Category: News
At just 21, midfielder Lucas Agueiro has already taken an unconventional path in football.
From the streets of Brazil to the cold of Moscow, he now finds himself in the heat and humidity of Singapore with the Lion City Sailors.
Just three months into his stint with the club, Lucas has already settled in well as he prepares for the final stretch of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title race.
“When the opportunity to come here arose, it immediately piqued my interest. The league is growing and attracting quality foreign players, and I wanted to test myself,” he said.
“I’m happy to be playing for one of the best clubs in the country and competing for the title. The environment here is very good, and being around these players and staff will only help me develop further.”
Lucas’ formative years were spent in Brazil, where he featured in the youth setups of top-flight clubs Flamengo and Grêmio, before a stint with Hercílio Luz’s Under-20 side.
In February 2025, he made a bold move to Russia, joining Broke Boys Moscow in the Media Football League (MFL), a competition that features teams made up of celebrities and prominent personalities.
But beyond the spotlight, Lucas saw it as a chance to grow both as a footballer and as a person.
“I moved there for the exposure and the experience of playing in Europe. Some of the clubs had strong backing and good players, so the level was competitive. It was very cold, but I adapted well and managed to stand out,” he said.
One of his standout memories was playing in the MFL grand final against FC Amkal Moscow at Luzhniki Stadium, the venue for the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, in front of more than 30,000 fans in July 2025.
Being more than 11,800km away from his hometown of São Paulo strengthened his resilience, something he had already built from a young age.
“I’ve lived away from my parents since I was 13, so I was calm about moving abroad. I’m used to being independent, and I wanted to pursue my dream of playing outside Brazil,” he explained.
That mindset carried into his next move to Singapore, where he joined the Young Lions in July 2025.
Named one of the team’s captains, Lucas played a key role in guiding a youthful side. He also scored a memorable long-range goal against the Sailors in October 2025, before making the switch to the reigning champions in January 2026.
Training alongside top-quality players has accelerated his development. He has also formed close bonds within the squad, naming Anderson Lopes, Diogo Costa, and Rui Pires among the players he looks up to.
While competition for places is intense, Lucas has made an impact off the bench with his energy and tenacity. In his most recent outing against the Young Lions, he thought he had scored a late goal, only for it to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up.
“I was disappointed, but that’s part of football. The most important thing was that we got the win, which we deserved,” he said. “Everyone performed consistently, and these three points are very important for us.”
Under Head Coach Jesús Casas, however, Lucas has quickly adapted to a high-intensity, attacking style of play.
“Coach Jesús speaks to me every day. He’s a great leader with a lot of experience. It was easy to adapt to his style, as it’s similar to what I’m used to in Brazilian football,” said the midfielder, who has featured in all six games under the Spaniard.
With the Sailors closing in on back-to-back league titles, Lucas is eager to add another trophy to his collection after lifting the Singapore Cup earlier this year.
Nonetheless, he remains focused on the task at hand, starting with Sunday’s (26 April) clash against Geylang International.
“We are all motivated to win the league, and we’re working hard every day to improve. Our focus is to get the three points on Sunday and move closer to the title,” he said.
“Geylang is a good team, but we’re largely focused on ourselves and how we can perform better in each match. They key to victory is hunger — we have to show our mentality and why we deserve to be champions.”
Off the pitch, Lucas has embraced life in Singapore. In his downtime, he enjoys exploring the city and heading to the beach to play footvolley.
“Singapore is beautiful. Everything here runs smoothly, and the food is great. My goal is to win titles and achieve big things here,” he said.
“I want to become a better player to support my family, and it would be an honour to one day represent this country.”
With the second round of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) underway, captain Umairah Hamdan is relishing her return to the team as she looks to guide the Lion City Sailors Women in a defining stretch of the title race.
Having missed a significant portion of the opening round through injury, the defender is now back leading preparations as the Sailors gear up to face Still Aerion on Saturday (25 April) night at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
Umairah made her long-awaited return in the Sailors’ 2-0 defeat to league leaders Albirex Jurong on 13 March. Despite the disappointing result, it marked a personal milestone after months of hard work in her recovery.
