Category: Feature
The Lion City Sailors put up some scintillating football in their 2020 Singapore Premier League (SPL) debut, but finishing third in the eight-team standings was clearly not good enough for a club with a long-term goal of achieving excellence in the region.
Ahead of the 2021 season, the Sailors pulled out all the stops assembling an improved squad to put up an even stronger challenge for the title.
Quality local acquisitions came in the form of Faris Ramli, Amirul Adli and Nur Adam Abdullah, then came the eye-catching signings of Brazilian duo Jorge Fellipe and Diego Lopes. Diego’s arrival captured the imagination of the fraternity – the former Benfica midfielder came at a price of S$3 million from Portuguese top-flight side Rio Ave.
Not the best of starts
All eyes were on the Sailors as they looked to avoid the previous season’s slow start that saw them pick up just one point from their opening two matches.
Hosting 2020 runners-up Tampines Rovers in a mouthwatering opening-day clash, Aurelio Vidmar’s men got off to a flyer. They went 2-0 up within the first six minutes and led by 3-1 early into the second half. But a quick-fire Yasir Hanapi brace meant they spurned two valuable points in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
A first win of the season would come soon as the Sailors emphatically thrashed Tanjong Pagar United 5-0, but they were then handed a rude wake-up call next, convincingly beaten by Hougang United in a 3-1 defeat. Make no mistake about it – the Sailors did not deserve to get anything out of that game. It seemed like a case of history repeating itself. With just four points from their opening three matches, the Sailors already needed to play catch-up with 2020 champions Albirex Niigata (S).
Bouncing back with a 3-1 win over Young Lions, the Sailors’ defensive frailties continued to haunt them, conceding a couple of goals through set-pieces in the first of three encounters against Albirex. They did rally and manage to come from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw late on, but being fourth in the standings after five matches played saw question marks over the Sailors’ credentials for the SPL title.
Hitting the winning notes despite a change of coach
An 8-0 demolition of Geylang International proved to be the tonic the Sailors needed, kick-starting a great winning run. A 4-1 drubbing of Balestier Khalsa soon followed with a number of quality goals, including Gabriel Quak’s stunning first-time volley was eventually named the Goal of the Year.
The Sailors then exacted revenge over Hougang in a 1-0 away win with star man Diego netting a physics-defying volley to take all three points, but that match proved to be Aurelio’s final act as Sailors Head Coach with the Australian leaving to pursue other opportunities.
Under-21 Head Coach Robin Chitrakar took interim charge, but the Sailors marched on, defeating Geylang 2-1, Tanjong Pagar 3-1 and Young Lions 1-0 to stay on course. Chalking up six straight wins meant they were now the most credible challenger to Albirex’s crown.
At the halfway mark of the season the Sailors were just a point behind the White Swans.
A new era begins
The Sailors landed Ulsan Hyundai’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) winning coach Kim Do-hoon on a two-and-a-half-year contract to take over the reins in what was a coup for the club.
Having won the 2020 ACL, his credentials were never in question, and he wasted little time in getting down to business. Placing a huge emphasis on physical training and focusing on building up a robust defence to complement the Sailors’ highly-attractive attacking style, the players clearly needed a bit of time to adjust.
Starting off his tenure with a gritty 1-1 draw away at Albirex, Kim’s second game in charge did not exactly go as smoothly. They needed a 95th-minute penalty from Stipe Plazibat to scrape a 1-1 draw against Balestier. With no wins in his first two matches, the pressure was definitely on, but the South Korean picked up an impressive 4-1 victory over Tampines next for his first win in charge. His tactical nous came to the fore, with his plan of pressing from the top and pressuring the Stags into defensive mistakes working a treat.
Hiccups before finally reaching the summit
That was followed by a 2-1 victory away at Tanjong Pagar, before the Sailors were frustrated by a defensively-resolute Hougang side in a 1-1 home draw. Faris Ramli’s goal-bound shot was agonisingly cleared off the line deep into injury time as the Sailors found themselves five points off the pace with five matches to go.
The Sailors were then given a huge scare by Young Lions as they trailed 1-0 at half time. A loss would have seen them fall eight points adrift of Albirex, but they dug deep and found steel, making the breakthrough with a rare Jorge Fellipe double and triumphed 3-1.
Then came the most important game of the season – the Sailors needed to beat Albirex in a top-of-the-table clash to swing the title pendulum their way.
Kim’s charges led for 70-odd minutes after Haiqal Pashia’s opener, but a loss of concentration in the final minute of injury time allowed Ryoya Taniguchi to head in the equaliser. That goal seemed to have all but ruined Sailors’ championship hopes. Albirex needed to drop points in either of their final two games for the Sailors to stand any chance of winning their first trophy, and that appeared unlikely.
The Sailors brushed off disappointment and focused on what they could control, blitzing Tampines 6-1 away in an incredible team performance just days later. The win narrowed the gap to Albirex to just two points going into the final two rounds.
And the unlikely did come to pass on Matchweek 20.
Albirex were held to a shock 0-0 home draw by a determined Tampines side who were out to put their torrid run of form behind them – a result not many saw coming. The Sailors were handed a golden opportunity to regain the title initiative and they did not waste it with a professional display to dispatch Geylang 3-0. The victory meant they leapfrogged the White Swans to go top based on a superior goal difference heading into the final round of fixtures on 10th October.
Remarkably, that was the first time the Sailors have ended a matchweek atop the SPL in 2021 and they were not about to relinquish their position easily.
On an enthralling final-day that saw tickets sell out hours before kick-off, the Sailors got off to a good start with Song turning home the opener, but were then stung by a shock Tigers equaliser through Aidil Johari. But Gabriel’s goal just before half time settled nerves and they would eventually wrap up a 4-1 victory through Lopes and a second Gabriel goal.
The Sailors became SPL champions on the back of a club-record 18-match unbeaten run.
The players’ attention will now turn elsewhere – some are taking a break while others will report for international duty at the year-end AFF Suzuki Cup. But once the Sailors come together again, eyes will be focused on building on the 2021 season and flying the Singapore flag in the region when the Sailors make their ACL debut next year.
