Category: News
Fresh off a resounding 6-0 victory over the Young Lions on Monday (22 July) night at Jalan Besar Stadium, the Lion City Sailors will aim to maintain their winning momentum when they face Hougang United on Sunday (28 July) evening at Bishan Stadium.
The Sailors are currently second in the nine-team Singapore Premier League (SPL) table on 22 points – just one behind current leaders BG Tampines Rovers – while their opponents on Sunday are sixth, having accumulated just seven points from nine matches.
Despite the disparity in form between the two teams this season, Sailors defender Lionel Tan insists they cannot afford to take Hougang lightly.
“It’s evident in the past few matchweeks that all the teams in this league, including Hougang, are capable of causing problems,” said the 27-year-old. “So, they are definitely not going to be easy opponents, and we have to treat this as yet another very important match for us.”
The point Lionel made was underscored earlier this week on Tuesday (23 July), when Hougang claimed a gritty 1-0 victory over defending SPL champions Albirex Niigata (S) – a result that saw the Cheetahs achieve their first win and clean sheet of the season.
Bouncing back in style
While Hougang will enter this weekend’s fixture with renewed confidence, the Sailors will be equally buoyed by their emphatic victory over the Young Lions, which saw them keep their third clean sheet of the year.
It was a much-needed confidence boost for the Sailors, who were determined to get back to winning ways following their first defeat of the season to BG Tampines Rovers the week before.
Lionel, who was an integral part of the defence that kept the Young Lions at bay, believes the Sailors’ performance this past Monday perfectly encapsulated the team’s mentality and hunger to succeed.
“It’s important that we bounced back in the right manner, especially after losing to Tampines,” the Singapore international reflected. We all felt really bad in the changing room afterwards, so we knew we had to come back with a solution for the Young Lions game and most importantly repay the fans for their unwavering support for us.”
A total of five different Sailors — Lennart Thy, Song Uiyoung, Shawal Anuar, Maxime Lestienne, and Haiqal Pashia — netted in a sparkling performance against the Young Lions.
Lionel highlighted the variety of goalscorers for the Sailors as evidence that they were not overly reliant on any one player, but rather played as a cohesive team.
He said, “Of course, I’m elated for the boys who scored, Lenny, Song, and the others, but it was a great team effort from everyone. Each of us executed our individual responsibilities well and we want to improve even further as a team.”
Embracing change
At the other end of the pitch, Lionel appears to be thriving in his new position as a right-back.
Standing at 1.84m tall, Lionel, who has spent most of his career as a centre-back, has been deployed on the right side of defence more frequently this season.
It is a positional change that Lionel has embraced. He shared, “As a player, it’s beneficial for me to be versatile. I enjoy this new position and the different demands it brings. I’m happy with how I’m performing right now, but I want to continue learning and improving.”
For now, though, Lionel is focused on helping the Sailors get the win over Hougang, as they look to continue their push for the SPL title this season.
“This league is like a marathon, and losing a sprint doesn’t necessarily reduce the lead. At the end of the day, we have to approach every game with a winning mindset, regardless of the opponent,” said Lionel.
“We need to maintain this winning momentum, take it one game at a time, and hopefully come away with the three points again this weekend. Barring the Tampines defeat, we’ve been strong at home over the last two years and I’m sure our fans will be pushing us to put up a strong performance.”
With a swing of her right foot, Lion City Sailors striker Josephine Ang curled the ball over the defensive wall and past the despairing dive of Mika Haziqah in the Albirex Niigata (S) goal to give her side a 2-1 lead.
With the net still rippling from her shot, Josephine ran and leapt into the arms of teammate Sarah Zu’risqha to celebrate her 10th goal of the season.
With a wide grin on her face, it was clear for all to see at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium that Josephine was truly in her element and enjoying her football.
Josephine’s goal – her third from a free-kick this season – ultimately set the Sailors on their way to a 3-1 victory over Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) title rivals Albirex last Saturday (20 July) evening.
