Category: Feature
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.
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.”
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.”
It took all of five minutes for Nur Adam Abdullah to make an impact in his Singapore Premier League (SPL) debut for the Lion City Sailors.
Driving infield with the ball from his left-back position, Nur Adam split the Tampines Rovers defence with a neat slide-rule pass into the attacking third to Gabriel Quak.
Four touches later, the ball was in the back of the Tampines net, with Song Uiyoung tapping in Haiqal Pashia’s cross from close range.
The teamwork shown in the build-up to that first goal in a thrilling season opening 3-3 draw was impressive, but what really caught the eye was how willing and comfortable Nur Adam was in bringing the ball forward.
Nur Adam’s critical role in the goal perfectly encapsulated the talented youngster’s rapid rise to the big stage. The fact that he has played every minute for the Sailors so far is also testament to the trust that Coach Aurelio Vidmar has in him.
Reflecting on the goal, Nur Adam said: “I’m glad that I was able to contribute to the team in that game. It may not be an assist, but it was something which I created that ultimately led to the goal, so I’m quite happy with that.”
It would be fair to say the 19-year-old has taken to life with the Sailors like a fish takes to water, impressing local football observers with his all-action style of play and never-say-die attitude.
But Nur Adam knows he has only just begun. With competition for places in the starting XI as fierce as it is, he is fully aware that he has to keep working hard to build on the fine start to his Sailors career – starting with this weekend’s SPL clash against the Young Lions at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
“Going forward, I want to improve my level of performance even more and add more numbers to my game,” Nur Adam declared. “I want to get goals and assists if I can, but the priority, of course, is we keep winning as a team.
“It’s amazing to be part of this squad. I felt very welcomed from day one – everyone’s so friendly and approachable at this club. There is this healthy environment which keeps the younger players like myself motivated, and I’m really glad I made the decision to come here.”
Despite standing at just 1.68m tall, Nur Adam does not shy away from facing off against bigger and stronger opponents. Instead, he relishes the challenge, and makes up for his lack of height with a tenacious playing style.
“My teammates and coaches used to call me a ‘bulldog’ who just rams through!” he recalled, chuckling. “I’ve adopted this fearless attitude since young, and I’ve always liked the physical side of the game. To me, size doesn’t matter on the pitch – it’s the heart.”
His promising displays for the Sailors have not gone unnoticed, and he was recently rewarded with a first call-up to the senior national team by coach Tatsuma Yoshida – a moment which he will always cherish.
“I’m honoured and thankful that I got to be part of the national team after a long journey,” said Nur Adam, who is now into his third and final year as a sports management student at Republic Polytechnic (RP).
“At first, I felt the pressure of training with the big boys, but I managed to settle down and enjoy the process because this is the level I want to be at as a professional footballer. The training was highly intense, and we had to keep running and pushing ourselves throughout. One lesson I learnt was not to give up so easily.”
After a week away with the Lions, Nur Adam now has to shift his focus back to club level where he will face his former side.
While the Young Lions have yet to win this season (two draws and a loss), Philippe Aw’s team has earned the admiration of many with their enterprising play. And so, Nur Adam knows that the Sailors cannot afford to take this game lightly.
“People always underestimate the Young Lions and say that they’re weak. But from my experience, I know that’s not the case,” he said. “They have a pretty strong squad this year, with the likes of Hami (Syahin) and Syahrul (Sazali). So, we will have to play our best to defeat them.”
Coach Aurelio echoed Nur Adam’s remarks, challenging the Sailors to make a return to winning ways after a mixed start to the season. The Sailors held fellow title challengers Tampines to a 3-3 draw, then thrashed Tanjong Pagar United 5-0 in the next game, before falling to a shock 1-3 defeat to Hougang United.
“The Young Lions are playing very well at the moment – they’re very aggressive and play a good brand of football,” said Aurelio. “Looking at the metrics, it was our mistakes that cost us (against Hougang). Now, we’ve to bounce back and do it in a big way.”
With a win, a draw and a loss in the first three games of the 2021 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, it would be fair to say that the Lion City Sailors have not had an ideal start to the campaign.
Having kicked off the year with a thrilling 3-3 draw against title rivals Tampines Rovers, Aurelio Vidmar’s side went on to thrash Tanjong Pagar United 5-0, before falling to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Hougang United.
Here, we highlight the major talking points from the Sailors’ opening three matches.
Song’s still influential
Given the high-profile signings the Sailors made during the off-season, it was no surprise that much of the spotlight was fixed on those players rather than on the team’s existing stars.
However, it was a stalwart of this Sailors squad, Song Uiyoung, who shone brightest in the first three games. Now into his 10th season in Singapore, the 27-year-old proved he remains one of the most important members of the squad, with three goals in as many fixtures.
