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As Lennart Thy laid the ball off to Rui Pires outside the box, there was only one thing on the Portuguese midfielder’s mind – finding the back of the Tanjong Pagar United net.
Without hesitation, he unleashed a sublime first-time strike that arrowed into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam with no chance.
Beyond its quality, the goal carried special significance for Rui. It was the 27-year-old’s first-ever senior career goal, with his last strike coming all the way back in the 2017/18 UEFA Youth League for FC Porto.
But Rui was quick to downplay the milestone, preferring instead to highlight the team’s collective effort in their emphatic 7-0 Singapore Premier League (SPL) win over the Jaguars last Monday (22 September).
“I’m happy about the goal, but I usually don’t think much about scoring. My focus is always on doing my best to help the team, and letting things happen naturally,” he said.
“Everyone in the team wants not only to win, but to do so with a strong performance. This result gives us confidence heading into the next few games.”
October will be a pivotal month for Rui and the Sailors, with two crucial Asian Football Confederations Champions League (ACL) Two Group G fixtures, alongside their domestic Singapore Premier League (SPL) duties.
With their sights set on another deep continental run, the reigning SPL champions bolstered their squad in the summer with several key additions, including Brazilian forward Anderson Lopes and Croatian goalkeeper Ivan Sušak.
While it has taken time for the newcomers to settle in, their impact is already being felt. Ivan produced a stunning last-minute save in the Sailors’ 1-1 draw away against Persib Bandung, while Anderson opened his club account with a brace against Tanjong Pagar.
“We want to help everyone adapt as quickly as possible,” said Rui. “It’s difficult coming to a new country where everything is different, but everyone has welcomed them with open arms. They’ve already made the team stronger.”
The Sailors now turn their attention to Wednesday’s (1 October) home clash against Selangor FC, as they look to build on their credible showing against Persib in their opening Group G game.
“It was a tough match because Persib are a strong side with many foreigners and a difficult home atmosphere,” recalled Rui. “But we did well in the second half and created a lot of chances. The point was deserved.”
With added intensity whenever Singaporean and Malaysian clubs meet, Rui knows the Sailors will need to be at their best.
“Every time we step onto the pitch, our goal is to win,” he said. “I’m aware of the rivalry between Singapore and Malaysia, and that gives us extra motivation. We’ll give everything to get the three points against Selangor, and I’m confident we’ll put in a good performance.”
The Sailors will also be counting on the roar of their home supporters at Bishan Stadium, where they return for the first time since their heartbreaking ACL Two Final defeat to Sharjah four months ago.
“We know our fans will always be behind us. I’m sure they’ll create a great atmosphere and give us that extra push,” said Rui.
He added, “We know people will see us differently after what we achieved last season. But we can’t dwell on the past. This is a new season, with new teams. If we’re not performing at 100 percent, it’ll be very difficult.”
Now into his third year with the Sailors, Rui has established himself as one of the club’s most dependable figures. Reflecting on the Sailors’ journey since his arrival, he spoke with pride about how far they have come.
“Everything the management told me about their ambitions has come true. They wanted to build a winning team, and last year was the biggest proof of that,” said Rui, who is three games away from hitting 50 appearances for the club.
“There has been plenty of positive change, but we don’t want to stop here. We want to go further and keep growing as a club.”
The Lion City Sailors Women clawed their way back from two goals down on Sunday (28 September) night to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw with Still Aerion, in a result that ultimately decided the Women’s Premier League (WPL) title race.
With Aerion chasing a maiden WPL crown and the Sailors fighting to keep their hopes of a second-place finish alive, both sides rose to the occasion at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, and produced a contest that had fans on the edge of their seats.
An own goal from Aerion’s Afiqah Omar and a stoppage-time free kick from Sarah Zu’risqha cancelled out strikes from Sunisa Srangthaisong and Jaruwan Chaiyarak, with the draw ending Aerion’s title hopes.