For the 18-year-old, however, the moment was especially meaningful as she had entered the game determined to make a statement following her omission from the recent Singapore Women’s National Team squad that defeated Macau in an international friendly.
“It hurt for a few days when I didn’t get the (national) call-up despite how well I’ve been performing in the league,” admitted Josephine, whose 10 goals in the WPL makes her the third-highest scorer in the league.
“But I didn’t let that bring me down. Instead, I used it as motivation to keep improving, and I think the results showed on the pitch.”
Indeed, while Josephine has scored plenty of memorable goals during her time with the Sailors, she believes that this goal against Albirex might be one of her favourites.
She recounted, “To be honest, I didn’t even think about the score being tied at 1-1 at that moment. I just knew I had to capitalise on any chances I had. Initially, I wasn’t going to take the free-kick, but Sarah encouraged me to do so. I struck it as well as I could, and I’m so glad it went over the wall and into the net.”
Another Sailor who caught the eye in the win over Albirex was 15-year-old full-back Seri Nurinsyirah, who only joined the first team from the Sailors’ Girls Academy at the start of the year.
While Seri has enjoyed an encouraging start to her Sailors career, she acknowledges that she has to stay grounded and continue working hard to maintain her performance and contribute effectively to the team.
Seri, who opened her WPL account with a goal against Tiong Bahru in the first match of the 2024 WPL season, explained, “Given my age, it’s a huge honour to be training and playing alongside such experienced players, let alone be starting games. The transition from the academy to the WPL team has been smoother than I expected, thanks to the support of my coaches and teammates.”
When asked what her personal goals for the rest of the season were, Seri replied, “I hope to get stronger and continue improving my defensive abilities. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be part of this team, so I will keep my head down and work hard.”
Next up for the Sailors Women is a potentially tricky clash against fourth-place Hougang United at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Saturday (27 July) evening.
The Cheetahs will head into the fixture full of confidence following a draw against Geylang International last Sunday (21 July) in which they rescued a point after being two goals down, and they will undoubtedly be aiming to cause an upset against the Sailors.
While Josephine is wary about the threat that Hougang pose, she remains confident in the Sailors’ ability to put up a strong showing and overcome the Cheetahs.
She said, “Hougang’s mentality and fitness are really strong, and we know they will keep coming at us until the final whistle. It’s going to be a very tough game, and we cannot afford to be complacent. However, I believe in the team’s ability to overcome any odds, just as we did against Albirex.”
Echoing Josephine’s sentiments, Seri added, “The win against Albirex was hard-fought and meant a lot to us, but that’s now in the past.
“We are focusing on the Hougang game while also preparing for the upcoming Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) in August. I have confidence in the team to secure the three points on Saturday. We will stick to Coach Daniel Ong’s game plan and do our best as always.”
It was goals galore at the Jalan Besar Stadium as the Sailors notched a 6-0 Singapore Premier League (SPL) win over the Young Lions on Monday (22 July) night.
The comprehensive victory put to bed any doubts about the Sailors that may have arisen following their defeat to BG Tampines Rovers last week.
There were five different scorers for Aleksandar Ranković’s side on the night – Shawal Anuar netted a brace, while reigning SPL Player of the Year Maxime Lestienne, Lennart Thy, Song Uiyoung, and Haiqal Pashia were also on target.
At the other end of the pitch, the Sailors defense held firm to secure their third clean sheet of the season.
With four changes to the starting lineup, including a first SPL start since October 2022 for goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, a rejuvenated Sailors side looked determined to overwhelm the Young Lions from the get-go.
And it took just three minutes for the visitors to take the lead. The ever-reliable Shawal opened the scoring for the Sailors with a clinical finish in the box after being found by Maxime Lestienne’s pinpoint cross.
Ranko’s charges continued their onslaught after the goal and created a flurry of chances, but Young Lions custodian Aizil Yazid made a few good saves to prevent his side from falling further behind.
But it seemed only a matter of time before the Young Lions goal was breached, and it was Shawal again who did the damage in the 32nd minute, as he finished clinically from Maxime’s cross for his sixth league goal of the season.
