Author: Lion City Sailors
The Lion City Sailors fell to a 4-1 defeat against BG Tampines Rovers in the 2025/26 Community Shield on Saturday (16 August) night at Jurong East Stadium.
Played in support of the Singapore Cancer Society, the match saw new signings Anderson Lopes, Ivan Sušak and Safuwan Baharudin making the starting 11, with Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković looking to set the tone for the campaign.
Despite the defeat, Ranko struck an optimistic note. He said, “It was a good game, a good opening to the new season. These are two teams who will challenge for the league title. BG Tampines deserved to win today, they were very effective.
“You want to win every trophy, but this will give us insight into what we need to work on.”
The Stags also unveiled fresh faces, with Akbar Nawas back at the helm and several new signings in the starting line-up. Among them was Trent Buhagiar, who broke the deadlock in the second minute after racing onto a weighted pass from fellow debutant Koya Kazama.
“With the opening goal, there was a lot of space behind the defence. It’s something we already know how to deal with, but today we didn’t,” admitted Ranko.
The Sailors regrouped quickly after the early goal and pressed for a response, but the Stags patiently soaked up the pressure before turning the screw.
Sailors’ new Croatian goalkeeper Ivan was soon called into action to deny Irfan Najeeb, before Safuwan cleared a Takeshi Yoshimoto effort off the line.
However, BG Tampines’ pressure eventually told in the 43rd minute, when Buhagiar raced onto Seiga Sumi’s long pass and clinically fired home his second of the night.
The Sailors then went close to halving the deficit just before the break, but Bart Ramselaar’s goal-bound drive was tipped over by BG Tampines’ Thai custodian Nalawich Inthacharoen.
“I think we had some unfortunate moments, especially in the first half with the goals, but Tampines defended very well. They didn’t give us enough space to exploit behind their backline,” reflected Ranko.
Seeking to shift the momentum of the game, Ranko brought on Hami Syahin and Hariss Harun after the restart, but the Stags stayed compact. In the 61st minute, it was instead BG Tampines who struck again, as Kazama curled in a free-kick to give his side a three-goal lead.
Despite the deficit, the Sailors kept fighting. Song Uiyoung struck the base of the post in the 72nd minute, Anderson headed narrowly wide soon after, and debutant Tsiy Ndenge was denied by a sharp save from Nalawich.
The Sailors’ persistence paid off on 87 minutes when Tsiy won possession from Jacob Mahler and teed up fellow substitute Lennart Thy, who coolly fired home from the edge of the box to open the Sailors’ scoring account for the season.
But in stoppage time, Hide Higashikawa struck to seal a 4-1 victory and BG Tampines’ first Community Shield since 2020.
“This match shows the league’s not going to be a walk in the park, like some people think. It’s good for my players to see what needs to be done to adjust and step up this season,” said Ranko. “The big games are yet to come, and we’re confident we’ll bounce back.”
The Sailors will now turn their attention to this Thursday (21 August), as they travel to Johor to face Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup Group B opener.
“It will be a totally different opponent in a totally different venue, and a big rivalry. I’m sure our players will get themselves up for it,” Ranko said.
“This defeat is disappointing, but it’s still only the first game of the season. We’ll continue to work on the things that we need to work on, and push forward step by step.”
The Lion City Sailors’ match schedule for the 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two Group Stage has been confirmed.
Aleksandar Ranković’s men will kick off their Group G campaign away at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium against reigning Indonesia Super League champions Persib Bandung on Thursday, 18 September, before hosting 2024/25 Malaysia Super League runners-up Selangor FC at Bishan Stadium on Wednesday, 1 October.
A double-header with Bangkok United then beckons, with an away day at the True BG Stadium in Pathum Thani on Thursday, 23 October, before the Sailors entertain the Thai League 1 side exactly a fortnight later at home on 6 November.
The Sailors will then welcome Persib on Wednesday, 26 November, before wrapping up the group stage away against Selangor at the MBPJ Stadium in Petaling Jaya two weeks later on 10 December.
All three of the Sailors’ home ACL Two group-stage fixtures will be played at Bishan Stadium.
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The Lion City Sailors are set for an all-Southeast Asian challenge in their second foray into the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two competition.
