Category: Feature
When the Lion City Sailors U21 team hoisted the Singapore Premier League (SPL) Under-21 trophy into the night sky at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday, 14 May, it marked a defining moment — a statement that they are now the standard-bearers of Singapore’s youth football scene.
Their historic triumph in the 2024/25 SPL Under-21 season capped off a year-long journey that began in May 2024. And what a campaign it has been: the young Sailors surged to the title with an outstanding 19 wins and three draws from 24 matches, as they finished a commanding 15 points clear of nearest challengers Tanjong Pagar United.
But the Sailors did not just win the league — they dominated it. Boasting the league’s most potent attack, the team plundered 87 goals at a staggering average of 3.6 goals per game, with 13 different players finding the net. All this, while fielding a side with an average age of just 18 — the youngest squad in the competition.
A key figure behind the Sailors U21 team’s success is Head Coach Firdaus Kassim, who stepped in after the opening match of the season following Spaniard José Mataix’s departure. Without the luxury of a full pre-season, Firdaus drew on his experience with Muangthong United, the Laos national team, and Hougang United to hit the ground running.
“My predecessor left the team in a very good state and created a strong environment among players and staff, so it wasn’t difficult to integrate,” said Firdaus. “The boys were receptive to new ideas that aligned closely with the club’s philosophy. They understood everything was aimed at helping them become the best versions of themselves, and it was fantastic to see them express that on the pitch.”
Having started the season with a 3-1 victory over Balestier Khalsa in May, the Sailors followed up with a commanding 3-0 win over Albirex Niigata (S) to give Firdaus the perfect start to his tenure.
As one of the youngest coaches in Asia to hold the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) highest coaching qualification — the AFC Pro Diploma — Firdaus relished the opportunity to lead the youth setup at Singapore’s premier football club.
And while winning the SPL Under-21 trophy is a major achievement, Firdaus insists that he takes greater pride in seeing his players progress to the senior squad — as was the case last Wednesday (14 May), when Andy Reefqy, Enrico Silveira, Henry Spence, and Danie Hafiy all made their SPL debuts against Balestier Khalsa in the Sailors’ penultimate league fixture.
“I’m honoured by the trust the club has placed in me,” he said. “Winning the league is a bonus, but seeing four of our boys make their first-team debuts means more to me than any trophy. The first team has set a very high standard this year, so for any of our U21s to even be considered, they must already be operating at a top level. Credit to the boys for staying patient, working hard every day, and taking their opportunity when it came.
“I honestly feel like a proud older brother. This is not just a win for the team, but for the entire Academy. Everyone has been working tirelessly over the past five years to develop players capable of competing professionally, and to see it happen here at Lion City Sailors makes it all the more special.”
Under Firdaus’ guidance, the Sailors continued to flourish — notably stringing together a league-record 10 consecutive wins in 2025, which included a 12-1 demolition of Albirex Niigata (S) in February.
Bishan Stadium became a fortress, with the Sailors going unbeaten at home throughout the season, as they won nine of their 10 matches at the venue — a key pillar of their title-winning campaign.
“Early in the season, we had a small blip — two defeats and a draw — and the fact that we bounced back by going unbeaten for the rest of the season is the epitome of this team’s mental strength,” Firdaus reflected.
“There were many games where we had to dig deep to score late goals. The best example? Coming from two goals down to win the title-clinching game at Jurong East.”
For Firdaus, the foundation of that resilience was laid on the training ground.
“Our training sessions are designed to build resilience because we know how crucial mental strength is. It’s easy to stay motivated when you’re winning, but to sustain that over a long season, the players need to enjoy the process.”
A rock at the back, 19-year-old defender Enrico was ever-present throughout the campaign, as he anchored a Sailors defence that finished as the league’s best.
His consistency did not go unnoticed, with Sailors First Team Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković naming him in the matchday squad for AFC Champions League Two matches against Indonesia’s Persib Bandung and China’s Zhejiang Professional.
While he has yet to make a start for the senior team, Enrico’s upward trajectory is clear. He was handed the captain’s armband midway through the season following Marcus Mosses’ loan move to Tanjong Pagar — a testament to the trust placed in him.
“Whenever a new head coach comes in, we usually expect a change in system, but thankfully both José and Coach Firdaus shared similar philosophies,” Enrico explained. “That helped us adapt quickly to Coach Firdaus’ style of play.”
Enrico has also embraced the leadership role that comes with wearing the armband.
“We’ve got a good relationship with Coach Firdaus and the entire coaching staff. On the pitch, I’m always talking to the younger players, and trying to guide and adjust where needed. Being captain means I have to lead by example, and show the team how to carry themselves both on and off the pitch.”
At the other end of the pitch, 15-year-old sensation Izzan Rifqi Bin Ahmad has made an immediate impact since his promotion to the U21 team in January, and has scored six goals in the league despite being the youngest player in the squad.
In truth, however, Izzan’s reputation was already growing before that. In October last year, he won the Top Scorer award at the Asiana Cup in Jakarta — a tournament that featured esteemed youth sides such as Japan’s Cerezo Osaka, Spain’s RC Alcobendas, Australia’s Football West, and Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Then came a dream debut in the SPL U21 league. Coming off the bench against BG Tampines Rovers at Woodlands Stadium, Izzan scored the match-winner with his very first touch in a thrilling 4–3 victory.
“Playing in the Asiana Cup really helped me think faster as a striker,” he reflected. “The SPL U21 league is physically demanding, so those international experiences sharpened my decision-making and improved my overall game.
“I had a strong feeling I could make an impact when I came on for my debut. My only mentality was to help the team win. The day before the match, I actually visualised coming on in the last 10 minutes and scoring the winner, and it happened.”
Several other players, including Henry Spence and Ainun Nuha Ilyasir, also caught the eye throughout the campaign, with Ainun notably earning a call-up to the Singapore U20 national team for the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Doha, where he featured against Hong Kong.
With a squad brimming with talent, the young Sailors have begun attracting international attention. Earlier this year, Australia’s 2 Halfs Development Team — where Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess trained ahead of his Premier League debut with Ipswich Town — visited Singapore to play a friendly against the Sailors U21 side.
“Facing overseas teams gives us valuable new experiences,” said Enrico. “They approach the game differently, and that challenges us to adapt and grow.”
Indeed, earning a chance to play overseas is something the 19-year-old has firmly set his sights on as the next step in his career.
“I’m already playing for a big club like the Sailors, but getting a chance to go overseas would be a huge opportunity for my career.”
The current crop of Sailors U21 players need not look far for inspiration, with recent alumni like Nur Muhammad Asis and Khairin Nadim blazing a trail to Europe.
Both have secured high-profile moves to Portugal, with Asis joining C.F. Estrela da Amadora on loan last July and Khairin signing a one-and-a-half-year deal with FC Vizela earlier this February.
In an interview with Futbolita, FC Vizela Sporting Director Toni Dovale shed light on the decision to bring Khairin onboard, praising the former Sailor’s unique qualities.
It’s a powerful testament to the Sailors’ ability to polish raw talent into standout prospects — a development that not only elevates the club but also benefits Singapore football as a whole.
Izzan, who revealed that he looks up to Asis, is inspired to chase his own European dream with the same grit and determination.
“I idolise Asis because, even though he had a very difficult background — including taking a two-year break from football — he still worked hard enough to make it to Europe,” said Izzan.
“Being at the Lion City Sailors motivates me to push myself to greater heights. I won’t stop working hard until I achieve my goal of playing in Europe one day.”
With a maiden SPL U21 title in the bag, several of the Sailors’ young stars will now be looking to build on this momentum and continue their upward trajectory in the months ahead.
However, one thing is clear — the future looks bright, as the Sailors Academy continues to set the standard for youth development in the region.
