Author: Lion City Sailors
Francesinha.
That was the solitary word from the Portuguese lexicon that was uttered by Lion City Sailors’ new signing Rui Pires during the entire recording of his First Interview with the club.
This from a man who had on several occasions prior to sitting down in front of cameras at Mattar Road, warned that because his spoken English is not great, a switch to Portuguese may be necessary from time to time, perhaps especially with the more difficult questions.
There was one English word that clearly came easy to Rui, and was peppered across his responses – win.
Rui dropped the word “win” more than a dozen times across the interview – evidently a word that underlines his key objective in signing up as a Sailor.
“No, of course it’s not,” rebutted the 25-year-old when quizzed about whether it is a step down from the top European leagues in France and Portugal where he used to play in. “This is the best team in Singapore and I can see this team trains to win every game.
“In Europe, the teams I played in – a few of them are in the middle of the table. Over here, the expectations are very high and that’s something I like. My mentality is the same – to win and keep doing the things to help us win titles,” added Rui, who was signed with the aim of helping the Sailors become more competitive at Asia’s top table when they commence their second Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) campaign this September.
“Of course, I know it’ll be very difficult in the ACL, but I think we have the capability and the players to compete and win games,” he said of his key assignment.
Rui comes with real pedigree, having progressed through the youth system of famed Portuguese side FC Porto and regularly captained their reserve side Porto B as well the Portuguese age-group teams till the Under-20 level.
He skippered the Portugal side – filled with talents like Manchester United-linked goalkeeper Diogo Costa, current United star Diogo Dalot and AC Milan forward Rafael Leão – at the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, with the team finishing as runners-up. Rui’s individual performances earned him a spot in the official Team of the Tournament.
The midfielder also won the French second-tier Ligue 2 with Troyes in 2020/21 and played in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2021 with Portuguese top-flight side FC Paços de Ferreira.
It was the audacious ambition of the Sailors project that piqued his interest and ultimately pulled him to Singapore.
“I know of Singapore because the Formula One race here is very famous, and in fact, my wife and I were thinking of coming this way for a holiday, but now we’re actually living here!” said Rui, chuckling.
“When the club spoke to me and presented this project, I was really impressed, especially with the conditions here with a very established Academy – something like we see in Europe,” said Rui who also trained on plenty of occasions with Porto’s first team alongside the likes of Rúben Neves, Éder Militão and Pepe.
“That’s why I really want to be part of this club and I believe I can still continue to play at a very high level like before.”
Describing himself as a deep-lying defensive midfielder who likes to help teammates “recover the ball faster and play the key passes to make the team go forward”, Rui is a deep thinker on the pitch and an avid reader off it.
“I like to read – a lot. My last book was Rich Dad Poor Dad. (By Robert T Kiyosaki). I also like the book of the Tesla guy, Elon Musk, and Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight.
“I really like to read books about business, finance and investments so that I can have more knowledge,” he revealed.
Rui is now acclimatising well and has already struck up a good chemistry with fellow foreign players in the team like Maxime Lestienne and Diego Lopes in training.
“Since Day One, the club has helped me a lot and I was warmly welcomed by everyone. The Brazilian guys Diego and Pedro (Henrique) speak in Portuguese as well so it’s much easier for me. I’ve also watched some matches and I’m really impressed by the quality of our team.
“Weather-wise, it’s nice because it’s summertime all year. The only thing is that I have to bring a (foldable) umbrella every day because you never know when it might rain!”
Having chosen no 46, his first jersey number at Porto, Rui is targeting a long stay at the Sailors.
“I really want to stay here for a few years. I believe I can win games here and I really want to help the club get to where we want to be.”
For those who do not know, francesinha is a type of Portuguese sandwich made with layers of toasted bread and assorted hot meats – and it is Rui’s favourite cheat meal. But perhaps the more important aspect of Rui Pires that Sailors’ fans need to know is that he is here to win.
And he can definitely tell you that in English.
Lion City Sailors have unveiled midfielder Rui Pires as their third signing in the past week, adding quality to the club’s midfield engine room and strengthening the squad for the upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League campaign.
With Rui signing a two-year contract and joining the Sailors’ two mid-season signings in defender Bailey Wright and forward Richairo Živković, the Sailors have moved to ensure quality across the spine of the team as the club prepares to embark on its second ACL campaign in September.