“Being injured is never an easy journey. However, knowing that my team was training hard and giving their all for each game gave me the motivation and determination to come back stronger,” she said.
Even while sidelined, Umairah remained a key presence within the squad, as she adapted her leadership role to support co vice-captains Syazwani Ruzi and Dhaniyah Qasimah in maintaining standards.
“While I couldn’t play, I supported the girls when they were in doubt about their roles. I also communicated with Coach Dan (Daniel Ong) to help get the right solutions for them,” she explained.
“I’d check in with Wani and Dhaniyah from time to time. They are very self-sufficient and stepped up well, leading the team and supporting the coaches.”
That period on the sidelines also gave her valuable new perspectives on the game.
“I was able to better understand how players adapt to different situations and support one another. Even though I wasn’t on the pitch, I stayed engaged and contributed by encouraging the team and sharing observations when appropriate,” said the 24-year-old.
Now fully fit, Umairah’s focus is firmly on driving the Sailors forward in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested title race. At the same time, she has taken on the added responsibility of guiding the next generation of players.
With more Sailors Girls Academy graduates stepping into the senior setup, Umairah has embraced a mentorship role to help ease their transition.
“While we’re pushing for the title, giving younger players exposure is important for the future of the team. I’ve been making an effort to include them, help them settle in, and guide them during matches, especially in positioning and decision-making,” she said.
“The goal is for the whole team to perform consistently, beat Albirex to the title, and secure qualification for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League.”
Next up is a tricky test against third-placed Still Aerion, with the Sailors entering the match on the back of an encouraging 15-0 victory over Balestier.
“One of the biggest positives was that we were able to play our style of football, which is something we’ve been working on all season. Our connections on the pitch were better, and you could see the growing chemistry as we understood each other’s strengths and weaknesses more,” she noted.
“To stay grounded, we remind ourselves that there’s always room for improvement. Even in strong performances, there are lessons to take away.”
Their previous meeting with Aerion on 31 January required patience, with the Sailors needing a late goal to secure a narrow 1-0 win, and Umairah knows improvements will be needed.
“One key lesson is to be more clinical in front of goal and make the most of our chances. We also need to be sharper in getting to the ball first and better at maintaining possession so we can control the game,” she said.
“With the work we’ve put in during training and recent matches, we’ve improved our understanding on the ball. Now, we want to show that with a more complete performance.”
The Lion City Sailors Women produced a ruthless attacking display to open the second round of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in style, as they swept aside Balestier Khalsa 15-0 to keep the pressure on at the top of the table.
With goal difference set to play a decisive role in the title race, and the Sailors sitting second, three points behind leaders Albirex Jurong, they wasted no time asserting their intent.
Eri Kitagawa and Ami Takeuchi led the charge with four goals apiece, while Farah Nurzahirah struck a rapid hat-trick. Dhaniyah Qasimah, Syazwani Ruzi, Venetia Lim and Nur Ain Salleh (pictured below) also got on the scoresheet in a commanding team performance.
“Our main goal coming into tonight’s game was to play our style of football and maintain high intensity. If we do that consistently, the goals will come,” said Dhaniyah.
Priscille Le Helloco, handed her first start of the season, echoed that approach. “We wanted to be aggressive in attack and make the most of every opportunity. My role was to deliver quality crosses and keep creating chances, so I focused on doing that throughout the game.
“As a team, we played really good football. Our chemistry and combinations were strong, and we created a lot of chances. There are always things to improve, but overall it was a great performance.”
The Sailors needed just five minutes to break the deadlock, as Dhaniyah’s teasing delivery slipped past the Balestier goalkeeper and into the net, making her the club’s 12th different scorer this season.
“I was surprised to see the ball go in. It was meant to be a cross, but I think I hit it too hard. Still, a goal is a goal, and I guess I was a bit lucky,” she said with a smile.
Ami doubled the lead four minutes later with a sharp turn and finish inside the box, before the floodgates opened.
In the 14th minute, Farah turned provider with a precise ball into the area for Syazwani to tap home her first goal of the season. Eri then made it 4-0 shortly after with a powerful strike, before Farah took centre stage with a thunderous finish and two more quick goals to complete her hat-trick.