It also sealed Albirex Niigata (S)’s triumph as 2025 WPL champions, ending the Sailors’ three-year grip on the crown.
Now third in the standings with 32 points and two matches left, the Sailors are determined to regroup and overtake Aerion in pursuit of the runners-up spot before turning their focus to their maiden Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Group Stage appearance in November.
“We created chances by putting in effort to build up play, but we just didn’t finish in front of goal. We need to work on our finishing for the next few games and be more tactful in both midfield and in the box,” reflected skipper Umairah Hamdan.
Sarah echoed her captain’s words, adding: “We didn’t convert our chances and that’s something we should work on more for the future. I think my performance could have been better in terms of supporting teammates and creating movement. That’s what I’ll look to improve on in the final two games and before the AWCL.”
While the first half ended goalless, it was far from uneventful. Aerion threatened as early as the third minute, but Sailors goalkeeper Hazel Lim was equal to the task.
Sunisa then came close to opening the scoring in the 37th minute, while Dhaniyah Qasimah and Syazwani Ruzi also threatened before the break, though Aerion’s pressing denied the Sailors their usual rhythm.
“We could have done better in the first half in terms of keeping composure. We were nervous and didn’t play to our feet. But in the second half we encouraged each other and supported the play better,” admitted Umairah.
After the restart, the Sailors grew into the game through Dhaniyah and Farah Nurzahirah’s efforts, but it was Aerion who struck first. In the 61st minute, Sunisa pounced on a loose ball to chip Hazel for the opener.
The Sailors responded almost instantly, with Dorcas Chu’s bicycle kick drawing gasps before Dhaniyah fired narrowly wide.
The Sailors were soon made to pay for their missed chances in the 72nd minute when Jaruwan doubled Aerion’s advantage with a crisp finish.
Just seven minutes later, however, the Sailors were handed a lifeline when Afiqah inadvertently turned the ball into her own net. That slice of fortune galvanised the Sailors, who pushed relentlessly for an equaliser.
With Hazel standing firm at the back, the stage was set for late drama. And deep into stoppage time, Sarah lined up a free kick from distance and struck sweetly to beat the keeper and spark wild celebrations.
“I’m really happy to score and that we found the equaliser in the end. It was out of my range but I felt confident to take it on and it paid off,” Sarah said, before urging her teammates to finish the season strongly. “We have to take this result, regroup and continue to focus on our style of football in the last two games. Whatever happens, we need to play at our own pace.”
The Sailors will next take on Tiong Bahru on Wednesday (1 October), before wrapping up their 2025 WPL campaign against Geylang International four days later (5 October).
The Lion City Sailors Women returned to their free-scoring ways with a commanding 7-0 victory over Tanjong Pagar United in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) at the Bukit Gombak Stadium on Wednesday (24 September) night.
Farah Nurzahirah struck her second hat-trick in Sailors colours, while Syazwani Ruzi, Qarissa Putri, Dorcas Chu, and Dhaniyah Qasimah also found the net. At the other end of the pitch, new goalkeeper Hazel Lim marked her second clean sheet in as many games with another confident display between the posts.
“This is by far the best game the girls have played this season in the league, but in certain moments there is still room for improvement,” said Head Coach Daniel Ong. “That said, credit to the girls for showing what they are capable of when they believe in themselves.”
Despite the win, the Sailors remain eight points behind leaders Albirex Niigata (S) with three matches left, after Ruriko Takashima’s first-half brace helped the White Swans beat Hougang United 4-0 in the corresponding fixture.
The Sailors’ starting line-up was notable for the inclusion of Girls Academy graduate Amelia Ng, who at just 15 years and 39 days old, was the youngest player on the pitch.
But it was star forward Farah, fresh from scoring the winner against Tiong Bahru on Sunday, who seized the initiative early on, as she pounced on the rebound from Sarah Zu’risqha’s sixth-minute strike to tap home for her fifth straight game on the scoresheet.
“She is a player with the potential to keep growing, and her arrival has been a real boost for us,” said Daniel. “But credit also goes to the team because without their support, she wouldn’t have the chances to score.”