Prior to signing up as a Sailor, the 25-year-old Rui plied his trade as a defensive midfielder for FC Paços de Ferreira in the Primeira Liga, the top tier of Portuguese football. Known for his astute positional sense and defensive abilities, the right-footed midfielder has been key in protecting backlines in every team he has played for.
Rui began his journey in the acclaimed youth system of FC Porto, where he progressed through the ranks, featuring prominently in its Under-15, U17, and U19 sides. He was subsequently promoted to Porto’s B side, competing in Liga Portugal 2, the second tier of Portuguese football.
After a successful stint, Rui made a permanent move to French second-tier side Troyes in July 2019. Following two seasons in France and winning the 2020/21 Ligue 2 title, he returned to Portugal on loan with FC Paços de Ferreira before securing a permanent deal.
“Rui could well be the final piece of the jigsaw for us. More than just experience from his time in Europe, Rui’s sharp positioning, anticipation and tackling can be the defensive shield that gives our frontline to attack in the way that we want,” said Aleksandar Ranković, who was appointed Sailors Head Coach in June.
“The ACL is where we will test ourselves against the best in Asia, and to have Rui fit into the spine of our team will give us a good platform to go out there and compete for the results that will put the Sailors on the map of Asian football.”
During his time with Paços Ferreira, Rui demonstrated his capabilities on the European stage, making two appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifiers. Notably, he played the full 90 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur in the Qualifying Round 2nd leg, showcasing his composure and skill at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Rui has also captained various age-group teams for Portugal, earning call-ups – and the armband – at the U18, U19, and U20 levels. His standout performances in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2017 led to his inclusion in the prestigious Team of the Tournament.
“I joined the Sailors because I want to be part of a project that has big ambitions and all the right pieces in place: the conditions I see here are like what I see in Europe, with the Training Centre and the system in the Academy. But perhaps more important is that the club has high expectations and clearly wants to win trophies,” said Rui.
“I know the ACL is a tough competition, but from what I have seen in our team, I believe we can do something there, compete and win matches too.”
The Sailors finished with seven points in the club’s maiden journey into the top-tier regional competition last season.
“The Sailors are the best club in Singapore, and the club’s mentality exactly matches my own: I want to keep playing at the highest level, win matches for the Sailors, and I promise you I will keep doing the right things that can help us win titles.”
The Lion City Sailors fell to a 3-1 defeat to Brunei DPMM in an exhilarating clash at the Bishan Stadium on Tuesday (11 July) night, with the defeat knocking Aleksandar Ranković and his charges off course in the hunt for the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title.
But the Sailors head coach was stoic after watching his team put in a battling performance following Bailey Wright’s VAR-enforced 32nd minute sending off on his Sailors debut.
“Nothing changes,” said Ranko, unflinching. “We still have to win all the games and honestly, we are not in a position to look at our opponents.”
The defeat meant the Sailors dropped to third in the nine-team SPL table with 39 points, trailing both Albirex Niigata(S) and Tampines Rovers by two points. Albirex, the Sailors’ next opponents on Sunday (16 July), have a game in hand.
“We started very poorly in the first half and we conceded very easy goals but I have to give compliments to my team after we got the red card for the way they fought,” said the 44-year-old.
DPMM took an early lead through skipper Azwan Ali Rahman finding the back of the net in the 9th minute, and continued to cause problems to a Sailors side who asked several questions of their own.
Just seven minutes later, Shawal Anuar regained possession at the top of the DPMM box with a crafty tackle and sent Maxime striding towards goal and pulling DPMM custodian Kristijan Naumovski off his line. The Belgian’s cutback to Diego Lopes at the top of the six yard box was somehow blocked then cleared.
The Sailors carved out several other opportunities in an opening half that could have been made more comfortable than it was, with Hafiz Nor, Shawal and Maxime presented with glorious opportunities to score. But a combination of profligacy and an inspired Naumovski saw the Bruneians hang on to the lead.
Then came what was perhaps the game-defining moment at Bishan.
Bailey initially received a yellow card after getting tangled with Hanif Farhan who was running through on goal, then appeared to wrestle him to the ground. But after being called for an on-field review, referee Jansen Foo jogged up to the former Sunderland defender and flashed a straight red instead.
“In that moment, I didn’t feel it was a red card. The referees had their decision to make and they looked at VAR and I’ve got to live with that,” said a crestfallen Bailey.
