Jeonju World Cup Stadium has also served as a venue for Korean cultural events, concerts, and festivals. And it hosted the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Masters Games earlier this year in May, a unique sports-for-all festival aimed at driving sports participation across abilities and ages.
The Stadium was scheduled to host a K-pop concert in August as part of the World Scout Jamboree cultural programme, but concerns over Typhoon Khanun saw the event going elsewhere.
But football remains at the heart of the Jeonju World Cup Stadium, perhaps fuelled by the Mad Green Boys of the Jeonbuk Motors Supporters’ Club who are known to generate an electric atmosphere at the North Stand of the Stadium that feature safe-standing areas.
In Jeonju on Wednesday, Hariss Harun and the Sailors Class of 2023 will, for the first time, play at a venue that has hosted a historic FIFA World Cup match, with The Crew’s Special Operations Team screaming from the Stadium’s South stand as our Sailors look to write history of our own.
The Lion City Sailors Women came away with a routine 6-0 win against Balestier Khalsa in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) on Sunday (22 October).
The result at Choa Chu Kang Stadium meant Yeong Sheau Shyan’s Sailors remained top of the WPL standings with 40 points, four ahead of second-placed Albirex Niigata (36), the Sailors’ opponents next Sunday (29 Oct).
Against Balestier, the defending WPL champions got off to a lacklustre start but recovered well to dispatch their opponents comfortably. 16-year-old Madelin Lock also got on a WPL scoresheet for the first time with two goals to her name.
Sheau Shyan was delighted with a win that will provide a much needed confidence boost ahead of the Albirex clash.
“We needed this result today, we were a bit slow in the beginning but the second half was a much better performance and we’re happy with that,” the 45-year-old said.
“We saw the younger players being able to keep the ball well, especially in the middle of the park. I didn’t expect them to adapt as quickly as they’ve done, but technically and tactically, they’re as good as the older players.”
Four players promoted from the academy this season featured for the Sailors on Sunday: Tia Foong, Madelin included in the first eleven, while Cara Chang and Josephine Ang came off the bench.
Balestier enjoyed early possession, but the Sailors grew into the game, and took the lead in the 28th minute.
Miray Altun received a pass down the right flank and her cutback was diverted by Izzati Rosni into Madelin’s path. The midfielder sent a looping shot over Balestier goalkeeper Tan Eng Chiu, becoming the Sailors’ 17th different goalscorer for this WPL season.
Eight minutes later, the Sailors doubled their advantage after Izzati received the ball inside the box, took a touch and slotted it into the bottom corner for her 12th goal of the season.
The team started the second half with more control, and dominated proceedings even though they only opened the floodgates in the 71st minute.
14-year-old Cara, who had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes, curled the ball into the top corner for her fourth goal of the season, this after being played through by fellow substitute, Josephine.
Another three goals in the space of eight minutes then put the game to bed. Balestier’s Seri Nurhidayah turned the ball into her own net in the 77th minute, before Madelin netted her second of the night four minutes later.
Miray then finished off a counter-attacking move in the 85th minute for her fifth goal of the campaign to seal an emphatic Sailors’ win.
For Madelin, the goals provided an added boost, the match is only her second since returning from an injury sustained on 5 August.
“I am exhilarated, it’s amazing to score, especially because I’m more used to assisting my teammates,” she said.
“I’m thankful to my physios, for helping me get me back to full fitness, and my teammates for being patient with me throughout my rehabilitation.”
Despite the big win, Sheau Shyan was acutely aware that there is still everything to play for in the WPL, with a top of the table clash against Albirex around the corner.
“Sunday’s match will probably be the deciding match of the season, and we’re going all out to try and win,” she said.
“We know what we’ve set out to do and we want to win every match left this season.”
He can recall the moment in vivid detail as if he was watching a video playing right in front of his eyes.
“I didn’t think the cross would reach me, but I knew I needed to be sharp and react. And when the ball left my foot, I knew I was going to score,” said Richairo Živković.