The hat-trick meant Farah has now chalked up 12 goals in 2026 and is the first local player to reach double digits for the Sailors Women this season.
Priscille’s dangerous deliveries from the right wing continued to cause problems, and in the 35th minute, her cross led to Eri heading home. Ami then added another with a header of her own to send the Sailors into the break nine goals up.
“It felt great to be named in the starting eleven,” said 19-year-old Priscille. “It was nerve-wracking at first because of the high standards in the team, but I focused on my role and once I settled in, I really enjoyed it.
“It meant a lot to contribute. As an attacking player, you always want to impact the game, but it also comes from the guidance of the coaches and the movement of my teammates.”
The intensity did not drop after the restart. Dhaniyah was again involved in the 50th minute, her cross finding Eri, who controlled well before finishing for her third. She added a fourth from range in the 65th minute, before turning provider for Ami to complete her hat-trick.
Raeka Ee then came on in the 68th minute to mark her return from a foot injury, while Aria Romano and Sofia Rusi (pictured below) — both from the Sailors Women ‘B’ Team — then made their WPL and senior debuts in the 81st minute.
Sofia duly made an immediate impact, delivering a pinpoint cross a minute later for Ain to finish.
“I was really excited and even surprised to be called up and experience this with the senior players,” said the 2012-born midfielder.
“I’m happy to contribute. I’ve been working on my crosses and my left foot, so I’m proud of that.”
With that, Sofia also became the 20th Girls Academy graduate to feature for the Sailors in the WPL — and doing so as the youngest debutant ever at 13 years, 7 months and 17 days old.
There was still time for more late goals, as Venetia struck from range in the 87th minute, before Ami rounded off the scoring in stoppage time with a composed penalty.
The four-goal hauls from Ami and Eri also meant they took their season tallies up to 31 and 17 respectively, reflecting their importance to the team.
With the second round of the WPL now in full swing, the Sailors remain focused on maintaining their style and momentum.
“I’m happy to see that what we worked on in training translated into the game,” said Dhaniyah. “We achieved our aim of playing good football, and the goals came when we combined well instead of rushing forward.
“We can still improve on being more clinical and making the most of our chances, and that’s something we will keep working on,” added Priscille.
The Sailors will be back in action again this Saturday (25 April) at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, where they will face third-placed Still Aerion as they continue their push for the title.
The Lion City Sailors were made to work for all three points on Monday (20 April) night, as they eventually saw off a resilient Young Lions side 2-0 in their Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Goals from Lennart Thy and Anderson Lopes ensured the Sailors extended an impressive unbeaten run that has now yielded 15 wins from 17 league matches. The result also keeps them eight points clear at the summit, albeit having played a game more than second-placed BG Tampines Rovers.
Played in torrential rain, the contest was disrupted early on when the Lightning Warning System (LWS) forced a stoppage after just eight minutes. Action only resumed following a 50-minute delay, with Sailors Head Coach Jesús Casas admitting the unusual circumstances posed an added challenge for his team.
“The match was a bit strange with the heavy rain and interruption at the beginning,” he said.
“The Young Lions also surprised us. Usually, they play short passes, but under these conditions they relied on long balls, and that caused us problems.”
Jesús rang the changes from last weekend’s win over Hougang United, handing starts to Rui Pires, Hami Syahin, Christopher van Huizen and Nur Adam Abdullah.
Meanwhile, Young Lions Head Coach Firdaus Kassim made two changes from his side’s previous outing, with captain Amir Syafiz leading the line and Andrew Aw Yong returning from suspension.
And it was the Young Lions who threatened first, as Henry Spence tested Ivan Sušak in the 17th minute, before the Sailors goalkeeper was called into action again soon after from a well-worked set-piece.
Chris, making his 99th appearance for the club, responded with an effort that drifted off target, before Hami’s incisive pass released Kyoga Nakamura, who was denied by Izwan Mahbud.
At the other end, Bailey Wright produced a crucial sliding challenge in the six-yard box to keep the score level on the half-hour mark. Former Sailor Abdil Qaiyyim then denied Bart Ramselaar’s header on the goalline to ensure both sides went into the break level.