Reflecting on his goalscoring display, Shawal said, “We tried to forget whatever happened from the previous game and worked extra hard in training. We brought our quality to today’s match, and I’m glad it showed. I’m happy with the two goals, but all credit goes to Max and the boys.”
Shawal and Maxime combined again 10 minutes after the break to give the Sailors a 3-0 lead. This time, it was Shawal who played the role of provider, as he ran onto a superb through ball from Song, before laying it off for Maxime to curl the ball home.
While the Young Lions continued to fight valiantly – with captain Farhan Zulkifli in particular looking dangerous – they never really came close to pulling a goal back.
Instead, it was the Sailors who added a fourth in the 64th minute. Midfielder Rui Pires sent a delightful lofted pass for Maxime, who beat his marker before unselfishly squaring it for Song to tap home from close range.
It was a goal that ended any faint hopes of a Young Lions comeback, as the hosts looked noticeably deflated as the ball hit the back of the net.
But the Sailors were still hungry for more.
In the 69th minute, a mistake by Young Lions defender Kieran Teo saw the ball fall to Lennart, who played it to Maxime inside the box. While the Belgian could have scored his second of the night, he chose to square the ball back to Lennart for a composed finish into the bottom corner.
The was the German’s second goal for the Sailors since arriving in late May.
The Sailors added the icing on the cake in the third minute of injury time, with substitutes Nur Muhammad Asis and Pashia combining well for the latter to apply the finishing touch for the team’s sixth goal.
Ranko praised his side for responding to last week’s disappointment with a display that showcased both their ability, as well as their strength of character.
“It’s a very good response from the team. I was a player once, so I know how hard it feels when you come out from a very difficult defeat,” said Ranko.
“I’m satisfied with the performance. Of course, the 6-0 scoreline is nice, but I’m honestly more satisfied with the way they played.
“I think we were a little bit nervous in the first half, but we gradually started to play our football and you can see that we have the quality to dominate games. As a team, that’s something that we missed in the last game.”
The win moves the Sailors level on 22 points with current leaders BG Tampines Rovers, who have played a game less. Next up for the Sailors is a match against bottom side Hougang United on Sunday (28 July).
The Lion City Sailors are determined to bounce back from Thursday’s (18 July) disappointing defeat to BG Tampines Rovers – their first loss of the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season – when they face the Young Lions at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Monday (22 July) night.
Having ceded top spot to the Stags, the Sailors know just how important it is to secure all three points against the Young Lions in order to keep pace with Gavin Lee’s side in the title race.
To do that, Sailors custodian Zharfan Rohaizad has urged the team to quickly move past the loss to BG Tampines and focus on the task at hand: beating the Young Lions.
“We’d like to say sorry to the fans that they have to endure such a tough night (against BG Tampines) and we as a team acknowledge that we can and should do better as a team. We just have to put this result out of our system as there’s still a long way to go for this season.
“The key for us is to keep moving forward and prepare for what’s coming next. We have to bounce back on Monday with a statement (victory),” Zharfan declared.
While the Sailors will be hoping to put Thursday’s events behind them, it was still a momentous occasion for Rui Pires, as he finally made his SPL debut for the club after recovering from an injury setback in pre-season.
The Portuguese, who came on for captain Hariss Harun in the 65th min, acquitted himself well on the night, bringing much-needed energy and intensity to the heart of the Sailors’ midfield.
The 26-year-old, who signed for the Sailors last July but only featured in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL), is eager to make up for lost time and help the club achieve their goals this season.
He said, “I’m happy to have played my first game in the SPL, even though it was a disappointing loss. It feels great to be back on the pitch and doing what I do best to help the team.
“Nobody likes to be injured, but it’s a part of football. Often, people don’t see the effort that is put in to recover and I’ve worked extremely hard in the rehabilitation process to finally return to the team.
“Now that I’m back, I’ll do my utmost to perform well and hopefully be at my best in every game.”
