Author: Lion City Sailors
They have yet to turn 18, but yesterday evening at the Jalan Besar Stadium, both Aniq Raushan and Glenn Ong were thrown into the deep end against a tough Balestier Khalsa side for their Lion City Sailors debuts.
It was, in effect, a sink or swim situation for the pair – would they be able to handle the demands of top-level football at such a young age?
By the time Glenn and Aniq walked off the pitch after being substituted in the 69th and 77th minute respectively, the answer was clear: yes, they can.
Confident, energetic and tactically disciplined, the duo looked right at home with their senior teammates as the Sailors romped to a 4-1 win over the Tigers.
“I thought they performed very well,” said Sailors head coach Aurelio Vidmar.
“Both Aniq and Glenn trained with the senior team for most of the pre-season, so they fit in seamlessly today. We were always pretty confident with them (in the team), and I thought they had solid debuts.”
The level of maturity Aniq and Glenn showed was remarkable, especially considering neither had played many 11-aside games in a year hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition, the two players were only drafted back into first-team training towards the end of last week, and Aniq – a centre-back by trade – was deployed in a somewhat unfamiliar position at right-back.
“I told them early on that they were going to play, and overall, I think they both handled it very well,” said Aurelio. “Aniq has a lot of athletic attributes and did a very serviceable job there at right-back, while Glenn, a central midfielder, is a good passer of the ball.
“They both are obviously inexperienced, and they hadn’t played too many competitive games this past year due to Covid-19, so it was quite normal they were going to get fatigued at some stage in the second half.”
When asked whether Aniq and Glenn were in line for more first-team outings this season, Aurelio simply replied with an emphatic: “Yes, that would be an affirmative.”
While both Aniq and Glenn impressed in their debuts, it was left to the senior players to lead the way against Balestier, as goals from Gabriel Quak (6’), Shahdan Sulaiman (18’), Stipe Plazibat (47’) and Saifullah Akbar (51’) set the home side on their way to a crucial three points.
It was yet another imposing performance from the Sailors, who restricted Balestier to just two shots on target while they managed 10 of their own.
“We focused on making sure that we controlled the game and the tempo. We did that for the first 24 minutes, and then they got a goal against the run of play. “But we kept our heads, kept cool, and continued the same in the second half and scored some fantastic goals, some great team goals, so that was very pleasing,” said Aurelio reflecting on the Sailors’ approach to the match.
“It was always going to be a tricky game against Balestier. They’re a tough opponent and relatively different to most of the other teams. They’ve got some very handy players, but I think we managed the game well.”
With the win, the Sailors move up to second in the table on 14 points, just three behind current league leaders Albirex Niigata (S).
The Sailors are unbeaten in four matches – including a memorable 8-0 victory over Geylang International last weekend – since the international break in March.
This is in stark contrast to the Sailors’ first three matches of the season, which saw them win once, draw once, and lose once – a 3-1 defeat to Hougang United.
But the Sailors will get a chance to make amends for that result when they face the Cheetahs this Saturday, 8.30pm, at the Hougang Stadium.
“They’ve (Hougang) had a very strong season to start and we had a difficult time against them last month,” Aurelio mused. “You can talk about revenge but for me, it’s not that. We’re going to go out there and treat it like just any other fixture where all we want is to try and get maximum points.”
The ball had found the back of the net after a huge deflection, but Lion City Sailors midfielder Diego Lopes couldn’t care less.
After all, the goal sealed his first-ever career hat-trick on what was a perfect night for the Sailors last Sunday – they thumped Geylang International 8-0 in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at Our Tampines Hub.
In addition to his hat-trick, Diego also notched two delightful assists for Saifullah Akbar and Stipe Plazibat. The assist for the former in particular showcased Diego’s ingenuity, as the Brazilian used his chest to lay off a cross into the path of Saifullah, who made no mistake from close range.
It was a stunning individual display by Diego, and one that indicated that he had finally found his feet in Singapore football.
With five appearances for the Sailors so far this season – including three as a starter – Diego says he is pleased with how things have gone for him at his new club.
And while the former Rio Ave star admits he was pleased to have recorded his first career hat-trick, he insists that getting a good result for the team will always be more important than any individual accolade he achieves.
“It’s a great feeling to score a hat-trick for the first time, but the most important thing is that it helped the team to get three points,” Diego said through a translator. “The whole team did what we were supposed to do and played very well, which is the most pleasing aspect.
“This is the third straight game in which I’m in the first 11 and that gives me a good feeling. It also helps that I’ve already adapted to the team’s style of play, which makes things so much easier.