However, the Sailors stepped up the pressure after the restart, with Bailey and Lennart both going close, while the latter clipped the crossbar with a header in the 56th minute.
And the turning point of the game arrived just after the hour mark, when Ajay Robson was sent off for a second bookable offence for bringing down Bart just outside the area.
Reduced to 10 men, the Young Lions reshuffled, while Jesús introduced Anderson, Shawal Anuar, Song Uiyoung and Diogo Costa as the Sailors pushed for the breakthrough.
It finally came in the 73rd minute. Kyoga was at the heart of it, producing a moment of quality before teeing up Lennart, whose effort took a deflection on its way in for his 13th league goal of the campaign.
“I knew we would get more chances from that point on,” said Lennart. “Of course, it helped to have the numerical advantage because it gave us more space.”
Lucas Agueiro then thought he had doubled the lead on 88 minutes, only for his effort to be ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up.
There was no denying the Sailors a second goal in stoppage time, however. Kyoga was again involved, as his deflected shot fell kindly to Anderson, who showed superb control before producing a delicate lob over Izwan from close range to seal the three points.
That was the Brazilian’s 10th SPL goal of the season, while the Sailors kept a 10th clean sheet in 17 games — underlining the team’s solidity at the back throughout this campaign.
“I think we dominated the match and took our chances at a key time,” added Lennart, who was named Player of the Match. “We didn’t score earlier, so we had to be patient, but the win is what matters most.”
The game proved a sterner test than expected in difficult conditions, with the Young Lions, including on-loan Sailors duo Nathan Mao and Henry Spence, producing a spirited display.
“The Young Lions defended very well with many players in the box, so it was not easy to score,” said Jesús. “But this win takes us one step closer to the SPL title.”
The Sailors will now look ahead to back-to-back outings at Our Tampines Hub against Geylang International and BG Tampines Rovers on 26 April and 3 May respectively, as they edge ever closer to the title.
Wins in both games will see them seal a second straight SPL triumph.
It has been a quiet yet remarkable rise for Amelia Tan. At just 14 years, 4 months and 4 days, she is the youngest-ever Lion City Sailors Girls Academy graduate to start for the senior team in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Amelia, who made her senior debut on the opening day of the season, has already announced herself with two goals, displaying a composure on the pitch that belies her age.
As the 19th Girls Academy graduate to break into the senior side, her journey is another strong reflection of a pathway that continues to shape the team. Now, with the Sailors set to face Balestier Khalsa on Tuesday (21 April) at the Bukit Gombak Stadium, the spotlight turns once more to the league leaders’ next test.
“Coming through the academy has played a big part in my growth,” said Amelia.
“It has taught me how to deal with the highs and lows and not get carried away by either. Off the pitch, balancing football and studies hasn’t been easy, so I’ve learned how to manage my time better. Over time, I became more disciplined.”
That grounding is evident in her approach to both training and matches, which is underpinned by habits built over years in the academy system.
“One of my biggest takeaways is to give my best in every training session and match, and to stay consistent while focusing on my own development. Even on days when we are not at our best, we still need to put in the effort,” she said.
“Things do not always go our way, and we should not let small setbacks affect us too much. The academy gave me time to develop my basic skills step by step and understand the game better tactically, which helps me make better decisions on the field.”
That preparation has been tested this season. Balancing minutes between the WPL side and the Sailors Women’s B Team in the Women’s National League (WNL) is no easy task, but Amelia has thrived in both environments.
She has already netted twice in the WPL, while lighting up the WNL as its runaway top scorer with 20 goals in just six matches for the unbeaten B Team.
Yet, beyond the goals, it is her humility and hunger to improve that stand out.
“It was definitely a proud moment for me to make my WPL debut. But this is only the beginning and there is still a lot more for me to improve on,” said Amelia.
“I have to keep working harder to earn more opportunities. Playing in the WPL pushes me out of my comfort zone and helps me reflect on my mistakes instead of dwelling on them.
“Being the current top scorer and getting consistent minutes in the WNL is encouraging and reminds me that hard work will pay off. But I know the WPL demands much more, and there will always be stronger opponents.”