He can still see it clearly in his mind’s eye, in slow motion: the ball leaving Naqiuddin Eunos’ foot, rising into the Jalan Besar night sky then dipping invitingly towards him.
(Photo courtesy of Football Association of Singapore)
Gabriel Quak had only one thing on his mind – smash it.
He did, and spectacularly so. With a swing of his left foot, the 30-year-old sent the ball rocketing into the back of the net, and the SELECT Goal of the Year (GOTY) trophy onto his shelf at home.
That majestic volley came in the Lion City Sailors’ 4-1 win over Balestier Khalsa in April at the Jalan Besar Stadium, an important three points en route to the club’s first Singapore Premier League (SPL) title, and as a bonus to Gabriel, beat five other nominees at the Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) Awards Night on Tuesday (12 October) to the GOTY award.
The goal happened in a split second, but it was one that has been in the making for years. Gabriel described it as “the nicest goal” in his entire career, ranking it just ahead of his neat solo effort in a 3-0 win over Geylang International during the 2020 season.
“That goal against Geylang was a reflection of my style – footwork and little dribbling in the build-up before scoring – so it was one that I really liked,” he said.
“But yes, this one against Balestier has to be the nicest. Credit to Naqi his cross was perfectly weighted and fell into a nice spot. For many years, I’ve been practising on pot shots after training, sometimes my teammates would cross from the side and I would try to finish first-time. I’m just glad that it finally came off on record, in an official game.”
The fact that he managed to beat an accomplished keeper like Zaiful Nizam – someone a 16-year-old Gabriel watched at the Lion City Cup – made the achievement even sweeter.
Before the awards, Gabriel was not certain he would win, especially with the majority of the other nominees scoring from a further distance than his and he felt Fathullah Rahmat’s 35-yard strike for Tanjong Pagar United in their final day 4-4 draw against Albirex Niigata (S) was one that ran the closest.
“Credit to all the other nominees, all of them scored fantastic goals and if I’ve to pick out one, I thought it was Fathullah’s – it was a great build-up with him playing a one-two (with Khairul Amri) before scoring from way out. And he certainly meant that,” elaborated Gabriel.
“Honestly I wouldn’t say my goal was better than the rest. Perhaps mine was slightly different from theirs because it was on the run and struck first-time. I’m just thankful the panel of judges found mine the most aesthetically pleasing and it’s a huge pleasure to win this award.”
The GOTY award adds on to the growing number of personal accolades that Gabriel already has to his name – in 2020, he was crowned Player of the Year (POTY) and also named in the SPL Team of the Year (TOTY) – and it is one he felt is the most unique.
“I don’t think anyone really sets a target to win the GOTY as compared to winning POTY or being in the TOTY. It depends on the action in the game and it just happens naturally,” he said.
“The beauty of winning GOTY is that the goal is probably going to be replayed time and time again, as compared to the other awards.”
The award sums up another great year for Gabriel, who has managed to build on his 2020 success, scoring 13 out of the Sailors’ 59 goals. This was also his best single season scoring record since he made his professional debut in 2008 with Young Lions, finishing as the top local goalscorer for the second consecutive season.
In the process, he has earned the moniker of ‘Gabigol’, a nickname that has caught on with teammates and fans alike. Having reached such heights in his career for the past two campaigns, Gabriel knows he has to continue to raise the bar or at least maintain these levels of consistency – and he is embracing the challenge.
“The ‘Gabigol’ tag came from our club’s Brazilian interpreter, Nelson. I was scoring quite consistently at the start of the season, so one fine day in training he started calling me that,” revealed Gabriel.
“That’s the nickname for Gabriel Barbosa who is scoring goals for fun in the Brazilian league. I don’t know how, but it began to spread and everyone began to call me that as well.”
While it is nice-sounding, Gabriel accepts that it will come with pressure, especially after he’s enjoyed two consecutive seasons as the top-scoring Singaporean.
“I know after the individual success I had in the previous season, many people were expecting me to deliver and expectations were high,” he said of his 2020 season. “I took it as a challenge – I always love one and I’m personally very competitive – and I’m just glad that this year, my numbers were there for everyone to see, and ultimately we won the league as a team – that was always our objective.”
While another GOTY award is not on his radar, matching the levels of performance that led to that goal and the league title definitely is.
“If you ask me if I’m confident to maintain at this level, I would say yes. Year in, year out, I always try to make sure I don’t fall short of my standards. In a footballer’s life span, there’s bound to be ups and downs,” he said.
“But one thing is for certain: I’ll continue to put in the work to ensure that we can build on this league title – and I know my teammates will be doing exactly the same.”
On Tuesday, Nur Adam Abdullah found himself alongside Saifullah Akbar and Ryoya Taniguchi, attacking players who have chalked up impressive numbers in the 2021 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season.
Saifullah, a fellow Lion City Sailor, chalked up four goals and three assists, while Albirex Niigata (S) midfielder, Taniguchi, ended the season with nine goals and eight assists.
The pair was Nur Adam’s competition, nominees for the AIA Young Player of the Year (YPOTY) award at the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Awards Night. And simply put, he did not think he stood any hint of a chance to win, especially not with his statistics for the season – one solitary assist.
Numbers present a detailed picture, but they do not always tell the full story, and in those cases, the full story can surprise – just as Nur Adam was when he was crowned as the SPL’s YPOTY for 2021.
(Photo courtesy of Football Association of Singapore)
In just his third professional season, the effervescent left-back enjoyed a solid campaign with performances that belied his tender years. Indeed, the 20-year-old was a key figure in the Sailors’ first SPL triumph.
“In my conversations with my friends and family, I told them I may not be able to win because based on stats, I only had that one assist,” admitted Nur Adam. “But if you based it on performance, I would say I’ve been pretty consistent throughout the year.”
To double his joy, he was also named in the SPL Team of the Year (TOTY) alongside fellow Sailors, Jorge Fellipe, Shahdan Sulaiman and Stipe Plazibat, which also came as a surprise to him. Nur Adam felt “an older or more experienced player” would perhaps be more deserving of the left-back position.