“This is a psychological test for me, and I will overcome it.”
And before the Sailors could settle into their new shape, DPMM capitalised.
Hakeme Yazid doubled their lead just two minutes later, as he broke free down the left before lashing a crisp grounder past Zharfan Rohaizad at his near post.
The Sailors had a golden opportunity to change the complexion of the game just before half-time after captain on the night, Hafiz, was adjudged to have been impeded in the DPMM box. But Sailors’ Belgian wizard Maxime uncharacteristically blazed his spot-kick over the bar.
The home side walked out of the Bishan dressing room and back onto the pitch with a fire in their eyes, and matched that with a battling spirit that delighted the crowd – and half the deficit.
Adam Swandi headed in a Hafiz cross within six minutes of the restart, and it looked like a spirited comeback was well on the cards.
But that momentum was halted in the 65th minute as DPMM restored their two-goal cushion courtesy of Angel Martinez. The Sailors pushed till the end with mid-season signing Richairo Živković coming off the bench for his club debut, but the visitors remained resilient and held on till the final whistle.
A visibly distraught Bailey apologised to his team and the fans, then called for a determination to set things right in the remaining six matches.
“Obviously I am extremely disappointed, when you think of a debut, that’s certainly not something I had in mind. It was extremely frustrating for me, but I will learn from today and make sure this never happens again,” said the Australian international.
“We had chances and moments where we had real fight in the second half and we exhibited grit and determination. We gave it a go and it might have been a different result if we had eleven men out there,” added Bailey.
“We have to quickly pick ourselves up and recover and move on because we have another big game coming up soon.”
That big game is Sunday’s clash against Albirex that will be treated like a cup final, and Ranko will have his charges primed and ready to go.
“We have to prepare well for the next game and of course, we are going to take some things from this game and learn from it,” he said, his brows narrowing.
“It is going to be totally different against Albirex – and I am looking forward to it.”
He sauntered into the Lion City Sailors Training Centre, bag slung over relaxed shoulders, and a gait that can only be described as a floaty swagger. Richairo Živković was clearly already at ease with his new surroundings – a somewhat breezy approach that could well be a sturdy launchpad for what has already been an eventful career.
The 26-year-old has reached the dizzying heights of the English Premier League, the UEFA Champions League (UCL) and Europa League (UEL), but he is convinced that joining the Sailors is the right step for his career.
“When my contract was expiring in Holland, I was thinking of going on a new adventure so I was really happy when the Sailors contacted me,” said Richairo, who scored five goals in the 2022/23 season with Dutch side FC Emmen.
“This is a project with a clear vision all the way from the Academy to the First Team, and that’s one aspect that I really like, and feel that I can get behind – it was easy for me to come to a decision once I found out what the Sailors are about.”
Wearing a languid smile throughout his first video interview with the Sailors, it quickly became clear that Richairo is at ease with his past.
A simple Google search with the keywords “Richairo Živković wonderkid” tells the story of 17-year-old Richairo who was a transfer target for English giants Liverpool and Manchester City, but opted to sign for his dream boyhood club Ajax Amsterdam.
He played in Ajax’s 4-0 group stage win over APOEL in the 2014/15 UCL, coming on as a late substitute and was prolific for the club’s Under-21s, but being unable to become a first-team regular led to him leaving from greener pastures in the summer of 2017.
Since then, the former Dutch youth player had spells in Belgium, China and Serbia, as well as a loan stint at Sheffield United where he made five appearances in the English top tier – including a 26-minute substitute appearance at Old Trafford against Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Manchester United.
But Richairo is not one to cry over spilt milk, not any more.
“At the beginning, I felt a lot of pressure because of the expectations people had of me. Everything I did was in the media and everybody had an opinion – sometimes it went well for me, but sometimes it was also against me. I was very young and I probably didn’t appreciate it as much when I was there (at Ajax),” he said.
“I’ve learnt over the years not to care about what people say and to deal with the pressure better. And I don’t have any regrets right now,” said Richairo.
Now acclimatising well in Singapore, Richairo has been getting up to speed by watching his new teammates.
Choosing to don the number 34 jersey in tribute to former Ajax teammate Abdelhak Nouri – who suffered cardiac arrhythmia in 2017 and is still recovering – the 1.87m Richairo is looking to impart his experience and plunder goals in the blue and white of the Sailors.
