Category: Feature
Unbeaten in five straight Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches, the Lion City Sailors’ recent run of good form has seen them move up to second in the table, just three points behind league leaders Albirex Niigata (S).
In their last two matches, Aurelio Vidmar’s men not only thrilled fans with their exciting style of football – as seen in their 4-1 win over Balestier Khalsa – but also showed they were capable of grinding out results, like they did in their 1-0 win over title rivals Hougang United.
Here, we round up the major talking points from those two matches…
Resilience, and an ability to win in more ways than one
Think of the most successful teams in the world. Apart from having a squad replete with top-level talent and a first-rate coaching set-up, one of the things they all have in common is a winning mentality.
No matter the opponents or circumstances, these teams somehow manage to adapt and find a way to win – and they do this regularly.
On that basis, the Sailors have shown – especially in their last two matches – that they have what it takes to be a title-winning team.
Against Balestier, the Sailors flew out of the blocks and raced to a two-goal lead within 20 minutes. Although the Tigers pulled one back shortly after, the Sailors remained calm and continued to play their typical brand of attacking, possession-based football. And the Sailors were duly rewarded, as they scored two quick goals in the second half to pull further ahead and effectively kill off the game as a contest.
The game against Hougang, however, was completely different. Boasting a talented squad capable of going toe-to-toe with any SPL side this year, Clement Teo’s men had already beaten the Sailors once before – a 3-1 victory at Jalan Besar Stadium – earlier in the season.
But this time at the Hougang Stadium, the Sailors put on a battling and gritty display as they relentlessly pummeled a disciplined and compact Cheetahs side. In the end, it was a moment of magic from Diego Lopes that unlocked the Hougang defence and helped secure the three points for the Sailors.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Sailors dug deep and found a way to win – and that’s all that really matters.
Quality of goals an indication of team’s technical ability
Having spared no expense to improve the quality of their squad over the past two seasons, the Sailors are now reaping the rewards on the pitch with some outstanding performances.
In particular, some of the goals scored by the Sailors this year have lit up the SPL and gone viral on social media.
Take for example Gabriel Quak’s stunning first-time volley against Balestier. The goal has been doing the rounds on social media over the past week, and even caught the attention of FIFA after it was touted as a possible contender for the Puskas award.
A week later, it was Diego’s turn to capture the imagination with his physics-defying effort against Hougang. To have the audacity to attempt that strike is one thing, but then to execute it to perfection the way he did, was nothing short of world class.
But let’s not forget the other three Sailors goals against Balestier– they were all efforts that also required top technical quality to execute, and should be equally appreciated in their own right.
Shahdan’s inch-perfect free kick, which arched into the top left corner, was – dare we say it – Beckham-esque.
And while Stipe Plazibat’s tap-in off Gabriel’s pass may seem like a straightforward goal, it came about as a result of a lethal counter-attacking move that has become a Sailors trademark over the past couple of seasons. The drive and tenacity Stipe showed to sprint more than half the length of the pitch, just so he could be at the right place at the right time to finish off the move, should not be overlooked either.
Last but not least, reigning Young Player of the Year Saifullah Akbar’s goal against Balestier – where he cut inside his marker before firing a crisp shot into the bottom corner – showcased just how much the previously goal-shy midfielder has progressed, especially in the final third, over the past two years.
That we are seeing the Sailors score goals of such high quality is testament to the technical capabilities of their players. But it is not just the individuals who have shone – as a team, the Sailors have also impressed with their lightning-fast build up from back to front. As long as the team continues to play at such a high level, Sailors fans can look forward to seeing more of such top-drawer goals in the future.
The kids are alright
When Aniq Raushan and Glenn Ong were named on the Sailors’ teamsheet against Balestier, the majority of fans and local football observers probably asked themselves: Who?
If they didn’t know the two players back then, they definitely do now.
Thrown into the deep end against the Tigers, the pair of 17-year-olds proved that they were on the pitch that night not simply to make up the numbers, but because they were good enough. While nominally a centre-back, Aniq was deployed in a somewhat unfamiliar position as a right-back, but still managed to hold his own as he roved up and down the flank to provide support at both ends of the pitch. He was subsequently rewarded with his first full 90 minutes against Hougang, where he once again acquitted himself well with a stable, all-rounded performance.
