When Bailey Wright joined the Lion City Sailors over two years ago, he did so with one clear aim in mind: to win silverware with the club.
It took just five months for the Australian centre-back to achieve that goal. Playing the full 90 minutes in the 2023 Singapore Cup final, Bailey delivered a composed performance at the heart of defence as the Sailors defeated Hougang United 3-1 to lift their first domestic cup trophy since the club’s inception in 2020.
To this day, the 33-year-old still looks back on that milestone with pride.
“Any trophy you lift is memorable,” Bailey reflected. “You remember the game and the people you did it with, and you want to relive that feeling of pride and achievement again.”
Bailey and the Sailors will have the opportunity to do just that when they take on BG Tampines Rovers in this year’s Singapore Cup final at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday (10 January).
The Sailors will be chasing a third consecutive triumph in the competition, having edged the Stags 1-0 in last season’s Final at the same venue. To date, only Albirex Niigata (S) have achieved that feat, having won the competition four times in a row between 2015 and 2018.
Standing in their way once again, however, is a BG Tampines side which won the first encounter of the season against the Sailors in last August’s Community Shield.
Since then, the Sailors have responded emphatically, winning all five of their domestic matches.
“We have a lot of respect for all of the opposition we play, and revenge for the Community Shield is certainly something we’re looking for too,” said Bailey. “Things are a little different with this being a mid-season final, but at the end of the day, it’s about winning the game, and we’re ready to embrace it.”
Seeded directly into the semi-finals based on their finish in last season’s Singapore Premier League (SPL), the Sailors cruised past Balestier Khalsa 5-1 on aggregate to book their place in the final. BG Tampines, meanwhile, overcame Albirex Niigata (S) 5-3 in the other semi-final tie.
Encounters between the two sides are typically tightly contested, with each team claiming two wins from their last six meetings. Bailey, however, believes the rivalry only adds extra edge to the occasion.
“There’s healthy respect between the clubs, but we’re rivals for a reason and we want to beat them every time we get the chance,” he said.
“We won this trophy last year and we want to lift it again. This final is very important for all of us, and it’s our responsibility to deliver that sense of pride to the club.”
Since their last meeting, both sides have strengthened their squads. Noh Rahman’s charges have bolstered their ranks with former Japan international Yuki Kobayashi, alongside the youthful trio of Ong Yu En, Rae Peh and defender Raoul Suhaimi.
The Sailors, meanwhile, have secured the services of Serbian winger Luka Adžić, who brings top-flight experience from the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as Singapore international Kyoga Nakamura.
And while the reigning champions are determined to defend their crown, their focus remains firmly on preparation and performance.
“There is always a bit of added belief and expectation going into a Final, but that doesn’t change how we prepare,” Bailey explained. “Everybody in the team is fit, focused and recharged.”
With the clash set to be the first Cup final staged at the newly re-turfed Jalan Besar Stadium, Bailey also called on the Sailors faithful to once again turn out in force.
“Football is nothing without the fans and the energy they bring. That’s what makes a final feel like a big game,” he said.
“Jalan Besar is a great stadium, and it’s going to be a great occasion that no one will want to miss. We’re really looking forward to the support from our fans.”