“My main job here is to help the team play well and get the victory. It doesn’t matter which position Coach Aurelio (Vidmar) plays me in – wherever I play, I will give my 100 percent for the team. I will continue to work hard to help the team to achieve our objectives.”
Thankfully for Diego, who arrived in Singapore only in early February, life off the pitch is going well for him too.
While this is his first foray into Southeast Asia, the 26-year-old says he already feels very much at home in the Lion City.
“Singapore is a very different city from where I’ve lived and been before,” said Diego, who had played in Portugal, Turkey, Greece as well as in his native Brazil. “It’s a very clean place and things are very safe. The most important thing is that the people here are very polite and show a lot of empathy to a foreigner like me.
“It’s not just people at the club, but also the people outside the scope of football. For example, when I’m out on the streets and I’m not feeling very sure about something, or I’m trying to find my way to somewhere, there are always people who will try to help me out. I’ve met many good people in this wonderful city so far, and I really want to spend a long time here.”
Diego also revealed that he has been adapting well to local food, and even cites the iconic chicken rice as his favourite Singaporean dish.
While waiting for the relevant logistics to be sorted so his wife and son can come over from Brazil, Diego says that he generally leads a simple life away from football at the moment.
“I’m a very homebound person. So, whenever I’m not training, I tend to be resting at home,” said Diego. “Maybe when my family is here, I’ll bring them to a few places.
“Once in a while, I will just go to some restaurants to eat with (compatriot) Jorge (Fellipe). Those are the only places that I’ve been to in Singapore, outside of football.”
While he is unable to speak in fluent English just yet, it has not stopped Diego from building an excellent relationship with his Sailors teammates.
“Once my family comes here, we’re going to take formal English lessons together. Hopefully, that’ll be soon!” he shared. “Although I can’t really speak English yet and my teammates barely understand me, we still try to talk anyway, and we manage to communicate in certain ways.
“Most of the time, I make mistakes in my pronunciation. But they’re always there to correct me and teach me some new words at the same time. I’m very grateful for their help, both on and off the pitch.”
Diego also says that he enjoys playing alongside the likes of Saifullah, Shahdan Sulaiman and Gabriel Quak in the attacking third, and claims that they are not in any way inferior to his previous teammates.
“Not just the three of them, but also quite a few more in our team are talented individuals who can definitely play in Europe,” Diego emphasised.
“Their abilities are not in question at all. The only thing is how they adapt themselves in another league and environment. There are several factors outside of football that can affect a player’s career.”
Having signed a three-year contract that will take him to the end of the 2023 season, Diego is determined to stamp his mark on this ambitious Sailors project, as the club seeks to dominate Singapore football and compete in the region.
“We’ve set very high goals for ourselves. That’s a key reason why I decided to come and represent this club, because I want to be a winner,” he explained. “We’re aiming to become champions not just in the league, but also in the Asian competition (the AFC Cup). We want to make it to the AFC Champions League next season.
“The club is doing a lot of things off the pitch to give the players the right conditions, so they can fulfil their potential. The club is very supportive and takes good care of everyone, so it’s important that we (the players) all do our jobs on the pitch to repay them.”
In the short-term, the Sailors are looking to continue their recent run of fine form in the league when they take on a gritty Balestier Khalsa side at the Jalan Besar Stadium tomorrow night.
A win will help them keep pace with current league leaders Albirex Niigata (S), but it will not come easy against a Tigers outfit which has developed a reputation for being tough to break down under Croatian tactician Marko Kraljevic.
Marshalled by towering Serbian centre-back Ensar Brunčević, Balestier boast the second-best defensive record this season with just seven goals conceded in six outings.
Diego believes the key to prevailing in this clash is to be patient, and to stick to the team’s usual pass-and-move philosophy.
“We’ve many talented players who’re capable of scoring from any position, so definitely we can expect teams to be more defensive and try to hit us on the counter,” Diego elaborated.
“What we’ve got to do is to play smart, move the ball around as fast as we can with one or two touches and wait for the best opportunity to find an opening to score. With the quality and our team’s philosophy, I’m sure we can do just that.”
He counts the likes of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, AC Milan star Ante Rebic, Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic, Juventus Marko Pjaca and Bayer Leverkusen defender Tin Jedvaj as among some of the talents that he has worked with in his career.
In fact, no less than 9 players from the 23-man Croatian squad that finished second in the 2018 World Cup in Russia have, at one point of time in their careers, been trained by Mario Jovanovic.
Even so, Mario believes his current undertaking – as the Lion City Sailors’ Head of Sports Science – could be his most rewarding yet.