It was he who opened the Sailors’ goalscoring account this year, in the 3-3 draw with Tampines. The South Korean made an intelligent run into the box to convert Haiqal Pashia’s low cross with the deftest of touches.
Song followed that up with two more goals against Tanjong Pagar three days later – his first, a superb cushioned volley on the turn, was soon followed by a well-timed header off Shahdan Sulaiman’s in-swinging cross.
Those two goals meant that Song had scored 12 in his last 12 outings for the Sailors – a run that stretches back to the team’s 4-0 win over Geylang International last October. Unfortunately for Song, he was unable to find the back of the net against a resolute Hougang side.
But Song – who is currently the Sailors’ joint-top scorer along with Stipe Plazibat – is more than just about goals. The midfielder’s overall link-up play in attacking areas has helped to connect the lines between the Sailors’ midfield and attack. And so, while multi-million signing Diego Lopes continues his integration into the team, Song will be expected to continue being the man to keep the Sailors ticking.
New signings making an impact
While it usually takes time for new signings to bed into the team, most of the Sailors’ off-season recruits have managed to hit the ground running.
And among the most impressive of the bunch is Nur Adam Abdullah. Turning 20 in April, the tenacious left-back plays with a maturity that belies his tender years. He has hardly put a foot wrong defensively, and has also been a constant threat in the final third with his overlapping runs. It is little wonder then that Nur Adam, who played the full 90 minutes in each of the Sailors’ first three games, earned a maiden call up to the Singapore National Team.
Meanwhile, fellow defender Amirul Adli has enjoyed a decent start to the season as well. While the Sailors have conceded six goals in three games, the 25-year-old has largely been on point with the timing of his tackles, while also showing strength and composure to bring the ball out of defence.
In attack, Faris Ramli has unsurprisingly been a bright spark for the Sailors. Coming off the bench in the Sailors’ first two outings, the 28-year-old made a positive impression in both matches – his delightful flick led to the Sailors’ third goal against Tampines, while against Tanjong Pagar, Faris first earned, then confidently dispatched a penalty to get off the mark for the season.
Star signing Lopes has also shown glimpses of his immense quality in the two substitute appearances he has made so far this season. His performance against the Jaguars was particularly eye-catching, with his presence and ability to control the tempo from the middle of the park proving crucial in breaking down a stubborn Tanjong Pagar side. It will still take more time before Lopes is fully integrated into the team, but with what we’ve seen of him so far, there is little doubt that he will add a different dimension to the Sailors’ football.
Cutting out the errors
Of course, we cannot shy away from talking about the mistakes at both ends of the pitch that have cost the Sailors precious points in these first three games.
In the games against Tampines and Hougang, the Sailors crafted out several gilt-edged opportunities to score, but were unable to capitalise on them.
And in the defensive third, the Sailors have made multiple errors – both individually and as a team – that have led to them conceding goals and ultimately, points.
This two-week international break perhaps comes at the right time for the Sailors who will seek to regroup and work to mend the chinks in the armour.
Nine players will be away on international duty with the Singapore national team for this week, but there is still the following week where Coach Aurelio can get his full team together for training again. This break will perhaps provide extra time for Fellipe to ramp up his fitness levels as he looks to make his much-awaited Sailors debut.
All is not doom and gloom for the Sailors. Such is the competitiveness of the SPL that no team in the league has a 100 percent record after three rounds. This is probably an indication that this season will be an open one, with ample time for the Sailors to get the ship in order, and back on course to meet the target of finishing the year as SPL champions.
The Lion City Sailors set tongues wagging last season when they became Singapore’s first-ever privatised football club.
Expectations were high for the Sailors. With renowned coach Aurelio Vidmar at the helm, along with the signings of top stars such as Gabriel Quak, Hassan Sunny, and Shahdan Sulaiman, many believed the team could go on and win the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title in their maiden season.
And while the Sailors were ultimately unable to achieve that goal – they finished third in the league – they still set the SPL alight with their exciting brand of possession-based attacking football.
This year, however, the Sailors will be looking to take the next step.
The high-profile signings of Diego Lopes, Jorge Fellipe and Faris Ramli, along with the additions of some of Singapore’s best young players such as Amirul Adli, Nur Adam Abdullah and Justin Hui, have only served to heighten expectations for Aurelio’s men, who have once again set their sights on bringing home the SPL title.
Ahead of their season-opener against Tampines Rovers this weekend, we outline eight reasons why the Sailors will be THE team to watch this year.
1. Lopes to bring the Samba magic
Where else to start apart from this milestone signing? The arrival of Diego Lopes was the talk of the town during the off-season for good reason. At 26 years of age, Lopes has arrived in the Lion City at his peak, having been a key player for top-flight Portuguese outfit Rio Ave over the past few seasons.