“Why am I coming here? Simple – to play football, to score goals,” he answered with a sniff of nonchalance. “I want to bring my experience and help my teammates here. I’ve many ambitions here – I think we definitely have what it takes to win the league and we can do well in the AFC Champions League.
“Everything starts with full commitment. For myself, I have to make sure I adapt well to the team and the league to make sure I’m successful here.”
Looking at this rocket of a strike that Richairo scored just a month ago for FC Emmen in the Eredivisie play-offs, the ingredients for success seem to be well in place.
Richairo now begins life under Aleksandar Ranković, a man he faced in the Eredivisie in May this year when Ranko was still FC Utrecht assistant manager, and he, an FC Emmen forward.
“Funny how football works, eh?” said Richairo.
Indeed it will be, if both of them now work in tandem – away from Europe – to deliver success in the Lion City.
Lion City Sailors have unveiled forward Richairo Živković as their second signing of the 2023 Singapore Premier League (SPL) mid-season transfer window, adding firepower to the club’s concerted challenge for the SPL title and pursuit of improved performances at the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) top-tier club competition, the AFC Champions League (ACL).
Joining on a one-year contract, Richairo’s attacking verve provides balance to the defensive solidarity brought to the Sailors by Sunderland cult hero, Bailey Wright, the club’s first signing during the window.
The 26-year-old Richairo won the Serbian league and Cup double with Red Star Belgrade in the 2021/22 season, before returning to the Eredivisie with FC Emmen. It was in the Dutch top tier that Richairo first burst onto the scene, with FC Groningen, scoring 11 goals in 37 appearances as a 17-year-old before signing for Ajax Amsterdam in 2014.
Born in the Netherlands, Richairo plays international football for Curaçao, last turning out for the Dutch Caribbean nation located some 70 km north of Venezuela in a March friendly against Lionel Messi and his FIFA World Cup champions, Argentina.
“Richairo gives us an additional dimension to our attack with his speed and instinctive goal-scoring ability. I’m confident that he will pose big problems to opposition defences and help us get the goals we need in our push for the league title,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković of his 1.87m new signing.
“He perhaps doesn’t get as much credit for the aerial prowess that he also possesses, and with the top-level football experience he brings from his time in Europe, we’re all looking forward to seeing him pull on the Sailors shirt as soon as possible.”
In addition to turning out for Sheffield United in the English Premier League in 2020, Richairo also has played in the UEFA Champions League with Ajax and Europa League experience with Red Star.
“This is a project with a clear vision all the way from the Academy to the First Team, and that’s one aspect that I really like, and feel that I can get behind – it was easy for me to come to a decision once I found out what the Sailors are about,” said Richairo.
“The Training Centre is a fantastic facility, and I can’t wait to get onto the pitch with my teammates, play some good football, score goals, entertain our fans and win trophies – that’s also why I signed up to be a Sailor.”
Richairo joins a squad already bursting at the seams with European pedigree, alongside Belgian Maxime Lestienne who leads the SPL in goals and assists, former Rio Ave midfielder Diego Lopes, and Wright.
And he is raring to go.
“I’m here to score goals and help the team with my experience. With the solid squad that we have here, I believe we can definitely win the league and do well in the ACL.”
After a 4-0 victory over Young Lions on Friday (7 July) at the Jalan Besar Stadium, the Lion City Sailors will be keen to keep their momentum flowing when they take on Brunei DPMM on Tuesday (11 July) night at the Bishan Stadium.
The Sailors are currently second in the nine-team Singapore Premier League (SPL) table, with 39 points, two behind Albirex Niigata (S), while Tuesday’s opponents, DPMM, are seventh with only 15 points from 17 matches.
But the Bruneians are unpredictable, and the stakes are high. A win would propel Aleksandar Ranković’s men to the top of the table with 42 points before they take on title rivals Albirex on Sunday (16 June), turning the pressure on the Japanese side as the SPL enters the business end of the season.
“DPMM have several key players like Andrei Varankou and Hakeme Yazid – who we need to watch out for because they can cause us problems if we are not careful,” warned Sailors full-back Zulqarnaen Suzliman. “DPMM are also defensively very good: they are very compact when it comes to defending, and it would be difficult to play against them.”