Rui believes that having the Young Lions game come so soon after the Sailors’ defeat to BG Tampines is a blessing in disguise, as it allows the team a quick opportunity to get back on the winning track and restore their confidence.
“After a defeat, all of us are really hungry to get out there again to make amends and show that the Lion City Sailors are much better than that,” Rui shared.
“We not only want to secure the three points, but we also want to put up a proper performance to prove ourselves. We’re going to play much better and display our true qualities as a team.”
Rui also paid tribute to the Sailors’ fans for their unwavering support, even during the loss to BG Tampines. He emphasised that this support will serve as motivation for the team to up their ante in the upcoming games.
“Of course, the fans deserve a better representation of our team, and that’s why we’re determined to deliver in the next game and throughout the rest of the season,” Rui said. “We aim to demonstrate that we are the best team in Singapore and we want to keep securing victories, so that our fans can be happy and proud whenever they come to the stadium to watch us.”
There was tension in the air as the Lion City Sailors Women’s team took to the pitch against their Albirex Niigata (S) counterparts at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Saturday (20 July) evening.
After all, this was a clash between two teams tied at the top of the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) table – a victory for either side would provide a crucial advantage in the title race.
And, at the end of 90 exhilarating minutes, it was Daniel Ong’s charges who emerged victorious, securing a 3-1 win and pulling three points clear of Albirex at the top of the table.
But it was far from an easy victory for the Sailors, with Albirex largely in control for much of the first half.
“It’s undeniable that Albirex got the better of us in the first 30 minutes. We were losing the ball in midfield and not exploiting the space well enough,” Daniel recounted. “So we changed our formation, and that allowed us to control the play much better. Credit also goes to the players who were quick to catch onto the new game plan.”
Indeed, Albirex’s early pressure paid off as they broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through midfielder Dhaniyah Qasimah’s powerful long-range strike.
Albirex’s lead, however, did not last long as the Sailors restored parity just seven minutes later. Racing onto Nur Syazwani Ruzi’s pass, 14-year-old Nur Ain Salleh skinned her marker with her blistering pace before calmly finishing past Albirex custodian Nurul Haziqah to draw the Sailors level.
Daniel’s charges seemed to finally find their footing in the second half, and it took only six minutes after the restart for Josephine Ang to give the Sailors the lead via a sumptuous free-kick that found the bottom corner of the net. The goal was Josephine’s 10th of the season, and her third from a direct free-kick.
Ain then got her second goal of the night, and the Sailors’ third, in the 57th minute through slightly fortuitous circumstances, as her teasing cross from the right wing sailed into the back of the net after catching Nurul Haziqah in the Albirex goal off-guard.
The goal proved to be a decisive blow for Albirex, and they were unable to mount a comeback as the Sailors managed the remainder of the game with professionalism.
Ain, who only made her Sailors debut against Tiong Bahru in the last match, admitted to being nervous ahead of such a key game. However, she credited her teammates and the Sailors coaching staff for giving her the guidance and confidence to perform at her best and contribute significantly to the victory.
“I definitely felt the pressure, especially knowing how strong Albirex can be,” Ain, who came on for Miray Altun in the 23rd minute, shared. “But the support from my teammates and coaches really helped me focus. Coach Daniel encouraged me to play without fear, even against defenders who were much bigger than me, and to use my speed. I was both surprised and thrilled to score, as I didn’t expect to!”
Ain’s performance also caught the eye of Daniel, who commended her for her fearless approach to the game despite her young age.
He said, “We all know what she’s (Ain) capable of. This is just her second game for us, but she’s already getting used to the pressures of the WPL by playing against a more physical and experienced side.”
Reflecting on his side’s comeback win, Daniel believes that defeating a formidable team like Albirex under such challenging circumstances will only strengthen his players’ self-belief.
“They came from behind to beat an experienced team that had a player who’s been to the World Cup in Kana (Kitahara), as well as several former and current national team members. I’m sure this win will boost the players’ belief in their ability to compete against top-quality opponents,” Daniel stated.