This was confirmed earlier this afternoon (15 August) following the Official Group Stage Draw in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
The Sailors have been placed in Group G (East Region) along with 2024/25 Thai League 1 runners-up Bangkok United, last season’s Malaysia Super League runner-ups Selangor FC, and reigning Indonesia Super League champions Persib Bandung.
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This means the Sailors will play Bangkok United at least three times this season, having also been drawn in the same group in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup as well.
They will also face Persib for a second straight season, after being drawn together in 2024/25 – a campaign that saw the Sailors battle to a 1-1 draw away, before a dramatic 3-2 defeat at home.
The 2025/26 tournament will follow last season’s format, featuring eight groups in total, split equally between the West and East regions, with four teams in each group. Matches will be played in a home-and-away round-robin format from 17 September to 11 December.
The top two sides from each group will advance to the Round of 16 in February next year, before the tournament concludes with a one-off final on 16 May 2026.
The Sailors enjoyed a memorable debut in the inaugural ACL Two last season, taking on top teams from Thailand, China, and Australia, before overcoming Japanese powerhouse Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarter-finals to become the first Singaporean side to reach the final of a major Asian club competition.
Reflecting on that historic run, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković wants his players to channel last season’s experience into another strong continental campaign.
“It was an extraordinary achievement to reach the final, and I have to acknowledge that we got there with a bit of luck as well as the hard work from everyone in the team,” he reflected. “It wrote us into the history books, but it’s not realistic to expect that every season.
“For sure, our results in the ACL Two last season mean a few teams will take us more seriously, but we’re still considered underdogs at the Asian level. There are still many steps for us to take to reach the level of the top teams in the region. For us, the focus is on our own journey and taking a few steps forward each season at the continental level.
“The primary target remains getting past the group stage, and we’ll talk about other objectives once we get there.”
In less than 48 hours, the Lion City Sailors will take their first steps into the 2025/26 season when they take on BG Tampines Rovers in the traditional curtain-raising Community Shield on Saturday (16 August) night at Jurong East Stadium.
At the Sailors Training Centre in Mattar Road, preparations are in full swing as head coach Aleksandar Ranković fine-tunes tactical details ahead of the clash.
The Community Shield may not hold the same prestige as other trophies on offer this season, but Ranko and his charges know the value of starting with a win – and silverware – to set the tone for the campaign.
Just 76 days ago, the Sailors completed their most successful season since its inception in 2020 – sweeping all three domestic titles and becoming the first Singaporean side to reach the final of a major Asian club competition in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two).
And that remarkable run all began with victory over Albirex Niigata (S) in last year’s Community Shield.
“Last year showed us how the Community Shield can set the tone for a remarkable season,” said Ranko. “It may not be viewed as a major trophy to some, but we’re treating it with the same respect as any other competition. We’ll be taking this game extremely seriously.”
While the Serbian tactician acknowledges it will be difficult to replicate last season’s feats, he believes his squad’s hunger for success is undiminished.
“To top last season, we’d probably have to win the ACL Two,” he quipped. “It’s not normal for a Singapore club to reach a continental final, so I’m managing expectations and blocking out the outside noise.
“My players know what’s expected of them from Day One. They’re playing for an ambitious club that’s determined to raise the bar in Singapore football. And I see a motivated, hungry group ready to push for more. We want to win everything domestically again, and go as far as possible in Asia.”
To fuel their push for more success this season, the Sailors have strengthened smartly in the off-season, bringing in Croatian goalkeeper Ivan Sušak, Singapore defender Safuwan Baharudin, German-Cameroonian midfielder Tsiy Ndenge and Brazilian forward Anderson Lopes, while retaining the core of last year’s history-making squad.
Ranko believes this blend of continuity and quality additions can take the team to the next level.
“I think we have a slightly stronger squad this season, and continuity is key,” said Ranko, who signed a two-year extension in the off-season. “The new signings are high-level players who will not only raise our game at continental level, but also guide the younger players.”
To prepare for what is likely to be another long season, the Sailors endured an intense pre-season, including an 11-day training camp in Thailand with double sessions the norm. But Ranko is convinced their hard work will eventually pay off.
“People might think this season will be a walk in the park for us, but it won’t. The other SPL teams have strengthened significantly, and with one fewer round of matches, the margin for error is smaller.
“We’ll see more high-quality games this season, so every match will be a battle, and my players are ready for it.”