A hardworking central midfielder, Glenn was an enterprising presence in the middle of the pitch and looked right at home alongside the experienced Shahdan Sulaiman. His confidence on the pitch was evident right from the start, as his first significant action at this level was to put in a no-holds barred challenge to win the ball off Šime Žužul. Earning himself another start against Hougang, Glenn displayed his ability to retain possession, and made several intelligent passes before being replaced by Song Uiyoung after the break.
It will come as little surprise if Aniq and Glenn continue their run in the first-team in the coming matches. What is clear, however, is that the Sailors are firm believers of youth development, and are unafraid of blooding youngsters if the coaching team deems them ready.
It remains to be seen if more youngsters will get a chance to make their debuts for the Sailors this season, but for now, with the likes of Aniq, Glenn, Saifullah, Haiqal Pashia and Justin Hui in the team, the Sailors’ future looks bright.
It is a goal that will undoubtedly be replayed time and again – the quality of Gabriel Quak’s volleyed strike in the Lion City Sailors’ 4-1 win over Balestier Khalsa last Sunday evening was such that many are already touting it as possibly one of the best-ever goals scored in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).
The technique, finesse and goalscoring instinct Gabriel displayed for the goal has been widely praised, and rightly so.
But somewhat lost in the adulation for Gabriel’s strike was how crucial a role Naqiuddin Eunos played in the goal.
After all, the 24-year-old was the one who sent in the pinpoint cross – with his weaker left foot, no less – for Gabriel to score.
But Naqiuddin’s superb cross for Gabriel was no fluke. The full-back, who now has two assists to his name this year, revealed that the move leading up to the goal was something the team had worked on during training.
“I was so happy to see the ball go in because we work a lot on these crossing moves in training,” Naqiuddin said.
“When I was going down the line, I knew for sure that someone would be around the box (to receive the ball) so I just whipped it in.
“That was a very nice way for me to get my second assist of the season, and hopefully I can do more to contribute to the team, attacking-wise, in the coming games.”
Previously deployed as a roving winger, Naqiuddin was converted into a full-back by Coach Aurelio Vidmar when he joined the Sailors in 2020. While Naqiuddin admits there were some teething issues with the change of roles at the start, he has since developed into a consistently reliable full-back for the Sailors.
And he says he now absolutely relishes the defensive side of the game.
“I’ve definitely grown to love defending over the course of these two seasons,” Naqiuddin declared. “Of course, when I first played in defence, I was a bit shaky. But Coach Aurelio and Coach Noh Rahman gave me a lot of tips on how to position myself with and without the ball.
“They showed me videos of how to play as a full-back, and also taught me how to cope with certain situations – it’s all very specific. At home, I also watch video clips on how full-backs defend and try to learn from there. That’s how I managed to improve my game.”
Naqiuddin, the only player to start in each of the Sailors’ 14 games last year, hailed his 2020 season as a “good start” to his career at the club.
This year, however, brought about new challenges for Naqiuddin – in particular, he had to adapt to a relatively new position in the team. Where he previously played only on the left, he was now being deployed on the right side of defence.
Nonetheless, Naqiuddin – who has started five games so far this season – remains unfazed by the change in position, and is determined to continue impressing in whatever role he is deployed in.
“Last year was a good year for me, but the second season will always pose new challenges and I knew it was going to be tougher,” Naqiuddin mused. “So, I made sure to work even harder in training to prove to Coach that I deserve to be a starter.
“I had a chat with the management during the off-season and they told me I will be playing mainly as a right-back this year. It’s a new challenge, but I believe it’s one I can live up to because I am right-footed anyway.
“Of course, the body positions that I’ve to adopt while defending are different (as compared to playing at left-back). But the coaches, as well as (fellow right-back) Aqhari (Abdullah) have taught me a lot.
“I also try to study the way Aqhari plays, especially in terms of his positioning and aggressive style. Now, I can safely say that I’m very comfortable at right-back, and I feel I’ve improved a lot both defensively and in attack.”
Playing alongside the settled centre-back partnership of Jorge Fellipe and Amirul Adli has also helped, Naqiuddin added.