“There are a number of players in this squad who have the potential to make the step up and play abroad,” said Firdaus. “In football, it’s about timing, opportunities, and yes, a bit of luck to be in the right environment.
“The bigger challenge is longevity — adapting to a new environment, fighting for your place week in and week out, and having that relentless drive to keep improving. The rest is down to their natural talent, and that, polished here at the Lion City Sailors, will do the talking.”
On a cold night ten years ago at the Republican Central Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, current Lion City Sailors captain Hariss Harun savoured one of the sweetest moments of his 17-year career.
Then turning out for Malaysian powerhouses Johor Darul Ta’zim, Hariss played the full 90 minutes of the 2015 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup final – the predecessor of today’s AFC Champions League (ACL) Two – as his side edged FC Istiklol 1-0 on their home turf to become the first Southeast Asian team to lift the second-tier Asian club title.
“Given the circumstances, lifting that trophy is definitely up there among the highs of my career,” recounted Hariss, who became the first Singaporean to win the competition. “We had to contend with the cold and a hostile home crowd, but I focused on keeping my head in the game. We won by the slimmest of margins, and to this day, the joy and satisfaction of making history for the club remains etched in my memory.”
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Exactly a decade on from that triumph, Hariss now stands on the brink of another historic milestone. Having captained the Sailors to the final of the 2024/25 edition of the ACL Two, the 34-year-old is set to contest the prestigious trophy once again – this time on home soil, against UAE’s Sharjah FC on 18 May, in what is widely regarded as the biggest match in the Sailors’ five-year history.
For Hariss, this campaign has been a testament to the grit and belief that runs deep within the Sailors squad — qualities that have powered the team’s remarkable run.
“We’re amazed at the journey we’ve been on…not many expected us to make it this far,” Hariss candidly admitted. “But we took things one game at a time and never got ahead of ourselves.
“That said, we’re not dwelling on what we’ve achieved. There’s still a job to be done. Just like all those years ago, there’s a strong determination in me to make history again. It would be a massive boost for Singapore football — and we all want to be part of that moment.”
It has been a roller-coaster ACL Two campaign for the Sailors, marked by thrilling highs and testing lows. It all began in August 2024, when they were drawn into a daunting Group F alongside 2023 Chinese Super League second runners-up Zhejiang Professional, Thai League 1’s third-placed Port FC, and reigning Indonesia Liga 1 champions Persib Bandung.
So, right from the outset, the Sailors knew they were in for a fierce battle to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
Far from being intimidated, however, the Sailors responded with grit and resilience — qualities that would come to define their campaign. And few embodied that steely resolve more than Croatian defender Toni Datković. Since joining from Spanish side Albacete Balompié in February 2024, the 30-year-old has become a mainstay in Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković’s setup, playing every single minute of the Sailors’ ACL Two journey thus far.
“The second I stepped onto the pitch in this campaign, I felt motivated,” shared Toni. “As underdogs, nothing came easy, but we never stopped fighting. Every sweet and bitter moment over the past few months has led us here — now we’re on the big stage.”
The Sailors kicked off their campaign in style in front of a raucous Jalan Besar crowd, as they secured a 2-0 win over Zhejiang thanks to stunning goals from Hariss and Maxime Lestienne.
“The first game is always the most important as it sets the tone for the whole campaign,” said Hariss. “We knew that representing Singapore on this stage came with pressure, so that win meant a lot. I don’t score many goals, so I was really pleased to chip in and help the team.”
They continued their strong start with a gritty 1-1 draw away at Persib, followed by a convincing 3-1 win at Port — racking up seven points from a possible nine. But the group stage would soon take a dramatic turn.
Midway through, the Sailors surrendered back-to-back two-goal leads — first falling 3-2 to Persib at home, then suffering a 4-2 loss away to Zhejiang — defeats that threatened to derail their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds.
“Those games were really tough,” recalled Toni. “We were 2-0 up against Persib with just minutes left, and somehow ended up losing. I remember standing on the pitch, asking myself over and over again how that even happened. Losing that and then the game against Zhejiang… those were bitter pills to swallow.”
As the Sailors struggled to close out games, Hariss — nursing a persistent heel injury — could only watch helplessly from the sidelines. After that opening win against Zhejiang, the 34-year-old was limited to just 58 minutes of action in the group stage, with his leadership sorely missed on the pitch.
“It was a very frustrating period for me — there was a lot of pain in my heel,” said Hariss. “Not being able to help the team out there was tough, but I had to stay patient and believe I would come back stronger. Credit to the boys — even with the setbacks, they regrouped and stayed united.”
Heading into the final group game against Port, the Sailors knew their fate was in their own hands: after all, a win would secure top spot in the group and a place in the knockouts. And they looked on course after storming to a 2-0 lead early on.
But just like previous matches, Port clawed their way back to level at 2-2 by the hour mark — and it looked as though the Sailors might be on the verge of another painful slip-up. This time, though, Ranko’s men held their nerve and stayed focused on getting the win.
“There was something different in us during this game,” said Toni. “Even after they came back, we still believed we could turn it around. Everything was still in our hands, so we put the mistakes behind us and gave everything for the rest of the match.”
With tensions rising and the game finely poised, Song Uiyoung delivered arguably the biggest moment of his career — rifling a bicycle kick into the top corner in the 67th minute to restore the Sailors’ lead. The goal sent the Jalan Besar crowd into raptures, with a deafening roar echoing through all four corners of the stadium, energising every player on the pitch.
“There was still some time left after Song scored that amazing goal, but the game felt won — we just knew we could see it through,” said Toni. “The atmosphere was incredible. Being so close to the fans gave us that extra 10% on top of the 100% we were already giving.”
The Sailors went on to exorcise the ghosts of their earlier group-stage collapses, as they put five past Port to secure top spot and advance to the Round of 16.
From there, the challenges only got tougher. In the knockout stages, the Sailors had to navigate past established sides like Thailand’s Muangthong United, Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and Australia’s Sydney FC — but time and again, they rose to the occasion.
That stroke of luck came in the form of an administrative oversight by Sanfrecce, who fielded an ineligible player in the first leg — a game they had initially won 6-1. The result was later overturned and replaced with a 3-0 awarded win to the Sailors.
It proved to be the perfect springboard for the Singapore outfit. A composed 1-1 draw at home in the return leg was enough to send the Sailors through to the semi-finals, where they faced Sydney FC. Once again, Ranko’s charges rose to the occasion — surviving a nervy 90 minutes in the away leg to progress to the final with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Looking back on the team’s fairytale run, Hariss credited their success to the unity and collective spirit that runs through the squad.
“We’re blessed with a good mix of quality players and leaders, but the truth is no individual can carry us through the season alone,” he said. “Of course, players like Maxime and Shawal can make a difference, but this is a team sport. From the goalkeepers to the strikers, everyone is just as important.
“Credit must go to the whole group, because everyone stepped up when it mattered most. We all had a part to play in this.”
Having suffered group-stage exits in the previous two continental campaigns, those setbacks have only fuelled the Sailors’ determination to come back stronger. As one of the few players to have been through every step of that journey, Hariss believes those disappointments have forged a deeper hunger and unity within the squad — qualities now driving their success this season.
“We’ve been in promising positions both domestically and on the continental stage in recent years, but we never quite managed to make them count,” reflected Hariss. “That said, those experiences were invaluable. They’ve helped us grow — not just as individual players, but as a team, on and off the field.
“Our progress this season speaks for itself, but now it’s about putting on a performance in the final and finishing the job.”
For Toni, even after playing hundreds of games in top competitions like LaLiga 2 and earning caps for the Croatian national team, he believes that — given the journey he and the Sailors have been on — the upcoming ACL Two final is undoubtedly the biggest match of his career.