With the Sailors returning from the international break, focus has been firmly on maintaining standards ahead of their clash with Balestier, following a record 20-0 victory over Hougang United in their previous outing two weeks ago.
“Our team has been working on our chemistry and our finishing in front of goal, which is very important at this stage,” shared Amelia, who missed the Cheetahs clash due to her involvement in the JSSL 7s.
“I expect Balestier to put up a strong fight. Since we have already played them before, they will be familiar with our style, so we have to maintain our intensity.”
And if called upon, Amelia is clear about the impact she wants to make.
“I hope to contribute as much as I can, whether it is creating chances, finishing, or helping the team in any way,” she said.
“I want to be more direct and effective, especially in the final third where we need goals.”
Few players embody what it means to wear the Lion City Sailors badge quite like Song Uiyoung.
Closing in on 125 appearances in all competitions, the midfielder remains a joy to watch when in full flow.
However, it has been a disrupted 2025/26 season for the 31-year-old, with just six appearances in the ongoing Singapore Premier League (SPL) campaign due to injury setbacks. Nonetheless, there were encouraging signs last weekend, though, as Song marked his return to the starting line-up in a 4-1 win over Hougang United with an assist.
“I was happy to play the match from the start. The most important thing for me is not about being a starter, but that I can play again after my injury. Finally, I can focus on football and my team again,” said Song.
The Hougang clash was only his second start since the turn of the year, following January’s Singapore Cup final triumph over BG Tampines Rovers, as he continues his gradual return to full fitness.
Behind the scenes, the Sailors’ medical team have played a key role in his recovery.
“I follow all the programmes and instructions of our physios and rehab trainers. It has helped me regain my match fitness and recover from injury,” he shared.
A central figure in the Sailors’ journey, Song has been part of both the club’s SPL title-winning campaigns in 2021 and 2024/25, with brief overseas stints in Thailand and Indonesia in between.
Amongst the current squad, only Hafiz Nor and Hariss Harun have made more appearances than Song, underlining his importance to the team.
“The previous title wins are very good memories, and I want to continue winning as many trophies as possible here. To clinch the SPL title this season, the most important thing is to focus game by game and put in the effort in every match.”
Since the arrival of Head Coach Jesús Casas, the Sailors have adopted a more attack-minded approach, scoring 18 goals in five league matches.
“If I simplify Coach Jesús’ philosophy, it is about attacking football. The most important thing is that the players are enjoying this style of play and adapting well,” said Song.
That approach will be on show again when the Sailors face Young Lions on Monday, 20 April at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The Young Lions head into the fixture on a high after a 1-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United, with Brazilian forward Sérgio Mendonça netting his sixth goal of the season. On-loan Sailors goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud described it as a “win that we wanted for so long”, but Song is clear on his side’s focus.
“Once I step onto the field, I always try to give my best and enjoy the game. Our target is always three points in every SPL match.
“I will give maximum effort and try to play my part in this final stretch of the season. That is the most important thing now.”
With five crucial fixtures remaining, the Sailors remain in control at the top of the table, keeping their title rivals at bay.
For Song, the goal is simple: to rediscover his best form and contribute when it matters most.
“I need to put in good performances in every training session and the remaining matches of the season,” he said.
“I’m really motivated, and these upcoming matches are important for my ASEAN Hyundai Cup and next year’s Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup dreams (with the Singapore national team).”
The Lion City Sailors continued their push towards a second straight Singapore Premier League (SPL) title with a 4-1 comeback victory over sixth-placed Hougang United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday (12 April) night.
Goals from Lennart Thy, Shawal Anuar, Toni Datković and Anderson Lopes helped the Sailors overturn an early deficit, as the champions claimed their 14th win in 16 matches to extend their unbeaten run.
The result keeps the Sailors eight points clear at the top, albeit having played a game more, and marks a fourth consecutive victory under Head Coach Jesús Casas.
Speaking after the match, the Spaniard was pleased with how his side responded after a difficult start.
“I’m very happy today because we overcame a new challenge. Hougang are one of the best teams in the league in terms of tactical transition, so it was hard for us to win,” he said.