Three months ago, the Sailors stepped onto the Jurong East pitch and clinched the 2024/25 SPL title with a 1-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United. This Saturday, they will return to face BG Tampines with the aim of making it another night to remember.
Tickets for the clash have sold quickly since going on sale last Sunday, and Ranko has a simple message for the Sailors faithful.
“I know how much the fans are looking forward to this game after a few months away from action. I’ve missed them a lot too, and I can’t wait to see them behind us again, just like they were in every game last season.
“We’ll give everything on Saturday to start 2025/26 with silverware for them to celebrate.”
After a near three-month break from Women’s Premier League (WPL) action, the Lion City Sailors Women are set to return with renewed fire — and fresh faces — as they prepare to face Tanjong Pagar United at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium this Saturday (16 August) evening.
The Sailors currently sit second in the WPL standings, two points behind Albirex Niigata (S), who surged to the summit with a 7-0 win over BG Tampines Rovers on Wednesday (13 August).
Bolstered by three mid-season arrivals from Geylang International — centre-back Siti Nurerwadah Erwan, winger Wan Nashirah Mohammed, and forward Farah Nurzahirah — the Sailors will be aiming to reclaim top spot with a win against the eighth-placed Jaguars.
And new signing Nashirah, known for her speed and flair on the left flank, cannot wait to link up with seasoned teammates like attack-minded defender Syazwani Ruzi.
“Players like Wani have such great vision and awareness, and they can change a game in a single moment. I’m looking forward to building that understanding on the field, knowing where she wants the ball and how we can create chances together,” said 20-year-old Nashirah.
“From the experienced players in the team, many of whom also represent the senior national side, I want to learn composure and decision-making under pressure. They’ve played at the highest level and know how to handle big moments. Watching how they prepare and react in games is something I can absorb and apply to my own game.”
Wani, who has already scored twice this season from defence, is equally excited about the boost the newcomers will bring.
“It’s been really exciting as most of us already know each other from the national team. They will give us a lift because all of them have quality. Nashirah is always dangerous and creating something. Having a player like that opens up so many possibilities on the pitch,” she said.
Since joining, the new signings have worked hard to adapt to the Sailors’ style of play and build on-pitch chemistry with their teammates.
“The sessions have been intense but positive. Everyone’s helped me settle in quickly, and every day we’re fine-tuning the details so we’re ready to hit the ground running,” Nashirah shared.
She is also relishing the chance to make her debut in front of the Sailors faithful, as she said, “I’m buzzing to make my debut, honestly. Wearing Sailors colours is a huge honour, and I can’t wait to step onto the pitch and feel that energy from the fans. Whether it’s scoring, assisting, or doing the hard work off the ball, I just want to help the team win.”
Facing a real battle to win a fourth successive WPL title, Wani has emphasised on focus and composure as the season heads into its final months.
“We take one game at a time,” she said. “We’ve been working on our weaknesses in training, and now it’s about executing, getting the three points in both games, and giving the fans a strong performance.”
When Bart Ramselaar arrived in sunny Singapore in February last year, expectations for the Dutch playmaker were sky-high.
A former Eredivisie winner with PSV Eindhoven, he was tipped to take the Singapore Premier League (SPL) by storm, and his solid early-season form, which included scoring in the Sailors’ opening league game — a 4-1 win over Hougang United — suggested he would do just that.
But football rarely follows a straight script.
After being substituted with what looked like a minor hamstring problem during the Sailors’ 1-1 draw with Geylang International in June 2024, Bart returned to action against Balestier Khalsa just two weeks later. His comeback started brightly, as he opened the scoring with a beautifully controlled volley, but within a minute the injury flared up again, forcing him off the field.
“That injury came at a bad time,” recalled Bart, who had already racked up four goals and three assists in his first five league games. “I started the season well, scoring almost every game, and winning the Community Shield. It halted my momentum, but these things happen. I just stayed positive and fought even harder to come back.”
Bart’s positivity and determination paid off, as he went on to make a career-high 43 appearances in all competitions, in what was his most prolific campaign yet, finishing with 19 goals and 15 assists.
Indeed, he delivered when it mattered most, and played a pivotal role in the Sailors’ fairytale run to the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final.
But his ACL Two campaign was not without its bumps. In just the Sailors’ second match of the competition, away against Persib Bandung, he was sent off for a dangerous tackle and had to sit out the next two group games.