Farah doubled her tally in the 19th minute after capitalising on a lapse in concentration at the back, before Syazwani clinically converted a through ball to make it 3-0.
Birthday girl Qarissa then marked the occasion with a long-range effort that deflected in off a Tanjong Pagar defender to become the Sailors’ 18th different scorer this season. Amelia almost added her name to that list with a shot on target that was deflected for a corner.
The Sailors kept their foot on the pedal after the restart, with Dorcas slotting home from close range in the 49th minute. Dhaniyah soon made it six with a lofted strike that sailed beyond goalkeeper Elizabeth Tan just past the hour mark.
Farah rounded off the scoring — and completed her hat-trick — nine minutes from time by tucking in Sarah’s low cross to seal the rout.
“I think I played well tonight. There’s still a lot of room for improvement, but overall we did a good job as a team, especially in finishing our chances,” said a delighted Farah.
After a slow start to life at the club, the 21-year-old — who was crowned WPL Young Player of the Year in 2024 — has hit her stride following her move from Geylang International in early August. She now has 12 goals in Sailors colours.
“It took me some time to adapt to the team’s style, but I gradually gained confidence through training sessions and communication with my teammates,” reflected the forward, whose overall tally of 22 goals puts her just three behind Albirex’s league-leading scorer Takashima.
The Sailors will now turn their attention to Sunday’s (28 September) crunch clash against title contenders Still Aerion, who edged them 3-2 last week.
And Daniel is confident his side can reverse that result if they replicate Wednesday’s display.
“We will play our usual game. There won’t be any special plans because I believe the girls can get the win if they perform the way they did tonight.”
The Lion City Sailors stormed to a third consecutive victory at the start of the 2025/26 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season as they defeated Tanjong Pagar United 7-0 at the Jurong East Stadium on Monday (22 September) night.
Centre forwards Lennart Thy and Anderson Lopes each struck twice, while Diogo Costa, Rui Pires, and Song Uiyoung also found the net in what was the Sailors’ 18th straight win over the Jaguars.
“We were very dominant tonight, especially in the first half. All the credit goes to the boys. I didn’t expect such a big result, honestly. With three disallowed goals, the scoreline could have been even bigger,” said Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković after the match.
The Sailors entered the match on the back of a dramatic 1-1 draw away to Indonesia’s Persib Bandung in their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two opener, where Lennart struck a stoppage-time equaliser to secure a valuable point.
Handed a start against Tanjong Pagar, the German picked up where he left off in the 14th minute, as he met Maxime Lestienne’s perfectly weighted cross with a header that crashed in off the underside of the bar to open the scoring.
Bart Ramselaar was equally bright in the final third, forcing Zaiful Nizam into a save before flashing another effort wide.
His lively start eventually paid off in the 28th minute, when he weaved past two defenders on the byline before squaring across goal for Diogo to bundle home his first SPL goal.
The hosts threatened briefly when ex-Sailor Naqiuddin Eunos struck the post, but Ranko’s men restored control in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time, as Song’s long ball was expertly brought down by Lennart, who coolly lifted it over Zaiful for 3-0.
“The whole team’s performance was convincing from the first minute. We wanted to be aggressive and dominant in this match,” said Lennart, who was later named Player of the Match.
Just three minutes later, the Sailors made it 4-0. Maxime’s corner fell to Lennart, who teed up Rui, and the Portuguese midfielder unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box for his first-ever senior career goal.
The moment sparked joyous celebrations from his teammates, with Rui having only previously scored at youth level for FC Porto in the UEFA Youth League.
There was still time for another before the break, as Song’s powerful effort deflected off Tanjong Pagar captain Aaron Evans to make it 5-0 at half-time.
In the second half, Ranko brought on Tsiy Ndenge, Hami Syahin, Abdul Rasaq Akeem, Hafiz Nor, and Anderson Lopes, with the Brazilian especially eager to open his account for the club.