Hailing from Croatia, Mario joined the Sailors in February this year after a four-and-a-half year stint at Qatar’s renowned Aspire Academy.
His appointment comes as part of the Sailors’ ongoing efforts to strengthen their expertise off-the-pitch, with Mario set to oversee a specialist team that currently comprises strength and conditioning coaches, as well as sports trainers.
With such an impressive CV, Mario’s appointment can be considered something of a coup for the Sailors, but the 36-year-old revealed that he was equally excited to join the Sailors, having been impressed by the vision and ambitions of the club.
“From my conversations with the Sailors management, I understood that they were serious about growing the club,” said Mario. “They’re investing a lot in the academy, they’re building the team, and their ambition is to improve the players and to be a catalyst for changing the mindset about football in Singapore.
“I also really liked that (Sailors chairman) Forrest Li was very clear with his objectives regarding the Sailors. And it’s not just talk – I can see clearly the steps being taken to drive the club towards the direction they want to go.
“I was sold on the Sailors story. The prospect of being part of something new, and building something big really appealed to me. This was a good opportunity for me to roll up my sleeves and deliver in a new country.”
However, Mario’s journey into the field of sports science actually started in somewhat unfortunate circumstances.
A former player with top-tier Croatian side HNK Rijeka, Mario’s playing career was cut short after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at the age of 21.
But that proved to be a blessing in disguise, as it allowed him to focus on getting his Sports Science degree at the University of Zagreb. He excelled in his studies, and was offered a position at the University to do a Phd. in Sports and Exercise, but this time, with a specific focus on football.
“It’s probably a good thing I focused on my studies because I probably was not good enough to continue playing professionally,” Mario admitted, laughing. “I had a decent level, but was not at an international level, so I just decided to stick to studying.
“That was a key moment in my life because it really helped to kick off my career in sports science.”
Thereafter, Mario re-joined his old club as the Strength and Conditioning coach managing the Under-21 team and overseeing academy work at the Rijeka academy. It wasn’t long before his talents were noticed by the Croatian Football Federation, who offered him a job with the National Youth squads as a Strength and Conditioning coach.
It was there that he played a role with the Under-21 team in helping many of the current stars of the Croatian National Team become the players they are today.
And now, Mario is hoping to do the same for the Sailors.
“The players here have already reached a certain level, but my aim is to help them go beyond that,” Mario declared. “The long-term objective is to optimise the training process, to bring it to a level that is necessary for the club’s ambition, and to maximise the potential that we have with the players.”
Further explaining his process, Mario added: “I always say that half of the coin in football is the physical performance side, but never forgetting that he needs to be a talented footballer as well. When you talk about modern footballers, for me, before he is a player, he has to be an athlete.
“We’re looking at how training will impact a player over a period of time, because that’s the nature of our physiology – things don’t happen overnight. Ultimately, our aim is to build all-rounded, holistic athletes who will help the head coach and the team deliver results on the pitch.”
Having joined the Sailors just a week before the season started, Mario concedes that his main task now is to, together with the help of the backroom staff, optimise player conditioning so they are match-fit and ready to give their 100 percent on the pitch.
“At this moment, we are in season, which means we are focused on match day performance,” said Mario. “So, we’re not pushing them to the limit from the training side of things, because that can produce negative results.
“A big part of our work is also to try and help players mitigate the risk of injury, and to help them recover. So, we try to monitor their load, do injury prevention work before the sessions, as well as some strength and power work in season – whatever it takes to keep the players we have on the pitch.
“But this process for the first-team is always driven by the head coach, because he has a certain style of play, a certain mindset regarding the training session and how it’s going to look. What we need to do is tailor our approach for that perspective – we’re just a small piece of the puzzle that needs to fit into that big picture.”
While Mario has been with the Sailors for barely two months, he says he already feels comfortable at the club.
“The first few weeks was about getting to know the squad and rest of the staff, building relationships, and getting the buy-in from the players,” said Mario. “These are first team players, so they already have their own routines, which means that whatever I am doing has to be tailored for their needs.
“But the whole squad really tries to push themselves out of their comfort zone and are always seeking ways to improve. So far, everyone has been great in welcoming me into the team. The integration has been very smooth, and I couldn’t be happier.”
And Mario claims that the competitiveness of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) will go a long way to helping the players improve.
“To be honest, the SPL is much more competitive than I thought,” Mario mused. “The difference between the teams is not that big, and everyone is able to compete at a high level. I’ve been following the league closely and I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen.