Ain echoed Daniel’s sentiments, adding, “I think we’ll not only feel more confident and stronger mentally, but also physically now that we’ve overcome one of the toughest challenges of the season.”
Next up for the Sailors Women is a clash against Hougang United on Saturday (27 July) at Choa Chu Kang, as they continue their pursuit of a third straight WPL title.
It has been an eventful few weeks for Lion City Sailors Women’s Team winger Nur Sarah Zu’risqha.
Just three weeks ago, on 29 June, Sarah scored an impressive five goals for the Sailors Women’s in their 13-0 victory over Tiong Bahru. Then, this past Tuesday (16 July), she was part of the Singapore women’s football team that made history with a 9-0 win over Macau, their largest-ever victory.
Sarah, who was one of 10 Sailors called up to the Lionesses for the international friendly, expressed her pride in representing the country, saying, “It’s always an honour to play for the national team, especially at home. It can be nerve-wracking at times but I do cherish every opportunity to don the national jersey.”
(Photo: Football Association of Singapore)
All things considered, Sarah and the Sailors will be heading into their upcoming Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) clash against title rivals Albirex Niigata (S) this Saturday (20 July) on a high.
But Sarah knows full well the threat that Albirex can pose, having spent the past two years with the White Swans before making the switch to the Sailors this season.
Making the move to the Sailors
Sarah, who turns 18 next Wednesday (24 July), explained that her decision to join the Sailors was a no-brainer, largely because it offered her the opportunity to play with a young squad featuring many players from the national set-up. More importantly, she felt it was the right step forward for her development as a player.
“As a young player myself, it’s fantastic to play with a young squad because I feel that we understand each other better,” said Sarah. “Moreover, the bulk of the Sailors team is made up of players from the youth and senior national teams – quality players I’ve played with before. Hence, we are always put through competitive and rigorous training sessions, which I thoroughly enjoy.
“My friends from the Sailors also told me that besides the high-intensity tactical and technical training they undergo, there are also far more opportunities for overseas exposure. After much consideration, I felt that this move would be best for my personal development.”
Sarah also credited Sailors Head Coach Daniel Ong for giving her the confidence to take the plunge and make the switch.
“I’ve been coached by Coach Daniel in the U19 National team for the past two years, and I know he’s a great coach,” Sarah shared. “So, when he approached me to join the Sailors, it was an easy choice to make. I’ve learnt so much more from him in every aspect of my game, and he always pushes us to our limits.”
However, while Sarah has since established herself as a key part of the team, her initial transition was not without its challenges.
“It was challenging to adapt to the team’s fast-paced style of play, and I wasn’t used to it,” Sarah recounted. “But, by attending training regularly and with the guidance of my teammates, I gradually grew into it. We also had team bonding sessions that helped me integrate better into the team.”
From teammates to rivals
With both the Sailors and Albirex currently tied at the top of the WPL table on 24 points, a victory for either side this weekend at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium will give them a crucial advantage in the race for the title.
Among the key players that Albirex count in their ranks include skipper Rosnani Azman and 2023 Young Player of the Year Dhaniyah Qasimah – both of whom also featured alongside Sarah for the Lioness in their win over Macau.
(Photo: Football Association of Singapore)
Chuckling at the thought of facing the two of them just days after being on the same team, Sarah said, “Nani and Dhaniyah are both top players whom I look up to. We’re friends in the National Team, but when it comes to the game on Saturday, we’ll be opponents. It’s going to be an interesting game because we’ve been at centralised training together for the past two and a half weeks.”
The race for the WPL title heats up
The last time the two teams met, the Sailors had to dig deep to edge out a narrow 2-1 victory. Sarah expects the upcoming clash to be equally tight, but has backed the Sailors to secure a crucial three points that could prove pivotal in the title race.
“We all know that this match could potentially decide who the eventual champions are, so we will give our all to secure the three points,” Sarah declared. “Albirex have been performing well this season, as you can tell from their teamwork, game play and results. We cannot afford to be complacent and let our guard down. The ball is round and anything can happen.