With that swing of his left boot, the 27-year-old scored his 10th, and perhaps the most significant goal of his four-month old Lion City Sailors career. Richi’s 14th-minute strike set the platform for a crucial 2-1 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) victory over Hong Kong champions Kitchee SC on 4 October, a victory that kept the Sailors in the hunt to qualify for the Round of 16.
“It was an amazing feeling and gave us confidence as a team to score that early,” said the former Ajax Amsterdam man.
“We played a very good first half and should have been three or four goals up instead of just two. Overall, it was a great night in Hong Kong and everyone left the stadium very happy.”
The result, coupled with Bangkok United’s 3-2 upset of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, have thrown Group F wide open after two matchdays.
Bangkok lead the table with six points, while the Sailors are level with Jeonbuk on three points – with both teams set to face off in Jeonju in Matchday Three on Wednesday (25 October) before reconvening at Singapore’s Jalan Besar Stadium two weeks later.
After a couple of creditable performances and a win in the bag, Richi is bullish about the Sailors’ chances against an Asian powerhouse with two ACL trophies in their cabinet.
“For sure, it won’t be easy but the ball is round, no?” mulled Richi. “And we’ve shown so far that we can level up to perform in this competition.
“We’ll need to work together as a team and try to take advantage whenever we get some space upfront. At the same time, football is also about luck and we’ll probably need to get through a phase of the game where the other side is constantly attacking,” he added.
“Our mentality as a team is to go for the three points and that doesn’t change, even if we’re playing against a top side.”
While Richi and the Sailors’ attacking crew will be looking to exploit the spaces upfront, Aleksandar Ranković’s men will also need to replicate the resolute defensive display they put up against Kitchee.
With Zharfan Rohaizad putting up an inspired performance in between the sticks that earned him a spot in the ACL Team of the Round for Matchweek 2 and a solid back three of Manuel Herrera López (Súper), Hariss Harun and Lionel Tan, the Sailors stood firm in Hong Kong.
“It was a pleasant surprise and an honour to be selected, but at the end of the day, I was just happy to help the team and that’s what it’s all about really,” said Zharfan.
“The defenders in front of me did a splendid job – they swept everything up and had full concentration till the final minute of the game. We were very motivated to get a result and that’s how we should always perform in the ACL.”
Against Korean giants Jeonbuk, the odds are stacked against the Sailors, but the 26-year-old stands defiant.
“If it’s not tough, then it won’t be the ACL. We’re in this competition for a reason – to show that Singapore football has a place in Asia,” said Zharfan.
“We’re here not only to represent the club, but also our country: to play top teams from Korea or Japan is always the aim – and we’re not fearful, we’re relishing this challenge.”
The Lion City Sailors defeated nine-man Tanjong Pagar United 4-1 in a tightly-contested encounter at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (21 October) to maintain their perfect start in the Singapore Cup.
The team remained top in Group B with six points, three more than second-placed Hougang United, who the Sailors will face in the third and final group stage match on 25 November.
Aleksandar Ranković’s charges put in a much-improved second-half performance to secure the three points, with second-half substitute Shawal Anuar putting the finishing touches with a hat-trick, the first of his professional career.
Ranko credited his team for upping their intensity in the second half.
“In the second half, we were refreshed and when we moved the ball fast, then we could defeat them by creating a lot of chances,” he said.
“Shawal’s impact was really big, he did what he came on to do, and he’s been in great form in the last week too, also scoring for the national team.”
The 32-year-old Shawal had returned from the latest international break with a goal in Singapore’s 1-0 victory over Guam in the second leg of their first-round 2026 World Cup qualifiers just four days earlier.
The Sailors were handed a perfect start when, just 10 minutes in, Jaguars defender Shakir Hamzah caught Richairo Živković inside the box.
After a three-minute delay which included a video assistant referee (VAR) check, Brazilian midfielder Diego Lopes sent Tanjong Pagar keeper Kenji Rusydi the wrong way from the spot to put the Sailors 1-0 up.
