Category: News
Lion City Sailors have parted ways with Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković with immediate effect.
The Club would like to place on record our sincere appreciation to Ranko for leading us in a highly successful chapter of our history, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours.
Under Ranko’s stewardship in over 100 matches, the Sailors lifted five major trophies, including one Community Shield, three consecutive Singapore Cups, and the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League (SPL) title – a season in which he was also named the SPL Coach of the Year.
On the continental stage, Ranko also played a pivotal role in elevating the club’s standing, guiding the Sailors to a historic breakthrough in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two last season as the first Singaporean club to reach the final of a major Asian club competition.
Assistant Coach Varo Moreno will take interim charge of the Sailors’ first team, starting with this Sunday’s (8 February) SPL fixture against Young Lions.
The search for a new Head Coach has begun, and the Club will make an announcement in due course.
There is a renewed edge about the Lion City Sailors Women this season.
Having seen their three-year Women’s Premier League (WPL) reign come to an end last year, the Sailors have regrouped, refocused, and set their sights firmly on reclaiming their place at the top.
Early signs of that intent came last weekend, as the Sailors ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Still Aerion – a team they failed to beat in the previous campaign.
In a tightly contested affair which saw the Sailors remain compact and disciplined throughout, the winning goal came courtesy of an own goal by Angelyn Pang, who deflected Syazwani Ruzi’s cross into the back of her own net in the 80th minute.
For Sailors forward Farah Nurzahirah, now in her first full season at the club after joining in August last year, the result underlined the team’s resilience early in the campaign.
“As a team, we know Aerion are a very tough opponent, but we never gave up until the final whistle,” said the 22-year-old. “We kept pushing and fighting for the three points, and that was really important for us.”
That gritty win followed an emphatic 16-0 demolition of Balestier Khalsa in the season opener, as Daniel Ong’s side laid down an early marker in the title race.
It was the Sailors’ second-biggest winning margin in club history, with Farah netting a hat-trick to open her account for the season.
“For me, it’s really the team environment that pushes me to work even harder in games and training,” she explained. “Everyone is very competitive, but at the same time very encouraging, and that helps me stay positive every day.”
After scoring 17 goals and conceding none in their opening two matches, the Sailors currently sit second in the WPL standings, level on points with defending champions Albirex Jurong, but behind on goal difference at this early stage.
Having finished third last season, the Sailors are eager not only to wrest back the league title, but also to return to the continental stage at the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) in 2027.
“We are all very eager and committed to winning back the title this year,” said Farah. “Everyone has been putting in extra effort and working really hard in training to be better this season.”
One of those who played a pivotal role in the Sailors’ historic AWCL run last year was Japanese midfielder Ami Takeuchi, who scored four goals in the preliminary stage to help the club secure their first-ever group stage berth.
Ami, along with compatriot Eri Kitagawa (pictured below), has since returned to add further quality and experience to the Sailors in the WPL this season.
“Both of them are elite players,” said Farah. “It’s easy to link up with them because they know their own abilities and react very quickly. I’m still learning their playing styles, but it’s becoming easier for me to coordinate with them on the pitch.”
At the other end of the spectrum, the club continues to place strong emphasis on youth development, with promising teenagers progressing from the Sailors’ B team under the guidance of Women’s National League Coach of the Year Izz Haziq.
Remi Ogawa, who was named 2025 WNL Young Player of the Year, along with fellow youngster Ami Kawase (pictured below), have recently been integrated into the first-team setup and are already making their presence felt.
“They are both very talented and bring a really positive vibe to the team,” said Farah, who herself was named the WPL Young Player of the Year two seasons ago with Geylang International. “They are hardworking, eager to learn, and very easy to play with, both on and off the pitch.”
That squad depth could prove crucial with the 2026 WPL season running until June, in what promises to be another fiercely contested campaign.
Next up, the Sailors face Tanjong Pagar United on Saturday (7 February). The Jaguars are still searching for their first points of the season after back-to-back defeats, although Nur Syakirah Jumain did score their first goal of the campaign against Geylang.
Under the stewardship of Samawira Basri, Tanjong Pagar remain the only side to field an all-domestic squad this season, but they will have their work cut out against a Sailors side keen to extend their strong run of form.
“Our objective is always to win, but we also want to play well,” said Farah, who previously scored a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Tanjong Pagar last September. “We’ll take it one step at a time, stick to the coach’s plans, and focus on our own performance.”
With 43 WPL goals across the last three seasons, Farah will be hoping this is finally the year she lifts the league trophy for the first time.
“With so many quality players in the squad, nothing is guaranteed,” she admitted. “I have to show the coach that I can fit into his plans and play the way he wants. That means being consistent, working hard, and always being ready to put in extra work for the team.”