Stats alone certainly do not tell the true tale of Nur Adam’s 2021 campaign. He made the left-back spot his own in his first season with the Sailors. He played and completed all 16 games that he played in, the Under-23 rule notwithstanding.
Despite having to cope with the transition from developmental side Young Lions to the title-chasing Sailors, he thrived, earning plaudits from all quarters with his ability to put in crunching tackles as well as bomb forward to support the attack.
His grit and tenacity has even brought forth comparisons with legendary Singapore left-back, the late Borhan Abu Samah, who was affectionately named Singapore’s “Russian Tank”.
To be amongst the awards served to round off a memorable year for the rising defender, but Nur Adam preferred to share the credit with his team and loved ones.
“I would just like to say thank you to all my teammates, the staff and coaches at the Sailors, as well as the fans who’ve been giving me amazing support and I’m really thankful for that,” he said.
“Not forgetting my family members as well, they’ve always been there and stood by my side on every step of my journey. They saw me suffer and go through some really low moments in my career, especially when I broke my leg seven years ago. Every one of them has played a part to help me get to where I am today.”
Nur Adam is the first defender to win the YPOTY since Home United’s Sirina Camara did so in 2013, and he believes he has benefitted from the worldwide trend of full-backs playing a bigger role in football teams – and getting recognition for their work.
“In my opinion, the full-back is now one of the most, if not the most, crucial position in football now. We’re not just defenders, but also attackers,” he elaborated. “We must have pace, stamina and dribbling skills – basically the whole package – to be able to play in this position.”
Now that the 2021 league season is over, Nur Adam is already looking forward to the next one with the Sailors set to participate in their first-ever Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) campaign.
The next season could prove to be a pivotal one for Nur Adam. It is likely to be his last before he reports for National Service (NS). Due to enlist at the end of next year, he is out to make the most of the remaining time to evolve into an even better player.
“You know I was already talking to Coach (Kim Do-hoon) that my target is to score five goals next season?” revealed Nur Adam, who is in his third and final year as a sports management student at Republic Polytechnic (RP) under the through-train pathway from Singapore Sports School.
“I just want to get more, in terms of statistics, to contribute to the team. I’m not sure whether I’ll get to play much after I’ve enlisted… but for now, I just want to focus on getting whatever advice I can from the coaches and experienced players. The most important thing is helping the team to retain the SPL title and do well in the ACL.”
But the year is not yet over for Nur Adam, far from it. International duty beckons.
Nur Adam has been named in the provisional Singapore squads for two big tournaments – the AFC Under-23 Qualifiers at the end of this month and the initially postponed AFF Suzuki Cup 2020, now scheduled for December.
The possible lack of rest is not a factor that bothers the determined lad, as he looks forward to fulfilling a dream – a target, really – that he set for himself at the age of 13.
“The long-term goal I set when I was in the Sports School was to make my national team debut before I go for NS. It would be fantastic if that could happen. To play in the Suzuki Cup would be amazing,” said the 2018 Dollah Kassim Award winner.
“I recall watching the 2012 edition when Shaiful Esah was whipping in his pinpoint crosses from left-back – the bend whenever he strikes the ball was just ‘wow’ – and he’s one of my local football idols.
“Of course it’s a testing year for me and Saifullah (who is called up for both squads as well), but I guess the benefit is that we’re still young and can recover faster. We have 24 hours a day, we just have to recover well to make sure we’re ready for all the matches ahead.
“And I will grab the opportunity with both hands if it comes.”
Igniting a Sailors’ fire – The 12th man
Football is nothing without fans.
The adage has long been relegated to the sporting cliché dump, alongside the likes of “we’re taking it a game at a time”, and “we gave 110 percent.” But the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has seen a bright spotlight turn to stands in stadiums across the globe, and pulled the stark reality of the adage back to the forefront of the sporting psyche – it is true.
In the Singapore Premier League (SPL), it has become clear that passionate fandom is alive and kicking.
The SPL was played behind closed doors in various pockets of the 2021 season, and the silent scream from empty stands was conspicuous, and wildly so. Once fans were allowed back in, the electricity in the air at stadiums across the island was palpable – and on the pitch, it sparked higher tempo, higher intensity football matches.
A number of the Lion City Sailors’ best performances this season have come when there are fans in the stadiums, with attacker Gabriel Quak adamant that the vociferous support has “brought life” to football matches.
“Fans in the stadium definitely make a huge difference – while in Singapore we can only have 1000 fans now, compared to the 30,000 or 50,000 in Europe, but the impact is still significant,” said the 30-year-old.
“You can feel the euphoria from the stands whenever we score, and with every tackle we make. Whether you’re chasing the game or trying to hold on to a lead, the fans give us an extra push and extra energy.
“That’s really important – it brings out that extra 10 or 20 percent from us.”
As the Sailors surge towards their first-ever league title, the interest for the game here has grown and recent sell-out crowds at their matches at the Jalan Besar Stadium underscores the point.
For the top-of-the-table clash with defending champions Albirex Niigata (S) some weeks ago, fans were spotted queuing up for the tickets even three hours before the game with the allocated quantity of 1,000 quickly snapped up. It is a welcome sight that Gabriel hopes can be built on into the seasons to come.
“It’s such a great feeling to see so many people queuing up when we arrive at the stadium on match day. Be it having 10 or 1000 fans, every one of them count because they make the effort to turn up,” he acknowledged.
“I hope it’s not a COVID-19 thing, with watching football one of the few things that people can do despite the restrictions we have in Singapore. Hopefully we can progress from here to having 2,000 or even 4,000 fans in the stadium.
“I guess fans feel good about watching the game in a full-house stadium where you look to your left, right, up and down, there are people watching with you. Likewise, we feel great about having their support up close.”
September’s Young Lions fixture was one that stuck out in Gabriel’s mind. The 2020 SPL Player of the Year believes the fans truly made a difference in the 3-1 win that saw the Sailors come from a goal down to win courtesy of a rare double from Jorge Fellipe.
“It wasn’t an easy game, but when Jorge scored the equaliser we could feel the force coming from the stands and that pushed us to go for the winner,” he recalled.