“This competitiveness is good for the league and for the players as well, because that’s how you develop – in high-performance, high-intensity competition. Hopefully, though, we will be able to emerge as the best team this season and win the title.”
If their last three Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches are anything to go by, it’s evident the Lion City Sailors have finally clicked into gear after a mixed start to the season.
Since returning from the international break, the Sailors have beaten the Young Lions 3-1, held reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) to a 2-2 draw – fighting back from two goals down in the process – and most recently, thumped Geylang International 8-0 in a dazzling display of attacking football.
We round up the major talking points from the Sailors’ last three outings as Aurelio Vidmar’s men sent a clear signal of intent to the rest of their title rivals.
Diego has found his groove
Having joined the Sailors in January as Singapore football’s first-ever million-dollar signing, there are understandably high expectations of the former Benfica midfielder.
After making two substitute appearances before the international break, Diego made his first start for the Sailors against Young Lions, registering an assist with a superb ball over the top for Stipe Plazibat, who left his defender for dead before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
A slightly more subdued display in the subsequent bumper clash against Albirex, however, saw Diego cop a bit of criticism on social media.
But he proved his critics wrong just four days later with a hat-trick and two assists in the Sailors’ big win over Geylang. Pulling the strings for the Sailors in the number 10 role, the 26-year-old was at his devastating best as he ran the Geylang defence ragged with his creativity and passing.
Take that chest-down for Saifullah Akbar to score for example – a simple move, but one that required incredible vision, speed of thought and technical ability to execute to perfection as Diego did.
Diego’s second assist showcased how dangerous he can be when on the counter. Surging through the middle of the pitch with the ball, Diego had the presence of mind and composure in the final third to set Stipe through on goal with a perfectly-weighted pass. Stipe, of course, made no mistake with his finish.
Considering that Diego arrived late in pre-season, is still adapting to a new country, a new style of football, and learning a new language, it is perhaps understandable why he failed to really sparkle in his first two matches.
Diego now looks like he has found his feet in Singapore football and is feeling right at home with the Sailors. And while it is still early in the season, there has been more than enough evidence to suggest that SPL fans are going to be in for a treat in the months ahead.
Jorge and Adli forming a mean centre-back partnership
Defensive issues were one of the reasons why the Sailors did not have the best of starts to the season. With six goals conceded in their opening three matches, it was clear that the Sailors needed to better protect their goal if they were to mount a serious title challenge.
And with just three goals conceded in the next three games following the international break, it would be fair to say that coach Aurelio has managed to find some answers.
A large part of that improved defensive solidity must be credited to the presence of Jorge Fellipe.
After impressing in his debut against Young Lions, the towering Brazilian centre-back scored his first goal for the club in the very next fixture – a crucial late equaliser in the comeback draw against defending SPL champions Albirex. And he followed that up with another commanding showing against Geylang, helping the Sailors to a precious clean sheet.
Tactically disciplined, hard in the tackle, and an excellent reader of the game, Jorge’s qualities perfectly complement Amirul Adli’s more front-footed style of defending, and the two have already formed a decent understanding with each other at the back.
In the two matches they were paired in defence – against the Young Lions and Geylang – both Jorge and Adli rarely gave an inch to opposing attackers, and were key in helping the Sailors build up from the back.
With more games under their belt, the Jorge-Adli partnership will surely improve, perhaps providing the solid foundation from which the Sailors can launch a serious title challenge.
The best part? There is strength in depth in this area for the Sailors, with Aurelio able to call upon other quality centre-backs in the team, including Tajeli Salamat and Abdil Qaiyyim.
Young guns pulling their weight
Apart from achieving on-field success, a huge part of the Sailors’ philosophy is to nurture up-and-coming talents of Singapore football, and take them to the next level.
With a number of young Sailors already impressing this season, it seems the club is on the right track.
Reigning SPL Young Player of the Year, Saifullah, has carried on where he left off last season, with a goal and an assist to his name. Playing alongside Diego in midfield, the 22-year-old has the perfect role model to learn from.
Left-back Nur Adam Abdullah, 20, has been a revelation in defence. With his tough-tackling style and ability to whip in dangerous crosses into the box, Nur Adam has been an absolute menace on the left-flank. While he has registered just one assist so far, Nur Adam has been crucial in the build-up for a number of the Sailors’ goals this season.
Fellow new recruit Justin Hui is also beginning to stamp his mark after his arrival from Hougang United, with the industrious 23-year-old proving to be a livewire down the left flank. Justin already has an assist this season, after his superb first-time low cross was tapped in by Gabriel Quak for the Sailors’ opening goal against Geylang.