And the Brazilian finally did so in the 84th minute via another Evans deflection, before adding a second in stoppage time — this time, with a composed low finish from Bart’s pass to round off a commanding 7-0 victory.
“Anderson was very good after coming off the bench. Maybe he could even have scored one more,” Ranko smiled. “When you have two strikers who can score at any moment, it makes my job easy.”
Both Lennart and Anderson have now staked strong claims for the central striker’s role, a selection dilemma Ranko is happy to have.
“In that position, I have four players. All of them can play, all of them can start,” he noted. “Sometimes I rotate because some may need a bit more rest. Even when Lenny didn’t start the previous few matches, we know he can score goals, so there’s no surprise.”
The emphatic win rounded off a strong September for the Sailors, who now turn their focus to the continental front as they face Malaysia Super League giants Selangor FC next Wednesday (1 October) in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two.
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team bounced back from midweek heartbreak with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tiong Bahru in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) on Sunday (21 September).
With four matches left to play, the Sailors sit third on 28 points — nine points behind leaders Still Aerion with two games in hand. And while their hopes of a fourth straight WPL crown have faded, the team are determined to finish the season on a high.
“The team has quality all over the pitch, and if everyone keeps working hard and sticking together, I’m confident we can finish strong,” said debutant Sailors goalkeeper Hazel Lim.
The 23-year-old, who arrived with experience playing in Australia, was called into action early, making a crucial 17th-minute save to deny fellow Singapore international Lim Li Xian in a one-on-one situation.
“It felt good to get that early stop in,” said Hazel. “As a keeper, those little moments matter the most and I’m glad I could contribute. It also helped settle the nerves and gave me confidence for the rest of the game.”
That opportunity aside, the Sailors started brightly and carved out a flurry of openings. Sarah Zu’risqha forced Tiong Bahru goalkeeper Larissa Ortmann into a save inside three minutes, while Dorcas Chu, Farah Nurzahirah and Sarah herself all went close but could not apply the finishing touch.
Despite soaking up pressure in the first half, Tiong Bahru grew in confidence after the restart and pushed forward with a few threatening forays, but the Sailors’ backline held firm.
“I think they grew in confidence after holding us goalless in the first half, and that’s where we suffered. With that confidence, they tried to attack us,” Farah explained.
The Sailors’ breakthrough finally came in the 80th minute. Substitute Mira Ruzana, introduced just seven minutes earlier, unleashed a deflected shot that fell kindly for Farah, who pounced to steer it home.
It was her fourth consecutive game on the scoresheet, and took her Sailors tally to nine goals.
“I felt relieved and happy to get the three points for us today. I’m really proud to have been able to score as much as I have,” said the 21-year-old forward, who has a combined total of 20 goals for the Sailors and former side Geylang in 2025.
“With that, I’ve gained more determination to score even more in these last few games and help the team.”
Hazel added, “We created plenty of chances, which is a positive, but just couldn’t put them away as cleanly as we’d like. We kept pushing until the end and stayed patient, and eventually the breakthrough came.
“It was a huge lift for everyone when it finally went in. Tiong Bahru took more risks after conceding, but we stayed organised and managed it well at the back.”
The Sailors now turn their attention to a midweek clash with Tanjong Pagar United on Wednesday (24 September), before facing Still Aerion — the side that beat them in dramatic fashion last Wednesday — as they look to make amends with three points four days later (28 September).
“We need to work a lot more on our touches, passing, communication and playing as a team. The goal now is to win all our remaining games,” said Farah.
“To the team, I would say we’re doing great together. Let’s keep pushing and not give up until the end.”
The Lion City Sailors will look to maintain their perfect start to the 2025/26 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season when they face Tanjong Pagar United at the Jurong East Stadium on Monday (22 September) night.
The match comes on the back of the Sailors’ 1-1 draw in their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two opener against Indonesian champions Persib Bandung on Thursday (18 Sep), where Lennart Thy’s stoppage-time header salvaged a valuable point for the Singapore side.