While it was frustrating for Bart to be sidelined, he now looks back on the red card – the first of his career – with good humour.
“It was strange – I’d never been sent off before – and hopefully never again,” he said with a laugh.
But it was in the knockout rounds that Sailors fans saw Bart at his brilliant best. He tormented Muangthong United in the round of 16, set up Shawal Anuar for a crucial away goal at Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarter-finals, and then capped it off with one of the goals of the season against Sydney FC in the semi-finals.
Receiving the ball from Diogo Costa on the left flank, most inside the Jalan Besar Stadium expected Bart to whip in a cross. Instead, he unleashed a curling right-foot rocket into the top corner to send the home crowd into raptures.
“It was early in the game, so I thought, why not try it?” he recounted. “Only after the season ended did I realise how important it was. That goal played a big part in us reaching the final.”
Unsurprisingly, the Sailors’ exploits in the ACL Two caught the eye across the continent, and Bart believes this means many are now expecting them to deliver another strong showing in the competition this year.
“I believe this ACL Two run was one of the club’s biggest achievements,” he explained. “It changed perceptions of Singapore football, not just locally but across Asia. Nobody expected a Singapore team to compete like this, but now, we’re no longer the underdogs.”
Despite boasting an already decorated résumé that includes winning the Eredivisie and making three appearances for the Netherlands national team, Bart still ranks reaching the ACL Two final among the top five moments of his career.
And while he has played in the European Champions League against giants such as Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, Bart insists that competing in Asia is no less enjoyable.
“The level is different, of course, but still good. In Europe, the pressure is higher – especially when you’re at Camp Nou in front of 100,000 people – but Asia has its own challenges. Different countries, stadiums, pitches, styles… I enjoy that just as much.”
Bart also shone on the domestic front, finishing as top scorer in the Singapore Cup with six goals, including the winner in the final against BG Tampines Rovers.
“Lifting the cup was a great feeling. We’d just lost the ACL Two final, so this was our shot at the treble. To be the match-winner made it extra special,” he said.
After a gruelling season, Bart recharged with family time in the Netherlands and a holiday in Greece, before heading to Thailand for the Sailors’ pre-season.
With high-profile players like Anderson Lopes and Tsiy Ndenge signing for the Sailors in the off-season, Bart believes the 11-day trip was key to building chemistry within the squad.
“We had good training sessions and useful friendly matches to see how we could complement each other. Off the pitch, we bonded a lot, and we even celebrated Diogo’s birthday together at a restaurant.”
Bart believes that unity will be vital for another hectic season ahead, and while the foreign signings may grab the headlines, he is equally keen to highlight the progress of the local core.
“To me, there’s no difference between local and foreign players. They’re all my teammates, and I’ll support them however I can. The local players have improved a lot, especially after the big games we played last year, and I’m excited to see them continue to grow.”
With the Community Shield against BG Tampines on Saturday (16 August) kicking off the Sailors’ season, Bart was clear about the team’s targets for the season.
“We want to win everything domestically again, starting with the Community Shield this week. We also want to go further in the Shopee Cup and ACL Two. Most importantly, we want to play good football.
“Just like last season, I believe this team can make history. If we perform well collectively, everyone will shine. We’re all driven to do it all again.”
For many young players, making their senior team debut against seasoned professionals can be an intimidating experience, with nerves understandably often present as they adjust to the pace of the senior game.
But 17-year-old Joshua Little defied that narrative, as he confidently took to the pitch on the final day of the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season in Sailors colours like a duck to water.
“Honestly, I didn’t feel nervous or pressured at all. I just went out there and played my game,” said the midfielder, who had previously come off the bench in a pre-season friendly against Johor Darul Ta’zim in April 2024.
“A big part of it was how no one expected anything from me, since I was still relatively unknown. But it wasn’t that big a deal to me because at the end of the day, it’s still football, and I treated it just like another game.”
Despite lining up against a well-established BG Tampines Rovers side that fielded several first-team regulars, Josh — one of four Sailors Academy products to feature that day — turned in a lively, high-energy performance on his SPL bow. He came close to scoring on a couple of occasions, only to be denied by a string of sharp saves from veteran goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari.
“There’s definitely a difference in terms of physicality and speed,” Josh acknowledged. “The position I was playing also required me to step up physically. But as long as you do what’s required, I don’t think the gap is that massive.”