“We started by conceding a goal, but the team continued with our style of football and kept pressing. We adjusted a few things at half-time in attack and in defence, and that changed the game for us.”
Since joining the Sailors in February this year, Jesús has not shied away from rotating his squad, and he continued that approach here. Hafiz Nor was handed his first start of the season on the right wing, while Song Uiyoung returned to the starting line-up for the first time after a near three-month injury layoff.
The Sailors, however, made an ominous start as they fell behind inside nine minutes, with Huzaifah Aziz rifling a long-range effort past Ivan Sušak.
That brought an end to their run of three consecutive clean sheets, and while the Sailors tried to respond immediately, Hougang proved difficult to break down in the opening exchanges.
Indeed, the hosts’ first clear chance came only in the 27th minute when Lennart carved out an opening for Tsiy Ndenge, but the midfielder fired inches wide from the edge of the area.
But the Sailors’ persistence paid off five minutes later when Hafiz was brought down by Hougang goalkeeper Ridhuan Barudin after Bart Ramselaar’s teasing cross caused chaos in the box.
Following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, a penalty was awarded, and Lennart stepped up to convert confidently in the 37th minute.
The Sailors then had to stay alert to avoid conceding again, with Akram Azman producing a crucial tackle to deny former Sydney FC forward Jaushua Sotirio a clear run on goal.
Level at the break, the Sailors introduced Shawal in place of Hafiz, and the substitution paid immediate dividends.
Within 40 seconds of coming on, Shawal reacted quickest after his initial effort was saved, swivelling sharply to fire home and give the Sailors a 2-1 lead.
By then, the momentum had firmly swung in the hosts’ favour, with Hougang struggling to cope with the increased tempo.
“We changed some things tactically at half-time. We were more on the front foot, played more aggressively and were more active. That caused problems for the opponents,” said Tsiy, who was named Man of the Match.
Lennart was denied in a one-on-one by Ridhuan in the 58th minute, before seeing his header from Kyoga Nakamura’s corner deflected wide.
From the resulting set-piece, Toni rose highest to head home Kyoga’s delivery and make it 3-1 on the hour mark, scoring in back-to-back home matches.
The Croatian had also netted twice in the Sailors’ previous outing at Jalan Besar, a 4-0 win over Geylang International on 7 March.
With control firmly established, Jesús introduced fresh legs in Anderson Lopes, Hami Syahin and Rui Pires as the Sailors managed the closing stages.
Anderson eventually got on the scoresheet in the final minute of regulation time, tapping in Shawal’s low cross to seal a comprehensive victory.
The result leaves the Sailors three wins away from securing the league title, with the squad determined to maintain their focus to see it through to the end.
Next up are fixtures against Young Lions and Geylang International on 20 and 26 April respectively, before a potential title decider against BG Tampines Rovers on 3 May.
“Since the start of the season, we’ve been a very hungry team, and we want to fight for titles for the club. In the dressing room, we’re all pushing each other because we know how much the league trophy means to this club,” stressed Tsiy.
Echoing that sentiment, Jesús added, “I came here because I believe in the Sailors’ project. This is a team with a winning mentality and I’m very happy to be here to drive the club forward.
“The objective now is simple: to stay focused and win the title at the end of the season.”
What could make a 33-year-old feel like an 11-year-old?
For Christopher van Huizen, the answer is simple: football.
Indeed, his return to the Lion City Sailors starting lineup against Tanjong Pagar United on Monday (6 April) brought that feeling rushing back, as he marked his first Singapore Premier League (SPL) start since last October with an assured display in a commanding 4-0 win.
“Honestly, I was missing football a lot, and trying to get my position back in the team was really difficult because I had to deal with injuries along the way,” said Chris. “It felt good to start in the Singapore Cup against Balestier and against Shan United in the Shopee Cup in December.
“Then I had another ankle injury which kept me away for quite some time. So getting the opportunity to start again, I felt like an 11-year-old boy. It was an amazing feeling.”
Deployed as a left winger rather than his usual full-back role, Chris made an immediate impact, providing the assist for Lennart Thy’s opener before making way just before the hour mark.