The Lion City Sailors concluded their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat to PKR Svay Rieng at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (5 February).
In a contest where fine margins proved decisive, the Sailors created a number of promising openings, but were ultimately undone by a second-half brace from Patrick Robson, as the Cambodian champions secured a memorable win in Singapore.
Speaking after the match, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković felt his side were unfortunate not to take at least a point from the game, while praising the effort shown by his players throughout.
“It was a game that could have gone either way,” said Ranko. “We didn’t convert our chances, and they scored from their opportunities. We knew from the start that this tournament would be a tough challenge, but the players gave everything against a good side.”
Svay Rieng made a bright start, with Ivan Sušak called into action early to keep out Kwame Poku’s header in the sixth minute. The Sailors responded swiftly, as Shawal Anuar forced a sharp save from Dara Vireak with a powerful close-range effort four minutes later.
With the match settling into an even rhythm, Anderson Lopes went closest in the 32nd minute, twisting smartly inside the box before forcing a fine save. The forward remained a constant threat, and just before the interval saw another fierce effort from a tight angle pushed away at the near post by Dara Vireak.
The Sailors carried that positive momentum into the second half, and barely a minute after the restart, Anderson teed up Lennart Thy, who dragged his effort wide, before the Brazilian failed to capitalise on Diogo Costa’s inviting cross moments later.
Those missed chances proved costly for the Sailors, as Svay Rieng broke the deadlock in the 51st minute against the run of play. A cross from the right to the back post found an unmarked Robson, who made no mistake from close range.
Thirteen minutes later, Robson struck again, driving past two defenders down the left before firing a fierce shot that took a deflection on its way into the net.
To the Sailors’ credit, they refused to let their heads drop after the setback and continued to push for a way back into the game.
And that attacking intent produced a couple of promising openings, with Lionel Tan’s header from a corner drifting just over in the 75th minute, before Hami Syahin’s long-range effort four minutes later narrowly cleared the crossbar. Despite the late pressure, however, the hosts were ultimately unable to find a breakthrough.
The result meant the Sailors finished their second Shopee Cup campaign with four points, an identical record to last season’s tally.
Vice-captain Bailey Wright was candid in his assessment of the defeat after the final whistle. “The entire team worked hard against a good side, but we simply weren’t at our best,” he said.
“Conceding two goals was disappointing, and we apologise for the result and performance. The standards we’ve set in previous seasons are high, so now it’s about regrouping and giving our best in the remaining games.”
The Sailors will have little time to dwell on the setback, as they return to Singapore Premier League action on Sunday (8 February) against the Young Lions, before hosting Tanjong Pagar United the following week, with both fixtures set to take place at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
“We still have our league campaign to focus on,” added Bailey. “We’ll pick ourselves back up and channel all our attention into that.”
The Lion City Sailors will wrap up their second ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup campaign on Thursday (5 February) night, as they host Cambodian champions PKR Svay Rieng in their final Group B clash at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
A tricky Svay Rieng outfit
Svay Rieng have given a strong account of themselves in the competition so far. A 3-0 victory over Myanmar champions Shan United and a 2-2 draw with Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have been the highlights of a group campaign that also saw them beaten 2-1 by Vietnamese side Nam Định FC.
The four-time Cambodian Premier League (CPL) champions currently sit third in Group B, six points behind JDT, who have played a game more. While qualification for the semi-finals remains a tall order, Svay Rieng are still mathematically in the hunt.
To keep those hopes alive, they will need to overcome the Sailors and hope results elsewhere fall their way on Thursday, before also picking up three points in their rescheduled Matchday Four fixture against Bangkok United.
“It’s difficult and not completely in our hands, but qualification is still possible, so we’re going to give everything to try to progress to the next round,” said Svay Rieng head coach Matthew McConkey at the pre-match press conference.
“The key for us is to build on last season, and I think we’ve been very competitive in every game in this competition so far. These matches have been decided by moments. We could have done better in taking our chances and not conceding at key times, and that’s what we hope to improve on tomorrow.
“The Sailors have a lot of quality, especially with foreigners who have played in big leagues before. They are well structured defensively and very good in transition. They’re also a big, physical side, so we can’t afford to concede too many set-pieces. We need to be aggressive and find ways to create space.”
The 32-year-old Northern Irishman has done a sterling job so far since taking the helm in June 2025, recording 18 wins, two draws, and just four defeats in 24 matches across all competitions.
Under his stewardship, Svay Rieng have also reached the knockout stages of another international competition, and will face domestic rivals Phnom Penh Crown in the quarter-finals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge League in March.
On the domestic front, McConkey’s side are locked in a tight title race, and they currently hold a two-point lead over Phnom Penh at the top of the CPL table.