“Winning this game will take us a step towards our goal of winning the league, giving us the opportunity to participate in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League (AWCL) once again. That’s our team’s objective – to compete against the best in the region every year.”
The Lion City Sailors tasted a domestic defeat for the first time in over a year, as they were beaten 5-0 by BG Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at the Bishan Stadium on Thursday (18 July) night.
This loss ended the Sailors’ impressive 19-game unbeaten run in all domestic competitions and saw them relinquish top spot in the SPL to the Stags.
Backed by a raucous home crowd, the Sailors started the first-half brightly, but were soon pegged back by a spirited BG Tampines side, as the game soon devolved into a cagey affair between two evenly-matched teams.
Nonetheless, the Sailors nearly opened the scoring in the 36th minute when forward Lennart Thy unleashed a shot that narrowly missed the target, skimming just wide of the post.
But that was as good as it got for the Sailors, as Gavin Lee’s side seized control of the game with two quickfire goals just before the break.
In-form Tampines striker Boris Kopitović broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time, latching onto a through pass from Irfan Najeeb before calmly slotting the ball past Sailors goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad.
The Sailors barely had time to react before the visitors added a second just minutes later, as Glenn Kweh pounced on a loose ball in the box to tap home from close range.
The double blow seemed to leave the Sailors deflated as they headed down the tunnel for half-time.
“Our body language surprised me; it’s not what I expected from my players,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković. “Whenever we face a setback, this team usually has the strength to bounce back.”
Any hopes for a Sailors comeback in the second half were dashed within 10 minutes of the restart, with Boris, Faris Ramli, and Irfan all getting on the scoresheet to give BG Tampines an unassailable 5-0 lead.
“At the end of the first half, we let in two easy goals, and we started the second half conceding two goals in the same fashion again,” a visibly disappointed Ranko said. “The third and fourth goals came so quickly that it was clear from the bench they mentally broke my players down. By that point, it felt like the game was already over.
“It’s a well-deserved win for BG Tampines… they scored five goals against us and punished our mistakes. The only positive thing from today was that nobody got injured or carded for the wrong reasons.”
Sailors defender Bailey Wright believes that the defeat can ultimately benefit the team if they use it as a learning opportunity.
“A loss like that shouldn’t happen, but they do – It’s part of football,” Bailey mused. “We weren’t anywhere near our best today, and we hold ourselves accountable for the result. The most important thing now is to reflect on what went wrong, identify what we could have done better, and correct our mistakes in the next game. We need to pick ourselves up, and with hard work, dedication, and commitment, we’ll get back on track.”
For now, Ranko is focused on helping his players move past this disappointment, as they shift their attention to their upcoming match against the Young Lions on Monday night (22 July).
Ranko said, “It’s obviously a tough defeat to take, but I’m fully focused on the next game, which is just around the corner. Perhaps having a quick turnaround is beneficial, as it forces us to step up and show some character. It’s only the start of the season — we have to keep pushing forward.”
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team will face opposition from Jordan and India in the inaugural Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League (AWCL).
At the official draw ceremonies for both the 2024/25 AWCL Preliminary Stage and Group Stage, which took place at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur earlier this afternoon (18 July), the Sailors Women were placed in Group B of the Preliminary Stage, along with hosts Etihad Club and Odisha FC.
The matches for the Preliminary Stage are scheduled to be played in Jordan between August 25 and 31.
The group winner will progress into Group C of the tournament’s Group Stage, along with Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies and Chinese Taipei’s Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football Team – with matches to be played between October 6 and 12.
While the Sailors Women have been dominant domestically, winning the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) twice in a row without losing a game in 2022 and 2023, they will likely face a significant challenge in progressing from the Preliminary Stage.
Nonetheless, Sailors Women Head Coach Daniel Ong has backed his team to rise to the challenge and proudly represent Singapore at the regional level.