“The last time I played as a winger was back in 2021 with Geylang International,” he recalled. “It reminded me of my time there, which was the last time I was regularly starting matches in that position.”
His thoughts also drifted further back to 2019, when he enjoyed a standout campaign, registering a joint-high 10 assists in the SPL while operating out wide.
Those experiences continue to shape his game today, with Chris drawing on his understanding of both winger and wing-back roles to contribute effectively in different systems.
“When I play as a wing-back, I focus more on defending, especially against stronger teams who attack a lot,” he explained. “I pick my moments to go forward.
“As a winger, you still defend, but when attacking, you need the energy to keep making runs and deliver crosses into the box.”
That versatility will be key once more this Sunday (12 April), when the Sailors take on Hougang United at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The Cheetahs head into the clash on the back of a narrow defeat to Geylang International and sit sixth in the table. Notably, they are the only side yet to draw a match this season, underlining their unpredictable nature.
“These kinds of matches can be tricky,” Chris noted. “On their day, Hougang can be a really good team. We just need to stay consistent with our game plan and keep pushing forward.”
Having recently returned from injury, Chris is also clear about where he can improve.
“There’s still a lot of room for improvement. My decision-making could have been better in the last match, and my fitness is not yet at its best,” he said. “I could have linked up more with the forwards, especially with Bart (Ramselaar) playing in the middle, which makes my job easier.”
With 98 appearances for the club, Chris is also closing in on a century in Sailors colours, a milestone he is determined to reach.
“Playing 100 matches for one club is something I’ve always wanted in my career,” he shared. “I never managed to reach it elsewhere, so now that I’m close, I really want to achieve it here with the biggest club in Singapore.”
Under Head Coach Jesús Casas, wide players such as Diogo Costa and Nur Adam Abdullah have continued to thrive, and Chris sees that as a positive sign for the team’s future.
With experience on his side, he is also embracing a mentorship role within the squad.
“Nur Adam is definitely a player for the future. He’s very promising, and all I can do is push him and help him improve,” said Chris.
“I’m at a stage where I may have a few more years left, so I want to share my experience with the younger players and help the team in the long term.”
The Lion City Sailors made it three straight wins under Head Coach Jesús Casas with a composed 4-0 victory over 10-man Tanjong Pagar United at the Jurong East Stadium on Monday (6 April) night.
Goals from Lennart Thy, Bart Ramselaar, Bailey Wright and Diogo Costa ensured the reigning Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions moved eight points clear at the top, while remaining unbeaten with six matches left to go in the 2025/26 season.
And while Jesús was pleased with a professional display, he stressed that higher standards will be needed as the title race intensifies.
“I’m very happy with the win. There were quite a few positive aspects, such as the clean sheet, and how players like Song (Uiyoung) and Chris (van Huizen) were able to feature, and they were at a good level,” said the Spaniard.
“However, we need to keep improving in all areas. I thought our pressing was good today, but we dropped off a bit towards the end. We need to maintain our intensity throughout, because a game can change in an instant if we concede. I hope we can perform even better in the next match.”
With nearly a month since their last league outing, Jesús made one notable change, handing Chris his first start since 18 October, while Diogo retained his place on the right wing after an impressive showing against Balestier Khalsa.
The Sailors controlled proceedings from the outset, with Lennart testing Matt Silva early on, before forcing another save with a sharp volley from Bart’s cross minutes later.
Diogo then came close to opening the scoring in the 24th minute with a curling effort that drifted just wide, as the visitors continued to probe down the flanks.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 33rd minute. Deployed on the left wing, Chris delivered a precise cross for Lennart to guide home his 11th goal of the season.
The Sailors nearly doubled their lead before the break as Shodai Nishikawa produced a goal-line clearance to deny Lennart, while Diogo was unable to convert the rebound.
Jesús introduced Shawal Anuar during the break, and the change paid immediate dividends, as three minutes into the second half, the Singapore international surged to the byline and picked out Bart, who scored his first headed goal for the club.
Another Sailors substitute, Lucas Agueiro, also made his mark in the 65th minute, when his flicked header from a corner fell kindly for Bailey, who powered home a thumping volley for his fifth goal of the campaign.
