Category: News
The Lion City Sailors are excited to announce that preparation works are underway at Bishan Stadium to accommodate up to 10,000 fans for the upcoming Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final against the United Arab Emirates’ Sharjah FC on 18 May. This follows provisional approval that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) granted earlier in April to host the match at Bishan Stadium.
The significant effort to prepare the venue for the final reflects the Sailors’ commitment to ensure that this historic occasion can be enjoyed by as many fans as possible. It is also the Sailors’ desire to create an immersive atmosphere worthy of a continental cup final as the team chases glory on home soil.
Beyond the action on the pitch, fans can also look forward to an enhanced matchday experience, with mobile food trucks, carnival games, and photo booths set to build the buzz and rally the home crowd ahead of kick-off.
Having earned the right to host the final in Singapore, the Sailors are working closely with Sport Singapore, the Football Association of Singapore, and sport industry partners to ensure that the venue is match-ready and deliver a true spectacle — one that showcases the nation’s ability to stage world-class football events.
The Sailors made Singapore football history in April, as they overcame A-League powerhouse Sydney FC over two legs to become the first local club to qualify for the final of a major Asian club competition.
“This final is not just a milestone for the Sailors — it’s a celebration of Singapore football. We can’t wait to see the stands packed and the nation rallying behind the team,” said Sailors chairman Forrest Li.
Tickets for the highly-anticipated ACL Two final will go on sale from Tuesday, 6 May, at 12:00pm SGT via the Sailors’ authorised ticketing partner, SISTIC.
Home section tickets are divided into four zones: West (Main), East, and the North and South stands (located behind each goal) — refer to the table below for full details.
Tickets for Sharjah FC supporters will be managed separately by Sharjah FC.
Fans who are part of The Deck, the Sailors’ official membership programme, will enjoy a 50% discount on their ticket transactions — this is applicable for up to six tickets per member.
For more information on The Deck, please visit: https://www.lioncitysailorsfc.sg/memberships/.
Fans are advised to act quickly once sales open, with high demand expected. Kick-off is scheduled for 8.00pm SGT on 18 May at Bishan Stadium.
The Lion City Sailors’ 16-match unbeaten streak in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) came to an end on Sunday (4 May) evening, following a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Geylang International at Our Tampines Hub (OTH).
Despite taking a 2-0 lead through goals from Lennart Thy and Shawal Anuar, the Sailors were undone by a spirited second-half comeback from the Eagles, who had been winless in their previous six outings across all competitions.
It was an uncharacteristically off-colour performance from the Sailors, who looked set to continue their fine run of form until Geylang mounted their response after the break.
“It is what it is. The defeat at this point definitely doesn’t help our season,” said Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković. “We went 16 games without a defeat, so maybe it had to happen at one point.”
The evening kicked off with a heartwarming gesture, as children from Chaoyang School accompanied the players of both teams onto the pitch – courtesy of a collaboration between the Sailors and APSN (formerly known as Association for Persons with Special Needs).
Despite the absence of Song Uiyoung and Bart Ramselaar, the Sailors started strongly and created the first notable chance of the match in the 14th minute. Maxime Lestienne did well to keep the ball in play near the touchline before whipping in a cross that Lennart met with a strong leap, but his header flew just wide.
A few minutes later, Maxime had an effort of his own that missed the target, but the Belgian winger soon played a decisive role in the game’s opening goal.
Rui Pires found Maxime in space, and the 32-year-old threaded a brilliant eye-of-the-needle pass to Lennart in the box, who showed great awareness to turn sharply before firing home to make it 1-0 in the 34th minute.
Just four minutes later, the Sailors doubled their lead — and once again, Maxime was at the heart of the move, as his inch-perfect cross into the box found an unmarked Shawal, who made no mistake with a firm header into the back of the net.
It looked to be smooth sailing for the Sailors as the game approached half-time, but the complexion of the contest suddenly shifted when Geylang pulled one back. Tomoyuki Doi – currently the SPL’s top scorer – reacted quickest to a rebound to reduce the deficit to 2-1 just before the interval.
“At 2-0 up, we weren’t really in trouble. But before half time, we brought them back into the contest,” lamented Ranko. “Thereafter in the second half, the way we gave away two goals for them to win… it’s not something that either I or my team is used to.”
Geylang remained patient in their search for an equaliser after the break, with both sides probing cautiously until the game burst into life in the final 20 minutes.