“To play in the AWCL has been our target for a long time, so it’s a dream come true for many of our players. Instead of being afraid or wary of the challenge, our girls are extremely excited at the prospect of facing the top teams in the region,” said the 35-year-old.
“While we aspire to reach the Group Stage, what’s more crucial is the development of our players and their ability to play our style of football against higher-level opponents. I’m confident that the team will perform well, and we’ll work very hard in the coming weeks to ensure we enter the competition in peak condition.”
It may still be early in the season, but the Lion City Sailors’ clash against BG Tampines Rovers on Thursday (18 July) night at the Bishan Stadium already feels pivotal in both teams’ hunt for the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title.
The Sailors and BG Tampines have started the season nearly identically – with six wins and a draw each, both teams are tied at the top with 19 points, though the Sailors’ superior goal difference currently gives them the edge over their title rivals.
With reigning SPL champions Albirex Niigata (S) struggling for form this season, the Sailors and BG Tampines — both of whom finished as the top two local sides behind Albirex for the past two campaigns — are now considered by many to be favourites for the 2024/25 SPL crown.
As such, a win for either team on Thursday would give them an early advantage in what promises to be a tight and enthralling race for the league title.
Nonetheless, Sailors captain Hariss Harun insists that while the team will be focused on beating Gavin Lee’s side, it is still too early in the season for the result of this match – the first of four league encounters between the two teams – to carry significant weight.
“We’re just completing Round 1 of the matches, so this match isn’t season-defining yet,” said Hariss. “However, things are quite tight at the top, so it’s still important to gain an advantage over them at this stage.
“BG Tampines have recruited well and have quality all over the pitch, but we’re focusing on our strengths and how we can hurt them. As footballers, these are the games everyone wants to play in, and we look forward to putting on another good show for our fans.”
Hariss played a crucial role in the Sailors’ last outing — a 4-2 win over Balestier Khalsa — as he won his side a crucial penalty in injury time. Maxime Lestienne duly converted the spot-kick to give the Sailors a 3-2 lead, before the Belgian scored again minutes later to wrap up the three points.
The dramatic victory over a resolute Tigers side showcased the Sailors’ fighting spirit and togetherness – qualities that Hariss believes will give his side the edge over the Stags when they meet.
The 33-year-old elaborated, “We didn’t play that well (against Balestier), but we kept going, which is testament to the team’s resolve and belief. In a long season like this, we’ll face different challenges and obstacles, so it’s important that we keep fighting to find a way through tricky matches.
“The victory gives us good momentum heading into the Tampines game, and we need to capitalise on this to secure another three points.”
While acknowledging that there are certain aspects of the Sailors’ game that still need improvement, Hariss is adamant that it is only a matter of time before they iron out their early-season kinks and hit their stride.
“We know that people have high expectations of us. We also have high expectations of ourselves – we know what we can do and where we can improve. There have been a couple of games where our performances were not up to par, but having said that, we are still unbeaten, so it’s a positive start to the season.
“There’s plenty of time to fine-tune things, and more importantly, we want to peak at the right time as a team.”
With the Sailors notching up 13 wins in 15 home league matches since returning to the Bishan Stadium in 2023, Hariss believes the Crew is crucial in spurring the Sailors on to victory, and urged the fans to fill the stadium on Thursday with a sea of white and blue.
Hariss said, “We’re grateful to have our fans with us. They have stuck with us through both the good and bad times, and they’re a huge part of the Sailors family. I’m really looking forward to a strong crowd on Thursday night – that’ll give us added motivation and the drive to push harder.
“We promise to give everything, so that our fans can go home with a night to remember.”
As the clock ticked down at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (13 July) night, all eyes were on one man as he calmly placed the ball on the penalty spot.
Maxime Lestienne.
The time on the clock read 92 minutes 36 seconds. The scoreboard showed: Balestier Khalsa 2-2 Lion City Sailors.
One kick was all it would take for the Sailors to secure all three points, to keep them at the top of the Singapore Premier League (SPL). Make no mistake, the pressure was on.