Tanjong Pagar’s task became even harder in the 77th minute when Faizal Roslan was sent off following a VAR review for a reckless challenge on Diogo.
Despite the healthy lead, the Sailors continued to push forward and were rewarded deep into stoppage time, as Diogo sealed the win with an acrobatic first-time volley off Bart’s searching cross.
While the Sailors’ attack impressed, their defensive unit proved to be just as assured, with the Jaguars failing to register a single shot on target and allowing Ivan Sušak to claim his seventh clean sheet of the season.
And it was centre-back Bailey, who delivered at both ends, who was deservedly named Man of the Match.
“It’s always important to start the first game after a break with a win and a strong performance. We created many chances and could have scored more, but we showed clear signs of the style we want to play and were comfortable throughout the 90 minutes,” he said.
The Sailors return to action this Sunday (12 April) against Hougang United at the Jalan Besar Stadium, before facing Young Lions at the same venue the following Monday (20 April) in a crucial stretch of the run-in.
“Tampines are strong contenders and there are still plenty of games left, but we are focused on ourselves,” Bailey added.
“We’ve been in this position before, so it’s nothing new. Everything is in our hands and we know what we need to do. We just have to take it one game at a time.”
Fresh off an unbeaten Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualifying campaign with Singapore, Lion City Sailors captain Hariss Harun is already turning his focus back to the next task at hand — defending the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title.
While the Lions’ final qualifier against Bangladesh was billed as a celebratory occasion, it still required grit and discipline, as Hariss and his teammates battled to a 1-0 win in front of a partisan 30,105 crowd at the National Stadium.
“It was amazing to see the fans come out in huge numbers to support the team, and to end the campaign unbeaten is a fantastic achievement,” said Hariss.
“Performance-wise, there’s still a lot of work ahead of us. But overall, it’s a positive for Singapore football, and we’ll go forward with our hearts and minds in the right place.”
(Photo: Football Association of Singapore)
That same mindset now carries into club duties, with Hariss one of four Sailors involved in the match. He also reserved special praise for teammate Nur Adam, whose resurgence has been one of the standout stories in recent weeks.
“Having seen Nur Adam grow from a young player, he is much more mature and settled now,” Hariss said. “Ever since he returned from National Service, he has been putting in full effort into every training and match.
“He has earned his place for club and country, and he has the potential to hold on to that spot for many years. I’m glad to see his hard work paying off.”
With international football now behind him for the season, Hariss is fully locked in on the Sailors’ domestic ambitions. The reigning champions remain five points clear at the top of the SPL table, but the skipper is taking nothing for granted.
“We are ahead at the moment, but we cannot take anything for granted. The other teams are chasing us, and we still have to play them.
“To maintain that gap, we need to collect as many points as possible. That means full focus in every game until the end of the season, as defending the title is our top priority.”
Having previously enjoyed sustained success in the Malaysia Super League with Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), Hariss knows what it takes to stay on top. Yet, retaining the SPL crown would mark a new milestone in his career.
“Defending titles is always difficult, and it gets harder with each passing year. Every season brings new challenges,” he said.
“It will be special for me and everyone at the club to defend the title, and it will give us valuable experience to push on in the years to come.”
Leading that charge is Spanish head coach Jesús Casas, who has made a steady start with two wins and a draw from his first three matches in charge.
“Coach Jesús brings a different style of football compared to what we’ve been used to. He has fresh ideas and is working to implement them into the team,” said Hariss.
“We faced some difficulties in the first game against Albirex, but there’s still a lot of adapting to do. With time, we will get there.”
Next up for the Sailors is a clash against bottom side Tanjong Pagar United, who are enduring a difficult campaign. But Hariss is wary of complacency, despite his side’s dominant recent record in the fixture.
“It may seem like a straightforward match on paper, but these are the games that can surprise you,” he cautioned. “Tanjong Pagar are most dangerous when teams take it easy, so we must stay focused.
“We have seven cup finals left, and we’ll give it our all to keep the SPL trophy with the Sailors. Our goal is to entertain the fans and bring the three points home.”