And while winger Haiqal Pashia is currently on the comeback trail from injury, it should not be overlooked that the 22-year-old was the one who contributed the assist for the Sailors’ opening goal of the season.
All in all, it looks like the Sailors’ Under-23 contingent are flourishing this season – and this bodes well for the future of Sailors, and perhaps the Singapore National Team too.
It may have taken six Singapore Premier League (SPL) games for Diego Lopes to open his account for the Lion City Sailors, but the Brazilian made sure it was all worth the wait as he scored a well-taken hat-trick to help his team to an 8-0 Singapore Premier League (SPL) win over Geylang International yesterday.
Inventive, sprightly, and full of drive, it was a well-rounded performance that showcased just why the Sailors opted to make him Singapore’s first multi-million dollar footballer in January this year.
It is still early days for Diego in his voyage with the Sailors and Singapore football, but if he wants to establish himself as among the best foreign players to play in the SPL, then he need only look to his Sailors teammate Stipe Plazibat for inspiration.
Since making his debut in the SPL – then known as the S.League – in 2016, Stipe has grown from strength to strength and is now regarded by his peers and fans alike as one of the most potent strikers in the league.
Following his two goals against Geylang last evening, Stipe’s goal tally in the league now stands at 70 – a fantastic return, considering the Croatian is now only into his fifth SPL campaign.
But the 31-year-old, who won the SPL Top Scorer award last season, is not about to rest on his laurels any time soon. The ambitious Stipe revealed he has set his sights on hitting the 100-goal mark in the SPL.
“It feels good to hit the 70-goal mark, but I’ve actually set 100 goals (in the SPL) as one of my career targets,” said Stipe. “My two goals (against Geylang) brought me closer to that figure, but I still have to grind and continue working hard.
“For now, though, I’m quite happy with my (goal) figures, especially considering that I didn’t always play as a striker in the SPL. More importantly for me is that I can ultimately help the Sailors win silverware.”
Stipe’s dream of helping the Sailors win silverware could well be realised sooner rather than later if the team continues to play the way they did against Geylang.
Ruthless, disciplined, and efficient in possession, the Sailors overwhelmed the Eagles with goals from Diego (3), Stipe (2), Gabriel Quak (2) and Saifullah Akbar doing the damage.
After a mixed start to the season – which saw the Sailors win twice, draw twice and lose once in their first five games – Stipe is confident that this huge victory will galvanise the team as they look to mount a sustained challenge for the SPL title.
“To be honest, we needed a result like this,” admitted Stipe. “This will have a positive impact on the team for sure, and be a huge boost in terms of team chemistry and confidence.
“We also played well in previous games, but today, everything just went our way. That’s why the result is so impressive.”
Stipe also reserved words of praise for hat-trick hero Diego. Said Stipe: “The whole team and I are happy that he scored today. People expect a lot of him and he is under huge pressure, so it’s great that he got the goals.
“On a personal level, it’s a joy to link up with him because he sees and understands my runs, which is a dream for any striker.”
The Sailors will next take on Balestier Khalsa this Sunday, 8.30pm, at the Jalan Besar Stadium. While Stipe believes the Tigers will be a tough test, he knows it is imperative that the Sailors get another win.
“They are a solid team, and never easy to go up against,” Stipe mused. “Still, anything less than three points against would be a failure for us, because it’s important that we build up some momentum after our Geylang win.”
They had been teammates at no less than four different clubs – including at the Lion City Sailors – and have fought side by side while donning the Singapore National Team jersey at various international competitions.
In all, it is a friendship that stretches for over a decade. But come this Sunday evening at 5.30pm, both Shahdan Sulaiman and Izzdin Shafiq will be standing on opposing sides when the Sailors take on Geylang International in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at Our Tampines Hub.
Having played with – and, on several occasions, against – Izzdin for so many years now, Shahdan is fully aware of how influential the former Sailors captain can be from the middle of the park.
With Izzdin having formed a tidy partnership in the Eagles midfield alongside Firdaus Kasman and playing well at Geylang this season, Shahdan knows the Sailors will have their hands full in the battle for midfield supremacy on Sunday.
“I think everyone knows how good Izzdin is – he’s shown over the years that he’s very capable of dominating the midfield, and he has the vision to split defences with one pass,” Shahdan explained.
“It was very easy and enjoyable to play alongside him in midfield. We don’t need to say too much to each other on the pitch because we’ve got good chemistry and are on the same wavelength. We both understand how to control the game from midfield. While it’s a shame we’re no longer club teammates, I’m happy for him that he’s doing well at Geylang.