The breakthrough for the Eagles came in the 73rd minute, courtesy of their Japanese duo. A lofted ball over the top from Takahiro Tezuka caught the Sailors’ defence off guard, and with goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud stranded in no man’s land, Ryoya Taniguchi calmly slotted home to level the score.
The Sailors had a golden opportunity to regain the lead shortly after, but Maxime’s close-range free-kick failed to trouble Rudy Khairullah in the Geylang goal.
Then came the decisive blow in the 86th minute. Geylang, the league’s second-highest scoring team after the Sailors, launched a lethal counter-attack — Vincent Bezecourt’s incisive pass found Doi, who rifled an unstoppable shot past Izwan to make it 3-2.
It was Doi’s 44th league goal in what has been a record-breaking campaign for the prolific Japanese forward.
Abdul Rasaq Akeem was introduced in the closing stages, but Geylang held firm to see out the win at OTH — handing the Sailors a league result they have not been accustomed to for quite some time.
“We lacked intensity tonight. The duels were far away from their forwards. Moreover, in the second half, they had a lot more patience, and I think we lacked that aspect as well,” Ranko candidly reflected in his post-match assessment.
Despite the setback, the Sailors remain in control of their SPL title ambitions. They currently sit eight points clear of BG Tampines Rovers, although having played a game more — and know that two wins from their remaining matches will still be enough to seal the championship.
Next up for the Sailors is a clash against bottom-placed Tanjong Pagar United on Saturday, 10 May, before a quick turnaround to face Balestier Khalsa four days later.
“The only thing I can say right now is that we’ve made the title race exciting,” Ranko added. “We have an eight-point lead, even if we’ve played a game more. But we still have destiny in our own hands.”
The Lion City Sailors have made their fair share of inspired overseas signings over the years — and Portuguese full-back Diogo Costa looks well on course to join that illustrious list.
The 21-year-old joined the Sailors in January 2025 on loan from Portuguese top-flight side FC Famalicão, and has since cemented himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Known for his marauding runs down the flank, pinpoint crosses, and quality set-piece deliveries, Diogo has quickly endeared himself to the Sailors faithful with a string of standout performances — both on the domestic front and on the continental stage.
“I’m really happy here, especially with how well the team is doing. We’re in the fight for three titles and I just try to give my best in every game. Right now, everything’s going great,” said Diogo.
Having spent his entire career in Portugal until now, the move to Singapore was Diogo’s first foray abroad. A product of his hometown club Famalicão, he also enjoyed a brief loan stint at Académica de Coimbra before making the switch to Southeast Asia.
While Diogo was thrown straight into the thick of things — making his league debut against Geylang International just a day after he was unveiled — he handled it with composure beyond his years, a sign of things to come.
“Your debut is always special. Geylang are a good side who play intense football, but we’re the Lion City Sailors — we go into every match expecting to win,” he said confidently.
Diogo featured for 66 minutes on his debut and showed plenty of intent despite being in unfamiliar surroundings. That promising display quickly earned him the trust of Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković, who began turning to the Portuguese left-back in increasingly important fixtures.
The Vila Nova de Famalicão native seized his opportunity with both hands. On his Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two debut — an away clash against Muangthong United in the Round of 16 first leg — Diogo made an instant impact by earning a penalty which Maxime Lestienne converted. From that point on, there was no looking back.
He has since started every ACL Two match and continued to rise to the occasion, notably grabbing the headlines with two assists in a 2-0 semi-final first leg victory over Sydney FC. Since joining the Sailors, he has racked up an impressive 10 assists across all competitions.
“I see myself as a team player. The fans can tell that I enjoy both attacking and defending,” said Diogo, who registered a hat-trick of assists in an SPL clash against the Young Lions last month.
“I work on both aspects of my game every week. The assists are coming now, but I believe the goals will follow too. I’m aiming to become a complete player.”
Amid all the buzz surrounding the Sailors’ ACL Two run, attention now shifts back to the Singapore Premier League (SPL) — with a clash against Geylang at Our Tampines Hub (OTH) on Sunday, 4 May.
The fixture marks the start of a decisive month for the Sailors, who are gunning for an unprecedented treble by the end of May.
For Diogo, it will be a familiar opponent. Having made his SPL debut against Geylang, Sunday’s match will mark his third encounter with the Eagles this season — including a Singapore Cup meeting. Despite Geylang managing just one win in their last six outings, he is not taking anything for granted.