“And when he scored again, he took off his top and the whole team went to celebrate in front of the fans. It was just such a great moment to savour and honestly that could not have happened in an empty stadium.”
For Sailors fans, it has been such a stop-start season in terms of changing regulations. With the first five matches of the season being played behind closed doors, conditional entry was finally granted to 250 fans in early April as long as they produced proof of a negative COVID-19 test result.
That only lasted for three rounds, before reverting to the status quo for the whole of May (three matches) due to a rising number of cases. When the league resumed in late July, 100 fans were allowed in (for two matches) before the number was raised to 500 in August (one match) and subsequently 1,000 (six matches since) from mid-August onwards.
During the period when fans were not allowed in, the Sailors organised online watch-alongs via Zoom for a number of matches and it was an initiative Sailors fan Eddy Hirono was very appreciative of.
“We’ve very thankful of what the club has done for us – these watch-alongs were crucial to helping us fans get to know each other and feel more connected to the club,” said the 33-year-old in-house lawyer.
“It’s nice that they got youth players from the club to join in these sessions, so we were just having fun asking Adib (Nur Hakim) and Justin Hui questions from hairstyle and their personal lives to who’s the joker in the dressing room.”
Eddy, who is part of a 30-strong official Sailors fan club, The Crew, is one who has attended every Sailors game possible this season. He believes the most important aspect of being physically present at the stadium is the fellowship with like-minded individuals from all walks of life.
“It’s so heartening to see people from anywhere and everywhere – there are some makciks sitting with us and even a six-year-old boy, whose dad trusts him to sit with us,” he revealed. “Nur Adam’s (Abdullah) family usually sits very near us and they always thank us for supporting him, which is very nice.
“At the moment, we cannot bring in things like drums. But the supporters have been great in improvising – be it by whacking the chairs, stamping their feet or just clapping very loudly. There’s also a bit of healthy banter with opposition fans – which is all fun and games really.
“This is just the start and hopefully we can get more people together as time goes along – we want to be the consistent voice for this football club.
For Eddy, being at a match means he can live through the whole range of emotions as a football fan, and he is definitely going to be there in the stands as the Sailors look to cross the finish line against Balestier on 10th October.
“I recall that Albirex game where there was everything – the euphoria and the party atmosphere after going 1-0 up, then that layer of tension knowing one goal will change the whole title equation,” said the long-time supporter, who started supporting the club in 2012 in its previous iteration as Home United.
“While we did not hold out for the win, that’s what we fans live for – to experience all these emotions of a football match, it’s not just about the victories. I hope to see the club win the title this Sunday, but if we don’t, I wouldn’t be too disappointed. Because it’s a matter of time before we pick up trophies,” said Eddy.
Buoyed by the unwavering support from the fans, Sailors attacker Song Ui-young wants to make sure they do not go home disappointed this Sunday.
“I know how much our fans love us and how they would love to see a local team win the title after so long,” said the newly-minted Singaporean. “The fans are part of our football family and we cannot exist without them.
“I know many of them are excited for this last match against Balestier. We’re going to be very well prepared for this match because we want to lift the trophy in front of all our fans. We want to give them something to cheer about because they deserve it for all their support.”
Five milestones on the road to 10 October
In 10 days, the Lion City Sailors will line up in what will be the most important match in the club’s 20th month of existence.
Kim Do-hoon’s charges host Balestier Khalsa at the Jalan Besar Stadium on 10 October, the final matchday of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, still in control of their destiny and the destination of the SPL trophy.
A win will put the Sailors in prime position to become Singapore’s champions for the first time in the club’s history, with Albirex Niigata (S) needing to beat Tanjong Pagar United, and win by five more goals than whatever margin Hassan Sunny and his team manage victory.
In what has been a bit of a rollercoaster 2021, we look back at five key milestones on the Sailors’ journey into uncharted waters.
1. Jorge Fellipe’s first goal in Singapore football, 7 April
After a topsy-turvy start to the 2021 season that witnessed two wins, a draw and a loss, the Sailors lined up against defending SPL champions Albirex – and the match was not going particularly well.
Two goals down in the first half, the Sailors pulled one back just before half-time. The second period saw the boys in blue throw everything at Albirex to no avail – even missing a penalty.
Up stepped big Jorge, with a towering header off a Naqiuddin Eunos right-wing cross to level things up with just three minutes left to play – his first goal in Singapore football.
The Sailors rescued a point – and prevented their main title rivals from gaining two – in a result that sparked reaction from the side that went on a six-match winning streak immediately after to get the season back on track.
2. That Diego Lopes wondergoal, 24 April
The Sailors lost 3-1 to Hougang United in March – the Cheetahs are the only team to have beaten the club in 2021 – and were struggling to break down a Hougang side that were again set up to frustrate.
Receiving the ball at the edge of the box from a Faris Ramli throw-in, Diego swiveled and unleashed a right-foot volley that seemingly defied the laws of physics as it curled outwards and dipped into the top corner of the Hougang net.
That goal silenced the Hougang Stadium, and ensured the Sailors exorcised ghosts of the club’s solitary defeat.
3. Kim Do-hoon’s first training session, 29 June
This may have been an introductory session held behind closed doors at the Jalan Besar Stadium, but it was a game-changer. Kim would be the third man taking charge of the Sailors in 2021, but the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) winner brought more than just stability.
On that day, he set in place demands on fitness, and an attitude of excellence that has held true since the Korean took charge. The Sailors are still on a 16-match unbeaten run – with Kim in charge for nine of those matches – including four matches in which they had to come from behind to secure points.
As a bonus for football fans in Singapore, Kim’s Sailors play an entertaining brand of attacking football.
4. A momentary lapse that changed threatened to derail the title charge, 17 September
A win over Albirex would have put the Sailors firmly in the driver’s seat for the SPL title, with just three games to play – and things were looking good at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Haiqal Pashia put the Sailors in front in the 23rd minute, and the Sailors held the fort for the 70 minutes that followed, even creating chances to kill off the match.
But a lapse in concentration saw the Sailors fail to pick up the run of Ryoya Taniguchi, whose header trickled over the line, with just seconds left to play.