“Winning the ACL Two would be the biggest triumph of my career so far,” said Toni. “This team is special. I’ve been at many clubs, but none have had the same brotherhood and togetherness that I’ve found here at the Sailors.”
“Everyone’s talking about the final and trying to get tickets — it shows how much Singaporean football needs this success. This Sunday will feel like a National Day for everyone who loves the game here. And hopefully, by the end of it, we’ll be celebrating with the whole of Singapore.”
For Nur Muhammad Asis, life in Portugal begins bright and early. At 7am, the 20-year-old gets up, washes up, and prepares for a day dedicated to football. By 7.50 am, he is already at the training ground, fueled by a healthy breakfast of oatmeal, milk, fruits, and bananas.
Training sessions at Primeira Liga side C.F. Estrela da Amadora are rigorous, often combining fieldwork with gym activations that can last another one to two hours. Post-training, the team sits down together for lunch, where they adhere to a strict diet — spaghetti with minced beef, or rice with beef and salad, all prepared without gravy.
Away from the training ground, Asis resides in a cosy apartment in Odivelas, sharing the space with two teammates — one American and one Mexican. Their downtime often involves chatting or playing video games, a comforting routine that balances the intensity of football life. For Asis, the presence of halal food options in the neighbourhood has made adjusting to life abroad significantly easier.
It has been six months since Asis left the Lion City Sailors and embarked on a 10,000-kilometre journey to Portugal to join Estrela on a one-year loan. Now fully settled into his new environment, Asis — the first Singaporean in history to sign a professional football contract with a top-flight club in Portugal — has embraced not only the demands of European football, but also the unique experiences of living in a foreign country.
However, the attacking midfielder had to be patient in the early stages of his time in Portugal, as registration issues kept him sidelined for the opening matches of Estrela’s Under-23s. Even after those were resolved, Asis had to bide his time for his first official appearance for the club, while still training primarily with the B team during pre-season.
Though Asis was eager to get on the pitch and showcase his abilities, he knew he had to stay disciplined and keep working hard to prove to the coach that he had truly adapted to Portuguese football.
“It took some time to adjust to a new environment, especially since I was facing a step up in the level of football compared to what I was used to in Singapore,” Asis admitted. “Of course, I was hoping to get game time earlier, but I knew I had to stay patient and trust the process.”
To help him regain match fitness and confidence, the decision was made to push Asis into the Under-21s, where he played a handful of games, often as the captain. Those matches proved crucial in building his self-belief, and on 28 September, Asis finally made his debut for Estrela’s Under-23s, when he came on as a late substitute in a 1-0 Liga Revelação victory over Benfica.
That moment marked a turning point for the Sailors Academy graduate, as he began to establish himself within the team. On 26 November, in his fourth appearance for Estrela’s Under-23s, Asis earned his first start — a game that would prove to be a defining one.
Deployed on the right wing, Asis delivered an outstanding performance – providing two brilliant assists for fellow wide attacker Simão Pedro – to help his side secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Estoril Praia’s Under-23s.
“I was so excited when I found out I was going to start the game,” Asis recounted. “It was going to be against the team at the top of the table, and I didn’t know what to expect. Fortunately, I managed to stay calm and focused and ended up with two assists to my name.”
One of Asis’s fondest memories so far was meeting Portuguese football legend Nani during his first week at Estrela – the former Manchester United star was doing recovery work while watching the B team take on the first team in an internal friendly.
Picking up the native language has also been a significant boost for Asis. He candidly refers to the Duolingo app as his “best friend” in this process. Terms like “Passa bola” (pass the ball), “extremo direta” (right wing), and “vai” (go) have quickly become part of his growing Portuguese vocabulary.
“I’ve picked up quite a bit since I first arrived here. My roommate understands Portuguese, so he translates for me whenever the coach is giving instructions. That’s how I started learning, and now I can manage small conversations in the language,” he revealed.
Asis has already gained numerous valuable lessons in his few months in Portugal.
“What really helped me develop a better overall understanding of the game here is being aware of my surroundings and to think quickly on the pitch,” Asis shared.
“There are times where I have to be very quick when the ball gets to me. Compared to my previous position in Singapore, I’ve been playing a slightly different role here – more like an inverted winger. This experience has exposed me to new techniques and approaches, and has helped me grow as a player.”
To date, Asis has made seven appearances in the Liga Revelação, and Estrela Sporting Director José Faria has expressed satisfaction with the progress the Singaporean youngster has shown so far.
“Asis is a very respectful individual with great qualities and top-level commitment to his work. He has a lot of potential, but he needs to keep working hard and adapting further because the Portuguese league is very demanding if he wants to make it to the first team one day,” said Faria.
“One area the coaches are focusing on with Asis is his physical development, as there are many physically imposing players here. He has good game knowledge and can compete, but defensively it’s very tough here, and there’s not much space to exploit. He’ll need to learn how to cope with that aspect.”
After a short Christmas break back in Singapore, Asis returned to Portugal at the start of 2025, ready to push for further breakthroughs, with the Liga Revelação entering the playoffs. While a red card from last year resulted in a three-game suspension that has delayed his start to the year, Asis is eager to get back onto the pitch and make an impact for Estrela.
The young midfielder remains determined to keep flying the Singapore flag high, and hopes to earn an extension to his initial one-year loan deal with the club.
“Looking back, I’m happy to have come through my struggles in the first couple of months, but I also know I have to do more to show people why I’m here,” he said.
“My main goal is to win the Championship with the club, but I also want to keep improving — start more games, make more key contributions like assists or goals, and hopefully earn a call-up to the Singapore national team.”
The support from back home has also been a constant source of motivation for Asis. “There’ve been people sending me encouraging messages since I’ve been here. One of them said something like, ‘It’s proud to have an orang Melayu representing Singapore abroad.’ These things motivate me, and I don’t want to stop here,” he added.
From being hailed as a precocious teenage prodigy and the next big thing in Singapore football, to donning the Lions jersey and becoming a two-time Singapore Premier League and Singapore Cup winner, Adam Swandi has accomplished more in his footballing career than most in the country could dream of.
His talent was evident from a young age, as he dazzled crowds with his repertoire of skills and stepovers during the 2011 Lion City Cup (LCC) at just 15.
Accolades soon followed. In the same year, he won the Dollah Kassim Award — an annual honour recognising Singapore’s top football talents under 18 — and finished as the top scorer of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Under-16 Youth Championship. He went on to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the 2012 LCC and the Football Association of Singapore’s U18 COE League in the following year.
Adam’s youthful exuberance and unbridled joy on the pitch back then were reminiscent of a kid playing freely on a street soccer court — an attitude that stayed with him even as he transitioned into professional football.
“Everyone who knows me knows that I’m really into tricks and the things that make the game beautiful. I love how players like Ronaldo and Ronaldinho bring entertainment to football and make it enjoyable to watch,” said Adam.
“Of course, the game has evolved and now has certain tactical aspects, but I firmly believe that the main thing that attracts people to football is its entertainment value. Skills are a crucial part of the game — they create hype and excitement for everyone watching.”
From rising talent to accomplished star
Adam’s sheer talent brought immense pressure from a young age. Touted as one of Singapore football’s brightest prospects, he faced the weight of expectations that only grew when he secured a two-year contract with French Ligue 2 side FC Metz to play for their Under-19 team. Balancing such high expectations at a young age was far from easy, but it shaped his journey as a footballer.
“Starting from the Lion City Cup, fans and those around me were really pinning their hopes on me to elevate Singapore football to a higher level,” he acknowledged. “I have to say it wasn’t easy, but I never wavered in the face of challenges and have always given my best.
“Everyone has their own opinions on whether I ‘made it’ or not, but I know I have no regrets about my football journey.”