“They’re still third in the league, so that says a lot,” said Diogo. “I know from experience they’re not an easy team to face. But this is the final stretch of the season, and we’ve got that extra motivation to push for the SPL title.”
Remarkably, Sunday’s fixture will be the Sailors’ 51st match across all competitions — a testament to a gruelling yet immensely rewarding season.
Adding to the boost ahead of this crucial clash is the return of club captain Hariss Harun, who missed the previous outing through suspension. The 34-year-old recently added a new milestone to his illustrious career by being elected Vice-President of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
With a near full-strength squad at his disposal, Ranko’s men will be targeting nothing less than three points as they continue their SPL title push — and Diogo is determined to keep up his strong form in the season’s final stretch.
“It’s been a great season so far,” said Diogo. “We’re so close to the title, and we want to win it for our incredible fans. I’m really happy here in Singapore — the city, the people, everything suits me well.
“We’ll see what happens next season, but I’d definitely be happy to stay. My focus now is on the team and helping us to win every trophy possible.”
The Lion City Sailors moved within touching distance of reclaiming the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title on Wednesday (30 April) with a vital 3-1 win over Young Lions at Our Tampines Hub.
The result means that the Sailors now need only two more victories from their remaining four SPL games to secure the league title.
Marking their 50th game of a gruelling campaign across all competitions, head coach Aleksandar Ranković opted for rotation – making four changes from the side that beat Albirex Niigata (S), with key figures Lennart Thy and Toni Datković rested, while skipper Hariss Harun was ruled out through suspension.
Despite the changes, the Sailors showed no signs of slowing down. After Bart Ramselaar’s thunderous opener was cancelled out by Jun Kobayashi, the home team rallied and restored their lead just before half-time through Shawal Anuar, before Maxime Lestienne sealed the win with a sublime second-half free-kick.
“The last few games of the season are always the toughest,” said Ranko after the game. “Credit to Young Lions – they gave us a good fight – but my players showed great resilience, and the most important thing is we got the three points and kept our momentum.”
Having suffered just two defeats in their last nine away matches, the Young Lions showed early signs of why they have been a tricky opponent on the road. Indeed, they carved out the game’s first opportunity in the 9th minute through a clever set piece that Kan Kobayashi latched onto with a fierce strike – only to be denied by a sharp low save from Izwan Mahbud.
Moments later, in the 12th minute, it was Bart who lit up the match with a moment of individual brilliance, as the Dutchman let fly from the edge of the box, sending a peach of a strike curling into the top left corner to give the Sailors the lead – and notch his 10th league goal of the season.
But the visitors hit back almost immediately. Just three minutes later, Jun Kobayashi capitalised on a loose ball in the box following a corner and lashed home the equaliser.
But the Sailors were unfazed by the setback, and turned up the pressure on the visitors, with both Maxime and Shawal forcing Young Lions goalkeeper Umayr Sujuandy into a flurry of saves.
The Sailors’ persistence finally paid off in the dying moments of first-half stoppage time when Bart slipped an inch-perfect pass into the path of Shawal, who showed composure to guide the ball past Umayr and restore the Sailors’ lead.
“They defended really deep – and rightly so – which left us more space between the lines,” explained Ranko. “We created a number of chances and honestly should have scored more, especially in the first half.”
Despite dominating possession and crafting several dangerous opportunities after the break, the Sailors were unable to extend their lead – that is, until Maxime stepped up in the 77th minute.
With a trademark swing of his left foot, he curled a delightful free kick over the Young Lions’ wall and into the net – ending a five-game run without a goal involvement, and giving the Sailors a crucial two-goal cushion they would hold onto for the rest of the match.
Now sitting 11 points clear of BG Tampines Rovers at the top of the SPL table albeit playing a game more, the Sailors are within touching distance of the title. But goalkeeper Izwan stressed the importance of staying focused.
“We’ve got a lot of experienced players in the squad, and everyone knows what’s required at this stage of the season,” said the Singapore international. “We’re taking it one game at a time. Our focus now is on the next match against Geylang, and we’ll give everything to secure the three points.”
The Sailors return to action on Sunday (4 May) against the Eagles at Our Tampines Hub, before heading west to face Tanjong Pagar United at Jurong East Stadium on Saturday (10 May) – with the SPL crown firmly within reach.