Among those who played the full 90 minutes at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium was Sailors midfielder Tsiy Ndenge.
In spite of the hostile atmosphere, the 28-year-old rose to the occasion with a credible performance on his continental debut.
Reflecting on the Sailors’ performance, Tsiy said, “I think for our first away game in the Champions League Two, one point is okay. In the second half, we could have actually won it.
“Overall, it felt really nice playing in an international competition in a good stadium with a good atmosphere.”
Persib began brightly and would have taken the lead if not for Diogo Costa’s brilliant goal-line clearance. Indeed, Aleksandar Ranković’s side had to dig deep to reach the break level, with few chances created in the opening half.
“It was not easy in the first half to play our usual game. We kept fighting and managed to keep a clean sheet, but we didn’t have much of the ball,” Tsiy admitted.
The hosts struck just after the restart through Saddil Ramdani, but the introduction of Lennart on the hour gave the Sailors fresh impetus. Through it all, Tsiy anchored the midfield with authority, and finished the game with an impressive 86.8% passing accuracy.
“In the second half I was more in my natural position, so I could help the team more. We were more comfortable on the ball, and even after conceding, we didn’t give up,” he said.
The Sailors’ resilience was rewarded when Maxime Lestienne delivered a precise cross for Lennart to head home in the 92nd minute. Ivan Sušak then preserved the point with a stunning last-gasp save to deny Berguinho.
“We believed we could take something from this game and tried until the very end to even win it,” added Tsiy, who won a combined eight ground and aerial duels. “The most important thing was our mentality because we never gave up.”
The German-Cameroonian midfielder, who joined from Grasshopper Club Zürich in July, has already impressed in Sailors colours.
Having also represented FC Luzern, Roda JC and Borussia Mönchengladbach reserves, Tsiy brings European pedigree with over 120 Swiss Super League appearances and a full season in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Tsiy’s July move to the Sailors took him to the other side of the world for the first time in his career, but he says his adaptation in Singapore has been seamless so far.
“For me, it was never a problem. I felt good from the start with my teammates and the staff. As a team, I think we’ll continue to grow and get better,” he said.
Ranko’s men now turn their attention back to domestic matters as they target a third straight SPL win. Their next opponents, Tanjong Pagar, may have started the season with a 3-0 defeat to BG Tampines Rovers last weekend but still represents a tricky challenge with their refreshed roster.
“The key after continental matches is to recover well, but I think the team is already accustomed to this type of schedule,” said Tsiy. “It’s an important league match for us and we want to continue our good form in the league.
“The result in Indonesia showed our resilience and how we’re fighting for each other on the pitch. We’ll keep developing as a team to build on our strong start to the league.”
The 28-year-old has already endeared himself to Sailors fans, who chanted his name during the 5-0 SPL win over Balestier Khalsa last weekend.
“I heard the chants, and it felt a little funny and awkward because I’m not used to this,” Tsiy admitted with a smile. “But it’s always nice to get the love from the fans, and we’re going to make sure we deliver the three points on Monday for them.”
The Lion City Sailors kicked off their 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Group G campaign with a battling 1-1 draw against Indonesia Super League champions Persib Bandung at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium on Thursday (18 September) night.
The hosts took the lead early in the second half, but the Sailors dug deep and eventually found a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time through substitute Lennart Thy to return home with a hard-earned point.
Speaking after the match, Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković acknowledged the challenge of playing in such a hostile away environment, but praised his side’s composure and response to going a goal behind.
“We came here expecting a tough match,” said Coach Ranko. “The team was under a little pressure in the first half, which is normal when you play at this stadium.
“We made a mistake which led to a goal in the second half, but from then on we had control of the game as Persib were more focused on defending. This draw is a fair result.”
Backed by a raucous 13,566-strong crowd, Persib tried to seize the initiative early on, and nearly found the breakthrough in the 18th minute when the ball fell kindly for Saddil Ramdani, but Diogo Costa produced a vital last-ditch challenge to snuff out the chance.