Adam’s football journey has undoubtedly been a fruitful one. In 10 seasons, he played a total of 205 competitive matches, winning the Community Shield four times, the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title twice, and the Singapore Cup twice. He was also named the SPL’s Young Player of the Year in 2018.
Above all, however, what gives Adam the greatest sense of satisfaction is being able to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a professional footballer.
“As a footballer — or anyone in life — you always feel like you could do better, but I wouldn’t go back and change anything. I’m happy to have made my family proud. It’s not easy to become a professional footballer; it’s not the kind of job you can simply apply for, and I’m one of the lucky few to have done this as a career,” he reflected.
“When I was around 10 or 11, I always looked up to players like Shahril Ishak and Baihakki Khaizan, so it felt surreal that just a few years later, they were my teammates, and I was sitting beside them in the dressing room. To learn from the best and build friendships with some of the biggest players in the country is something I’m truly grateful for.”
Adam earned 22 caps for the Singapore national team and still holds the distinction of being the Lions’ third-youngest debutant — behind Hariss Harun and Fandi Ahmad — at 17 years and 143 days, when he came on as a substitute in a friendly against Myanmar on 4 June 2013.
Like any footballer, Adam faced challenges during his career — most notably in 2019, when he suffered a severe anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that sidelined him for 15 months. Critics doubted whether he could return to his previous form, but Adam remained resilient in the face of adversity.
He recounted, “There were many people saying things like, ‘Oh, once you’re back from your ACL injury, you won’t be able to dribble like you used to.’ But I was extremely motivated to get back on the pitch, so I worked really hard during the rehab period.
“In the end, it’s about your mental strength and whether you truly want it. I didn’t want one injury to define my career.”
A career cruelly cut short
Unfortunately, Adam has been forced to prematurely end his career at the age of 28 following the recent discovery of an underlying heart condition known as cardiomyopathy.
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. In severe cases, it can lead to serious complications, including heart failure.
The news was understandably devastating for Adam, and coming to terms with this reality has been a significant mental challenge.
“Physically, I feel perfectly fine. Every day I wake up, I feel like I can push myself to play. But medically, I’ve been advised by the doctors and cardiologist that I shouldn’t play again. It’s definitely a tough pill to swallow, and I’m still trying to come to terms with the fact that I’m no longer a professional player,” he shared.
“In those quiet moments when I’m alone, after my wife and son have gone to bed — when I’m supposed to be sleeping — I sometimes find myself thinking about what really happened. Why did this happen to me? I’ve been doing this for the past 15 years of my life, and now it has to stop just like that.”
Nonetheless, Adam understands that he has to make the sensible decision for his family and future.
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“I’m also a husband and a father. I know I have to set aside my desire to play football and prioritise my family,” Adam explained. “I shouldn’t risk my life just to play football, especially when it doesn’t matter to them whether I’m on the pitch or pursuing another profession — they just want me to stay healthy.
“I’ve now found peace with this situation. I’ve realised that this is life — it’s unpredictable, and I have to begin a new journey.”
This was certainly not the way Adam had envisioned ending his career; after all, he had hoped to retire around the age of 35. However, he now sees the bigger picture, and feels fortunate simply to be alive.
“I was watching on TV when Christian Eriksen collapsed during the European Championship in 2021, and it’s surreal to think that something similar could happen to me as well. I feel blessed to have discovered this condition before something truly bad happened. I thank God for still being here and being able to live my life,” he said.
It was perhaps poetic that Adam scored in his final professional appearance — a precise and powerful header in the Sailors’ 6-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United in September 2024 — bringing a fitting end to his football career.
A part of the Sailors family, always
Adam spent the bulk of his career with the Sailors, making close to 100 appearances, winning multiple trophies, and featuring in a couple of Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) campaigns.
Looking back, Adam is filled with gratitude for being part of the Sailors’ exciting journey since its inception in 2020 and for the unwavering support the club’s management has shown him since his heart condition diagnosis.
“I didn’t expect to become one of the longest-serving players at this club, but it’s a huge blessing and honour to have represented one of the biggest and most ambitious clubs in Singapore. I truly felt like I belonged here, and I believe the club feels the same way about me,” Adam said.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the entire club for standing by me through this chaotic time, especially our chairman Forrest Li and executive director Bruce Liang for their unwavering support. The Sailors have been with me throughout my playing career, and now, even in retirement, they’re still here for me.
“It’s been a smooth transition out of football, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”
Having spent so many years in the football environment and forged genuine friendships, Adam believes it is the time with his teammates that he will miss the most.
“As a footballer, you probably spend more time with your teammates than with your own family. You’re always together — training, traveling to matches, showering, even sleeping in the same rooms. Sometimes my wife jokes that I sleep more with my teammates than with her!” he said with a laugh.
“I’ll definitely miss walking into the dressing room, talking about anything and everything under the sun, and just enjoying each other’s company before things get serious. They’re not just teammates — they’re brothers. They’ve always been there for me during tough times. People like Maxime (Lestienne), Hariss, and Hami (Syahin) are constantly checking up on me, and without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today.
“Football has given me much more than just trophies, medals, or caps with the national team. I’m truly grateful for the lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories it has brought me.”
A new journey awaits
As the saying goes, when one door closes, another — or several — opens. Adam admits he is grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with his family and is eagerly looking forward to the next chapter as he explores both technical and non-technical roles within the Sailors.
“I’m excited yet nervous at the same time. All my life, I’ve been a footballer, and now I have to step into something different. But I feel like the world is my oyster now — I’m free to explore what I want to do, and I’m always open to trying something new,” he elaborated.
“Coaching is definitely something I want to pursue, as it’s the best way for me to pass down the knowledge I’ve gained to younger kids aspiring to be footballers or simply those who want to play the game. At the same time, I’d love to contribute to the club in areas like marketing. As a club, we’re just getting started, and there’s so much more to achieve.
“While I’m sad that I can’t contribute to the club on the pitch anymore, I’m excited to help steer the ship in other areas.”
As Adam hangs up his boots, he hopes to be remembered as someone who never backed down on the pitch — a trait he sees in many of his Sailors teammates. This is why he is confident they can lift the 2024/25 SPL title at the end of the season.
“Everyone has different opinions, but I hope I’m remembered as someone who always gave everything on the pitch and never stopped working hard, even when times were tough,” he said.
“The team is on the right track, both in the league and in regional competitions. I know the boys have been working really hard since last season, and they definitely deserve success at the end of this one. As long as everyone continues to play their part, it’s not impossible for us to achieve everything that’s up for grabs.”
Community, Excellence, Discipline, Commitment and Humility – these are the five values of the Lion City Sailors FC and they were all on display by the Sailors Academy’s Under-14 Elite team at the recently concluded Asiana Cup 2024.
The Under-14 boys impressed, finishing fourth in the prestigious tournament which was held from October 24 to 27 at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium and the Senayan Field in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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The eight-team cast consisted of the Sailors, hosts Asiana Soccer School, RC Alcobendas from Spain, Japan’s Cerezo Osaka, Cruzeiro Academy of Thailand, Football West from Australia, Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and another Indonesian side TSI Selection.
The Sailors boys kicked off with a match against TSI Selection on Thursday (October 24) and it was not the best of starts as they began with a defeat. However, under the tutelage of Head Coach Ashraf Ariffin, the team turned things around later in the day with a convincing victory against Cruzeiro Thailand.
The following day on Friday (October 25) it was a similar start as the Sailors succumbed to a loss at the hands of Cerezo Osaka despite leading at half-time against the eventual champions.
But it was déjà vu as they again showed their true mettle later in the day with an eye-catching success against Madrid-based RC Alcobendas.