There is one date that Lennart Thy will never forget: 18 May 2009.
Representing Germany in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final, a 17-year-old Lennart pounced on a loose ball in the 34th minute to score a crucial equaliser against the Netherlands. His goal proved decisive, as the Germans went on to triumph 2-1 in extra time in front of a 24,000-strong crowd – securing the first, and so far only, major title of Lennart’s career.
“I still have the good memories from that day in my mind,” recalled the 33-year-old. “Scoring in the final was such an emotional moment. I remember standing on the bench after I got substituted, anxiously waiting for the final whistle. Running onto the pitch to celebrate with my teammates still gives me goosebumps even today.”
Sixteen years on from that night, Lennart finds himself on the cusp of another golden opportunity – with him and the Sailors still in the hunt for silverware on three fronts, both domestically and continentally.
“I’ve not been blessed with many titles in my career, so I’m hungrier than ever to win everything we’re competing for this season,” he said. “We’re in a strong position, but it’s important we stay humble and take it one game at a time. If we stay focused, I’m confident we can achieve something special by the end of the season.”
Two draws in their past three league matches may have cast a small shadow of doubt over the Sailors’ title hopes, especially with BG Tampines Rovers hot on their heels. But the league leaders quickly responded with a commanding 2-0 victory over reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) on Friday to open up an eight-point lead at the top of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) table.
Lennart delivered another trademark hardworking performance, with his link-up play and relentless pressing causing constant problems for the Swans’ backline. The German was unlucky not to find the net, as he failed to convert the opportunities that came his way on the night.
“I want to score every time I step onto the pitch, so it was frustrating not to finish the chances I had,” said the Sailors’ top scorer. “But games like these happen, and what matters most now is picking up the three points to bring us closer to the league title. We showed plenty of intensity and patience against a tough opponent, and this win will give us a lot of confidence moving forward.”
Now turning his attention to the Sailors’ next league assignment against the Young Lions on Wednesday (30 April), Lennart is determined to maintain the winning mentality that has been instilled within the team – even with their upcoming opponents winless in their last five SPL matches.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge ahead because we know the Young Lions can be a dangerous side,” said Lennart. “We approach every game wanting to win, so we must stay sharp and focused to build the momentum we need heading into the final stretch of the season.”
Nearly a year on from signing with the Sailors in May 2024, Lennart is now fully settled into life both on and off the pitch in Singapore – a smooth transition that is reflected in his performances, with the forward having already racked up 33 goals and six assists in all competitions this season.
“Life has been great for me,” he shared. “I needed a bit of time to adapt at the start, but I’ve shown that I can be an important player for the team. Working with this group has been enjoyable – the dynamic is good, and we always know when it’s time to have fun or time to be serious.”
As a family-oriented individual, a major part of Lennart’s comfort and success in Singapore has been down to the happiness of his wife and two young children.
“When my family is happy, I’m happy too,” said Lennart. “Moving to Singapore wasn’t a decision I made alone – it was one we made together as a family. Singapore is a beautiful country with so much to offer, so the mood at home is very positive. Knowing that my family is doing well helps me feel more relaxed, and that gives me a huge boost on the pitch.”
Having set his sights on helping the club achieve its ambition of becoming one of Asia’s elite from day one, Lennart pointed to the significant progress the Sailors have made in what is shaping up to be a historic season for the club.
“Everything about the Sailors was already very professional when I first arrived, but it’s clear that the club is committed to continuous improvement,” said Lennart. “Whether it’s fan engagement, media presence, attendance, or results, everything is moving in the right direction – and I believe this is just the beginning of even greater things to come.”
The Lion City Sailors extended their lead at the top of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) standings to eight points with a straightforward 2-0 victory over Albirex Niigata (S) at Our Tampines Hub (OTH) on Friday, 25 April.
Goals in each half from Toni Datković and Shawal Anuar sealed the win for Aleksandar Ranković’s men against an Albirex side now winless in seven matches across all competitions.
“I’m very satisfied with the performance tonight – it’s 2-0, a clean sheet, and three points, that’s all that matters,” said Ranko. “We were the team mostly in the ascendancy, and it could’ve been more had we converted a couple more chances.”
The Sailors came into this match riding the high of reaching the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final, becoming the first Singaporean club to qualify for a continental final.