While this may be the playmaker’s first foray into Asia following various stints in Europe and South America, Lopes’ inherent quality means he should have no problem acclimatising to the demands of Singapore football.
Since he first started training with the team three weeks ago, Lopes has already struck up a good understanding with chief striker Stipe Plazibat. The Brazilian maestro will surely add a new dimension to the Sailors’ attacking play, and it will be interesting to see how he links the lines between midfield and attack.
2. Make that a double order of Samba
While Lopes’ signing has dominated the headlines, the arrival of his compatriot Jorge Fellipe is equally crucial to the Sailors. Standing at 1.9m, the 32-year-old centre-back adds height and aggression to the backline – traits the team could have used last season. After all, Aurelio’s men kept just four clean sheets in 14 games, a statistic which they need to improve on in order to win the title.
Recruited specifically because he is a left-footed centre-back, Fellipe provides balance to suit the team’s philosophy of playing out from the back. With his experience playing in top leagues around the globe such as the Brazil Serie A and Portuguese Primeira Liga, Fellipe’s know-how will surely be a huge boost to the entire Sailors’ backline.
3. Developing S’pore best young talents
Amidst the excitement surrounding the signings of Lopes and Fellipe, the arrivals of Nur Adam Abdullah and Amirul Adli may have flown under the radar somewhat.
However, both Nur Adam and Adli are astute signings who will add vibrancy, speed and hunger to the Sailors backline. With the Sailors committed to developing local youth players, the duo will likely play a significant role this coming season.
Nur Adam arrives at the Sailors after a breakthrough campaign with Young Lions where he impressed with his bravery and tenacity at the tender age of 19. The left-back has all the makings of a modern full-back, with his ability to create in the final third – he recorded four assists last season – set to provide a new dimension to the Sailors’ attack.
Meanwhile, Adli has already established himself as one of the best defenders in the SPL. Since making his debut in 2016, Adli has featured regularly in the SPL – a testament to his consistency and reliability. His superb reading of the game and ball-playing abilities means he stands a good chance of pairing up with Fellipe at the heart of the Sailors’ backline.
4. Faris linking up with familiar faces
A household name in Singapore football, Faris Ramli is a proven star who will be expected to come in and make an immediate impact for the Sailors.
Having won the SPL Player of the Year (POTY) gong in 2019, before plying his trade in Malaysia last season, Faris is now back at a familiar place, having enjoyed a stellar season in 2017 with the Sailors’ predecessors, Home United. That season, Faris contributed 21 goals and as many assists for Home across four competitions.
Crucially, Faris is no stranger to the core of the Sailors squad, having previously played with many of them at some point of his career. Players such as Stipe, Adam Swandi, Song Ui-Young and Amiruldin Asraf were all his teammates at Home in 2017. Faris has also played with the likes of Gabriel Quak, Shahdan Sulaiman and Hassan Sunny while turning out for the National Team.
With so many familiar faces in the squad, and with the 28-year-old at the prime of his career, Faris looks set to make waves once again in the SPL this year.
5. Stipe looking to make the most of his first full season
Known to be a fierce competitor who always demands the best of himself, Stipe was naturally disappointed that he was unable to play a part in the Sailors’ 2020 season run-in due to injury.
While the Sailors still managed to do decently without Stipe, the Croatian’s absence was a huge miss in several key matches, including the loss against Albirex Niigata (S) and the draw against Tampines Rovers.
Such was Stipe’s goalscoring prowess that despite missing a significant chunk of the season due to injury, he still managed to clinch the SPL Top Scorer award, and was even nominated for the POTY award.
Now back to full fitness, the 31-year-old is looking to pick up where he left off in his first full season with the Sailors as he seeks to lead the team to glory. With Lopes and Faris added into the attacking mix and providing him service from the midfield, few will bet against Stipe from finishing the season as the league’s top scorer once again.
6. Gabriel and Saifullah out to impress national selectors
As the saying goes: one swallow does not a summer make. That is especially the case in football, where consistency is the deciding factor in determining whether a player is the real deal or just a flash in the pan.
Last season, Gabriel Quak and Saifullah Akbar enjoyed outstanding individual seasons as they clinched the POTY and Young Player of the Year awards respectively. Unsurprisingly, expectations are now higher on them to replicate and hopefully even surpass what they did previously.
Gabriel enjoyed being the fulcrum of the Sailors’ attack in 2020, topping the assists chart with seven and contributing five goals. This season, he may play a slightly different role with Lopes set to be featured in the no. 10 role. Nonetheless, be it playing on the wings or down through the middle, Gabriel has the ability to make a positive impact in attack. With the AFF Suzuki Cup looming at the end of the year, Gabriel will be extra motivated to perform at a consistently high level to cement his place in national coach Tatsuma Yoshida’s starting XI.