RC Alcobendas had three Singaporean Unleash The Roar (UTR) players in their ranks, but were undone by the Lion City Sailors Football Academy (LCSFA) which notably competed in the Asiana Cup with eight players who were born in the year 2011, meaning they were younger than the stipulated U14 teams allowed for this competition which speaks volumes about the LCSFA’s level of commitment and growth at grassroots level.
“We are proud of how our boys responded to the different challenges in different matches. We knew coming into the tournament that it would be a highly competitive one and we prepared the team in different scenarios and approaches without compromising our academy principles and playing style,” said Head Coach Ashraf.
“Our players have shown that they can compete with the best in the region and they have also shown that they have the intelligence to adapt to different opponents.”
The youthful exuberance of the boys were on full display on Day Three as the Sailors first played out an entertaining draw against home side Asiana in the morning followed by holding Malaysian powerhouse JDT in the afternoon.
On the final day, the Sailors faced Australia’s Football West to determine which team would finish in the top four and it was a dramatic ending, as Tan Yu Bin’s stoppage-time winner guided the Singaporean boys to an outstanding win with the youngsters showing real grit and determination to come back from a goal down.
The three points on the day took the Sailors up to 11 points with three wins and two draws in seven matches as the rising stars went on to secure a fourth-place finish in the standings, five points ahead of strong teams such as Football West and JDT.
Homegrown talent Ahmad Izzan Rifqi Bin Ahmad had a tournament to remember picking up the Top Scorer award at Asiana Cup 2024 having netted seven goals, with his fine displays earning him a place in the tournament’s Best Eleven.
“It means a lot to me to be the top goalscorer of a tournament like this! It was my goal to be the top scorer and I worked hard for this moment. And it became true. Thanks to the coaches for teaching me what a striker’s mindset should be like,” said Izzan.
Earlier this year, the Sailors’ youth teams had ventured into Europe to gain valuable experience in world-class surroundings with those initiatives certainly paying dividends.
In April, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recognised the efforts of the LCSFA to develop elite youth footballers in Singapore and was conferred the Two-Star Academy status — becoming only the fourth academy in Southeast Asia to receive Two-Star grading.
The impressive performance at Asiana Cup 2024 further highlights the immense potential of Singapore football and the holistic development of the youth players, as the Lion City Sailors continue their quest to become the region’s finest football academy and the man at the helm of the U-14 side Ashraf spoke about that factor.
“The future is the foundation we build now. Our scholars performed well at the Asiana Cup because of the foundation we laid four years ago,” quipped Ashraf.
“At LCSFA, we have shown that with the correct coaches and the correct expertise around our talent pool, we can take a lot of positive steps in the future.”
The Lion City Sailors players lined up in two rows on the pitch at Bishan Stadium, forming something akin to a guard of honour while they waited with cheeky grins for the man of the moment to walk past them.
As Hafiz Nor stepped between the two rows of players, hands reached out from both sides to give him friendly, congratulatory slaps on the back of his head – a classic gesture of camaraderie and playful ribbing in football.
A roar of approval erupted from the crowd at Bishan Stadium as Hafiz finally emerged from the group of players, his hair slightly ruffled but otherwise unharmed and in high spirits.
It was a deserved tribute to a player who has been a mainstay with the Sailors since the club’s inception in 2020. A well-liked figure in the team, Hafiz is known for always giving 100 percent and leaving everything on the pitch for the Sailors.
Fittingly, Hafiz has now etched his name into the Sailors’ history books as the first player to reach 100 appearances in all competitions for the club – a milestone he reached when he came on as a 78th-minute substitute in a 6-0 win over Young Lions on 22 July.
For his achievement, the 35-year-old was presented with a special framed Sailors jersey – emblazoned with his name and the words ‘100 APPEARANCES’ – by club chairman Forrest Li last Saturday (3 August) evening, just before their 3-0 Singapore Premier League (SPL) win over Brunei DPMM.
Hafiz’s century of appearances for the Sailors includes 82 in the SPL, nine in the Singapore Cup, one in the Community Shield, and eight across two AFC Champions League campaigns in 2022 and 2023.
He has since played two more SPL games for the Sailors, bringing his total number of appearances to 102.
Wearing a proud and grateful expression throughout the jersey presentation ceremony, Hafiz expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the club for recognising his contributions over the years.
“It’s an absolute honour to receive this special jersey and be recognised for this achievement, especially with our chairman presenting it and my family watching. This moment really makes me feel that all my hard work and sacrifices have been worthwhile,” said the Sailors’ vice-captain.
“It has been a privilege to wear the Sailors’ badge for the past four years and I’ll continue to give my best as long as I’m needed by the club. I am deeply grateful to the club for this recognition, and this jersey will be a treasured keepsake for me.”
Hafiz revealed that he did not keep track of his appearances and was unaware he was approaching the 100-match milestone.
Nonetheless, he admitted to being pleasantly surprised by the club’s gesture, as he said, “To be honoured in this way shows how much the club values and appreciates its players. It’s also a message to everyone that if you give your all in training and on the pitch, the club will recognise your efforts.”
Hafiz was among the players who transitioned from Home United to the Lion City Sailors when the club rebranded in February 2020. The following month, he featured in the Sailors’ first-ever SPL match, a 1-1 draw against Tanjong Pagar United, alongside teammates such as Song Uiyoung, Zulqarnaen Suzliman, and Haiqal Pashia.
Over the past four years, Hafiz has selflessly contributed to the Sailors’ success, helping the club evolve into a team that consistently competes with Asia’s top sides through its qualification for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL).
Reflecting on the Sailors’ evolution over the years, Hafiz said, “It’s surreal to see the progress the club has made. We’re now regularly competing in the ACL and achieving credible results against some of Asia’s elite teams. We also have promising Academy players breaking into the first team, and a robust pipeline for youth development.
“I know there were doubts about the club’s rebranding to become LCS at the time, but I believe most people now understand our vision – to elevate Singapore football to new heights through the things we do here.
“We are very grateful to Forrest for his continual trust in us, and for investing the resources needed to build a reputable club.”
But it was not all smooth sailing for Hafiz and the Sailors at the start of their journey.
The club’s inaugural season in 2020 was curtailed after just two matches – a draw and a defeat – due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant the Sailors had to wait seven months before playing their next competitive match, where they finally secured their first-ever win by beating Geylang International 4-0 at the Bishan Stadium.
That victory sparked the Sailors’ momentum, leading them to finish the season strongly in third place. The following year, under the guidance of Head Coach Kim Do-hoon, they went on to lift their first SPL title in history.
“That triumph was truly memorable. Not only was it our first league title, but it was also the first time a local team had won the league in seven years. So many people were rooting for us, and we’re incredibly proud to have restored some local pride for Singaporeans,” recalled Hafiz.
The Sailors’ maiden league title was followed by another year of significant progress, particularly in regional competition.
After starting the 2022 season by winning their first Community Shield, the Sailors went on to represent Singapore with distinction in the ACL. They achieved the highest points tally ever by a Singaporean side in the competition — seven points — highlighted by a stunning 3-0 victory over South Korea’s Daegu FC.
“We were quite nervous before the ACL because we didn’t know what to expect. But we followed our coaches’ instructions diligently and we’re proud to have made history for the club and for the nation,” said Hafiz, who played a total of 32 matches that year.
The opening of the Lion City Sailors Training Centre – Singapore’s first integrated football training facility – greatly accelerated the team’s development, with Hafiz admitting that he had never had access to such resources in his career before.
Another 33 appearances came in 2023 – a season in which Hafiz scored the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United, lifted the Singapore Cup with captain Hariss Harun, and contributed to an ACL campaign where the Sailors defeated K-League opposition for the second consecutive year with a 2-0 win over two-time ACL champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Hafiz’s WhatsApp profile picture features a memorable photo of him wearing the armband at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, with the passionate Mad Green Boys of the Jeonbuk Motors Supporters’ Club in the background, taken during the Sailors’ away fixture in Korea — a moment he cherishes despite the defeat.