Maxime took a step forward. Then another, and another, and another. With his fourth step, he swung his left leg at the ball and placed it into the bottom corner, leaving a diving Hafiz Ahmad in the Balestier goal grasping at thin air.
Pressure? What pressure?
This was a penalty by a confident player in form, one who has so often produced clutch moments for the Sailors, and who has now scored in six consecutive games.
As it turned out, there was even time after the penalty for Maxime to put the icing on the cake with his second of the night, as he capped off a devastating counter-attacking move in the last minute of the game to secure a 4-2 victory for the Sailors.
The win sees the Sailors remain at the summit of the SPL, level on 19 points with fellow title contenders BG Tampines Rovers, who beat Brunei DPMM 3-0 in the other game played last night.
It also means that the Sailors have extended their unbeaten start to the season, setting up the stage for a blockbuster title clash against BG Tampines coming up next on Thursday (18 July).
While pleased with the dramatic win, Maxime – who also notched himself an assist and was named Man-of-the-Match – believes the Sailors can still improve on their overall display.
Reflecting on the game, he said, “We did our best, but we know that we still haven’t reached the level that we know we are capable of. Nonetheless, maybe in past seasons we would not have won such a game, so we’re happy with the win. However, in our next game (against BG Tampines), we will have to play much better than today.”
Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković also acknowledged that his side did not play at their best, but gave credit to Balestier for giving them a tough challenge.
“I’m satisfied with the result, but the performance, not so much,” said Ranko. “Especially in the first-half, we had problems…with moving the ball, and this caused us to play at a low tempo.
“Credit must also go to our opponents today. They made it very difficult for us, and they might feel we stole the winner, because that’s what happened. Such games are expected during the season, and again, we faced a strong opponent equally determined to win. Overall, it was a good and exciting match.”
Indeed, Balestier started the game brightly and very nearly took the lead early on through striker Ismail Sassi, whose shot cannoned off the crossbar.
The Sailors – who made two changes to the starting line-up from their 3-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United last weekend, with Song Uiyoung and Sergio Carmona Pérez coming in for Shawal Anuar and Lionel Tan – fashioned their first real opportunity of the game in the 27th minute, when Maxime curled a left-footed shot just wide off the post.
Right at the stroke of half-time, Balestier forward Kodai Tanaka was almost presented with a golden opportunity to score, but Sailors defender Bailey Wright courageously slid in to intercept the ball – crashing into the post in the process – before it could reach the former Sailor.
Ranko’s charges came out of the half-time break looking sharper and hungrier, as they looked to put the visitors under pressure to try and force turnovers in dangerous positions.
In the 52nd minute, Ranko brought on Bart, Shawal Anuar, and Hafiz Nor in an attempt to reinvigorate his side’s attack.
The tactical decision paid off, as just eight minutes later, Bart opened the scoring for the Sailors by pouncing on Lennart Thy’s lofted cross and half-volleying it into the top right corner.
Unfortunately, Bart’s night was cut short not long after, as he had to be substituted after taking a knock.
“He (Bart) scored a goal in a moment that was very important for us.” Ranko said. “But I’m very disappointed that we might lose him in the next match.”
The Sailors were then pegged back, however, as in the 68th minute, Ismail Sassi cut in from the left flank and placed an accurate finish into the bottom corner to draw his side level.
But the equaliser did not dampen the Sailors’ spirits, and they continued to pepper the Tigers’ goal in search of a winner.
The Sailors’ persistence paid off in the 81st minute, when Toni Datković leapt highest to head home Maxime’s outswinging corner, scoring his first-ever goal for the club.
Once again, Balestier struck back just two minutes later, as Sassi smashed in a loose ball after the Sailors failed to clear their lines from a corner.
With a draw looking likely as the game neared its conclusion, the Sailors were handed a lifeline in the 90th minute when captain Hariss Harun earned his side a penalty after being brought down in the box.
Up stepped Maxime – and the rest, as they say, is history.