In the 27th minute, Tanjong Pagar made it 1-1 after a long throw from Akram Azman was not cleared and Sailors old boy Naqiuddin Eunos slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
The Sailors were unable to find a breakthrough in the rest of the first half, with efforts from Diego and Maxime Lestienne going wide.
Tanjong Pagar was then reduced to ten men with Blake Ricciuto being sent off for a second bookable offence in the 48th minute after a late challenge on Diego, before Naqiuddin fluffed his lines in front of goal three minutes later.
The Sailors finally found a way through the stubborn Tanjong Pagar backline in the 68th minute, when Maxime found substitute Adam Swandi on the right, whose cross was converted by Shawal.
With the team’s renewed confidence, Shawal then scored his second 10 minutes later when Richi played an early ball across goal, and Maxime unselfishly laid it off for the no. 7 to finish the move.
Tanjong Pagar then finished the night with nine men with Tajeli Salamat getting a straight red for a cynical challenge on Richi, before Shawal took home the match ball by rolling the ball into an empty net after Kenji spilled Adam’s shot four minutes into stoppage time.
“I’m happy with my performance today, it was my responsibility to put the ball into the net and I had to do my job,” said the hat-trick hero, who has now netted 13 goals in all competitions for the Sailors.
The Sailors will look to carry their winning momentum to South Korea as they take on Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in their Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) 2023/24 Group F clash on Wednesday.
And Ranko made it clear that there will be no time to celebrate Saturday’s win.
“We’re going on a long trip there on Sunday (22 October) morning, then we’ll see how the boys recover. Thankfully we have two days for that,” Ranko said.
“And I hope this post-match interview isn’t going to be long, because I have to go home and pack!”
Watching her on the pitch, it is easy to assume that the assured Tia Foong is a seasoned footballer. Her maturity and know-how belies her age, and the fact that this is the 16-year-old’s debut season in the Lion City Sailors Women Team.
One of seven players promoted from the Sailors’ Girls Academy, Tia is beginning to get regular game time in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) for the Sailors who currently top the 10-team WPL table, four points ahead of Albirex Niigata (S) with five games left to play.
Tia credits her teammates and Head Coach, Yeong Sheau Shyan for shaping her into the player she has become, and hopes to continue in her rich vein of form when the Sailors take on Balestier Khalsa on Sunday (22 October) at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
“This season I’ve gained much more insight and valuable experiences through these WPL matches. Through analysis of the game with Coach Sheau Shyan’s help, we are able to identify our shortcomings and work on it as a team,” said the right-back.
In the Sailors’ 1-0 win against Tanjong Pagar last weekend, Tia impressed in her role as a defensive midfielder alongside fellow teenager Madelin Lock. It was the first time she was moved further up the pitch, from her usual position in defence.
“Although I wasn’t very familiar with the new position, everyone gave me the support I needed,” she said. “They guided me, telling me what I needed to do, and that was very comforting as I sometimes got quite lost during the match.”
Tia describes the experience of jumping from the Women’s National League (WNL) to the WPL as a surreal one.
“It has been an honour to play alongside the people I’ve always looked up to. They’ve helped me push my limits and have helped make me a better player as a whole, and I’m really grateful to be in this team,” she gushed.
It has not only been a momentous year for Tia in football, but also at school where the Secondary Four student is currently in the midst of her ‘O’ Level examinations.
“It has definitely not been easy for me. It’s been quite stressful at times, but with proper time management and a realistic daily to-do list, it’s quite manageable,” she said.
Goalkeeper, Beatrice Tan paid tribute to the Sailors’ team spirit, attributing wins and clean sheets – including the one against Tanjong Pagar United last weekend – to the strong camaraderie in the dressing room.
“I’m grateful to my teammates for covering and protecting me, that definitely boosted my confidence. Even though we were very lean, everyone played their hearts out, covered one another, stuck to the game plan and delivered,” said Beatrice, paying tribute to her team for coming out tops despite injuries forcing the team to manage with only two substitutes on the bench.