“For me, both of them have been really excellent in defence. Jorge is very comfortable on the ball while Adli is very aggressive,” he explained. “Both of them are also experienced lads. They talk to me a lot during the game, and I’ve to say the chemistry between the back-four is very good.”
While Naqiuddin has impressed on the right flank this season, he will likely have to revert to his familiar left-back role for the next few games, with Nur Adam Abdullah currently sidelined with a ligament injury.
Up next for Naqiuddin and the Sailors is an away game against Hougang United tomorrow evening at 8.30pm.
The Sailors were beaten 1-3 by the Cheetahs the last time both sides met in March, but Aurelio’s men have since picked up form and are on a four-match unbeaten run. The Sailors are currently second in the table, level on points with Clement Teo’s charges, but with a better goal difference.
With 12 goals from just their last two outings alone, it is clear the Sailors have found their groove in attack, especially with star signing Diego Lopes developing a good understanding with the likes of Saifullah Akbar, Gabriel Quak and Stipe Plazibat in the final third.
Naqiuddin believes his team are now better equipped to face Hougang, as they look to put the disappointing defeat at Jalan Besar Stadium behind them.
“No one felt good after that game against Hougang and I guess they surprised us with a different tactical plan,” said Naqiuddin, who was an unused sub that evening. “We made some mistakes, but we created a lot of chances to score and we didn’t manage to put them away.
“For this Saturday’s game, we have to show that we’re better than what we were then. The team is ready and prepared to take home the three points, and nothing less than that will suffice. It’ll be a tough game, but if everyone gives their 110 percent and sticks to their roles, I don’t see why we can’t win.”
The ball had found the back of the net after a huge deflection, but Lion City Sailors midfielder Diego Lopes couldn’t care less.
After all, the goal sealed his first-ever career hat-trick on what was a perfect night for the Sailors last Sunday – they thumped Geylang International 8-0 in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at Our Tampines Hub.
In addition to his hat-trick, Diego also notched two delightful assists for Saifullah Akbar and Stipe Plazibat. The assist for the former in particular showcased Diego’s ingenuity, as the Brazilian used his chest to lay off a cross into the path of Saifullah, who made no mistake from close range.
It was a stunning individual display by Diego, and one that indicated that he had finally found his feet in Singapore football.
With five appearances for the Sailors so far this season – including three as a starter – Diego says he is pleased with how things have gone for him at his new club.
And while the former Rio Ave star admits he was pleased to have recorded his first career hat-trick, he insists that getting a good result for the team will always be more important than any individual accolade he achieves.
“It’s a great feeling to score a hat-trick for the first time, but the most important thing is that it helped the team to get three points,” Diego said through a translator. “The whole team did what we were supposed to do and played very well, which is the most pleasing aspect.
“This is the third straight game in which I’m in the first 11 and that gives me a good feeling. It also helps that I’ve already adapted to the team’s style of play, which makes things so much easier.
“My main job here is to help the team play well and get the victory. It doesn’t matter which position Coach Aurelio (Vidmar) plays me in – wherever I play, I will give my 100 percent for the team. I will continue to work hard to help the team to achieve our objectives.”
Thankfully for Diego, who arrived in Singapore only in early February, life off the pitch is going well for him too.
While this is his first foray into Southeast Asia, the 26-year-old says he already feels very much at home in the Lion City.
“Singapore is a very different city from where I’ve lived and been before,” said Diego, who had played in Portugal, Turkey, Greece as well as in his native Brazil. “It’s a very clean place and things are very safe. The most important thing is that the people here are very polite and show a lot of empathy to a foreigner like me.
“It’s not just people at the club, but also the people outside the scope of football. For example, when I’m out on the streets and I’m not feeling very sure about something, or I’m trying to find my way to somewhere, there are always people who will try to help me out. I’ve met many good people in this wonderful city so far, and I really want to spend a long time here.”
Diego also revealed that he has been adapting well to local food, and even cites the iconic chicken rice as his favourite Singaporean dish.
While waiting for the relevant logistics to be sorted so his wife and son can come over from Brazil, Diego says that he generally leads a simple life away from football at the moment.
“I’m a very homebound person. So, whenever I’m not training, I tend to be resting at home,” said Diego. “Maybe when my family is here, I’ll bring them to a few places.