The result gave Albirex the advantage in the title race, with the Sailors now needing to win their remaining games, and hope for a favour from Albirex’s two remaining opponents – Tampines Rovers and Tanjong Pagar United.
5. A resounding thumping of the Stags, 21 September 29
The Sailors dismantled the Stags at Our Tampines Hub, with a display of clinical finishing to take advantage of an error-strewn Tampines performance and triumph 6-1.
The thumping proved to be a wake-up call for Tampines that put in an inspired display of disciplined defence in their next fixture – a 0-0 draw with Albirex Niigata.
Those two results saw the Sailors regain the advantage, and wrestled control of their SPL destiny back from the White Swans, taking us to the present day, where a win over Balestier Khalsa on 10 Oct, could see the Sailors take the final step across the line, and be crowned SPL champions for the first time.
It is perhaps that photo of him with Liverpool’s Egyptian star Mohamed Salah that he is most recognised for, but for the three-and-a-half years Firdaus Maasar was tasked to provide sports science support to English Premier League titans Liverpool, he kept a cheeky little secret close to his heart.
Instead of Jurgen Klopp’s and Sadio Mane’s Reds, it is the Red Devils of Manchester United that are the protagonists in Firdaus’ theatre of dreams.
But fandom did not stand in the way of grabbing the chance to work with some of the best teams in the world.
The unique opportunity came as part of a collaboration between the Reds and Liverpool John Moores University, where Firdaus was studying for his PhD.
Having provided sports science support to Liverpool for as long as he did, Firdaus admits he has grown attached to the club, and continues to root for them even though he is no longer involved with the Anfield outfit.
“But of course, when we work for a club, we have to be professional, and we will always want the club to win, even though they may be my favourite team’s arch-rival,” said Firdaus.
“Now, whenever United play Liverpool, I just take a neutral stance and watch the match without supporting anyone!”
During Firdaus’ six-odd years of study in England, which saw him also provide sports science support to Huddersfield Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers, he was able to see first-hand how some of the best players in the world came to be – through their professionalism, their discipline, and their humility.
It was an eye-opening experience for the 35-year-old, who had then only been involved with football in Southeast Asia, having previously played for Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan Under-19 side.
“The professionalism of the players is amazing. They take really good care of their bodies, they train at an extremely high-level, and many of them are very open to learning new things to improve themselves,” Firdaus observed.
“During the off-season, for example, they may go off on holiday, but they still pay close attention to their nutrition, and continue training on their own to keep fit.
“But that also stems from the competitiveness within the team. It’s so hard to break into the starting-11, and they know they cannot afford to fall behind. Now, when the players come back for pre-season, a lot of them are already at a certain level of fitness, so it’s easier for them to catch up to where they need to be.”
It is exactly this sort of standard of excellence that Firdaus hopes to inculcate within the Lion City Sailors.
Having officially joined the Sailors as their senior physiologist barely a month ago, Firdaus’ main goal is to improve the performance and overall fitness levels of the players at the club.
He elaborates: “One of my roles at the moment is to monitor the training and match load for the players. At the same time, I monitor how they react and adapt to the different types of training, both in the short-term as well as in the long-term.”
Firdaus, who will work closely with Sailors’ Head of Sports Science, Mario Jovanovic, added: “We will analyse the data that we get from the players during training, which will then give us a better idea of what sort of physical targets we should set for each individual player.
“Mario and I will then communicate that target to the coach (Kim Do-Hoon), so that he can tailor his session such that the player doesn’t under-train, or over-train.
“All of this is done so as to maximise the efficiency of each training session, and to get the optimal training output and responses from the players.”
Firdaus, however, concedes that it will take some time to bring the sports science capabilities of the Sailors up to the same level as that of those in Europe and England.
Nonetheless, the father of three is determined to do what he can to improve not only the Sailors, but Singapore football in general.
“I know exactly how far behind we are in this part of the world as compared to European football in terms of sports science,” said Firdaus.
“So that’s one of my targets here with the Sailors – to help Singapore football…by sharing my expertise and experience with the sports science community in the country.”
Firdaus, however, was primarily attracted to the Sailors project as he felt it was “interesting and challenging”, while also recognising the club’s ambition and immense potential.
In particular, the Johor-born Malaysian believes the Sailors’ focus on youth development – with their Lion City Sailors Football Academy – shows that they are serious about becoming a powerhouse in Southeast Asia, if not Asia itself.
Firdaus, who joined the Sailors from the renowned Aspire Academy in Qatar, explained: “In my initial discussion with the club management, I could see that the goal was to have the first-team excel, but at the same time, also have a robust youth programme.
“That, to me, is one of the most important things for a football club. In order to progress, you need to be able to develop young talents.
“The Sailors are currently working to put in place a well-structured sports science department, and have improved their backend and technical capabilities immensely, which is a clear sign that they are serious about becoming one of the best teams in the region.”
He added that it was encouraging to see the Sailors’ coaching team and management being so “open…and supportive” in the area of sports science.
With the current season coming to a close, Firdaus is already looking towards next year, where the Sailors will compete in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League for the first time.
While Firdaus is confident that the Sailors will eventually achieve their goal of being a “regional powerhouse”, he cautioned fans against expecting too much, too quickly from the team.
“We are in a good place to reach a high level of football, especially when we move to the integrated training facility next season,” Firdaus mused.
“I strongly believe this project can be amazing in the near future, but it won’t happen overnight. We have short, medium, and long-term plans for the project…first, though, we need to be domestic champions on a consistent basis.
“We have to do things right, and at the right pace. Personally, I will be looking at helping the players improve incrementally. But in the coming years, I have no doubt the Sailors can improve the quality of football by regularly competing at the Asian level.”
Picture the scene: 80,000-odd raucous home fans at Jakarta’s majestic Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, cheering rabidly for their club in a do-or-die fixture.
Imagine the passion. The fervour. The vibrancy. The electric energy coursing through the stadium as the fanatical partisan crowd tries their best to will the home team to victory.
And, if you were part of the opposing team, the intimidation.