Despite the string of wins, Beatrice is adamant that the team is not getting ahead of themselves in what is the final stretch of the WPL season.
“Like what we always say and do, we take things one game at a time. We treat every opponent with respect and will not be complacent,” she noted.
“We will focus on the game plan for every match, keep ourselves fit, healthy and ready for every match. That’s the key.”
Three weeks on from their emphatic victory against Kitchee SC in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL), the Lion City Sailors return to the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (21 October) to take on Tanjong Pagar United in their second Singapore Cup Group B fixture.
While it has been some time since the team earned its first three points in the 2023/24 edition of Asia’s premier club competition, the resounding performance they put up was a textbook showing of team football, said Maxime Lestienne, who scored his second-ever ACL goal that night.
“We played together as a team and were very compact, and whenever we got the opportunity to attack, we went together which allowed us to go up 2-0 at the end of the first half,” said the Belgian.
The Sailors’ Singapore Cup opponents, Tanjong Pagar, emerged victorious in their opening Group B clash, running out 2-1 winners over Hougang United at the Jurong East Stadium on 25 September.
That same night, the Sailors also kicked off their campaign with a resounding 7-0 thumping of Balestier Khalsa at Bishan Stadium.
The results on the first matchday saw both teams shoot to the top of the standings in Group B with 3 points apiece, the Sailors creeping ahead on goal difference.
The Balestier encounter – that would be remembered for the avalanche of goals – was also a memorable night for 23-year-old Harith Kanadi, who came on as a 71st-minute substitute to make his Sailors’ debut.
“It felt good to get playing time in the Singapore Cup because it’s also been a while since I’ve been able to play, and I’m still adapting to the team,” he said.
“But it felt good to finally get to play in front of our fans at Bishan Stadium.”
Nearly a month has passed since that opening match, but Harith remained confident that the team is on track to bring home the Singapore Cup.
“We’ve been consistently working hard in training every week, and we all feel confident that we can get the three points again on Saturday,” said Harith.
“Tanjong Pagar is an aggressive side, but we are sure that we will be able to match their aggression and win the game,”
That confidence that Harith describes undoubtedly fills the air in the dressing room, but for Maxime, the trophy they’re chasing means much more than just a piece of silverware to show for the 2023 season.
Since signing for the club in 2022, the Belgian has made top spot on the league’s assist rankings his own, earned a Player of the Year nomination and has sparked feisty discussions on who, if not him, has been the best foreign player to grace domestic football.
In 2023, he registered another 21 assists to top the assists charts again, this time adding the Golden Boot award as well, as he finished the season with a league-leading 25 goals.
Despite all that, the 31-year-old has yet to lift a trophy in Singapore, a fact that he is eager to fix.
“Since I came last year, we haven’t been able to win anything, and for me, it’s important to win something with the club,” said a resolute Maxime. “I came here to win trophies, and I’m ready to give my all to do that.”
Victory against Tanjong Pagar on Saturday would see the Sailors open up a three-point lead at the top of Group B with a game to play.
But with an encounter with two-time ACL Champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium coming just four days later on 25 October, managing fitness levels across the two matches will be critical.
“It’s not easy for us because we have two matches in a very short period, so we will need to focus on Tanjong Pagar without forgetting about Jeonbuk,” added Maxime, who was quick to assure his Sailors have no intentions of letting up in either competition.
“We definitely want to win the Singapore Cup, especially because we couldn’t win the league this year so we will give our 100 percent to bring it home.”
It was four minutes into stoppage time in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) fixture, and the scoreboard read: Lion City Sailors 0 Tanjong Pagar United 0.
Yeong Sheau Shyan’s Sailors came to Clementi Stadium on Sunday (15 October) with just 13 players, and the injury-ravaged side were given a lifeline when referee Shafiq Ali pointed to the spot.
Right-back Nur Syazwani Ruzi duly converted the penalty, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch as the Sailors picked up a 1-0 win after a seven-week international break.