The same goes for Saifullah, who, having come of age last season, will seek to add more goals and assists to his repertoire. Lopes’ presence in the team also means he will have the perfect role model to learn from. If Saifullah continues on his upward trajectory this season, then a maiden national call-up will surely not be far away for the young playmaker.
7. Wide array of attacking talents and solid squad depth
With the Sailors set to compete on three fronts this season – the SPL, the Singapore Cup, and the AFC Cup – it is crucial for there to be sufficient depth and quality in the squad if they are to win honours this season.
And that is exactly what the Sailors have. In attack, there is the irrepressible Stipe leading the line up front, while 2019 and 2020 SPL POTY award winners Faris and Gabriel, as well as Adam Swandi and Hafiz Nor, will provide the threat on the flanks.
The supporting cast in the middle includes the likes of Lopes, Shahdan, Saifullah and Song. Let’s not forget up-and-coming talents in the form of Haiqal Pashia and Justin Hui.
In the defensive third, Fellipe, Adli and Nur Adam add depth to a backline that already boasts the likes of Tajeli, Abdil and Naqiuddin Eunos. All this simply means that coach Aurelio will have the luxury of rotating his players to keep them fresh, without adversely affecting the team’s level of performance.
8. Possible continental success
The Sailors’ predecessor Home United achieved success in the AFC Cup in 2018, when they finished as the ASEAN zonal champions. Now, the Lion City Sailors have a chance to not just emulate that, but possibly go even further in the tournament.
With the squad vastly strengthened for the coming season, the Sailors are well-equipped for a deep run in the second-tier Asian club competition. Just as important, in coach Aurelio, the Sailors have a man who has the experience of excelling on this stage. Back in 2008, the former Socceroos captain led Adelaide United to become the first A-League club to reach the AFC Champions League final.
With Aurelio’s expertise and the overall quality in all departments, the Sailors will be amongst the favourites to conquer the ASEAN Zone again. Of course, there will still be the inter-zonal semis and final to navigate before they achieve the dream of reaching the final. But there is every chance that the Sailors will be able to fly the Singapore flag high on the regional stage this time around.
More often than not, in a successful sports team there is a ‘team behind the team’.
In Below the Deck, we take an in-depth look into the stories of our Sailors’ backroom staff – the Sailors’ often unseen, unsung heroes.
First up in this series is Daniel Lau, the club’s new data analyst.
“I’m one of the lucky ones who can happily tell my family and friends ‘I love my job!’” proclaimed a beaming Daniel Lau.
After all, while Daniel only joined the Lion City Sailors as a data analyst barely 10 months ago, he is already having the time of his life.
His main job scope as a data analyst is talent identification (ID) – this often means scouring through various scouting databases, analysing statistics, and watching match videos to uncover ‘the next good signing’.
“I look through scouting platforms for information on players, collate the relevant statistics from the past few seasons, and use them to compare with hundreds of other players that are recommended to us to see who really stands out,” he explained.
Well-known in the Singapore football fraternity as a fervent fan of Home United – the previous iteration of the Sailors, before the club was privatised – the job opportunity was a dream come true for Daniel.
The 27-year-old remembers falling in love with the club in 2002 after catching them in action on television. He was particularly enthralled by deadly striker Egmar Goncalves, who scored 238 goals in all domestic competitions during the 11 years he spent at the club.
Daniel finally watched the club play live for the first time in 2004, when his father brought him to Bishan Stadium for their match against Tampines Rovers.
The match, which finished 2-1 in favour of the home side, only reinforced Daniel’s love for the club, and he continued making frequent appearances at Bishan Stadium thereafter.
“Bishan Stadium was walking distance from my house, so I would regularly travel down to catch the games,” Daniel recalled. “I soon made friends with many other fellow fans at the stadium, and that helped to cement my status as a lifelong supporter of the club.”
As such, Daniel was naturally excited to be given the opportunity to work at the club that he had been supporting since he was nine.
The only problem? Apart from a university module which had elements of grassroots coaching, Daniel had next to zero knowledge in terms of working in the world of football.
That is why Daniel was genuinely surprised when club general manager Badri Ghent approached him in April to offer him this role – nine months after graduating with a Bachelors in Biological Sciences at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – and he candidly admitted that he had reservations about accepting the job at first.
“I graduated last year, but only began my job-hunt proper at the start of 2020,” the 27-year-old recalled. “I went to a few interviews related to my course, be it for a lab technician or clinic research coordinator but didn’t get accepted for any. The (COVID-19) pandemic made the job search even tougher.
“At that time, I was just touching base with people at the club, just for meals and to chit-chat – things I normally do. That was when I was told about this temporary opening for three months where they wanted someone who is able to analyse players to help with their future (player) acquisitions.
“I was a bit apprehensive initially because I never did anything related to football through my academic ladder. Everything was all about science. In my course, we study statistics and informatics – that’s probably the only aspect that can be applied to football.”