Promotion to the senior squad
Just a couple of months on, Josh has taken the next step in his budding career with a well-earned promotion to the Sailors’ senior squad for the 2025/26 season.
Fresh from a championship-winning campaign with the Under-21s, the teenage midfielder is now focused on proving he belongs at the highest level.
“Now that I’m playing with players of a much higher calibre, I’ve had to shift my mentality,” he said. “Previously, the focus was on development, but now it’s about results and playing with purpose. I’ve got to adapt my style for the good of the team.”
A recent 11-day pre-season training camp in Thailand gave Josh his first taste of life as a full-fledged first-team player. And while the transition initially brought some nerves, his new teammates quickly helped him settle in.
“I was quite worried at the start because it was a completely new team, but everyone was really welcoming,” he shared. “There was no awkwardness at all, whether on or off the pitch.”
Off the field, Josh bonded with senior players over a few rounds of golf — one of his favourite pastimes — even impressing the likes of Bailey Wright and Lennart Thy with his swing.
He said, “I think I had the best opportunity you could get — playing with a great team and training under amazing coaches. I really couldn’t have asked for a better trip.”
Learning from the best
With the Sailors adding the likes of Safuwan Baharudin, Tsiy Ndenge and Anderson Lopes to an already star-studded squad, Josh is eager to seize the chance to learn from those who have been there and done that.
“It’s a great feeling. Training with players of this calibre is a privilege not many people get,” he elaborated. “The environment is competitive, but you learn so much from it. Right now, I’m just soaking everything in to grow my game.”
“I can feel myself improving by the day just by watching how the others approach training and matches. There’s something to learn from everyone.”
An attacking midfielder by trade, Josh is known for his ability to drive forward with the ball and dictate tempo in midfield. But this season, he will take on a new role as a defensive anchor under Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković — a change in position that will test his adaptability and tactical intelligence.
“I’m now focusing on becoming more defensively aware and composed on the ball in high-pressure areas,” he explained. “It’s definitely been different and a bit of a challenge, but I’m up for it. I want to experiment and see what I can do in this role.”
A footballing journey marked by resilience
Josh’s love for football began in Japan’s Saitama prefecture, where he was born to a Japanese mother and an Irish father. As a young boy, he would watch his father and older brother play recreational matches — a routine that planted the early seeds of passion.
His family relocated to Singapore when he was three, and Josh began his playing journey at Arion Football Academy, before joining Spanish Soccer Club Asia (SSCA) when he was eight. A move to the Junior Soccer School and League (JSSL) Singapore’s Academy soon followed after.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, several of Josh’s teammates made the switch to the then newly-formed Lion City Sailors Elite Academy. Encouraged by a friend, Josh followed suit, securing a trial with the Sailors’ Under-17 team in September 2021, and eventually earning a spot under then-head coach Luka Lalić.
“Luka played a massive part in my development — mentally, physically, and technically,” said Josh, who also spent 15 days training with Portuguese side S.C. Braga in 2022. “Other coaches such as Nuno (Pereira), Rodrigo (Costa) and Daan (van Oudheusden) have also helped me grow a lot, both as a player and a person.”
But Josh’s journey has not always been smooth.
“Transitioning between teams and constantly adapting to new environments took a toll mentally,” Josh admitted. “There were times I struggled to find my purpose in playing football. I even began to lose my love for the sport.”
Despite thoughts of giving it up, he simply could not walk away from something so central to his life. With support from his parents, he decided to stay the course.
“I knew I had to keep going. If I stopped showing up at the gym, I wouldn’t get stronger. If I stopped training on the pitch, I wouldn’t improve technically. Even on days when I didn’t feel like it, I just kept at it, and eventually, the love came back.”
That determination has defined Josh’s rise through the Sailors Academy’s ranks, and was key to the Under-21s’ dominant league triumph last season, with 19 wins from 24 games and a 15-point gap over second-placed Tanjong Pagar United.
“We had a really good team last year, and I looked forward to every game,” he said. “Even though it was a U21 league, it felt like a big achievement because of how young our team was.”
“The team spirit was incredible. We were all close, and I had some of my best memories playing alongside them.”
Another career highlight came when Josh travelled with the Sailors’ senior team for two Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two away matches — against Port FC in Thailand and Zhejiang Professional in China — in late 2024.