This was exactly the atmosphere that greeted Lion City Sailors’ Senior Executive of Operations, Nur Shuhadah Bte Sinwan in 2018. She travelled with Home United – the previous incarnation of the Sailors – to Indonesia, for their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup ASEAN Zonal semi-final clash against Persija Jakarta.
That match ended 3-1 in Home United’s favour and now is simply a footnote in the Protectors’ ultimately successful AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal campaign. But to Shuhadah – or Shu, as she is more commonly known – it remains one of the most enthralling football experiences she has ever had.
As part of the travelling contingent, Shu was seated in the zone demarcated for away fans but she was still able to witness first-hand how simultaneously imposing and inspiring fan support can be.
“Although I was standing in the away zone, it was surrounded by the home fans, and they were unlike most other supporters that I’ve encountered before,” Shu recalled. “They’re so lively, energetic and vocal! You could hear their cheers and chants echoing around the stadium, and it had a noticeable effect on the spirit of the team. The atmosphere was incredible, and it was a real eye-opener for me.”
Shu now hopes to one day be able to witness a similar level of support for Singapore football – a scenario the Sailors aim to help create.
Since their privatisation in 2020, the Sailors have made significant moves, both on and off the pitch, to gear themselves towards becoming one of the top footballing teams in the nation and the region.
Shu is hopeful that if the Sailors achieve that lofty target, football fans in the country will return to supporting the local game.
“I wish to be able to experience that sort of atmosphere here in Singapore,” said Shu. “Fans need to have more faith in local clubs and come support us. If they start watching our matches, they’ll realise there really is a lot of quality in local football.
“Hopefully the Sailors, especially if we become successful, will be able to attract more fans to pay attention to Singapore football.”
Shu, however, knows full well that the majority of football fans in the country still prefer watching European leagues, such as the English Premier League (EPL).
After all, she grew up in a family that followed the EPL closely – her father, along with one of her brothers, are Liverpool fans, while her other three brothers support Chelsea, Newcastle United and Arsenal.
Shu herself grew up supporting Manchester United, although she was not as “avid a fan” as the rest of her family.
Nonetheless, some of Shu’s fondest memories in football come from watching live Singapore Premier League (SPL) – then known as the S.League – matches, as well as being part of the home support for both the National Team and LionsXII games.
The LionsXII were a Singapore team that took part in Malaysian football competitions from 2012 to 2015.
“I’ve always enjoyed watching the Lions play,” said Shu. “When I was younger, I was a Woodlands (Wellington) supporter, and then later on, I also followed the LionsXII and went to a few of their games. It was fun being part of the support, and I had a good time at every match I went to.”
Shu is now supporting local football in a different – a more proactive – way.
As the person in charge of managing operations at the Sailors, Shu has to ensure that the club adheres to the guidelines set out by either the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) or AFC, especially on matchdays.
Part of her job also includes arranging for, and managing, the security, medical, and ticketing aspects of operations at Sailors matches.
Indeed, a lapse by Shu could potentially even lead to a match having to be abandoned – such is the importance of her role at the club – although that has thankfully never occurred before.
Shu admits she puts a lot of “pressure” on herself to do her job well, as she explained: “We can get fined and punished if something goes wrong on my end. So, there is that pressure on me to ensure that everything goes according to the regulations.
However, Shu, who joined the club nearly four years ago, insists that the hard work she puts into her job is rewarded whenever the team achieves success on the pitch.
“Yes, it can be tiring and I am sometimes pushed to my limits. But what keeps me going are our victories and successes,” Shu shared.
“At the Sailors, everyone is expected to give their 100 percent. When it comes to operations and support, I give my all, and at the same time, the team is also expected to do their best whenever they are on the pitch.
“So, whenever the players win a match, I feel that our hard work has also paid off. It’s a team game, after all, and every one of us at the club has a role to play in bringing us to the top.”
There are many challenges that Shu faces in her current role, but none more unique than what she terms as having an “unapproachable” look.
Shu, who could not help but laugh as she elaborated the point, said: “I have this face that can seem unapproachable, so people are scared of coming to talk to me. Sometimes the younger players from the team, or third-party vendors who aren’t familiar with me, will try to avoid me.
“But I’m actually really friendly la! Once you talk to me, you’ll realise I’m very easy-going. Although maybe it’s a gender thing as well – as it’s a male-dominated industry, having to interact with someone of the opposite sex can make some of them feel uncomfortable,” she added.
Having seen first-hand how the club has evolved over the years, Shu, who lists playing mobile games and cycling among her hobbies, believes the Sailors are moving in the right direction.
“The Sailors are goal oriented and hungry for success. It’s not that Home United back then weren’t ambitious as well, but it’s just that there is more for the Sailors to prove with all the investment that has been put into the club,” mused Shu.
“The club is determined to show that the path they have taken is the right one. To do that, we need to achieve something to show that we are serious about our ambitions.
“You can see that everyone, both players and non-playing staff alike, are working extremely hard to pull the club towards the top. We are all bonded by that common goal…everyone is doing their part, and we are all confident that the team will be able to win silverware soon.”
Hougang United was his first club when he first arrived in Singapore in 2016, and it was also his first port of call three years later when he returned to the Singapore Premier League (SPL) after an unproductive spell in Thailand.
He is still on very good terms with the club’s management and of his ex-teammates, but ahead of the Lion City Sailors’ clash with the Cheetahs at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday night, Stipe Plazibat was adamant that there will be no room for sentiment.
“I’m very grateful for what Hougang has done for me and there’ll always be mutual respect,” said the 31-year-old. “I’m still very good with everyone at Hougang from coach Clement (Teo), general manager Matthew (Tay) and my old teammates,” said Stipe.
He left Hougang for Bishan twice – the most recent instance was in the 2020 mid-season transfer window – and he is now leading the Sailors’ charge for what would be the club’s first-ever league title.
“It’s nice to see your friends, but there’s no discount for anyone. I’m sure they’ll be tough on me on the pitch and I’ll be tough on them as well.”
And there is good reason for the aggressive Hougang approach that Stipe expects.