The point the 25-year-old made was underlined on Saturday (8 July), with DPMM frustrating Albirex, holding the defending SPL champions to a 1-1 draw, a result that now presents the Sailors a chance to reclaim the summit, albeit temporarily.
Zulqarnaen and company already have first-hand experience of just what DPMM can do.
The Sailors beat DPMM 3-1 in March in a match that marked the latter’s return to the SPL following the Covid-19 pandemic, but the fast-improving Bruneians secured a 3-3 draw with the Sailors in May.
The Sailors will undoubtedly keep that see-saw match in mind as an important reminder that there can be no room for complacency.
“To get all three points, we have to be very clinical with our chances, maintain high intensity throughout the match, and exploit any gaps in DPMM’s backline,” said Zulqarnaen.
“We are chasing Albirex for the title, so every game from now is like a final – and the objective for every match is the same: go out there and get three points.”
The Singapore international believes that the Sailors are on a positive trajectory, embracing Ranko’s tactical and physical demands, and it is a sentiment shared by custodian Zharfan Rohaizad.
“In the past two games, you can see on the pitch that the team is gelling very well with each other, in the new system and tactics that our coach wants. It has been terrific and I feel we are constantly improving after every training session,” said the 26-year-old.
Zharfan called on his teammates to leverage their recent impressive form and continue to drive towards the goal of leapfrogging Albirex to the SPL summit.
“We are training happy, we are gaining momentum from our past few games, and I’m confident we will continue to grow as a team and give our fans another good result at Bishan,” he said.
The Sailors now have two wins in two games under Ranko, turning in positive performances that showcased a renewed vigour in attack prowess as well as defensive solidity. And with eleven goals scored in the last two games, the team is brimming with confidence.
Zharfan, who recorded his fifth clean sheet of the campaign against the Young Lions last Friday, is grateful for hitting those numbers but asserts that the bigger picture will always be more important.
“For me, a clean sheet is the second most important thing – a bonus – the team always comes first and the main priority is to get the win in every match that we play,” said Zharfan.
“And to stay on track and continue to drive towards the SPL title.”
He has played the entirety of his professional career in England, amassing over 400 games across the English second-tier Championship, and in the English League One across four clubs. He has played in front of sellout crowds at Sunderland’s iconic Stadium of Light, emerged victorious twice at Wembley, and featured at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
But Bailey Wright had no qualms travelling more than 10,000km away to carve out a new chapter of his career in Singapore with the Lion City Sailors – and not for a “holiday” either.
The Australian centre-back, who has two goals in 29 caps for the Socceroos went a tad off tangent when asked about his targets with the Sailors, already looking beyond Singapore shores to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) club – and even international competitions.
“I want to win the league here and help the club do well in the AFC Champions League (ACL), hopefully with many clean sheets along the way. But outside of club football, I still very much have big ambitions to keep playing for Australia,” said Bailey, who last pulled on a Socceroos shirt earlier in March when he played the full 90 minutes in Australia’s 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in an international friendly.
“We’ve got the AFC Asian Cup next January to look forward to and opportunities for the national team do not come easy, so I want to make sure I’m in my best form to give myself the best chance to be selected for that. First and foremost, though, my focus is playing well for the Sailors and I know the rest will take care of itself.”
Bailey’s ambition is crystal clear, and by his own admission, it was easy to make a decision once the Sailors came calling.
Someone who embraces new and unique challenges, the prospect and excitement of being involved in the wildly ambitious Sailors project – one that is based off the state-of-the-art Training Centre at Mattar Road – is one that proved too enticing to turn down.
“I’ve experienced some great occasions with big successes, but I’m always thinking: “what’s my next challenge?” From the moment I had discussions with people at the club and saw the direction that the club wants to take, I developed a real sense of passion and pride in the big project that’s building here,” said the Melbourne-born 30-year-old.
“I know the Singapore Premier League (SPL) is not the strongest in Asia yet, but this club wants to change things and create a team that everyone can be proud of. It’s a long-term project and I quite like the challenge of being part of something big, something beyond just the first team and creating something exciting from the Academy upwards,” he added.
“I want to play my part in winning games for the club, but also improving football here as a whole.”
Bailey got proper emotional in his farewell interview with Sunderland and understandably so, it was not easy leaving a club where he spent three-and-a-half years – making 107 appearances, most of them as captain, as he helped the team to win their first trophy in 48 years in the 2020/21 Papa John’s Trophy and earning promotion back into the second-tier in 2022.