Following a 30-minute delay due to the Lightning Warning System (LWS), the Sailors started strongly as Lennart Thy found himself through on goal and rounded Hassan Sunny in the 10th minute, but could only find the side netting.
Bart Ramselaar then had a couple of shots off target as the Sailors sought to gain a firm foothold in the match.
The breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute — and it was no surprise that Diogo Costa played a part. Moments after forcing a brilliant save from Hassan, the Portuguese full-back delivered a dangerous ball into the box from a corner routine, which Toni met with a thumping header for his fourth league goal of the season.
Albirex looked for a response after going behind, with Daniel Goh testing Izwan Mahbud, but it was a comfortable save for the Sailors’ custodian.
Goh did find the back of the net in the 38th minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Despite Albirex’s pressure towards the end of the half, the Sailors headed into the break with the lead firmly intact.
“When you come out to play matches like this — especially after the Champions League nights, and with the travel, the mental and physical side of things involved — to recharge every time is not easy,” said Ranko.
“I’m very proud of my boys. They do this week in and week out, and as a former player, I know just how hard it is to maintain that.”
The Sailors gradually upped the tempo of their attacks in the second half, with Maxime going close with a curling effort that was deflected away by Syahrul Sazali.
From the resulting corner, Lennart struck the post in the 61st minute as the Sailors’ search for a second goal continued.
That search ended in the 78th minute, courtesy of substitute Shawal Anuar, who shimmied inside the box and, after seeing his first effort saved by Hassan, kept his composure to slot home at the second attempt to give the Sailors some much-needed breathing space.
Albirex had Hassan to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable, with the former Sailors custodian producing smart saves to deny a Bart Ramselaar free-kick and a late effort from Abdul Rasaq Akeem, as the Sailors comfortably saw out the game with their two-goal lead intact.
The win marked a successful return to OTH in the SPL for the Sailors — their first appearance there since 2023, when Maxime memorably netted a first-half hat-trick at the same venue.
And while he did not get on the scoresheet this time around, Maxime’s strong influence and hard running throughout the game saw him named Man of the Match.
Speaking post-match, the Belgian said, “All the players are happy tonight. We’re in a good position now. It’s been a long time since I scored, but I don’t care — whenever we win, I’m happy.”
The Sailors’ healthy eight-point lead over title challengers BG Tampines Rovers puts Ranko’s side in a strong position heading into the final five league fixtures.
While three more wins would mathematically secure the SPL title, Ranko is not getting ahead of himself just yet.
“We will secure the SPL title whenever it happens. We’re not really calculating when — we’ll go match by match and see what happens in the end,” he said.
Next up for the Sailors is a midweek clash against Young Lions on Wednesday, 30 April, at the same venue — with the developmental side on course to avoid finishing bottom of the table for the first time since 2020.
At this stage of the season, three points are all that matters, and Ranko’s charges will once again approach the upcoming fixture with the same gusto.
“We look forward to every match — we just love playing,” said Ranko. “We’ve played close to 50 matches across all competitions this season, so at this point you can say we love playing more than training!”
Fresh off their historic qualification for the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final, Lion City Sailors captain Hariss Harun is turning his attention back to domestic duties – with a crucial stretch of Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches on the horizon.
The Sailors made headlines across the continent after edging out Sydney FC 2-1 on aggregate to book their spot in the ACL Two final – a landmark achievement for Singapore football. Despite falling 1-0 in the second leg at the Allianz Stadium, a gritty defensive performance ensured Aleksandar Ranković’s side held on to the two-goal lead established in the first leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Reflecting on the Sailors’ continental journey, Hariss said, “To be able to reach the ACL Two Final is a big morale boost for us for the rest of the campaign. We’ve really fought hard to stay united and push as one throughout this campaign. That gives us a lot of heart moving forward. But now, we have to shift our focus back to the league.”
One player who has been pivotal in the Sailors’ strong campaign is goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, who recently became the latest player to notch 50 appearances for the club.
The veteran custodian has kept 13 clean sheets in all competitions this season, including a crucial one in the first leg of the ACL Two semi-final, and produced a string of key saves in the return leg in Australia to keep Sydney at bay.
“He gives us a lot of confidence from the back with his commanding presence and his comfort on the ball,” said Hariss of his longtime teammate. “He’s done his part really well – just as we’ve come to expect of him.”