“Once in a while, I will just go to some restaurants to eat with (compatriot) Jorge (Fellipe). Those are the only places that I’ve been to in Singapore, outside of football.”
While he is unable to speak in fluent English just yet, it has not stopped Diego from building an excellent relationship with his Sailors teammates.
“Once my family comes here, we’re going to take formal English lessons together. Hopefully, that’ll be soon!” he shared. “Although I can’t really speak English yet and my teammates barely understand me, we still try to talk anyway, and we manage to communicate in certain ways.
“Most of the time, I make mistakes in my pronunciation. But they’re always there to correct me and teach me some new words at the same time. I’m very grateful for their help, both on and off the pitch.”
Diego also says that he enjoys playing alongside the likes of Saifullah, Shahdan Sulaiman and Gabriel Quak in the attacking third, and claims that they are not in any way inferior to his previous teammates.
“Not just the three of them, but also quite a few more in our team are talented individuals who can definitely play in Europe,” Diego emphasised.
“Their abilities are not in question at all. The only thing is how they adapt themselves in another league and environment. There are several factors outside of football that can affect a player’s career.”
Having signed a three-year contract that will take him to the end of the 2023 season, Diego is determined to stamp his mark on this ambitious Sailors project, as the club seeks to dominate Singapore football and compete in the region.
“We’ve set very high goals for ourselves. That’s a key reason why I decided to come and represent this club, because I want to be a winner,” he explained. “We’re aiming to become champions not just in the league, but also in the Asian competition (the AFC Cup). We want to make it to the AFC Champions League next season.
“The club is doing a lot of things off the pitch to give the players the right conditions, so they can fulfil their potential. The club is very supportive and takes good care of everyone, so it’s important that we (the players) all do our jobs on the pitch to repay them.”
In the short-term, the Sailors are looking to continue their recent run of fine form in the league when they take on a gritty Balestier Khalsa side at the Jalan Besar Stadium tomorrow night.
A win will help them keep pace with current league leaders Albirex Niigata (S), but it will not come easy against a Tigers outfit which has developed a reputation for being tough to break down under Croatian tactician Marko Kraljevic.
Marshalled by towering Serbian centre-back Ensar Brunčević, Balestier boast the second-best defensive record this season with just seven goals conceded in six outings.
Diego believes the key to prevailing in this clash is to be patient, and to stick to the team’s usual pass-and-move philosophy.
“We’ve many talented players who’re capable of scoring from any position, so definitely we can expect teams to be more defensive and try to hit us on the counter,” Diego elaborated.
“What we’ve got to do is to play smart, move the ball around as fast as we can with one or two touches and wait for the best opportunity to find an opening to score. With the quality and our team’s philosophy, I’m sure we can do just that.”
He counts the likes of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, AC Milan star Ante Rebic, Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic, Juventus Marko Pjaca and Bayer Leverkusen defender Tin Jedvaj as among some of the talents that he has worked with in his career.
In fact, no less than 9 players from the 23-man Croatian squad that finished second in the 2018 World Cup in Russia have, at one point of time in their careers, been trained by Mario Jovanovic.
Even so, Mario believes his current undertaking – as the Lion City Sailors’ Head of Sports Science – could be his most rewarding yet.
Hailing from Croatia, Mario joined the Sailors in February this year after a four-and-a-half year stint at Qatar’s renowned Aspire Academy.
His appointment comes as part of the Sailors’ ongoing efforts to strengthen their expertise off-the-pitch, with Mario set to oversee a specialist team that currently comprises strength and conditioning coaches, as well as sports trainers.
With such an impressive CV, Mario’s appointment can be considered something of a coup for the Sailors, but the 36-year-old revealed that he was equally excited to join the Sailors, having been impressed by the vision and ambitions of the club.
“From my conversations with the Sailors management, I understood that they were serious about growing the club,” said Mario. “They’re investing a lot in the academy, they’re building the team, and their ambition is to improve the players and to be a catalyst for changing the mindset about football in Singapore.
“I also really liked that (Sailors chairman) Forrest Li was very clear with his objectives regarding the Sailors. And it’s not just talk – I can see clearly the steps being taken to drive the club towards the direction they want to go.