The Cheetahs are still in with a fighting chance to win the league. They are five points behind second-placed Sailors – and eight behind league leaders Albirex Niigata (S) – but have played a game more.
The Sailors did not enjoy the best of starts to the 2021 season, collecting just four points from a possible nine, languishing fourth in the eight-team standings after the first three rounds.
The 3-1 loss to Hougang that came during that period in March proved to be the Sailors’ only defeat this term. Since then, they have gone on a club record 12-game unbeaten run – amassing 30 points from a possible 36.
A change of coach and playing system did little to hinder the Sailors’ championship quest, as they picked up successive victories over Tampines Rovers (4-1) and Tanjong Pagar United (2-1) after kick-starting Kim Do-hoon’s reign with 1-1 draws against Albirex and Balestier Khalsa.
Now three points behind leaders Albirex with a game in hand and with a better goal difference, the Sailors know they have fate in their own hands. As long as they win their final six games – including a match against Albirex on 17 Sep – the Sailors will land their hands on the coveted trophy.
“In the beginning we were still trying to find our feet as a new team and we needed some time to adjust to each other, but we slowly progressed and you can see the improvement now,” explained Stipe.
“Under Coach Kim, training sessions are longer, tougher and more physically demanding. The football style is more industrial than before, but we’re gradually adapting to his philosophy and it’s good that we are winning again after two draws,” he added.
“We have six cup finals left and we just have to take each game as it comes to achieve our target.”
After a good debut year with the Sailors – he netted nine goals and chalked up five assists in seven starts – Stipe has carried that form into his first full season with the club with 13 goals and seven assists in 15 starts.
The 2020 SPL Golden Boot winner is now three goals behind Hougang’s frontrunner Tomoyuki Doi and has every chance to finish top scorer again this year, but is not fixated on that target. Instead, it is the team’s ultimate goal that is foremost on Stipe’s mind.
“Honestly the most important thing is that we win the league. If my goals help us to achieve that and also help me to win the Golden Boot, that will be great, but my priority is the league title,” he insisted.
And Stipe is hoping that he will be the third time lucky, this after some wretched luck saw his teams fall short of the title in the past two years, as he missed crucial games at business end of those seasons.
In 2019, Stipe was absent for the final two games for Hougang due to injury as the Cheetahs agonisingly missed out on their first-ever league title. Then last year, a hamstring injury meant he only played a bit part role – just 6 minutes – in the Sailors’ final five games as they eventually finished third behind Albirex and Tampines.
“Hopefully this year I will stay healthy all the way till the end of the season to help my team,” said the hotshot, who has a grand total of 76 SPL goals in 93 appearances. “I have a good feeling this year might be the year that I finally win the league.”
Should the Sailors lift the SPL trophy on the final day of the season on 2 October, it will be double happiness for Stipe – who is set to welcome the birth of his first child, a son, later that month.
Now living alone in his Bishan apartment because his wife Marija had flown back to Split in July to prepare for the delivery, he is hoping to make it back to his native Croatia in time to witness the life-changing moment.
“She was with me in Singapore from July 2019 until last month,” revealed Stipe. “Right now, there’s nothing much I do every day – sometimes I will go cycling with (Sailors Head of Performance) Mario Jovanovic, and maybe go to the supermarket to top up whatever I need at home. If not, it’s only between Bishan and Jalan Besar for training and matches.
“Hopefully the team can achieve our target of winning the title. Then I can happily go home to my wife and son.”
Stipe is also looking further to the future, after seeing teammate Song Uiyoung secure his Singapore citizenship last week.
Stipe – who is now into his fifth season in Singapore across two spells – is also hoping to sink roots in the Lion City.
“I’m so happy for Song – he’s been trying so hard for 10 years, and he’s finally become a Singaporean,” said Stipe.
“I’ve also always said I want to set up my family here, and hopefully if all goes well, I will try to apply to be a Singapore PR (permanent resident) next year.”
A Singaporean Song
He placed his hand at the centre of his chest, then pulled it down to his gut, making a tight fist as he did so.
“It felt really strange, like something deep inside here was changing. I knew that I was nervous before going into the room, but I was still surprised by the strong emotion,” said Song Ui-young.
“My voice was shaky, and my hands too. I still can’t quite describe it, but I felt my identity was changing, like I was becoming a different person.”
The Lion City Sailors midfielder was indeed going through a metamorphosis – reciting the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty (ORAL) – to become a Singapore citizen.
Recounting the moments on Friday (20 August) as he uttered the words that would confirm his Singaporean status at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority Building on Kallang Road, Song still struggled to verbalise his emotions.
“Before I went into the room, the officer said to me: “From now on, you are a Singaporean”. And hearing that somehow made all this real,” he said. “And it was really emotional.”
Song knew precious little of the Lion City when he first arrived as a teenager to join Home United – the previous iteration of the Sailors – in 2012, and recalled being terribly uncomfortable here.
But a few short years after picking up English and being able to assimilate with teammates and friends, Singapore very quickly found a place in the heart of the 28-year-old who has spent his entire adult life in Singapore.
“I spoke to the club management at the end of 2015, asking them for advice on how I can apply for citizenship. I knew I wanted to sink my roots here, because whenever I returned to Singapore after visiting my family in South Korea – it felt like I was coming back to the place I was most comfortable,” he said.
And having finally succeeded in making Singapore his home, Song had several to thank for the support on his journey to citizenship. He pointed to the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), Sport Singapore (SportSG), the Sailors, and the Yio Chu Kang Grassroots Organisation as key supporters.
“They helped me with strong letters of support, and for that I’m grateful. I’m also humbled by the support I’ve received from my teammates, Singapore football fans, and even the local media,” said Song.
“It felt like I was already being supported – and welcomed – by so many Singaporeans.”
This support that Singaporeans have shown for its own, and loyalty to the nation, was a facet of the country that still inspires Song, who recalled the outpouring of emotion – and unity – as Singapore mourned the death of Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 2015.
“Watching people come out onto the streets in the rain, saying thank you, even crying was unbelievable for me – there was so much feeling for the Prime Minister and for the country. I have never seen that before.” he said.