“I’ll never forget those trips,” he said. “Everything was more serious. Being in front of big crowds and on the bench for those games was a totally different experience. You could really see the jump in quality from SPL to the continental stage.”
Ready to punch above his weight
As the Sailors gear up for another packed season both locally and in Asia, Josh is embracing the competition and pressure that comes with fighting for a spot in the team.
“There’s pressure, of course, but that applies to everyone in the squad. If you’re not fighting for your place, you probably shouldn’t be there in the first place,” he said.
“For me, I just want to perform to the best of my ability. It’s a different experience being the youngest in the team, but every day I step on the pitch determined to be the best version of myself.”
A shining example of the Sailors Academy’s growing talent pipeline, Josh hopes his journey will inspire others chasing a similar dream.
“If you believe in yourself and put in the work, anything is possible,” he said. “There’s no luck involved, just discipline and consistency. Keep showing up, and eventually the results will come.”
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team have bolstered their squad with the mid-season acquisitions of three players from Women’s Premier League (WPL) side Geylang International.
Centre-back Siti Nurerwadah Erwan, winger Wan Nashirah Mohammed, and forward Farah Nurzahirah have joined the Sailors as the team gears up for a crucial second half of the season — one that includes a push for a fourth consecutive WPL title, as well as another outing in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League (AWCL) later this month.
With six national caps to her name, 20-year-old Nurerwadah (pictured below) – better known as “Wadah” – brings composure to the Sailors’ backline, coupled with a cultured range of passing from deep.
Also born in 2005, Nashirah adds a creative spark down the flanks. The left-footed winger is known for her dribbling and flair in the final third, and brings added versatility to Head Coach Daniel Ong’s attacking options.
The headline signing, however, is 21-year-old Farah, who currently leads the WPL scoring charts with 11 goals. The dynamic forward claimed the WPL Young Player of the Year award in 2024 after notching 16 goals for the Eagles and has already earned 10 international caps.
She was also part of the Singapore squad that featured in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Jordan in July.
“It’s a huge honour to join the Sailors and a big step up for me,” said Farah. “But I know I’ve got to step out of my comfort zone to improve as a player. I’ve heard how the training environment here helps players grow, and with the club’s ambitions in the AWCL, it was a no-brainer for me.
“I’m fortunate to already know a number of the players here from the national team, which has made the transition easier. Training has been intense, but I’m enjoying every bit of it. My goal is simple: to score as many goals as I can to help the team succeed in both the WPL and AWCL.”
Daniel is equally excited about the trio’s potential impact on the Sailors, as he explained, “They’ll give us greater depth in key areas. Wadah adds strength in central defence, Nashirah (pictured below) brings good link-up play in the attacking third, and Farah can operate anywhere across the front line. Her explosiveness and intelligent runs will be crucial in tight matches.”
In addition, the Sailors are set to welcome back Academy graduate Nur Ain Salleh, who will rejoin the squad for the upcoming AWCL qualifiers. The 15-year-old winger, currently based in Spain with Madrid CFF as part of her Unleash the Roar! (UTR) Overseas Scholarship, will feature in the regional competition before returning to Europe to continue her four-year development stint.
The Sailors have also de-registered six players for the remainder of the season. Among them are Yuvika Suresh, Seri Nurinsyirah, and Liyana Rickit, who are headed to the IMG Academy in Florida, USA, under the Unleash the Roar! (UTR) Overseas Scholarship programme.
Cara Chang and Priscille Le Helloco have left to pursue further studies abroad, while Nor Adriana Lim has been ruled out for the season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in June.
The Lion City Sailors’ Singapore Premier League (SPL) title defence begins on 25 August as they take on Hougang United at Our Tampines Hub (OTH).
The fixtures for the 2025/26 SPL season were officially released by the Football Association of Singapore on Thursday (24 July) morning. The Sailors’ league opener comes hot on the heels of two major fixtures: the season-opening Community Shield against BG Tampines Rovers on 16 August, and the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup Group B opener away to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) on 21 August.
Aleksandar Ranković’s men will then face Balestier Khalsa and Tanjong Pagar United on consecutive Sundays – 14 and 21 September – with both matches also taking place away from home.