Svay Rieng boast a number of established Cambodian internationals in their ranks, including Japan-born midfielder Yudai Ogawa, who acquired Cambodian citizenship in 2023. They also possess significant attacking threat, with former Ghana Under-23 starlet Peprah Kwame and Brazilian duo Patrick Robson and Cristian Roque all finding the net in the Shopee Cup.
The duo have been central to Svay Rieng’s domestic success too, combining for 33 out of the club’s 56 league goals so far this season, with Kwame leading the CPL scoring charts on 18.
“We’ve done well so far in the Shopee Cup and almost beat JDT. For this game, our focus is on maintaining better concentration so that we can get a win and keep our hopes of reaching the next round alive,” said captain Soeuy Visal, who has more than 80 Cambodian caps to his name.
Sailors looking to finish on a high
Nonetheless, with home advantage on their side, the Sailors are determined to end their continental campaign on a positive note and give the home crowd something to cheer about.
Victory would put them in a strong position to finish third in Group B with seven points, which will represent an improvement on last season’s inaugural tournament, where they placed fifth with four points.
“It’s important for us to win this final group game and finish the campaign on a positive note,” said Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković. “This campaign hasn’t been easy for us for various reasons, but we want to put on a good showing for the supporters who turn up tomorrow.
“My focus is on selecting the best team possible and ensuring we give the best representation of our club.”
While the Sailors can no longer qualify for the next stage, the competition has provided valuable international exposure for the squad, which they are keen to build on in future seasons.
“The Shopee Cup is important for young Singaporean players like me to prove ourselves on this stage,” said defender Akram Azman, who has started the club’s last four matches, including last week’s loss to Nam Định. “It’s never easy to step up from the domestic league to the continental stage, where matches are more competitive and physical.
“But the local players relish this opportunity, and for us, the most important thing is to represent Singapore football well tomorrow night and get a positive result.”
The Lion City Sailors delivered the perfect response to a midweek setback in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup with a dominant 5-1 victory over Balestier Khalsa in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday (1 February) night.
A blistering first-half display saw the Sailors race into a commanding position, with goals from Anderson Lopes (two), Diogo Costa and Shawal Anuar overwhelming the Tigers, before Bailey Wright’s second-half header capped a thoroughly comfortable evening.
The result saw the reigning champions chalk up eight consecutive league victories in a single season for the first time as they restored their seven-point cushion at the summit of the table.
Coming just days after a bruising 3-0 defeat away to Nam Định FC in the Shopee Cup, Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković was pleased with the manner in which his side responded.
“The match was fairly straightforward and the result reflected that,” said Ranko. “It’s not easy coming back from a difficult away trip, but we played a good match and didn’t give up many chances besides the goal we conceded.”
Determined to make amends from midweek’s loss, the Sailors set the tempo from the opening whistle, as Lennart Thy tested Balestier goalkeeper Mario Mustapić with a fierce volley inside two minutes, before threatening again in the 13th minute with two headers in quick succession.
The Sailors’ pressure finally told in the 21st minute when Elijah Lim’s attempted backpass fell short, allowing Anderson to pounce and open the scoring.
Balestier briefly found a lifeline three minutes later when Lionel Tan inadvertently diverted a dangerous cross into his own net, but the Sailors’ response was swift and clinical.
Diogo surged into the box after a neat exchange with Tsiy Ndenge and rifled home his second goal of the season to restore the lead in the 26th minute.
The floodgates soon opened. Kyoga Nakamura threaded a defence-splitting pass to Akram Azman in the 31st minute, and the full-back’s pinpoint delivery was met by Anderson, who nodded home to complete his brace and make it 3-1.
Five minutes later, Kyoga was at it again, floating an inch-perfect cross for Shawal to head in his third league goal in as many matches.
With the outcome all but settled, mid-season arrival Lucas Agueiro was introduced after the break for his Sailors debut. The 21-year-old went close with his first involvement before making an impact in the 65th minute, as he whipped in a teasing free kick that Bailey powered home with a trademark header.
“I was very happy to be able to play in this game,” said Lucas, who represented Young Lions in the earlier part of the season. “I’m going to put in the work and do my best for the club. This is only the beginning.”
Ranko rang the changes late on, introducing Hafiz Nor, Hariss Harun and Nur Adam Abdullah, as the Sailors comfortably saw out the match to maintain their perfect domestic record.
With his brace, Anderson moved to 12 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions, and the Brazilian made no secret of his hunger to deliver more.
“We were very frustrated by our exit from the Shopee Cup, so it was important to get the win today,” said the Man of the Match. “I’m feeling good with the support from the club, and I’ll continue to give my best every time I’m on the pitch.”
The Sailors will look to further strengthen their grip on top spot when they host Young Lions this coming Sunday (8 February), before welcoming Tanjong Pagar United a week later, with both fixtures set to be played at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
“It’s important we keep everyone fit and healthy,” added Ranko. “Every player is like gold to us. We want to secure the title as soon as possible, and we’ll need everyone ready.”