Despite Daniel’s reservations about his qualifications for the job, his love and passion for the club meant he simply could not say no to this golden opportunity, and he eventually got appointed as a data analyst after going through the relevant interviews.
“Every year since I was in Primary School till today, I’ve always wanted to see this club achieve success,” he shared. “So, when the opportunity came, it was a no-brainer for me to take it up.
“But I told Badri up front that I cannot promise immediate results in this area due to my lack of experience. What I can promise him, however, is that I want the Sailors to be successful, and I’ll give my all in my role.”
Given that he was venturing into uncharted territory, Daniel understandably struggled with self-doubt at the start.
“I’m given resources to work with, for example, with scouting platforms like Wyscout and Instat where there are a lot of compiled clips of players,” Daniel elaborated. “There are also players who are recommended by certain contacts or agents. So I’m looking at a lot of football matches and numbers.
“Numbers can tell you if certain things are good or bad, but they don’t tell you other subtle nuances that you can only get from watching a game or a footballer play live.
“So, sometimes I would see someone who appears good to me in the clips, but I would hesitate to present these clips to the coaches because I’m not sure if they would agree with my assessment. Looking at clips can tell you a lot, but it’s a different story trying to infer what it means.”
However, with reassurances from Badri and Sailors head coach Aurelio Vidmar, Daniel began to gain confidence and soon grew into the role.
“They explained to me that you can present the same player to 15 people, and everyone will still have different opinions of that player,” he said. “Given the acknowledgement of subjectivity, I grew more confident and accustomed to what I was doing.”
This pushed Daniel to take it upon himself to refine the analysis framework that he was initially given, and he added to his analysis various other elements that he thought were related to a player’s attributes.
“I was initially given players in the form of a list, with just their names and the clubs they play for. From there, I would add my comments, like their pros, cons and my final verdict,” he revealed. “But I’m a very numbers person due to the course I studied, so I couldn’t live with just that.
“So, I added statistics to the entire Excel worksheet that fit my personal view of how a player should be analysed. I added a lot of things related to numbers that may be confusing to a layman, but is something I fully understand and needed to create a formula to rank who is best.
“That way, we can properly do the comparison between these players and our existing players, to see where the potential signing will stand in our current squad.”
The initial groundwork came into good stead as he was tasked to make recommendations for possible signings during the mid-season transfer window to replace striker Andrew Pengelly, who had returned to Australia.
After shortlisting a number of players, Daniel had lengthy discussions with Aurelio to rank their top few candidates. While some suggestions did not work out, the club did manage to land proven goalscorer Stipe Plazibat from Hougang United thanks to valuable input from Daniel.
That transfer has since paid handsome dividends, with the Croatian hotshot finishing top scorer of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) with 14 goals.
Daniel, however, prefers to play down his involvement in the signing of Stipe.
“As I mentioned earlier, I knew whatever I recommended was not going to be 100 per cent rubber stamped by Aurelio,” he said. “We did disagree on a couple of players, but we made sure to be in line with each other for the ranking of the players on the final list.
“There are some player recommendations that didn’t work out…but we’re still striving to look for targets so that we can immediately get to work on signing them once the (Covid-19) restrictions are eased.”
Nonetheless, the successful recruitment of Stipe gave Daniel a confidence boost.
“It felt validating, because it took a consensus to get him (Stipe) on board, and we were confident that he would deliver,” said Daniel. “To see that play out on the pitch really gave me confidence, especially in terms of the direction the club is heading recruitment-wise. It’s just a pity he got injured midway through!”
Daniel’s steadfastness and strong work ethic in his field of work did not go unnoticed, and he was appointed to the role on a permanent basis in July.
He has since decided to take on more responsibilities at the club to develop himself further in this role. This included taking up the relevant accreditations to boost his credentials and qualifications as a data analyst.
For example, he took up online courses with the Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA) based in England, and has already attained his Level 1 Talent ID and Level 1 Technical Scouting badges.
He also took it upon himself to complete a Level 1 Opposition Analysis Course in order to assist the team in that aspect.
“For Talent ID, I just watch the content and clear all episodes. For Technical Scouting, there’s an assessment to sit for and you need to get 80 per cent overall to pass,” he shared.
“I had already planned to do these after my first few months in. To me, getting accredited is a requirement even though the club did not make it compulsory. I came in with zero knowledge of football in terms of technicalities, with no coaching certification and with no sports science background.
“I want to be able to make my case for certain players and have the accreditation to back my views. Otherwise, I’ll still be considered a layman and someone who’s looking in from the outside.”
Given that not many SPL clubs employ a specialist data analyst at the moment, Daniel says he does feel the pressure that comes with being a trailblazer of sorts in this aspect.