And he received a heartfelt farewell from club and supporters alike.
He will feature heavily in Season Three of the famous fly-on-the-wall documentary, Sunderland ’Til I Die, which showcases the Black Cats’ memorable 2021/22 promotion-winning campaign – with the release date still yet to be confirmed.
“When you’ve gone through those highs and lows, and created friendships and bonds with people throughout the club, it’s always difficult leaving. My two baby girls (two-year-old Koa and nine-month-old Tia) were born in the Northeast of England, which makes it a special place forever for me – and it was nice to get the send-off that I had from there,” said a pensive Bailey.
“I think we don’t always like change, but change is sometimes the best thing we can have so that you can go through new experiences and have opportunities to start building new connections.”
There is at least one clear reason why Bailey has been a fan favourite at virtually every club he has been at. At Preston North End, Bristol City and Sunderland, he was constantly involved in club charities and work in the community – something which he has won several awards for.
“I think we’ve all been in that situation before when we’re kids and we’re looking up to the first-team players in our local team, it means a lot when they meet you and share their experience with you. If there’s the opportunity to have a large impact on people just from being who you’re, then I think we should do it,” said Bailey, a four-time Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Community Champion in 2015/2016, 2018/2019, 2020/2021 and most recently in 2021/2022.
“I’ve always enjoyed the community side of things, especially answering some crazy but honest questions from the kids, so I’ll definitely get involved again in this at the Sailors.”
While there is a soft side to him, Bailey’s face changes when he crosses the white line: he is a fierce competitor who leads by example with astute leadership qualities and leaves it all on the pitch with his full-blooded style – quite literally.
With blood pouring from a gash on his head, he soldiered on to lead Sunderland to a playoff semi-final win over Sheffield Wednesday in 2022 – a win that proved pivotal in the Black Cats being promoted to the Championship – before receiving 10 stitches for his troubles.
Sunderland utilised that image – now seared into the Wearside psyche – on Instagram for his farewell post.
View this post on Instagram
“Away from the pitch, I’m pretty chilled and easy-going, but I guess I’ll become a little bit different when I get on it. There’s the competitor in me and that’s what you see on the football pitch. I like winning and having that fire in the belly every day when I train and play – that’s how I am,” said Bailey.
The defender also suffered a concussion seconds into his first appearance at his Rotherham United loan stint in early February when he got struck by a stray elbow.
He said of his heart-on-sleeves approach that is blended with a healthy dollop of what-doesn’t-kill-me-makes-me-stronger: “I’m someone who naturally likes to lead – to be able to influence people around me and try to get the best of others. I like driving and pushing my teams forward.”
Bailey’s commitment to his approach again came to the fore when he spoke of his best memories in football. One might have suspected it was playing at the World Cup or securing promotion with Sunderland, but it was none of those.
“There are great moments in my career, but the moments that kick you on the furthest are the biggest setbacks you have. There was a large spell when I was at Bristol City few years ago when I just couldn’t stay fit. I couldn’t quite figure out what’s going on every time I tried to get fit, but it kind of just forced me to keep getting stronger mentally and physically. Those moments are the ones that push you on and make you more resilient in your character,” he shared.
Bailey already has eyes beyond the game – he completed a Master’s Degree in sports directorship from the University of East London last year – but for now, his focus is fully on settling into Singapore and propelling the Sailors to reclaiming the SPL crown.
With his competitive spirit complementing the team’s early good signs under new Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković, the Australian international firmly believes that the Sailors can reach lofty targets.
“I’ve played in Europe my whole career so there’s an adjustment period for me to get used to the football style and culture here, but everyone’s at the club is going above and beyond to make me feel settled. And now that I’ve met everyone, it already feels like it’s a home away from home,” said Bailey.
“Having trained with the boys a few times now, and watched a few of our matches, I have to say we have a great team with some really good technical footballers. With Coach Ranko’s new philosophy and ideas, I think we’re building a great platform and there’s a lot to be excited about.
“I want to bring my experiences validated by my career and try to make an impact in and around my new teammates, but at the same time it’s not just about me. There’s a strong sense of belief within the group that we can win the league and we’re out to win all our (seven) remaining matches to achieve the target set out by the club,” said Bailey, in a rallying call to his new teammates.
“From the way we’ve gone about our business in the last few matches, I don’t see anyone stopping us.”