“I was sold on the Sailors story. The prospect of being part of something new, and building something big really appealed to me. This was a good opportunity for me to roll up my sleeves and deliver in a new country.”
However, Mario’s journey into the field of sports science actually started in somewhat unfortunate circumstances.
A former player with top-tier Croatian side HNK Rijeka, Mario’s playing career was cut short after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at the age of 21.
But that proved to be a blessing in disguise, as it allowed him to focus on getting his Sports Science degree at the University of Zagreb. He excelled in his studies, and was offered a position at the University to do a Phd. in Sports and Exercise, but this time, with a specific focus on football.
“It’s probably a good thing I focused on my studies because I probably was not good enough to continue playing professionally,” Mario admitted, laughing. “I had a decent level, but was not at an international level, so I just decided to stick to studying.
“That was a key moment in my life because it really helped to kick off my career in sports science.”
Thereafter, Mario re-joined his old club as the Strength and Conditioning coach managing the Under-21 team and overseeing academy work at the Rijeka academy. It wasn’t long before his talents were noticed by the Croatian Football Federation, who offered him a job with the National Youth squads as a Strength and Conditioning coach.
It was there that he played a role with the Under-21 team in helping many of the current stars of the Croatian National Team become the players they are today.
And now, Mario is hoping to do the same for the Sailors.
“The players here have already reached a certain level, but my aim is to help them go beyond that,” Mario declared. “The long-term objective is to optimise the training process, to bring it to a level that is necessary for the club’s ambition, and to maximise the potential that we have with the players.”
Further explaining his process, Mario added: “I always say that half of the coin in football is the physical performance side, but never forgetting that he needs to be a talented footballer as well. When you talk about modern footballers, for me, before he is a player, he has to be an athlete.
“We’re looking at how training will impact a player over a period of time, because that’s the nature of our physiology – things don’t happen overnight. Ultimately, our aim is to build all-rounded, holistic athletes who will help the head coach and the team deliver results on the pitch.”
Having joined the Sailors just a week before the season started, Mario concedes that his main task now is to, together with the help of the backroom staff, optimise player conditioning so they are match-fit and ready to give their 100 percent on the pitch.
“At this moment, we are in season, which means we are focused on match day performance,” said Mario. “So, we’re not pushing them to the limit from the training side of things, because that can produce negative results.
“A big part of our work is also to try and help players mitigate the risk of injury, and to help them recover. So, we try to monitor their load, do injury prevention work before the sessions, as well as some strength and power work in season – whatever it takes to keep the players we have on the pitch.
“But this process for the first-team is always driven by the head coach, because he has a certain style of play, a certain mindset regarding the training session and how it’s going to look. What we need to do is tailor our approach for that perspective – we’re just a small piece of the puzzle that needs to fit into that big picture.”
While Mario has been with the Sailors for barely two months, he says he already feels comfortable at the club.
“The first few weeks was about getting to know the squad and rest of the staff, building relationships, and getting the buy-in from the players,” said Mario. “These are first team players, so they already have their own routines, which means that whatever I am doing has to be tailored for their needs.
“But the whole squad really tries to push themselves out of their comfort zone and are always seeking ways to improve. So far, everyone has been great in welcoming me into the team. The integration has been very smooth, and I couldn’t be happier.”
And Mario claims that the competitiveness of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) will go a long way to helping the players improve.
“To be honest, the SPL is much more competitive than I thought,” Mario mused. “The difference between the teams is not that big, and everyone is able to compete at a high level. I’ve been following the league closely and I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen.
“This competitiveness is good for the league and for the players as well, because that’s how you develop – in high-performance, high-intensity competition. Hopefully, though, we will be able to emerge as the best team this season and win the title.”
If their last three Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches are anything to go by, it’s evident the Lion City Sailors have finally clicked into gear after a mixed start to the season.
Since returning from the international break, the Sailors have beaten the Young Lions 3-1, held reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) to a 2-2 draw – fighting back from two goals down in the process – and most recently, thumped Geylang International 8-0 in a dazzling display of attacking football.
We round up the major talking points from the Sailors’ last three outings as Aurelio Vidmar’s men sent a clear signal of intent to the rest of their title rivals.