“What I or the club is doing is something typical of a top or at least middle-tier European leagues, but it’s so uncommon here,” he mused. “If we want Singapore football to go on the path of becoming remotely competitive, this is the bare minimum that we need to achieve.
“We’ve made good progress since April in terms of developing a framework for talent ID, but it’s definitely not the gold standard yet. I relish this challenge to develop it further and I’m confident that we can see the fruits of success in the long run. I feel honoured but also pressured as I want to set the best standard for the club I’m representing now.”
It has thus far been a surreal journey for Daniel, who is now living the dream by working for the club he loves so dearly. And there is nothing in the world he would trade this opportunity for.
“This is the first job in my life that I don’t drag my feet to work. Every morning I wake up looking forward to seeing where my numbers will take me,” Daniel declared. “My previous internship or part-time stints were pleasant, but it still involved a certain amount of feet-dragging.
“Football is something that I watch at every opportunity – it’s a passion. Sometimes, when I feel like I want to scout a certain player, I’ll willingly do it whatever the day and time – be it on the weekends, or when I’m playing games, or just surfing the Internet.
“As of now, I’m exceeding myself and doing things that I didn’t know I could do. The most fulfilling thing is that I’m now directly involved in contributing to the club’s success, and I’m really appreciative that they were willing to take me in despite my lack of experience.”
With a season’s experience under his belt, a focused Daniel has set himself a clear goal of what he wants to achieve at this club.
“The measure of success is to find a player which I rate very highly and is in line with the coaching team’s thinking, and to then see him succeed at the club should we go on to acquire him,” he said.
“I want to play a part in acquiring a player that will make tongues wag – players of the calibre of Frederic Mendy, Valery Hiek and Kenji Arai. The primary goal is to be part of a team that wins the league title. Since I was in Primary School, the title has eluded us and it’s been 17 seasons now. We’ve been known as a team who does well in AFC competitions, but we’ve done nothing domestically that correlates. I want this club to be competitive on all fronts.”
For now, though, he does not want to make overpromises, although he guarantees that he will strive to do his best every single day at work.
“When I was a fan, I always set high standards for the team – be it the players, administration or technical team. I expected nothing but the best. So now that I’m in the team, it’s only fair that I expect the same from myself,” he summed up.
It was a thrilling debut season for the Lion City Sailors. Aurelio Vidmar’s men plundered 44 goals in 14 matches and played attractive attacking football en route to a third-placed finish in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) – securing AFC Cup qualification in the process.
It is now time to look back on the defining moments of the Sailors’ campaign and reflect on what has been a gruelling season for the team, while also looking ahead to the following year.
Low point
Let’s get the negatives out of the way first – there is no doubt what the lowest point of the Sailors’ season was. After starting the campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Tanjong Pagar United, the Sailors faced a difficult task in their very next match, facing title rivals Tampines Rovers at Our Tampines Hub (OTH). The Sailors acquitted themselves well and were arguably the better side in the first half-hour, albeit without being able to put their chances away. The team, however, failed to replicate their intensity and sharpness in the second half. The Stags duly capitalised, and eventually ran out 4-0 winners.
The margin of the defeat, along with the winless start to the season, saw the Sailors come in for much criticism on social media, and pressure began mounting on Aurelio and the Sailors despite it still being early days. But that is the territory that comes along with being Singapore’s first-ever privatised football club – the expectations are higher, and any shortfall is deemed unacceptable.
High point
The seven-month enforced hiatus to the season due to Covid-19 gave the Sailors an opportunity to better adjust to Aurelio’s philosophy, and allowed them to iron out the kinks from the first two games. And the team subsequently returned stronger for the league’s restart in mid-October. Indeed, the Sailors would put together a run of three successive wins over 10 days in November – scoring a staggering 16 goals in just over 270 minutes – to reduce the gap between them and the top of the table to just three points, with five games to go.
What was pleasing, however, was that Aurelio’s men played some scintillating football in those three matches – blitzing Balestier Khalsa and Tanjong Pagar United 7-1 and 6-1 respectively, before coming through a difficult away game against Hougang United to win 3-1. The team’s progress was clearly evident, and many began to view the Sailors as serious contenders for the title.
Performance of the season
Without a doubt, the 7-1 thrashing of Balestier. Many expected this fixture to be a tough one for the Sailors – after all, they were coming into the game off a frustrating 1-1 home draw with Hougang, while the Tigers were flying high after recording victories in their first two games after the restart.
But the Sailors tore up the script and showed just what they were made of in this match. Known for being slow starters prior to this game, the Sailors showed urgency and intent from the get-go as they went 5-0 up in the span of 34 minutes through some superb team play that came right off the training ground.