“Izwan’s my roommate when we travel, so we often talk about the game and what we can improve. While we’re generally happy with our performances, we’re always trying to see how we can help the team even more. That’s the kind of mindset we want.”
The focus now shifts sharply back to the SPL, with the Sailors set to play five league matches before turning their attention to the ACL Two final. With a five-point lead at the summit of the table, and holding a game in hand over title challengers BG Tampines Rovers, the Sailors could potentially seal the title before the two sides face off on the final matchday.
But even as the SPL season enters its final lap, Hariss is well aware that the Sailors cannot afford any missteps that could jeopardise their chances of reclaiming the league title.
“It’s the final run of games and we know what we need to do,” he stressed. “We need to refocus on the SPL title challenge because that is the priority right now. We’ve not won the league for some time, and in the past few seasons, we were in good positions but didn’t manage to see it through.
“This time, we can take lessons from those experiences and maintain our focus. We’re in a good position with a healthy lead, so we’ve got to do everything we can to keep or even extend that lead – and bring the title back home.”
The Sailors’ pivotal stretch in the SPL begins with a tricky encounter against Albirex Niigata (S) on Friday, April 25. While the defending champions are enduring a turbulent campaign – currently sitting fourth in the table and winless in their last six matches across all competitions – Hariss is not taking anything for granted.
“We have to go out there and give it our all and try to get all three points,” he asserted. “We’re not reading too much into their winless streak because they’ve always given us tough games over the past couple of seasons.
“We’ve already lost to them once this season, so we know what they’re capable of. It’s important that we focus on ourselves, put in a performance, and get the job done.”
In an interesting development, the venue for the upcoming fixture has been shifted to Our Tampines Hub (OTH) due to preparations for the upcoming Singapore General Election.
This marks the Sailors’ first SPL fixture at the 5,000-capacity stadium since August 2023, when they played out a pulsating 5-2 victory over BG Tampines – a game fondly remembered for Maxime Lestienne’s first-half hat-trick.
“We’ve had some good games against BG Tampines at OTH – we’ve scored quite a few goals there,” Hariss recalled. “Those are nice memories. We’ve been told that our next few matches will be played there, so it’s something we’re looking forward to.
“I’ve also heard the pitch has been retouched and it’ll be a new surface. So I’m really looking forward to playing on a good-quality pitch – and hopefully, we can match that by putting in some quality football as well.”
With a packed fixture list across three major competitions, the Sailors remain in contention for a historic treble – a feat that would mark an unprecedented milestone for the club.
In addition to their ongoing SPL title push and the upcoming ACL Two final, the Sailors are also set to face Brunei DPMM in a two-legged Singapore Cup semi-final next month.
But for now, Hariss is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“Right now, even talking about it – the treble possibilities – it means a lot,” admitted the 34-year-old. “But I don’t want to get too carried away because there are still a lot of games to play.
“I think the most important thing is that as a team, we stay fit and continue our good form. We need to have a razor-sharp focus. We’ve built up good momentum, and now we need to maintain that right through to the end of the season.”
We are pleased to share that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has granted us provisional approval to host the upcoming AFC Champions League Two Final against Sharjah FC at the Bishan Stadium. This is subject to final inspection and formal approval by AFC in early May.
Over the next few weeks, the club will be working closely with Sport Singapore, the Football Association of Singapore and sports industry experts to make the necessary upgrades and preparations to ensure the venue is match-ready for the big night on 18 May.
Kickoff time is set for 8.00pm SGT, with ticketing details for the game to be announced in due course.
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a commanding 9-2 victory over BG Tampines Rovers at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Saturday night (19 April).
Newly-promoted Putri Alyiah Seow stole the show with a stunning four-goal haul, while Sarah Zu’risqha notched a hat-trick of her own. Last season’s top scorer Raeka Ee and former Stag Anaya Sehgal also got on the scoresheet as Daniel Ong’s charges bounced back in style from last week’s frustrating goalless draw against Hougang United.
Crucially, the win keeps the Sailors top of the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) standings with 10 points from four matches. Their closest challengers, Still Aerion WFC, trail by three points but have a game in hand.
Speaking after the game, Head Coach Daniel Ong expressed satisfaction with his team’s response, while acknowledging that there is still work to be done – particularly in defence.