The Lion City Sailors are delighted to announce Australian centre-back Bailey Wright as the club’s first signing following the appointment of Aleksandar Ranković as Head Coach on 28 June. Bailey joins on a two-year contract, with an option for an additional year’s extension.
The arrival of the 30-year-old marks a significant boost to the Sailors’ defensive capabilities, further strengthening the club’s pursuit of success in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) as well as in the club’s return to the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) top-tier club competition, the AFC Champions League (ACL).
Bailey joins the Sailors after departing Sunderland, where he was a cult hero of the Black Cats’ faithful during his three-and-a-half years on Wearside. Those years saw Sunderland enjoy much success, winning their first trophy since 1973 as they lifted the 2020/21 Papa John’s Trophy at Wembley, before earning promotion into the English second-tier – the Sky Bet Championship – in 2022.
Bailey made 107 appearances for the Black Cats, regularly captaining the side.
He was a part of Australia’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar that saw the Socceroos qualify from a group that featured France, Denmark and Tunisia, before falling to Lionel Messi’s Argentina, the eventual tournament winners, in the Round of 16.
“Bailey has a commanding presence in addition to his physicality, tactical awareness, and ability to read the game, and I’m certain he will help the club raise the bar as we compete at the highest levels,” said Ranković, the Sailors’ new man at the helm.
“His presence will bolster our defence, providing a sturdy platform for our challenge for the league title and also as we look to improve on our performance on Asia’s top table. The team and I are looking forward to having Bailey settle in and get started.”
The 1.84m defender is equally eager to kickstart his Sailors journey.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be a part of a club as ambitious as the Sailors, and as well-organised. Everyone at the club has been welcoming, and I’ve had all the support I’ve needed to bed in and get ready to play alongside my new teammates,” said Bailey.
“Everywhere you go, you hope to leave things in a better place than when you first arrived, and that’s exactly what I hope to achieve here in Singapore. I’ve taken in a few games already, and I’m confident that with the coaching staff and the team working hand in hand, we’ll continue to be able to put in performances like we did in the 7-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United.
“With the Training Centre on Mattar Road and the structures in place, the ingredients for success are present for the club to win trophies.”
Bailey is the second recent signing who adds European pedigree to the Sailors’ cause, behind the 44-year-old Ranko, who joined from Dutch top-tier side FC Utrecht, with the pair adding to the experience of former PSV Eindhoven man Maxime Lestienne and Diego Lopes, who signed from Portuguese side Rio Ave in 2021.
The Lion City Sailors made it two wins in two games under Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković, securing a 4-0 win over the Singapore Premier League’s (SPL) cellar dwellers Young Lions on Friday (7 July) night.
The Sailors dominated proceedings at the Jalan Besar Stadium, particularly in a frenetic second half that saw all four goals – three of them courtesy of Maxime Lestienne – hit the back of the Young Lions net, in a result that saw the Sailors maintain their foothold in the title race.
The Sailors are second in the nine-team SPL table with 39 points, trailing league leaders Albirex Niigata (S), who have a game in hand, by a solitary point.
“I’m satisfied with the result,” said Ranko, who paid tribute to a resilient Young Lions side that made things difficult for the Sailors.
“In the first half, we were struggling – and big compliments to the opponents – I think they defended really well. We had to try and open up the game very fast, and we didn’t do that in the first half.”
The opening 45 minutes saw a tightly contested affair, the home side repelling everything that came their way, with Adam Swandi and Diego Lopes failing to convert gilt-edged chances that were fashioned by the effervescent Maxime.
The Sailors’ cause took a hit when forward Abdul Rasaq Akeem limped off in the 24th minute with what appeared to be a hamstring issue, and was replaced by the evergreen Shawal Anuar.
And it could have been worse. Ranko’s charges had custodian Zharfan Rohaizad to thank for keeping the scores level with a combination of good positioning and cat-like reflexes first to save a Harhys Stewart shot, then to turn Syahadat Masnawi’s rebound behind for a corner.
The Sailors came out from the half-time break with renewed determination and stamped their authority on the game.
And it was Maxime who broke the deadlock in the 59th minute, slotting in the rebound after a Shawal shot was blocked.
In the 68th minute, the Belgian wizard doubled the Sailors’ advantage, his crisp left-footed shot off a Shawal cutback sending the Sailors supporters wild.