The win came in a crucial period for the Sailors, who had a depleted squad due to injuries and could only field two substitutes as a result.
Wani – who now has three goals this season – may not have a knack for scoring goals, but she took the responsibility of handing her side the lead with the spot-kick, revealing that the confidence came from the preceding free-kick which led to the penalty.
She had delivered the ball into the box, which found Miray Altun who was then fouled.
“At first I thought we could get a goal from the free kick. And so I had the confidence to take the penalty as well,” the 22-year-old said.
“Penalties are just another obstacle for me in football. I’ve also been practising taking penalties during training. When it went in, I just felt happy we got the three points.”
A relieved Sheau Shyan commended her players for giving their all on the pitch.
“The players delivered what I asked of them, and I’m very proud,” the 45-year-old said.
“This win will give us confidence that even when we’re not at 100 percent, we can still play good football.”
The match got off to a blistering start, with Tanjong Pagar almost taking the lead within a minute.
Nur Faradila Rafidi found teammate Farah Nurzahirah unmarked in the box, but her strike was blocked by Sailors defenders who put their bodies on the line.
The encounter then turned scrappy, with both teams trying to capitalise on errors but to little effect.
The two sides were left snapping at half-chances as the Sailors looked to form a solid backline to prevent their opponents from playing through them.
That included custodian Beatrice Tan, who stood firm in goal and put in a fine goalkeeping performance to help the team keep a clean sheet.
And the breakthrough finally came when Wani placed her penalty into the corner of the net, giving Tanjong Pagar goalkeeper Nurul Haziqah Haszman no chance.
The Sailors’ defensive display did not go unnoticed, with Sheau Shyan and Wani both highlighting the importance of the team remaining tight at the back.
“The urgency was really there today, we knew that we had to protect Beatrice so everyone was going for the ball, fighting for it and trying to keep it as high up the pitch as possible,” Sheau Shyan explained.
Added Wani: “We covered one another well and that’s what we expect from each other. It’s a good effort from the whole team.”
The win was the Sailors’ 12th in 13 matches this season, as they remained four points ahead of nearest challengers Albirex Niigata (S) with five matches left to go.
The reigning WPL champions will be back in action this Sunday as they take on seventh-placed Balestier Khalsa at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
She may have just joined the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team on 18 August, but centre-back Sara Hayduchok has clearly settled in and is feeling right at home at the club.
And with just six games remaining in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, the 28-year-old Filipino-American is determined to do all she can to fuel the defending WPL champions charge to retain their crown, starting with the clash against Tanjong Pagar United on Sunday (15 October) at Clementi Stadium.
The Sailors currently lead the WPL standings with 34 points from 12 matches, four more than closest rivals Albirex Niigata (S).
“It’s been an amazing experience so far, I’ve adapted really well. One of the biggest aspects of the team’s culture is working hard, and I think I fit right into that,” she said.
“I feel pretty well-integrated with the team – everyone has been very welcoming. Learning how to work as a unit has been my favourite part, and (Head Coach Yeong) Sheau Shyan is really knowledgeable in helping us play off each other’s strengths as a team.”
Since becoming a part of the Sailors, Sara has started only once in the WPL, in August’s 6-1 win against her former side Tampines Rovers. And with the league returning after a seven-week international break, she is hungry for more minutes.
Sara will be taking on a pivotal role in the Sailors’ backline, with the injury-enforced absence of defenders Fatin Aqillah and Umairah Hamdan.
“I feel like I haven’t really had the chance to play so far because of the breaks in our schedule, and I’m really looking forward to this final push where exciting things can happen,” she noted.
Sara highlighted that the break did not deter the team from putting in their fullest commitment in training, especially after several players returned from their national team duties.
“As a team we’re taking training very seriously, but at the same time being able to really smile, have fun and enjoy the sessions,” she said.
“I feel like that’s very consistent even though there’s been a lot of fluctuation with when matches are taking place and how much time we have off.”