“It was definitely a concern to fire blanks in the last game, but tonight the girls showed that they wanted it more – they were hungrier and more aggressive, which was great to see,” said Ong. “That desire was something we lacked previously, so I’m happy with how they bounced back.”
He added, “Defensively, we still need to improve. Sometimes it’s just about keeping things simple and being more aware of what’s happening around us – that’s something our defenders will continue to work on.”
However, the Sailors got off to a rough start as they fell behind just four minutes in, when BG Tampines’ Mio Irisawa swung in a corner which Anna Seng diverted in at the near post.
But the reigning WPL champions responded to that early setback immediately. Dhaniyah Qasimah twice went close, before the breakthrough came in the 22nd minute through Alyiah, who coolly converted a square pass from Raeka to draw the Sailors level.
Alyiah was back on the scoresheet just six minutes later, as she pounced on a miscue by BG Tampines goalkeeper Nur Atiqah Salihin to roll the ball into an unguarded net and give the Sailors a 2-1 lead.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Sailors wrestled back control and struck twice more before the break. First, full-back Khairunnisa Anwar charged down the flank and squared across goal for Sarah to tap home in the 43rd minute. Barely a few minutes later, Sarah made it 4-1 with a sharp first-time finish off Nurhidayu Naszri’s lay-off.
Dorcas Chu was then introduced for Dhaniyah at the start of the second half – her first appearance of the season – as the Sailors continued to ramp up the pressure on BG Tampines.
It did not take long for the Sailors to strike again in the second half, with Sarah completing her hat-trick in the 54th minute.
BG Tampines did pull a goal back through Australian forward Ruby Alexandra Brooks, just four minutes later, but that ultimately proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal for the Stags.
Raeka got in on the action in the 66th minute, poking home into an empty net after her initial effort was blocked by Atiqah to make it 6-2 to the Sailors.
The Sailors’ No. 9 then turned provider with two superb channel runs in the 70th and 80th minutes, setting up Alyiah for a pair of emphatic finishes to round off her four-goal haul.
Incredibly, there was still time for a ninth goal. This time, it was Alyiah’s turn to assist, as she cut the ball back across goal for substitute Anaya to fire home against her former club in the 87th minute.
While Alyiah stole the spotlight with her four-goal haul – taking her to the top of the Sailors’ scoring charts with five goals – the 21-year-old was quick to play down her individual exploits and instead turned the focus on the team’s collective display.
“Scoring four goals makes me feel very good, but a lot of those goals were really team goals – crosses coming in, me making the runs and just being there to finish. It’s truly a team effort,” she said.
“I’m really glad that the other attackers and I share similar mindsets and playing styles. We’re able to read each other’s movements, play the pass even before the run is made – it’s just easy to play with them. I’m grateful to be part of this team.”
Reflecting on the early setback in the match, she added, “Obviously it was a rough start for us, and maybe we were a bit complacent – that’s something we’ll need to work on in training. But we showed that we can come back from a goal down, keep pushing, and be aggressive.”
With the matches against Tiong Bahru and Still Aerion postponed till further notice, the Sailors will only return to WPL action in three weeks’ time as they take on Geylang International on 10 May.
Lion City Sailors FC is working closely with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Sport Singapore, and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on the venue arrangements for the AFC Champions League Two Final.
We want to state our position clearly: this final must be played in Singapore. This is our home, and as the club that has earned the right to host the final, we believe it is only fair and proper that it takes place on Singaporean soil.
Jalan Besar Stadium has been a certified AFC Champions League Two venue that meets AFC’s regulations and requirements throughout the competition, successfully hosting six home matches in this tournament alone. It has a proud history of staging major football matches and has more than proven itself as a capable and reliable venue.
We are grateful for the strong backing of Sport Singapore and FAS, who have shown clear intent and commitment to bringing this final to life here in Singapore. Together, we have a shared ambition to showcase our nation’s ability to stage world-class football events.
We are excited about the significance of this final—not just for our club, but for Singapore football. We are committed to working closely with all stakeholders to deliver a memorable and professionally-run final that reflects the passion and potential of our football community.
Hosting the final in Singapore would not only be a just conclusion to our Champions League Two campaign, but a proud moment for Singapore football on the continental stage.
In the spirit of fairness and consistency, we urge the AFC to allow us to play this historic match at home. We believe that hosting such a high-stakes match on home soil can serve as a much-needed catalyst to uplift the local football scene and reignite national pride in the sport.