“We’ve faced each other before, so I know it’s going to be very tough playing against him. But at the same time, this will be a good challenge for the team and I.”
The Sailors will be seeking a return to winning ways against Geylang following their thrilling 2-2 draw with reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) last Wednesday evening.
The match saw the Sailors’ indomitable fighting spirit come to the fore as they fought back from two goals down to rescue a point.
While Shahdan was encouraged to see the resilience shown by the Sailors, he knows they will have to step up if they want to get all three points against a tricky Geylang side who are determined to end a four-match winless streak.
“The team really showed a lot of desire and a positive attitude to keep going although we were down by two goals. We knew that we were capable of producing a comeback, so we kept going and I’m happy our efforts paid off in the end,” said Shahdan.
“But we’ve to keep pushing and improve as a team. Especially since we’re coming up against Geylang, who have been tough opponents. We cannot take them lightly.”
With two wins, two draws and a loss so far this season, the Sailors have admittedly not enjoyed the best start to the season.
Nonetheless, they are still only just three points behind current league leaders Albirex. But, with the Sailors having kept just one clean sheet this year, Shahdan knows the entire team will have to work harder to protect their goal if they want to win the SPL title.
“At the end of the day, it’s the whole team’s duty to come back and defend. It’s not just the responsibility of the four or five players at the back,” the 32-year-old elaborated.
“We can definitely get better defensively, and we’ve been working hard in training to improve this aspect of our game. It helps that Jorge (Fellipe) is also now settling well into the team with two games under his belt – his commanding presence at the back and calmness on the ball will help us a lot in the long run.”
Shahdan asserts that every player in the team has been giving their 100 per cent during matches and even in training sessions – and that can only help drive the Sailors forward.
“The competition for places is good because it keeps everyone on their toes, and every performance matters,” Shahdan mused. “If we don’t play well, we know we may well be dropped by the coach.
“For myself as well as the team, we know it’s important to be consistent. We’ve got to maintain a good run of form to achieve our target of winning trophies, and I believe we have all the right tools to make this a successful season for all of us.”
A new date has been set for the Lion City Sailors’ Singapore Premier League (SPL) away clash against Hougang United.
The match, which was initially pencilled in for May 19, has now been rescheduled to April 24 (Saturday), 8.30pm.
The Sailors and Hougang both agreed to the rescheduling that was made to allow the Singapore National Team more time to prepare for the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
You can view the Sailors’ updated fixture list here.
The news that up to 250 fans will be allowed into stadiums to watch Singapore Premier League (SPL) games starting from this weekend has been met with great enthusiasm by everyone at the Lion City Sailors.
Following the news, Sailors CEO Chew Chun-Liang expressed his excitement at the prospect of seeing Sailors fans back in the stands again after more than a year.
“I think I speak for every Sailor when I say we are all eagerly looking forward to the return of fans to the stadium,” said Chun-Liang.
“We have sorely missed the presence of our fans supporting us from the stands.”
According to an announcement by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on Wednesday (Apr 7), fans who wish to attend SPL games will have to produce proof that they have tested negative for Covid-19 – either of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or antigen rapid test (ART) – or show the certification of having received the full two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The PCR test must have been taken within the last 14 days from the date of the game, while the ART must be taken within 24 hours prior to end of the event. Meanwhile, individuals who have been vaccinated will only be admitted if the date of the match falls at least two weeks after their second dose.
Fans who are eligible to enter the stadiums can obtain a wrist tag at dedicated booths that will be set up at each match venue. This tag – which will be unique to the match – will allow the fan to enter the venue 60 minutes before kick-off.
All fans who enter the stadium will be subjected to both safe-distancing and security protocols. It is advised that fans do not bring bags when attending the matches.
From April 24 onwards, however, up to 250 fans will be allowed into match venues without the need for testing, as per the Covid-19 guidelines announced by the multi-ministry task force on March 24.
“I know for a fact that the players are very excited to be able to play in front of a live crowd once again, and they are especially eager to entertain all our loyal fans who have been supporting us even when they haven’t been able to come to matches,” said Chun-Liang
“Huge credit to the FAS and everyone who was involved in helping to facilitate the return of fans as well. We’re fully appreciative of their hard work and dedication to make this happen.”
Details for entry to the Sailors’ home game against Balestier Khalsa on April 18, 8.30pm, at the Jalan Besar Stadium, will be released soon.