Stipe Plazibat ran the show for the Sailors scoring a fantastic hat-trick, while also laying on two clever assists for Song Ui-Young and Saifullah Akbar. The Tigers simply did not know what hit them as the Aurelio and his charges took the largest half-time lead since the league was rebranded as the SPL in 2018.
The Sailors did not rest on their laurels, with Tajeli Salamat and Adam Swandi adding further goals in the second half to add gloss to the scoreline. It was a performance and result that went a long way in convincing many that the Sailors are indeed the real deal.
Most improved player
A number of players have improved under the tutelage of coach Aurelio, but the standout has got to be experienced right-back Aqhari Abdullah. Though he was not selected for the Sailors’ first two outings in March, the 29-year-old worked hard to reclaim his spot in the starting eleven after the league restart, and has since proven himself to be a modern full-back.
Previously known simply for his defensive attributes, Aqhari has this season developed an attacking edge to his game, with the full-back constantly pushing up to support the attack and whipping in dangerous crosses for his forwards. His determination and willingness to re-invent his play at this stage of his career is something that will surely inspire younger players.
Best goals
Song Ui-Young vs Tanjong Pagar United (13 Nov)
It was a goal that encapsulated the seemingly telepathic understanding between the Sailors’ attackers this season. Receiving the ball from Stipe, Song instantly laid the ball back into the Croatian striker’s path, and made a darting run into the area in expectation of a through pass. Stipe duly obliged and returned the ball to him with precision, and Song coolly finished off the move past Tanjong Pagar keeper Kenji Rusydi to put the Sailors three goals up in their eventual 6-1 win.
Gabriel Quak vs Geylang International (25 Nov)
The newly-crowned SPL Player of the Year, Gabriel, has been unplayable at times this campaign. And the 29-year-old stole the show in the Sailors’ 3-0 win over Geylang at OTH with a brilliant individual effort late in the game. It looked like Gabriel still had plenty of work to do when Hafiz Nor played the ball into his path just outside the six-yard box, but the Singapore international took out Yuki Ichiakawa with a cheeky backheel turn, proceeded to leave Adam Hakeem on his backside with another silky touch, before firing past Hairul Syirhan with a toe-poke. A classy goal from a classy player.
Saifullah Akbar vs Balestier Khalsa (5 Dec)
Keeping the ball with purpose before upping the tempo at the right time and attacking the opponent with lightning speed – that has been the Sailors’ way in 2020.
Saifullah’s goal against Balestier in the final game of the season perfectly illustrated this philosophy. When Tajeli headed the ball away in defence, his teammates quickly moved into open spaces to receive the ball. Hafiz Nor picked up the loose ball and played it back to Faizal Roslan, who passed it forward to Izzdin Shafiq. The Sailors captain then laid it on to Shahril Ishak, who instinctively played a through ball down the right for Hafiz. The nippy winger sprinted to the by-line before whipping in a pinpoint cross for Saifullah to thump home a stunning first-time volley past a rooted Zaiful Nizam in the Balestier goal.
Coach overview
With years of experience coaching abroad, and having famously led Adelaide United to the AFC Champions League final in 2008, there were massive expectations heaped on Aurelio Vidmar when he joined the Sailors. As with any new coach, it took some time for Aurelio to implement his ideas and get players to align themselves with his philosophy – and the team did struggle in the beginning.
However, the 53-year-old’s possession-based philosophy soon began to rub off on the players, and they became more and more efficient in playing the Aurelio way. He not only helped to bring young talents like Naqiuddin Eunos, Arshad Shamim and Saifullah to another level, but also managed to re-invent the experienced stars in the squad such as the aforementioned Aqhari and Gabriel – who impressed in a false nine role. The fact that the team averaged more than three goals a game this season is a testament to his coaching methods.
A number of players have also praised the personal touch of Aurelio, who makes it a point to give advice to every individual in the squad, while also listening and taking on board what they have to share. The Sailors are in good hands with him at the helm.
Ones to watch out for next season
Saifullah Akbar
It was a promising first season for one of the most talented young playmakers in the country. Often deployed in a midfield three along with Shahdan Sulaiman and Song, Saifullah is beginning to develop into a modern attacking midfielder who can both create and score goals.
With two goals and one assist this year, the onus is on the 21-year-old to raise his game to yet another level. We hope to see him influence the game and drive the team on even more next year, while also recording more goal involvements!
Stipe Plazibat
We do not need to say much about the impact Stipe has made on this team since his arrival in the mid-season transfer window. Apart from his goalscoring exploits, his intelligent and unselfish all-round play was a key component in making the Sailors’ attack tick.
It was a pity that a hamstring problem meant the 31-year-old barely played a part in the final few matches of the season. With the striker determined to work past his injury issues for next season, and with proper rest and recuperation, fans will be waiting with bated breath to see how a fully-fit Stipe can influence the team in his first full season with the Sailors.