The Sailors return to Bishan Stadium on Matchday Four to host Young Lions on Saturday, 18 October, before welcoming Albirex Niigata (S) the following Sunday (26 October) to complete their first five league fixtures.
With the SPL reverting to a triple round-robin format, the Sailors will play 21 league matches this season – a reduction from 32 last year.
Key fixtures include two away ties against BG Tampines Rovers on 11 January and 2 May, with the home leg set for 22 February at Bishan.
The Sailors will conclude their 2025/26 SPL campaign at home against Albirex on Sunday, 10 May.
The Sailors’ full SPL fixtures for the new season can be accessed here.
As the full-time whistle blew at the NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Stadium on 5 July, Anderson Lopes was overcome with emotion. He hugged every teammate, took a lap of honour, and paid tribute to the Yokohama F. Marinos fans who had supported him so fervently over the years.
The Brazilian striker had just slotted home a decisive 78th-minute penalty in the Yokohama derby — a fitting final act in what had been a fairytale chapter with one of Japan’s most storied clubs.
“To score in my last-ever game for the club, and for it to be the winning goal in a derby, was perfect. I just couldn’t hold back my tears,” said Anderson, who spoke through a translator.
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Over four prolific seasons with Yokohama, Anderson lifted the 2022 J1 League title and the 2023 Japanese Super Cup, reached the 2023/24 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) final, and clinched back-to-back J1 League Golden Boots. His haul of 81 goals in 157 games made him the club’s second-highest scorer of all time, behind only the iconic Shunsuke Nakamura (85).
Unsurprisingly, Anderson became a cult hero at Yokohama, and fans turned up in droves at the airport to send him off when he left Japan for a new chapter in Singapore.
“I feel very touched by the love shown by the fans and I’ll never forget them,” he reflected. “Those four years at Yokohama were the best of my career. I still had two years left on my contract, but I knew I needed a new challenge, and I believe I’ve made the best decision for me and my family.”
That decision was to trade comfort for challenge, and make the bold move to join the Lion City Sailors in Singapore.
Lured by ambition
It takes something special to prise Anderson away from a comfortable and successful environment, but the Sailors’ ambition and drive did just that.
“Honestly, I didn’t know much about the Sailors or the Singapore Premier League (SPL), but the club showed me many good things, and I knew they were ACL Two finalists last season,” said Anderson, who had offers from clubs in China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
“I’m someone who loves a challenge – that’s why I came here. Everyone has taken really good care of me since I arrived. It already feels like a family.”
A proven performer on Asia’s biggest stage
A challenge it may be, but Anderson thrives under pressure – especially on Asia’s biggest stages. Across three ACL campaigns, he has scored 18 goals and provided six assists in just 25 appearances.
Nine of those goals came in the most recent 2024/25 edition, including three goals across both legs of the Round of 16 tie against Chinese giants Shanghai Port. That tally saw him outscore the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Aleksandar Mitrović, and Ivan Toney – all proven names from Europe’s top leagues.
It is exactly this pedigree that the Sailors will lean on as they look to scale new heights in continental competition.
“The ACL is my favourite competition because you’re always playing against the best teams in Asia,” he said. “Now I’m playing in ACL Two with the Sailors, but that’s okay. I’ll still give my best to help the team. Hopefully we win the title and qualify for the Elite next season.”
From the favelas to the world
Despite having played in the top Asian leagues – Japan, South Korea, and China – and scoring 100 goals in J1, Anderson remains as hungry as ever. That relentless drive, he says, comes from his roots in Recife, one of Brazil’s oldest cities.
“Nothing comes easy for us Brazilians,” he said. “I’ve had to work extremely hard to get to where I am in my career. That’s why I never take anything for granted. I give more than 100 percent in training and matches to help my teammates.
“Sometimes the ball doesn’t fall for me, but my mentality stays strong. I always believe I’ll score.”
Ready to shoulder the weight
As one of the biggest signings in Sailors’ history – and with the eyes of the Singapore football fraternity firmly on him – Anderson is well aware of the expectations that come with the role.
But pressure? That does not faze him one bit.
“I know there’s a lot of attention on my transfer, but honestly I don’t feel that pressured,” he said. “I’m here to work hard, to be the best, and to achieve as much – or even more – than I did at Yokohama.
“I can’t promise how many goals I’ll score, but what I can promise is I’ll fight hard every game to help the club win trophies.”