Having seen his side fight back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against reigning Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions Albirex Niigata (S), one might have expected Lion City Sailors head coach Aurelio Vidmar to be a happy man once the full-time whistle was blown at the Jalan Besar Stadium last night.
But he was far from pleased with the final result.
The Australian firmly believes that the Sailors should have beaten Albirex, especially considering the golden opportunities – including having a penalty saved – they had in the game. And he admits his side only have themselves to blame for allowing Albirex to take a two-goal lead in the first place.
“We made it difficult for ourselves giving them a two-goal lead,” Aurelio conceded. “We did that to ourselves last year as well, and we lost that game (a 3-2 defeat). This time, we thankfully managed to get a draw.
“But on the balance of things, we probably should have gotten the win tonight. We had two or three very good chances that we didn’t put away, whereas the first time they (Albirex) really went forward, they got a corner and scored.”
Both the goals that the Sailors conceded came from corners – Shuya Yamashita broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, before he popped up again three minutes before the break to double his side’s lead.
While Stipe Plazibat pulled one back for the Sailors with a header on the stroke of half-time, it took nearly all of the second-half for Aurelio’s men to get the equaliser, with Jorge Fellipe rising highest to head home Naqiuddin Eunos’ cross in the 87th minute.
Reflecting on Jorge’s contribution to the team since his debut against the Young Lions the past weekend, Aurelio said: “I think Jorge’s performances in the two games he’s played so far were very good.
“You can definitely see tonight that it was not easy to be back up after three days, especially when he’s just had his first match last weekend. He showed a very calm head, he’s very aggressive and he is strong with the ball at his feet and also in the air.
“We also can see he has an enormous appetite for fighting his way through things. Look at the way he pushed himself forward to score the equaliser. That shows you the character that he has as well.”
The draw against Albirex means the Sailors are now fourth in the table on eight points after five matches. The current league leaders, Albirex, are just three points ahead of the Sailors, while Hougang United and Tampines Rovers are second and third respectively on 10 points.
While the result extends the Sailors’ winless streak against Albirex to three matches, Aurelio insists that statistic is not something that will keep him awake just yet.
“I’m not concerned (about the winless streak against Albirex),” said Aurelio. “Had we not got a point, had we lost the game, then it would have been a little bit different. But right now, it’s still very close in the table.
“Of course, if you want to win the championship, you have to win games. You can say there’s no room for draws or losses, but it’s going to happen. No one wants it to happen, but there’s going to be days where it won’t go your way.
“At this point, however, I think we’re still playing some very good football but not getting maximum points. But once we get into the second round, it’ll become even more important for us to win the games (against our title rivals) if we want to be champions.”
Up next for the Sailors is a clash against a Geylang International side that has struggled for consistency – they have recorded one win, one draw, and three losses – this season.
Nonetheless, Aurelio expects them to put up a fierce battle when the Sailors come calling at Our Tampines Hub this Sunday, 5.30pm.
“For now, we have to recover, refocus, and get our energy up again and go into battle again on Sunday against Geylang,” said Aurelio. “They haven’t been hitting their stride this season, but they’re a dangerous opponent, so it’s going to be a difficult game against an opponent we have to be wary of.”
There was a marked air of self-assurance about Gabriel Quak as he rounded Young Lions goalkeeper Nurshafiq Zaini before slotting the ball into an empty net for the Lion City Sailors’ third goal in their 3-1 Singapore Premier League (SPL) win over Philippe Aw’s men last Saturday (April 3).
Composed, confident, clinical.
The goal – his second of the game – perfectly encapsulated the evolution of Gabriel into a bona fide goalscorer.
Where Gabriel might have preferred to hug the touchline and send crosses into the box in seasons past, the 30-year-old now often runs into more central areas to get himself into better goal scoring positions.
Indeed, that was how he scored both of his goals against the Young Lions. The first saw him make a lung-busting sprint to latch onto Stipe Plazibat’s pass before bending the ball into the top corner, while his second goal owed much to the intelligent run he made in behind two Young Lions defenders to meet Saifullah Akbar’s precise through ball.
With four goals to his name in the first four games of this season, the Singapore international currently leads the Sailors in the goalscoring charts alongside last year’s SPL Top Scorer, Stipe.
To put his hot goal streak in context, Gabriel only found the back of the net five times in total last season. His career-best tally in the league remains the nine-goal season he enjoyed in 2019 with Warriors FC.
So, it comes as no surprise that Gabriel has set himself an ambitious personal target this season: for the first time in his illustrious career, he wants to hit double figures for league goals.