“Now I’m proud to call myself Singaporean, and of course I want to play for the national team, he said, with a broad smile. “I want to do something for my country.”
In the decade he has plied his trade in Singapore football, Song has proven to be an asset across the pitch. First as a lungless defensive midfielder protecting the backline, then flourishing in a more attacking role.
He scored 20 goals in 27 games in 2018 – a prolific return for an attacking midfielder – then followed that up with 11 goals in 25 games the year later. His stats in the Sailors’ inaugural year in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) was no less impressive – nine goals in 11 games, and even while struggling for game time in a 2021 squad that now includes $2.9 million signing Diego Lopes, Song started the year as the club’s top scorer with three goals in the opening three games.
“I know I have to prove myself to the national coach, and show that I deserve a place in the Lions. After all, I was not part of any naturalisation programme,” said Song.
“But I fought to get citizenship because I want to make Singapore my home. I have grown up as a person and a footballer in Singapore – I’ve spent my entire 20s here – and it will be a great honour to contribute to Singapore.”
China-born forward Qiu Li was the last footballer to be naturalised and eligible to play for the Lions in 2010.
Song candidly admitted that there will always be some Korean-ness about him, but there is much of the Singaporean way that has already seeped into his psyche and sunk roots.
“I will always like kimchi, but my usual breakfast is kopi or kopi-o kosong and kaya toast at the kopitiam,” he said.
“When I told my friend that I’m now scared of doing something wrong or breaking the law because I’m Singaporean, he laughed at me,” said Song, who immediately burst out laughing.
He struggled to stifle a few hearty guffaws before finishing his sentence: “He told me that if I’m kiasi, I’m definitely Singaporean.”
A new coach, a new philosophy and a lot of hard work to learn the ropes, but the Lion City Sailors continue to cut through choppy waters, extending their unbeaten run in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) to 11 matches.
Ushering in the Kim Do-hoon era with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with defending champions Albirex Niigata (S), the Sailors were next made to dig deep to secure another 1-1 draw with Balestier Khalsa. The first win under the renowned South Korean coach would finally come in a convincing 4-1 triumph over title rivals Tampines Rovers, a result – and performance – that made the football fraternity stand up and take notice.
Here, we round up the major talking points from the Sailors’ first three games under the former Ulsan Hyundai man.
Kim’s Sailors revolution is starting to take shape
The arrival of AFC Champions League (ACL)-winning coach Kim Do-hoon signalled the Sailors’ real ambitions of becoming one of the best clubs in Asia. There can be no doubts about his credentials, but there were segments in the fraternity who wondered what exactly he would bring to the table.
Three games in, and Singapore has gotten a glimpse of what is in store for the rest of the campaign and beyond.
The 51-year-old has placed a strong emphasis on a solid team structure in view of building a side that is not just defensively sound but also effective going forward. And things started to take shape in his first outing against Albirex. The Sailors appeared more tactically savvy at the back than before, limiting space for their opponents to run in behind and capitalise on.
A demanding trainer who focuses a lot on discipline and fitness, the effects of his approach could already be seen in the Sailors’ following game against Balestier. The team were able to find an extra gear in the latter stages of the game, they out-ran and out-fought the Tigers before finally breaking down the door with a 95th-minute equaliser.
His fluid attacking approach that taps on the tactical awareness and game intelligence of individual players, is perhaps the most interesting. There are big responsibilities placed on players who are expected to take up different positions to capitalise on opportunities and space when presented in the game.
It all came to fruition against Tampines, with the game’s first goal perfectly encapsulating the new Sailors way.
With Stipe Plazibat dropping deep in midfield to hold up the ball, Gabriel Quak instinctively moved into the space the Croatian front man had vacated. The 2020 SPL Player of the Year was presented with an open path to goal and scored with a classy lob.
Kim’s high-pressing game plan was also on show, with the Stags unable to handle the Sailors’ rapid transition from defence to attack. Case in point: the Sailors’ second goal. It was just 10 seconds between Shahdan Sulaiman winning the ball in midfield to Stipe slamming the ball into the back of the net. The final two goals also came in a similar fashion.
With the team now starting to play Kim’s way – and effectively executing his plan on the pitch – fans can look forward to some exciting football in the remainder of the season.
The real Faris Ramli is back
Faris Ramli was unable to break into the Sailors’ first eleven in the first half of the season, he started just once and was introduced as an impact substitute on numerous occasions. It was understandably not a role he expected when he joined the Sailors after a season with Malaysia’s Terengganu FC.
But things are looking up for the 2019 SPL Player of the Year.
He has been largely involved in Kim’s first three games, playing the full 90 minutes in the big games against Albirex and Tampines, and was also the first substitute to be called upon to change the team’s fortunes in the first half of the 1-1 draw with Balestier.
Faris has not hid his frustrations at playing a bit-part role and has acknowledged that he had to stay the “most patient” in all his career, but he kept plugging away and is now seeing the fruits of his labour. The free-spirited 28-year-old played his best game of the season in the handsome win over the Stags, contributing three assists for the four Sailors’ goals.
Faris also put in a solid defensive shift, showing plenty of industry to win possession in crucial areas, even tracking back to perform his defensive duties in the dying moments of the game.
Having a Faris who is firing on all cylinders can only be a good thing for the Sailors who go into the business end of the season looking to come out on top of the league.
Missing key players? No problem
It is no secret that the Sailors have a quality squad at their disposal, with solid options on the bench ready to be called upon into action when needed. And the strength in depth is paying off.
Kim had to cope with the absence of the midfield trio of Saifullah Akbar, Shahdan and Song Ui-young through suspension against reigning champions Albirex.
Then against another title rival in the form of Tampines, the Sailors have to contend without the Brazilian duo Jorge Fellipe and Diego due to suspension and injury respectively. Many teams would have struggled without their leader at the back and star signing in such a big game, but the Sailors managed to plug those gaps with minimal fuss.
Kim is unbeaten in his first three matches as Sailors coach, and his ability to shape a team that can cope without key players can only breed confidence in the Sailors ranks as they battle for their first-ever SPL title.