“It was an electrifying atmosphere, with the Jeonbuk fans cheering throughout the match. Although we lost, it was quite an experience for us to be playing in such a world-class stadium. It serves as a reminder of the privilege we have as footballers,” he said.
Over the years, Hafiz’s role has naturally evolved into that of a team leader, fittingly as the elder statesman of the squad. The veteran is now relishing the opportunity to impart his knowledge to the next generation.
Hafiz explained, “I see myself more as a leader on the pitch now. With young players like 16-year-old Nathan Mao in the first team, I try to offer guidance based on my years of experience. It motivates me, especially when they ask challenging questions — it pushes me to think deeply and reflect on how to be a better leader.”
Hafiz’s humility and versatility have been key to his success with the Sailors. Whether playing as a right-back, left-back, right midfielder, or auxiliary striker, he has consistently performed his duties with excellence and always prioritised the team.
Hafiz’s next target? To make 150 appearances, while continuing to serve as a guide and mentor to the younger players.
“I’m not thinking about 200 appearances just yet; 150 is the more realistic goal!” Hafiz remarked. “I hope to perform well enough to secure a contract for next year because I’m truly enjoying my time at the club. It’s great to have a core group like Adam (Swandi), Pashia, and myself who have been with the club for a while, as our presence helps the newer players settle in more quickly.”
‘Viva Hafiz Nor, Viva Hafiz Nor, Running down the wing, hear the Sailors sing, Viva Hafiz Nor!’ is a familiar chant that has resonated in the stands from Sailors fans over the past four years. As Hafiz approaches his 36th birthday this month, he remains determined to give the fans even more reasons to smile by continuing to contribute to the team’s success.
“Whenever I hear the fans sing this song, it always pumps me up and motivates me to do even more for them. We have the most amazing fans who support us through every match, win, lose, or draw,” said Hafiz, who is now in his 14th consecutive professional season since making his SPL debut in 2011.
“My job is to stay in the best possible condition and give my all for the club. Despite my age, I know what I can offer, and I’ll keep going until my body tells me I can’t do it anymore.”
Ask Lennart Thy about the incredible gesture he is perhaps best known for, and he will likely respond with an unassuming shrug or a wry smile.
After all, over the past few years, the Lion City Sailors’ newest recruit has consistently downplayed the significance of his act, insisting it was nothing more than ‘normal’.
But what exactly was it that Lennart did which earned him widespread praise and recognition?
The year was 2018, and Lennart was playing for VVV-Venlo in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Ahead of a crucial match against league leaders PSV Eindhoven, Lennart received news that he was a DNA match for a leukaemia patient urgently requiring matching stem cells for treatment.
Lennart, who had joined the donor register in 2011 while playing for Werder Bremen in Germany, knew immediately what he had to do. With the blessings of Venlo, he agreed to donate his blood to generate stem cells for the patient’s transplant.
This decision meant missing the game against PSV – but it was all worth it, as Lennart’s blood saved the patient’s life.
“For me, it was just a normal thing to help others when I can,” said the 32-year-old. “But it became a big thing in both the Netherlands and Germany – much bigger than I expected. Nonetheless, the love and gratitude that I received afterwards was really heartwarming.”
Though Lennart missed the PSV game, his presence was still felt at the Philips Stadion – he was honoured with the Man of the Match award, and the players’ escorts wore t-shirts emblazoned with the message, ‘Follow Lennart, become a stem cell donor.’
The subsequent widespread coverage of Lennart’s selfless act also led to a massive increase in stem cell donations in the Netherlands, and he was ultimately awarded the prestigious FIFA Fair Play Award later that year.
When asked if he would do it again if the opportunity arose, Lennart replied without hesitation, “Of course!”
Lennart, however, is not just a hero off the pitch. The experienced forward has often been the saviour for his teams, with his heart-on-sleeve style of play making him a fan favourite at every club he has played for.
In addition to being a hardworking No. 9 who presses from the front and can often be seen tracking back to help his team during defensive transitions, Lennart also has an innate knack for being in the right place at the right time.
But what sets him apart is his ability to finish with both feet – though primarily right-footed, Lennart scored eight of his 13 goals for PEC Zwolle in the recently concluded 2023/24 Eredivisie season with his left.
“My ability to finish with both feet wasn’t that obvious until last season, when people started coming to me saying ‘you’re better with your left foot’,” Lennart mused. “I said ‘No, no’, but in the following game I scored again with my left.
“I actually don’t dwell too much on which foot to use when I find myself in a scoring position, so perhaps going with my instinct makes it easier for me.”
Lennart’s footballing talent was evident from a young age. He was part of the Germany team – alongside the likes of Mario Götze and Marc-André ter Stegen – that won the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, finishing joint-top scorer of that tournament.
He also featured in the UEFA Champions League as an 18-year-old, when he came on for the last 10 minutes of Werder Bremen’s 3-0 loss at White Hart Lane against a Tottenham Hotspur side that featured players such as Peter Crouch, Gareth Bale, and Luka Modrić.
Unsurprisingly, he went on to enjoy an eventful and fruitful career in Europe. After his stint in the German top two divisions with Werder Bremen and St Pauli, he moved to the Eredivisie, where he played for three different clubs over the past decade.
Lennart finally bid farewell to the Eredivisie on 19 May, receiving a rousing reception from fans of PEC Zwolle – where he played over 100 matches – during their final league match of the season.
Now, Lennart is ready to embark on a new adventure – over 10,000km away, with the Sailors in Singapore.
He revealed that when the Sailors came knocking, the allure of being at the forefront of such an exciting footballing project in the Lion City proved too hard to turn down.
“I’ve always said I want to try to achieve something new in football outside of Europe,” said Lennart. “So, I was intrigued when the Sailors reached out to me. After doing my research, and speaking with the management here, it got me really excited about what the club is trying to build here in Singapore.”
The father-of-two added, “It’s also a great opportunity for me to go on a new adventure with my family.”
Outlining his ambitions with the Sailors, Lennart hopes to not only win silverware with the club, but also help the younger members of the squad become better players.
“I know the club is doing a lot in terms of youth development in the country, so I’ll do my best to help the young players at this club with the experience I have,” said Lennart, who once scored against Chelsea in a 2016 friendly.
“We also want to compete in two regional competitions, and are determined to win the league. I’m here to help the team score goals, play good football and achieve our objectives. The biggest challenge now is the weather, but I think I can adapt really fast over the next few weeks.”
In honour of Mother’s Day, we shine the spotlight on Madam Samsinah Hassan, who has taken on the dual roles of both mother and father to our Sailor, Nur Muhammad Asis, since her husband passed away earlier this year.
Madam Samsinah Hassan appeared visibly nervous in front of the cameras, but she immediately relaxed when her son, Sailors midfielder Nur Muhammad Asis, asked her about his childhood.
“You’re actually a ‘gembeng’ (Malay word for crybaby) boy, you know?” replied the 52-year-old, as Asis looked on wistfully at her.
“You used to cry over all the small things, so I was surprised to see how tough you are on the pitch… When the ball hits you or someone gives you a strong tackle, you just stand up and continue playing.”
Indeed, Asis has come a long way from being a ‘gembeng’ boy to becoming one of the most promising talents in Singapore football, as evidenced by his promising career trajectory thus far.
At the tender age of 19, Asis made his debut for the Sailors’ first team, showcasing his talent against Tanjong Pagar United in a Singapore Premier League (SPL) match in July 2023. Two months later, he was called up to represent Singapore at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-23 Asian Cup.
Following his completion of mandatory National Service at the end of last year, he became the first player from the Sailors Elite Academy to sign a professional contract with the club.