Shawal put his own name on the scoresheet in the 86th minute, with Maxime turning provider this time. A teasing cross off Maxime’s left boot – the Belgian’s trademark that has become commonplace this season – swerved in from the right flank to find Shawal wide open right in front of goal. And the Singapore international did not disappoint.
Maxime would get his hat-trick two minutes later, pouncing on miscommunication between Kan Kobayashi and Jun Kobayashi to intercept a loose pass and slot past the helpless Aizil Yazid in the Young Lions goal.
His three goals and an assist took Maxime’s to top of the SPL rankings in goals and assists, with 18 goals and 16 assists.
Maxime’s 18-goal haul is his best-ever goal tally in a season, beating his previous record of 17 goals with Club Brugge in the 2012/2013 season. Friday’s three-goal haul was also only his second career hat-trick – the first came in September 2012 in Club Brugge’s 4-0 win over Cercle Brugge.
“We changed the way we built up in the second half, pushed them further with our fullbacks, and pressed them higher when we lost the ball. So this was the biggest change, and the first goal really helped to set the momentum,” said Ranko after the match.
“I was more satisfied with the team’s performance in the second half, and we want to have more of these kinds of goals moving forward,” he said
“For now, I’m happy to have the total squad and everybody fit and ready for the next game.”
The Sailors’ next SPL assignment comes on Tuesday (11 July), when they host Brunei DPMM at the Bishan Stadium.
Aleksandar Ranković and his charges are eager to build on the momentum generated by the resounding 7-1 win against Tanjong Pagar United at the Jurong East Stadium last Saturday (1 July) when they face the Singapore Premier League’s (SPL) cellar dwellers Young Lions at Jalan Besar Stadium this Friday (7 July).
And although their opponents on Friday have only accumulated five points across 16 games, central defender Lionel Tan warned about the threat the Young Lions side can pose and called for his team to take the Young Lions seriously.
“Like any other team in the league, they are coming on the pitch to win, and it is quite evident they have made things troublesome for us for the past two occasions we played against them,” said the 26-year-old.
“On the first occasion, we only managed a draw, and they also made things difficult for us the second time. It is really very important that we go in 100 per cent and adhere to the game plan that coach Ranko has laid out.”
The Sailors drew 1-1 with the Young Lions in April, with the disappointment of failing to capitalise after dominating the game worn on their faces when the full-time whistle was blown.
The second time the two sides met on 10 June, the Sailors won 4-1 in a match that could hardly be called a walk in the park.
It is not uncommon for teams to sit back in a compact block when they face the Sailors, and the Young Lions have adopted a similar approach in those last two games, seemingly happy to sit back, defend and hit on the break.
“We have faith in Coach Ranko’s plans, but even then, patience is the key to help us get the three points when we play against teams like Young Lions. We just have to be very patient and just play our style of football with confidence,” emphasised Lionel.
With eight SPL games left to play, the Sailors trail league leaders Albirex Niigata (S) by four points and are in front of third-placed Tampines Rovers by one point.
While everyone in the dressing room is acutely aware this is a critical period that can define the Sailors’ season, Lionel is adamant that the bigger picture should not fill the minds of his teammates – steering clear of complacency and paying attention to nuances of each game must be the central focus instead.
“We all know how crucial it is moving forward, every single game and every single point matters. If we want to be champions of the league, we have to go and give our best for each game and do our best as a team,” asserted Lionel.
“But we shouldn’t look too far ahead of each game. The important thing is just to go game by game and win each one, because if we can do that, we will put pressure on the league leaders as well.
“We can’t be complacent and we don’t have room to drop any points,” said a serious Lionel.
The Singapore international who scored his first-ever goal for the Sailors against Tanjong Pagar last Saturday, was grateful that he is helping the team on both sides of the field.
“The first goal is always wonderful to get and opening my scoring for Sailors is truly a blessing for me. Even though my primary goal is to help the team in defending, adding in some goals is a good way to contribute also,” he said.
And now, Lionel is hoping for Sailors fans to turn up to Jalan Besar Stadium in force to inspire the team to a fourth straight victory.
“When we played against Tanjong Pagar, it was all the way in the west at Jurong East Stadium, and we heard them loud and clear,” he said.
“They always make the atmosphere in the stadium so lively and energetic, and we’d love to have them and their support to give us the additional energy to perform on Friday.”