Diego has found his groove
Having joined the Sailors in January as Singapore football’s first-ever million-dollar signing, there are understandably high expectations of the former Benfica midfielder.
After making two substitute appearances before the international break, Diego made his first start for the Sailors against Young Lions, registering an assist with a superb ball over the top for Stipe Plazibat, who left his defender for dead before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
A slightly more subdued display in the subsequent bumper clash against Albirex, however, saw Diego cop a bit of criticism on social media.
But he proved his critics wrong just four days later with a hat-trick and two assists in the Sailors’ big win over Geylang. Pulling the strings for the Sailors in the number 10 role, the 26-year-old was at his devastating best as he ran the Geylang defence ragged with his creativity and passing.
Take that chest-down for Saifullah Akbar to score for example – a simple move, but one that required incredible vision, speed of thought and technical ability to execute to perfection as Diego did.
Diego’s second assist showcased how dangerous he can be when on the counter. Surging through the middle of the pitch with the ball, Diego had the presence of mind and composure in the final third to set Stipe through on goal with a perfectly-weighted pass. Stipe, of course, made no mistake with his finish.
Considering that Diego arrived late in pre-season, is still adapting to a new country, a new style of football, and learning a new language, it is perhaps understandable why he failed to really sparkle in his first two matches.
Diego now looks like he has found his feet in Singapore football and is feeling right at home with the Sailors. And while it is still early in the season, there has been more than enough evidence to suggest that SPL fans are going to be in for a treat in the months ahead.
Jorge and Adli forming a mean centre-back partnership
Defensive issues were one of the reasons why the Sailors did not have the best of starts to the season. With six goals conceded in their opening three matches, it was clear that the Sailors needed to better protect their goal if they were to mount a serious title challenge.
And with just three goals conceded in the next three games following the international break, it would be fair to say that coach Aurelio has managed to find some answers.
A large part of that improved defensive solidity must be credited to the presence of Jorge Fellipe.
After impressing in his debut against Young Lions, the towering Brazilian centre-back scored his first goal for the club in the very next fixture – a crucial late equaliser in the comeback draw against defending SPL champions Albirex. And he followed that up with another commanding showing against Geylang, helping the Sailors to a precious clean sheet.
Tactically disciplined, hard in the tackle, and an excellent reader of the game, Jorge’s qualities perfectly complement Amirul Adli’s more front-footed style of defending, and the two have already formed a decent understanding with each other at the back.
In the two matches they were paired in defence – against the Young Lions and Geylang – both Jorge and Adli rarely gave an inch to opposing attackers, and were key in helping the Sailors build up from the back.
With more games under their belt, the Jorge-Adli partnership will surely improve, perhaps providing the solid foundation from which the Sailors can launch a serious title challenge.
The best part? There is strength in depth in this area for the Sailors, with Aurelio able to call upon other quality centre-backs in the team, including Tajeli Salamat and Abdil Qaiyyim.
Young guns pulling their weight
Apart from achieving on-field success, a huge part of the Sailors’ philosophy is to nurture up-and-coming talents of Singapore football, and take them to the next level.
With a number of young Sailors already impressing this season, it seems the club is on the right track.
Reigning SPL Young Player of the Year, Saifullah, has carried on where he left off last season, with a goal and an assist to his name. Playing alongside Diego in midfield, the 22-year-old has the perfect role model to learn from.
Left-back Nur Adam Abdullah, 20, has been a revelation in defence. With his tough-tackling style and ability to whip in dangerous crosses into the box, Nur Adam has been an absolute menace on the left-flank. While he has registered just one assist so far, Nur Adam has been crucial in the build-up for a number of the Sailors’ goals this season.
Fellow new recruit Justin Hui is also beginning to stamp his mark after his arrival from Hougang United, with the industrious 23-year-old proving to be a livewire down the left flank. Justin already has an assist this season, after his superb first-time low cross was tapped in by Gabriel Quak for the Sailors’ opening goal against Geylang.
And while winger Haiqal Pashia is currently on the comeback trail from injury, it should not be overlooked that the 22-year-old was the one who contributed the assist for the Sailors’ opening goal of the season.
All in all, it looks like the Sailors’ Under-23 contingent are flourishing this season – and this bodes well for the future of Sailors, and perhaps the Singapore National Team too.
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.