Just four minutes later, Eliano Reijnders unleashed a fierce effort that Ivan Sušak did well to beat away at his near post. That was as good as it got for Persib in the first half, as the Sailors defence grew in confidence and both sides went into the break goalless.
However, the deadlock was broken almost immediately after the restart, when an uncharacteristic Sailors defensive lapse led to Saddil racing forward and lashing a shot past Ivan in the 47th minute.
Ranko responded by introducing Lennart just after the hour mark, and the substitute immediately injected fresh impetus into the team. The Sailors almost drew level soon after, but Júlio César produced a crucial intervention to prevent Anderson Lopes from getting a clear sight of goal.
In the 70th minute, Bart Ramselaar’s quick feet carved open the Persib defence, but goalkeeper Teja Paku Alam was alert to smother Lennart’s attempt. The visitors came close again four minutes from time, but Persib goalkeeper Paku Alam pulled off a brilliant double save to deny Bailey Wright and Lennart in quick succession.
Despite being denied on several occasions, the Sailors kept pressing for the equaliser, and their persistence was finally rewarded in stoppage time. Maxime Lestienne whipped in a perfect cross from the left for Lennart, who guided his header into the net to silence the home crowd and spark raucous celebrations in the Sailors camp.
“We were unlucky to concede the first goal, but the team created good chances after,” said Man-of-the-Match Lennart. “Maybe we could have scored more, but it was a difficult game as Persib have such strong support here.”
There was still time for late drama, with Ivan producing a superb 94th-minute save to deny substitute Berguinho’s header and preserve the point for the Singapore side.
Looking ahead, Coach Ranko acknowledged the weight of expectation following last season’s fairytale run to the ACL Two final, but stressed that his side are better equipped than ever.
“Nobody expected us to reach that final, but now the bar is set much higher,” he said. “That brings extra pressure, but also confidence for us in the big matches. We are already a completely different and more competitive team than when I arrived two years ago.”
The Sailors will have little time to recover, as they return to Singapore Premier League (SPL) action against Tanjong Pagar United on Monday (22 September) night.
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team were dealt a blow in their Women’s Premier League (WPL) title chase, as they fell 3-2 to Still Aerion in heartbreaking fashion on Wednesday (17 September) night.
First-half goals from Farah Nurzahirah and Sarah Zu’risqha had put the Sailors firmly in control, but a resurgent Aerion side turned the game around after the break to snatch all three points.
The result leaves the Sailors 11 points behind league leaders Albirex Niigata (S) — albeit with two games in hand — as the season enters its decisive stretch.
“This is a very tough loss to take under the circumstances,” admitted Head Coach Daniel Ong. “From here, we just have to take it one game at a time and see where it leads us at the end of the season.”
Second-placed Aerion had won eight straight games prior to this game, after bolstering their squad with mid-season signings such as Thanaporn Yimlamai, Jaruwan Chaiyarak, and Cambodian forward Yon Yoeurn.
Nonetheless, the Sailors made a blistering start at Clementi Stadium, taking the lead after just five minutes when Farah latched onto a clever pass from Syazwani Ruzi and coolly slotted home to net for the third game in a row.
Sarah soon doubled the advantage in the 38th minute with a stunning free-kick into the bottom corner, taking her tally to 11 for the season and giving the Sailors a two-goal cushion at the break.
“During half-time, we talked about keeping up the momentum, staying aggressive and pushing for more goals,” shared captain Umairah Hamdan. “We knew we had the chance to control the game, so it was about staying sharp and focused.”
While the Sailors dominated the first 45 minutes, the second half told a different story.
Just four minutes after the restart, Thailand international Sunisa Srangthaisong powered down the right and rifled home to spark Aerion’s comeback.
The Sailors looked to respond immediately, as Sarah drew a sharp save from Aerion goalkeeper Lutfiah Hannah, while substitute Putri Alyiah Seow also saw her effort denied before being forced off with an unfortunate knee injury.