Sailors’ 2020 team and individual stats (selected)
Top scorers – Stipe Plazibat – 9, Song Ui-Young – 9, Gabriel Quak – 5
Top assisters – Gabriel Quak – 7, Shahdan Sulaiman – 6, Stipe Plazibat – 5.
Total goals – 44 (highest in league, 12 more than nearest challengers Albirex)
Total shots – 208 (third-highest behind Albirex’s 237 and Tampines’s 214)
Total shots on target – 86 (second-highest behind Tampines’ 100)
Goals conceded – 18 (third-lowest behind Tampines’ 11 and Albirex’s 14)
Goal difference – +26 (highest, eight more than nearest challengers Albirex)
Total fouls – 169 (lowest, eight less than nearest challengers Geylang)
Yellow cards – 24 (second-lowest, five more than Albirex’s 19)
Red cards – 0 (one of only two teams along with Albirex with no explusions)
No. of goalscorers – 12 (joint-highest with Albirex)
- Stipe Plazibat – 9
- Song Ui-young – 9
- Gabriel Quak – 5
- Adam Swandi – 4
- Shahril Ishak – 3
- Shahdan Sulaiman – 2
- Saifullah Akbar – 2
- Arshad Shamim – 2
- Kaishu Yamazaki – 2
- Tajeli Salamat – 2
- Hafiz Nor – 1
- Andrew Pengelly – 1
If you were to take a look at Gabriel Quak’s highlight reel this year, you would see an array of tricks and flicks, long-range goals, clever assists, and even a cheeky individual effort that he counts among his personal highlights this season.
Not for nothing was Gabriel selected as the Singapore Premier League’s (SPL) Player of the Year – the 29-year-old has had an outstanding campaign for the Lion City Sailors, racking up five goals and seven assists in a truncated 14-game season.
The Singapore international, however, believes it was not the eye-catching things he did on the pitch which led to him winning the Player of the Year award.
Rather, it was the consistency he showed throughout the season that gave him the edge over the other two contenders for the Player of the Year award – teammate Stipe Plazibat and Albirex Niigata (S) striker Tomoyuki Doi.
“When I was in my early-20s, I would play well in one or two games, then not do so well in the next two matches,” Gabriel explained. “I already knew what I could offer, and there were brilliant moments, yes, but there also moments where I went cold.
“But over time, and especially this year, I’ve added consistency into my game. And I think that’s what the fans, the coach, and my teammates want to see, because they would like someone who’s reliable and can be called upon to deliver.
“I’ve shown in every game this season that I’m able to consistently contribute goals and assists or play a key part in the build-up. That’s the most pleasing thing for me this year.”
Gabriel, who joined the Sailors earlier this year after leaving Warriors FC at the end of last season, highlighted the desire to make the most of his footballing career as a driving force behind his consistency.
“A footballer’s career is not long, and each year only brings you closer to the finish line,” Gabriel mused. “In the last few years especially, I’ve been more focused on getting my game to a higher level. And this year, with me joining a new club and being happy where I am, I am better able to perform on the pitch.”
Gabriel also credited Sailors head coach Aurelio Vidmar for giving him the freedom to express himself on the pitch.
“As an attacker, if I’m playing in a team that wants to park the bus, I won’t be able to showcase my true ability,” said Gabriel. “So, I think the Sailors’ possession-based, attacking style of play suits me perfectly, while coach Aurelio gives me the trust and the freedom to express myself in the attacking third – and that has reaped dividends.”
Having been deployed either on the wings, in the centre of the park, or as a false-9 by Aurelio this season, the versatile Gabriel is relishing the responsibility of being among the team’s most important players.
Nonetheless, the ex-Navy FC star acknowledges that he can only do so much as just one of 11 players out on the pitch.
That is why he is encouraged to see the quality and strength in depth of this Sailors squad, which had five players in the SPL’s Team of the Year. In addition, Stipe also took home the Top Scorer award, while midfielder Saifullah Akbar was named the Young Player of the Year.
“It’s good that my teammates bagged their awards because it will only do wonders for their confidence,” Gabriel said. “And when you get that good vibe, it can rub off on the whole team.
“When you know that your striker is the top scorer, and behind him, you have the Young Player of the Year, you go into every game full of confidence. So, it’s definitely exciting to be in this team, and I think we can do something good together next season.”
And what exactly is the “something good” that Gabriel thinks the team can achieve?
“We have to win a trophy next season,” Gabriel declared emphatically. “Although we gave a good account of ourselves this year, we fell short. I think it’s not acceptable. We really need to go for it, there’s no room for failure next season.
“If it’s a full season, with both the Singapore Cup and the AFC Cup, it’ll be a tough one. But with the depth that we have, we can achieve something great. It’s a crucial year for us, and everyone needs to step up.
“And I think we can.”