Now, Asis is set on establishing himself as a key member of Aleksander Ranković’s squad.
Elegant on the ball and boasting bags of technical ability, it is clear that Asis has the potential to achieve big things in the game in the future.
However, Asis’s talent in the game might not have been realised if it were not for the support of Mdm Samsinah, who initially took a while to come around to the idea but eventually backed his aspirations – both emotionally and financially – to become a professional footballer.
“Asis was really crazy about football since he was two years old, but I wasn’t sure about him pursuing it, as he was quite a small child, even when he went to Primary School. So, I thought I’ll just allow him to play football recreationally,” Mdm Samsinah recounted.
It was only after Sailors Academy Technical Director Luka Lalić – then a coach at Turf City Football Club – spoke to Mdm Samsinah to convince her of Asis’s talent that she relented, and allowed him to further his development in the game from seven years old onwards.
“Luka was really sincere, so I finally allowed him to go, even though it was far for us to send him from our house in Pasir Ris to Turf City a few times a week for training,” said Mdm Samsinah.
“He also went to Europe for overseas attachments a few times, which meant we had to fork out extra time and money for that. It was tough on us, but we happily did it because we wanted to support his dream.”
It proved to be the right decision, as Asis’s talent and potential became increasingly evident as he matured, garnering attention from European clubs such as Feyenoord and Galatasaray in 2016 when he was just 12. He then went on to join the Sailors Academy four years later, where he was reunited with Luka.
However, Asis’s life took a devastating turn earlier this year when his father, Mr Junaidi Karim, tragically passed away at the age of 55. This loss came just eight months after Mr Karim was diagnosed with Stage Four gastroesophageal junction (GOJ) cancer.
GOJ cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer that occurs where the oesophagus meets the stomach. It can significantly impact a person’s ability to eat and swallow solid and dry foods.
Mr Junaidi’s passing not only meant the loss of their family’s primary breadwinner, but also deprived Asis of his “biggest supporter and advisor” in life.
“His dad was always there for him… Whenever Asis came back from a game, his father would offer him advice on what he should or shouldn’t do, how he could improve, and so on. As for me, I may not understand the game as much, so I can only act as his cheerleader,” shared Mdm Samsinah.
Watching his once-rugged dad weaken day by day was a heart-wrenching experience for Asis, and it naturally took him some time to come to terms with the reality of his passing.
Asis, with two married sisters, has also had to step into the role of the proverbial ‘man of the family’, and assume the weighty responsibilities of caring for his mother.
“I’m the only son and guy in the family, so it’s only right that I’m the one taking care of my mum. I have to watch over her, make sure she’s well, and most importantly, make sure she’s not feeling too lonely. I want to ease her burdens as much as possible, and I’ve been trying to spend more time at home with her as well,” said Asis, who is now 20.
Similarly, Mdm Samsinah, a senior logistics coordinator at DHL, has taken on the dual responsibility of being both father and mother to her children following her husband’s passing. However, she acknowledges the near-impossible nature of this task.
“I’ve been trying to fill the void left by my husband, but I know there are certain things that I won’t be able to advise or help with,” she reflected. “So, sometimes I enlist the support of my son-in-law or brother-in-law to talk to Asis.
“I just want him to know that I’m always here to support him when he needs me, whether in football or in life.”
In the spirit of International Women’s Day (IWD), which is celebrated annually across the globe on 8 March, we delve into the lives and experiences of our Sailors Women to better understand their struggles, challenges and inspirations as they strive to make their mark in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
In this special feature, we turn the spotlight on Amanda Cheong and Denise van Ewijk – sports trainer and performance nutritionist at the Lion City Sailors Elite Academy.
It is a bustling day at the Lion City Sailors Training Centre, with the Sailors’ Elite Academy teams going through their various training sessions. It is a typically male-dominated football environment but amid all the thorns stand two roses, steadfastly carrying out their respective duties.
In the gym, sports trainer Amanda Cheong is running through a series of exercises for the Under-12 boys while in one of the meeting rooms, performance nutritionist Denise van Ewijk is going through a nutrition program with one of the boys.
These two women play an integral role in driving the Academy’s professionalism day in and day out, and the Sailors are proud to have them in our ranks.
Taking the road less travelled
Not many have taken the path that they chose, but the duo was very much determined that it was the right one.
While Amanda was pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science at Edith Cowan University, the ratio of males to females was much higher – about one female to every four males. And while most of her female counterparts went on to work in personal trainer roles, she was determined to carve out a unique journey in football.
A four-month internship with the National Youth Sports Institute (NYSI) in her final year only served to harden her resolve as she was involved in the launch of the national Unleash the Roar! project, working on performance evaluation for metrics such as 40-meter sprints, vertical jumps, Yoyo intermittent recovery, anthropometrics, and GPS tracking among top youth football athletes in Singapore.
Undeterred after an unsuccessful first application to join the Sailors Academy, Amanda, now 25, dabbled in personal training and worked in the golf industry as a strength & conditioning coach for eight months, before succeeding at her second bite of the cherry and came onboard in July 2023.
“The sports and exercise sciences industry is still quite niche in Singapore and my parents weren’t that supportive of me pursuing this dream initially, but I’m here to prove them wrong,” she stated.
As for Denise, her motivation stemmed from witnessing nutrition being an ‘underappreciated’ part of professional sports and wanting to change that.
After graduating with a Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from The Hague University of Applied Science in the Netherlands, she started her own sports nutrition company before flying to Singapore with her husband Mike Kerklaan – the Sailors’ current Head of Rehabilitation – when he joined the Sailors Academy in October 2021.
As fate would have it, the club was looking for a nutritionist as well. Denise fitted the bill, and has stayed on in the Lion City since.
Her current role entails overseeing and planning the pre and post-match meals for the U13 team all the way up to the First Team, studying how the players’ nutritional habits and patterns affect their on-field performance, as well as conducting individual education talks with the Academy’s players and their parents to ensure they are eating right – huge responsibilities indeed.
“Nutrition and having a proper meal plan is a big part of an athlete’s foundation, that’s the message I wanted to get out there,” said the 29-year-old, who also conducts nutritional workshops and presentations for an overall improvement of nutritional knowledge within the Academy.
“Being attentive to food can help in a lot of aspects; it can make you faster, less tired and recover more quickly. There is the misconception that people should only come to me if they have a high body fat percentage and need to lose weight, but there’s so much more to it.”
Amanda’s sports trainer role is varied, stretching across both the medical and performance aspects of the Academy’s work – she leads the U12 and U13 teams in strength & conditioning training and corrective exercises, while also supporting the Under-21 medical team for match-related and rehabilitation duties.
Her scope of work means that she is regularly in close contact with the males, leading her to be very mindful of the boundaries that should not be crossed.
“Sometimes when there are injuries near the groin, I’ll remind them that I’ll be checking the area so that they are mentally prepared. It’s important to make sure there’s communication and to get their permission,” she emphasised.
“I’ll put myself in their shoes – I’d feel intruded if someone didn’t communicate that to me properly, so I always try to bring my point across very clearly.”
In the right environment to succeed
Working in a male-dominated environment could be intimidating and challenging for some, but Amanda and Denise are two strong-willed women who can stand their ground and put across their beliefs.
And at the Sailors, the club has the robust structure and support system to help them succeed in their roles.
“I can’t do this alone – at the end of the day, I’m there to help the players – and the coaches – by making sure the team is as fit as possible,” explained Denise, who has previous experience working with players from Ajax Amsterdam and ADO Den Haag back home in the Netherlands.
“Fortunately, all the coaches are onboard here and there’s a lot of communication. For example, if there’s a player with an injury and the medical department feels nutrition can be helpful to him, they’ll send this player to me. If, say, this player has been very slow lately and often getting tired, then I’ll look at the case – sometimes it’s the case that he is just gaining a bit of weight which is not beneficial for his performance.”