Then came the late heartbreak.
In the 91st minute, Sunisa’s cutback was inadvertently turned into her own net by Umairah, and with virtually the last action of the game, Nurul Unaisah rose highest from a corner to head past Izairida Shakira and seal the win for Aerion.
“Looking back, we could’ve been a bit more composed,” reflected Umairah. “At times we were flustered and rushed when we could have controlled the ball better. But everyone gave their all, and we’ll take the lessons from this and come back stronger.”
The Sailors have little time to dwell on this defeat, with a clash against seventh-placed Tiong Bahru coming up just four days later on Sunday (21 September).
Despite the setback, Daniel remains defiant about his team’s title hopes.
“I’ll definitely have a chat with the team and some players individually, but nothing will change. We will still play the way we play, and we’ll keep fighting right until the end.”
Exactly four months after their historic Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Final appearance, the Lion City Sailors are back in continental action, hungry to build on last season’s success and eager to prove a point.
Standing in their way of a winning start to the 2025/26 campaign are familiar foes Persib Bandung, whom the Sailors face away at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium on Thursday (18 September) night.
Familiar foes, but a fresh look
The two sides crossed paths in last season’s group stage, where Persib held the Sailors to a 1-1 draw at home before snatching a dramatic 3-2 victory away in Singapore with two stoppage-time goals. While those results gave Persib fond memories, they ultimately fell short of progressing to the knockout stage.
This year, however, Persib Head Coach Bojan Hodak has his sights set on going all the way in the tournament, though he acknowledges they face a tough opening fixture against the Sailors.
“The target is to win, so let’s see how far we can go,” said Hodak, who has led them to back-to-back domestic titles. “But tomorrow will be a tough match because they (Sailors) reached the final of this competition last season, and on paper, they are the favourites in our group.
“They’re stronger than last year, but we’re playing at home, so we will try for a positive result, though it will not be an easy game.”
A lot has changed for the Bandung giants since those meetings. While Hodak remains in charge and Dutch-born Indonesian international Marc Klok continues to wear the armband, many key players have moved on.
Notably, all three scorers from Persib’s 3-2 win over the Sailors — David da Silva and Tyronne del Pino, who both moved to Malut United, and Mateo Kocijan, now with Persis Solo — have since departed. Gustavo França, Ciro Alves, and Dimas Drajad (on loan), have all also left the club to join Malut as well.
In their place, Persib have added a strong South American influence to their squad this season, bringing in five Brazilians and two Argentines. Among them is Berguinho, who scored against the Sailors for Borneo FC Samarinda in last year’s ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, and former Boca Juniors youth product Luciano Guaycochea.
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Between the posts, former Wales Under-21 goalkeeper Adam Przybek was brought in to replace Kevin Ray Mendoza, though Przybek has yet to feature due to injury.
With such a major overhaul, Hodak knows it will take time for his new-look Persib side to fully settle, but he is encouraged by the progress so far.
“We have a completely new squad — we changed 22 players from last season — so we need time to adapt,” explained Hodak. “We’re improving match by match, the new players are starting to understand each other, and slowly the team is gelling. We’re expecting a positive result tomorrow.
“We also have a very packed schedule. Some players are not yet 100 per cent fit, some can only play one half, so rotation is important. This month alone, in 24 days, we have five or six matches.”
New faces in Bandung
August saw another wave of reinforcements, with Indonesian-heritage midfielders Thom Haye and Eliano Reijnders — the younger brother of Manchester City star Tijjani — arriving from the Dutch Eredivisie. French forward Andrew Jung and ex-AS Roma Academy defender Federico Barba also joined the ranks.
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All four made their debuts in Persib’s 1-0 league victory over Persebaya Surabaya last Friday (12 September) at the GBLA Stadium, in front of more than 22,000 fans. That result lifted Persib to sixth in the Indonesian top flight, five points behind early leaders Borneo FC after four rounds.