Acknowledging the strengths of Sunday’s opponents, who currently sit fifth in the 10-team WPL standings but finished third last season, Sara emphasised the need for the team to be “confident yet cautious”.
“Of course we want to maintain our top priority, which is to finish the rest of the season with six wins out of six. Another goal is to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible after a really long and enduring season,” she added.
Sheau Shyan called for caution, warning that the Sailors’ upcoming fixtures cannot be taken lightly.
“This month, we are going to play the WPL’s top two teams – not in terms of position but in my opinion – Tanjong Pagar and Albirex. The next match, especially, will be one of our biggest challenges in recent weeks. And these are just obstacles we have to overcome,” explained the 45-year-old.
“This will be a big test for us but I believe that if we’re in good condition, we can get the results we want,” she said.
Ahead of this important final stretch, Sara is prepared to assume more responsibility at the heart of the Sailor’s defence.
“I’ve got the work ethic and with the right level of fitness, I’m confident that I’ll be able to maintain my levels,” she said.
“I feel pretty good about it.”
He was a battle-hardened defender before he hung up his boots, equally comfortable embracing the tough tasks and dirty work that come with being his team’s designated “destroyer”.
It is easy – even understandable – to believe that the imaginably grizzled face of a man that fits this profile has perpetually furrowed brows over narrowed eyes and pursed lips.
The fact that a smile sneaks onto Aleksandar Ranković’s face every so often when he speaks of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) is perhaps one big reason there is much positivity around the Lion City Sailors’ ongoing campaign.
From the palpable excitement around Sailors fans to the increased intensity from his charges and back slaps from people associated with the club, Ranko is embracing his first dance on Asia’s biggest stage.
“It means a lot to me that we can represent Singapore football on the Asian stage, and that’s maybe the most important thing for me and the team – and also maybe why we’ve had a different energy around Mattar Road,” said the 45-year-old.
“Everyone here is very aware that we are representing our community and the country, not just the club – and they want to perform as best as they can.”
And Ranko has been absolutely delighted with the work put in, and the accompanying attitude – from all corners.
“I loved the atmosphere at the Jalan Besar Stadium, I think it was the most people I’ve seen at our game since I’ve come to Singapore. They give us a lot of energy, and that’s what you want,” he said, of the 3,000-strong crowd in the stands – including Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam – as the Sailors fell 2-1 to Bangkok United in their opening Group F fixture on 20 September.
Fans also made their presence at the Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday (4 October) keenly felt, feeding the Sailors with electricity from the stands. It worked a charm, with Hariss Harun and company beating Hong Kong champions Kitchee SC 2-1 and returning with all three points.
“I hope that we continue to give our fans nice things to see – our team being very competitive and trying to play really nice football and scoring a lot of goals – so they have no reason not to come and support us,” he said, a beaming smile sneaking onto his face.
And it is precisely this, turning in competitive performances and securing results at Asia’s top table, and a burning desire from all associated with the team, that gives Ranko much satisfaction.
“You want to compete against the best, that’s the main goal for us in this competition. Then you can see where you are, not only as a team, but also as an individual and as a club,” said the Serb.
“Being with this team every day for these past two months or so, I really cannot ask for more from them. There are still several things we want to improve, but I’m very happy with how we train and how we perform – and this is on the pitch and off it as well.”
As another smile popped across his face, Ranko revealed an added bonus to these positive vibes at the Sailors Mattar Road Training Centre. In his eyes – and the upturned lips – it was clear this was a massive bonus.
He said: “This approach is not just from the guys who start the games, it is also from the guys on the bench and everyone – they bring a lot of energy to the team – and there is a lot of healthy competition in the team.
“And that helps me a lot as a coach.”
With these key pieces in place, in Ranko’s eyes, there’s only one thing left to do.
“We want to measure ourselves against the best teams in Asia, and we want to compete. What we need to do is to take the intensity that we know we are capable of and have brought to the table against Bangkok and Kitchee, and make sure we can hit those levels throughout every match we play,” said Ranko.
“And from what I’ve seen, I believe we can do this.”