Indeed, instead of feeling overlooked as a minority in the workplace, both Amanda and Denise feel comfortable and are embracing the plus points that comes with being female – such as simply looking more approachable and having a softer side.
“I think mindsets are changing so people are not so curious any more when there’s a female sports trainer around. Parents are often very receptive to me, and are quite open with sharing their experiences with their kids,” shared Amanda.
“I can see they’re very relaxed and accepting of things I explained to them, such as what to do when their kid suffers a concussion, where else they can do to help, etc. That’s very heartwarming for me.”
Denise agrees wholeheartedly that having a softer side is an advantage, and perhaps the strongest reason for having greater diversity in the workplace.
“I think the world is already hard enough, especially for these boys. We demand a lot from them at our Academy and I’m definitely strict in the moments that I have to be, but I think it’s important to provide a listening ear and be someone they can come to when they’re facing issues,” she added.
Pushing ahead
Denise is proud of the progress she has made since joining the Sailors Academy – from taking one year to assimilate into the local culture and understanding Singaporeans’ eating habits, to now building up a proper system and approach to sports nutrition.
All the boys in the various Elite Academy age-group teams now have their post-training meals – focused on providing them more protein – at the Sailors Training Centre, which gives her more control over the players’ dietary habits. Denise is determined to keep changing mindsets and perceptions, even though there have already been significant improvements.
“It’s not easy in the hustle and bustle of Singapore life, where there is a huge culture of having takeaway food and the food habits are focused on efficiency. There’s also a stigma that healthy foods are not tasty, but that’s totally not true,” she emphasised.
“I would say that overall, the players’ curiosity has improved. They now take the initiative to come up to me, wanting to know more about their own bodies and what they can do to improve their nutrition – and I hope to see more of that.”
Both Denise and Amanda are determined to forge ahead in their journeys – with the latter hoping to make the step up to support the club’s First Team one day – and hope their stories can inspire greater inclusivity, which is the theme of International Women’s Day 2024.
“I want to set a good example to other females who aspire to work in the sports industry. Probably if there’s more females in and around this environment, they will not feel so intimidated. For me, just come in and do it!” said Amanda.
Echoing these sentiments, Denise is proud of the women in the Sailors ranks – lauding the courage and growth of Amanda as well as Nur Ain Salleh, the first female scholar of the Sailors Elite Academy.
“We have strong girls here raising the bar each day and that’s an inspiration to the other females. It does not take that much for women to break the barrier – the key is having a clear idea of what you want to achieve and a vision of what you set out to become.
“As long as your dreams and the organisation’s objectives are aligned, I don’t think it matters if you’re a male or a female.”
As Song Uiyoung stepped into the Lion City Sailors Training Centre ahead of his official unveiling as the club’s latest signing, his eyes lit up at the sight of the familiar crest adorning the entrance.
“Wow, I’ve missed this (place),” he exclaimed with a grin on his face.
The wide smile on Song’s face said it all as he greeted the Sailors’ first team, Academy, and corporate staff on his way in.
He was home. The Sailors’ favourite son had returned.
“I’ve been here for many years; I’m very familiar with the staff and management here and we created many good memories together – winning the SPL (Singapore Premier League), competing in the ACL (Asian Football Confederation Champions League) – so there are no doubt or hesitation in my mind about coming back here,” said Song.
“I really feel like I’m back home and back to the family now, so I’m very happy.”
When Song left for Nongbua Pitchaya in January 2023, he mentioned in his farewell interview with the Sailors that he hoped to get the opportunity to play for the club again one day. By his own admission, however, his return to the club – just 14 months on – had come slightly earlier than expected.
“Honestly, I thought I’m going to be overseas for at least two or three years before coming back to Singapore. But this is the life of a footballer, you know? Nobody knows what’s going to happen in the future,” he mused.
“But I’ve no regrets. I’m very happy to be back. I’m ready to work and fight together with my teammates here.”
Song’s journey post-Sailors saw him play in two of the most football-crazy Southeast Asian nations – Thailand and Indonesia – last year.
Song scored on his Nongbua debut against Bangkok United, and played a total of eight games in Thai League 1. But the club’s relegation to the second-tier meant he was allowed to leave on a free transfer due to a clause in his contract.
The Singapore international went to Indonesia in mid-2023 to join Persebaya Surabaya. His signing proved to be popular with the Persebaya fans, such that security had to escort him out of the venue following his unveiling at a club sponsor event. The shop was reportedly filled with over 200 fans, with more clamouring to squeeze in.
In the Liga 1, Song scored one stunning long-range match-winning goal against PSM Makassar and made a total of 17 appearances. The majority of his appearances saw him play in a deep defensive midfield role, and he was even deployed at centre-back for one game.
“It was a great experience for me – I had the opportunity to learn from players and coaches from a totally different culture as compared to Singapore,” Song recalled.
“I had to learn and adapt to play in different team formations and tactical shapes. It gave me a better and broader perspective of football. I also felt I matured and became a better person outside the pitch as well. So, I have to say it was a good choice for me (to venture out of Singapore).”
Song had previously spoken about getting out of his comfort zone as the motivation to leave Singapore – a place he has called home for the past 11 years.
“Obviously I needed some time to adapt and I did struggle a bit in Thailand and Indonesian football,” Song admitted. “I felt insecure, but at the same time, I really tried my best to learn as much as I coulds and give my best every day.
“Looking back now, I feel these challenges have made me a better person and a better player. I wouldn’t say I succeeded there, but I also wouldn’t say I failed. For me, it was a great learning experience, and I’ve no regrets.”
Having played for the Sailors since its inception, Song has remained a fan of the club throughout, even when he was away. He revealed that he watched most of the Sailors’ games via live stream, and was delighted to witness the team make history at the tail-end of 2023 with their first-ever Singapore Cup triumph.
Even so, Song admitted to being pleasantly surprised at how much the club has changed over the past year or so.
For one, the Sailors Training Centre is now up and running, with the first team training mainly on the hybrid pitch. The team is now also taking shape under the tutelage of former FC Utrecht assistant coach Aleksandar Ranković, and boasts the addition of several players with European pedigree such as Bart Ramselaar, Toni Datković and Rui Pires.
The infusion of youth talent – with players like Nur Muhammad Asis and Nathan Mao making the step up from the Sailors’ Elite Academy to the first team – also means Song will be tasked to take these youngsters under his wing.
“I can see a very good picture for the future of what we want to build as a team here. This is the proper process – developing young players from the academy to be a big part of the professional team one day,” Song reflected.
“Being one of the senior players, I want to help these young players explore and achieve their maximum potential. But at the same time, I feel I can also be positively influenced by them as well. I’m looking forward to working together with them, while having healthy competition with them for a spot in the first eleven.”
With Song turning 31 in November, he is looking forward to winding down his career with the Sailors and helping the club achieve more in the coming years.
“If I retire with the Sailors, I’ll be a happy man. But for now, I’m ready to put my best efforts for the club – this coming season, we want to win all three domestic trophies and do well in the ACL2. We want to be one of the top clubs in the region and I’ll do everything in my power to help us get there,” he emphasised.
And Song is already champing at the bit to walk out at Bishan Stadium again in the Sailors’ signature white and blue colours.
“I’m looking forward to that moment already – it’s like a child waiting for a picnic, you know?” he joked. “I’ve been so blessed with the big support from the fans – when I’m playing abroad, I’ve received many messages from them (on Instagram) telling me to come back and play for the Sailors in the SPL.
“Now I’m back, I’m really looking forward to seeing these familiar faces at the stadium and I promise that I’m going to try very hard on the field to make them happy.”