The GBLA, which Persib returned to last November following renovations, will once again play host to this continental showdown. The Sailors’ last visit was to the nearby Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, but this time, Persib will enjoy the full backing of their home crowd.
Guaycochea underlined the confidence of playing in front of their supporters, but acknowledged the challenge posed by the Sailors.
“It will be a tough match, they have quality players and they know how to play in this competition. But we’re Persib, we’re a big team, and at home we need to deliver a good performance and go for three points,” said the 33-year-old, who is the cousin of current Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister.
“I’m very excited to play. I came here to compete in the ACL Two, and tomorrow we need to be fully focused. We’ll take it game by game, but we know we have to put in a top performance.”
Sailors fuelled by last season’s run
For the Sailors, their motivation is straightforward — to build on their maiden ACL Two campaign, which ended in a proud but painful final defeat.
Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković is determined to right the wrongs against Persib, but knows the Indonesians will be no easy opponents.
“We’re aware of Persib’s strengths — they’ve brought in many new players, so this is a totally different team from last season,” said the Serb. “It’s also a different game in a different stadium, and tomorrow we’ll see how it goes. They do have the advantage of playing at home and a strengthened squad, but nevertheless, we believe we can get a result here.
“We always look forward to matches like this in the ACL Two. They bring out the best in my players, and the best in my staff.”
The Sailors head into the clash buoyed by the return to fitness of key men Hariss Harun and Bailey Wright, and a strong start to their Singapore Premier League (SPL) title defence, which was capped off by a 5-0 thrashing of Balestier Khalsa last weekend.
With memories of last season’s journey still vivid, Hariss insists the squad is hungrier than ever to create more milestones for Singapore football.
“We’re really excited to start our ACL Two campaign,” said the Singapore captain. “It’s normal that people look at us as favourites (in certain matchups) because of what we achieved last season. We had a good run, but that’s behind us now.
“Last year was a good example of what happens when we come together, keep our heads down, and work hard, and we saw the results. Tomorrow will be another big challenge, but we’re ready and fully focused to get a good result here.”
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team have bolstered their goalkeeping department with the signing of Singapore international Hazel Lim.
The 23-year-old joins the Sailors after the experienced Beatrice Tan suffered a season-ending posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury during the club’s recent Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) campaign.
A commanding presence between the posts, Hazel brings valuable international experience from her time in Australia. She turned out for Melbourne-based Southern United in the Victorian Premier League Women’s (VPLW) in 2024, before moving to State League 1 side Croydon City Soccer Club this year.
On the international front, she has earned three caps with Singapore, featuring against Timor-Leste, Laos, and Indonesia at the 2024 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Cup.
“With Beatrice out for the season, we needed cover, so it was a no-brainer to bring Hazel in,” explained Sailors Women Head Coach Daniel Ong. “Her presence and overseas experience will give us the stability and composure we need in goal for the final stretch of the season.”
Already familiar with several Sailors teammates from her time with the Lionesses, Hazel did not hesitate when the opportunity to join them arose.
“With my season in Australia finished, I thought it’d be great to return to the local league and play with my friends again after being away for two years,” said Hazel, who previously turned out for Balestier Khalsa and BG Tampines in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2022 and 2023.
“Joining the Sailors felt like a fantastic opportunity to keep improving myself, especially given the club’s consistent success and their involvement in the AWCL. I’m excited to reunite with teammates I know well, while also building new partnerships with the rest of the squad.”
Hazel hopes to draw on her experience from Down Under to play a key role as the Sailors gear up for the business end of the WPL season, starting with a crucial clash against Still Aerion on 17 September.
“Having played two seasons in Australia, I’ve learned a lot about handling high-tempo matches and the importance of communication and composure in tight situations,” she shared. “I want to bring stability at the back and use my overseas experience to help the team in key moments.
“Off the pitch, I aim to be a positive influence by supporting the girls, keeping the energy up, and fostering good connections. Hopefully, I can help the team achieve our objectives.”