“Yes, it (hitting double figures for goals) is something I want to achieve,” Gabriel acknowledged. “As an attacker, I always give myself added pressure to deliver in the attacking third – that’s how I push myself to work on my end product every single time. But I’m definitely pleased with my output in terms of goals so far.”
But while Gabriel might seem like a natural predator in front of goal these days, he revealed that it actually took hours upon hours of hard work on the training ground to develop his goal scoring prowess.
“It’s important to put in your best effort during training so it becomes almost like a repetition,” Gabriel explained. “Whatever you do on the training ground – such as the kind of runs you make and the kind of passes you give – you will subconsciously bring it with you into the game.
“Take that first goal which I scored against Young Lions for example. I scored the exact same type of goal during training two days before the game. This is what I mean by it being a routine.
“It also helps that I’m enjoying my game right now. When you enjoy what you’re doing, you’ll be able to flourish because you won’t feel like you’re forcing things to happen.”
Conversely, however, Gabriel is yet to notch an assist this year – a surprise, considering that he topped last season’s assists chart with seven.
But Gabriel remains unperturbed by that statistic, as he believes it comes as a natural consequence of playing in a team that has a plethora of players who have the ability to pick a pass in the final third.
“We have plenty of quality ball carriers this season in Shahdan (Sulaiman), Diego (Lopes), Song (Uiyoung) and Stipe. Let’s not forget Faris (Ramli) and Adam (Swandi) as well. Really, it’s not that bad being at the receiving end of their passes!” he chuckled.
“Anyway, football is a team sport. It’s important how I bring the best out of my teammates, and how they can bring the best out of me. Somebody has to make the runs (to score from their passes), and I’m happy to be that player. Ultimately, if it means the team achieves victory, that’s all that really matters.”
Having won last season’s Player of the Year (POTY) award, Gabriel knows that there are high expectations placed on him to excel again this season.
But Gabriel insists that he thrives upon such pressure, although he remains adamant that the needs of the team come first.
“If you don’t have this kind of pressure, you wouldn’t try to push past your boundaries,” said Gabriel. “I want to be seen as the type of player to stand up and lead the team when the chips are down.
“In the past three to four years, I’ve been working on my consistency, which I admittedly lacked when I was younger. I’m glad that my efforts were finally recognised with the POTY honour last season, and I would love to win the award back-to-back, but the team comes first. Whatever I do must go towards helping the team achieve success.”
Up next for the Sailors is a big clash against reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday night (April 7). The Japanese side has carried on where they left off last year – they currently lead the table on 10 points, have conceded just one goal, and remain the only unbeaten team in the SPL so far.
But Aurelio Vidmar’s side has a score to settle with the White Swans – last season, the Sailors were narrowly beaten 2-3 by Albirex in both encounters despite arguably playing the better football.
The Sailors will go level on points with Albirex with a victory on Wednesday, and Gabriel says that everyone in the Sailors camp is eager to get one over their title rivals.
“This is a six-pointer and we want to show a statement of intent by beating a fellow title challenger,” Gabriel declared. “We were disappointed not to beat Tampines on the opening day of the season (a 3-3 draw), and we know we need to pick up maximum points in these types of games.
“Playing against Albirex is always tough…they change several of their players every year, but the philosophy remains the same. These players are hungry because they know this is a stepping stone to bigger things in their career.
“They showed over the course of last season why they are deserving champions, but we also did show in the two games against them that we’re more than capable of beating them.”
Unfortunately, the Sailors will have to rejig their defence, with centre-back Amirul Adli serving a one-match suspension after his dismissal against the Young Lions.
While Gabriel labelled Adli’s absence a “big blow”, he is confident that the teammate who steps in to fill the void in the centre of defence will be able to “rise to the occasion”.
He said: “Adli has been very important to us – he brings stability to our defence. But we have Tajeli (Salamat) and Abdil (Qaiyyim) who can step in and play a good game as well.
“Jorge (Fellipe) had a great game (vs Young Lions), and I’m sure he will help whoever that plays alongside him.”
Gabriel was equally bullish about the Sailors’ capability in attack – in particular, he hailed the quality of star signing Diego, and tipped him to make a positive impact in the coming games.
“Diego came with very big hype and a lot of attention in the media, so I was looking forward to meeting him when he came,” Gabriel shared. “To me, the behaviour of a person says a lot about their personality – there are no airs about him, he has been respectful of everyone, and we all enjoy having him around.
“We’ve been combining well when we play small-sided games in training, so we’re building some chemistry between us. It’s important for us attackers to understand each other’s style of play, which makes things easier in the game. I’m sure you’ll see more good things from him – and from us throughout the season.”