It was a contest defined by relentless, end-to-end pressure, but when the final whistle blew, it was the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team who stood tall against Women’s Premier League (WPL) title contenders Still Aerion.
Making just one change from last weekend’s winning starting line-up, the Sailors edged past Aerion with a hard-fought 1-0 victory on Saturday night at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium to deliver a timely birthday gift for Head Coach Daniel Ong.
Having failed to register a win against Aerion across both encounters last season, this victory is a confidence booster for a Sailors side that spent large spells absorbing pressure against a dangerous Unicorns outfit – with the likes of Thai internationals Sunisa Srangthaisong and Pikul Khueanpet, former Stallion Laguna defender Mikayla Simons and former Sailors forward Nicole Lim all in their ranks.
The first half unfolded at a breathless pace, with the Sailors’ best opening falling to 14-year-old Ami Kawase, who connected with a pass from Ami Takeuchi before seeing her effort safely gathered.
At the other end, goalkeeper Izairida Shakira was called into action repeatedly, and produced a superb one-on-one save before both goalkeepers made crucial interventions late in the half to keep the score level at the break.
“It felt great to contribute to the team with some saves today,” said Shakira, who was kept busy for much of the contest.
“At the end of the day, it’s about getting the result, especially after not beating them last season and for me personally, coming back from injury. Today felt like a good comeback for us.”
The Sailors reshuffled after the break with 2025 Women’s National League (WNL) Young Player of the Year Remi Ogawa making her top-flight debut in central defence and the teenager was key in stifling Aerion, who made a number of decent inroads into their attacking third.
Forced into long periods without the ball and players often tightly marked, frustration admittedly crept in for the Sailors and substitute Izzati Rosni admitted it disrupted the team’s rhythm on the night.
“We rushed when the nerves got to us,” explained Izzati, who came on for Kawase in the 68th minute. “Knowing Aerion have strong players made us follow their tempo, when in reality we have the potential to dominate. We had a few good chances but couldn’t convert.”
Shakira added, “We felt the nerves, especially at the back, but I think we helped each other by communicating well. We know our strengths, so we shouldn’t be playing to the style of our opponents. That composure is something we can improve on.”
Nonetheless, as the match entered its final quarter, the Sailors began to apply sustained pressure, and their persistence finally told with 10 minutes remaining. Captain Syazwani Ruzi whipped in a dangerous cross, and under pressure from Izzati, Angelyn Pang inadvertently diverted the ball into her own net past Hazel Lim to break the deadlock.
“From the start, our objective was to get the win,” said Izzati. “As forwards, our job is to attack the ball. I was in the right place with the right intention and hunger. I didn’t expect it to go in, but we’ll take it.”
“It was a late goal, but it really lifted our spirits. The girls were tired and under pressure, but that moment gave us a big boost.”
While the victory may not have been the most fluent, it was one built on collective resilience.
“From Shakira in goal, to the defenders, all the way to the attackers, we fought for every ball,” reflected Izzati. “The team showed real ‘never give up’ spirit and battled until the end.”
The Sailors will now turn their focus to their next league assignment against Tanjong Pagar United on Saturday (7 February), once again at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
Barely two days after defeat to a strong Nam Định FC side in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, the Lion City Sailors are already turning their attention back to domestic matters as they look to respond in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).
The defeat in Vietnam brought the Sailors’ hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the Shopee Cup to an end, leaving the SPL as their primary focus for the remainder of the season.
Facing the reigning V.League 1 champions, the Sailors knew they were in for a stern test, particularly with several key players unavailable, including Song Uiyoung, Hami Syahin, Kyoga Nakamura and Bart Ramselaar. Defender Toni Datković later admitted that, despite the best efforts of those on the pitch, they were beaten by a side that deserved the result.
“It was a tough day for us, and conceding those two goals in the second half made things difficult,” he said. “We kept fighting until the end, but they are a good team and won fair and square.
“We had many players missing, so we couldn’t make as many changes as the game went on. But that’s football. We need to close this chapter and come back stronger from it. What matters now is how we respond.
“It’s important that we use this disappointment as fuel and motivation to push forward. Our full focus is on the league now, and we will give everything to defend our title.”
Indeed, the Sailors’ response will be tested quickly, as they return to SPL action with a home clash against Balestier Khalsa on Sunday (1 February).
While Balestier have slipped to sixth in the table after back-to-back defeats, the Sailors will approach the fixture with full focus on making amends and extending their strong recent record against the Tigers, having won 11 of their last 12 meetings in all competitions.
“This game is very important for us,” said Toni. “We will do our best to rest and recover. We’ve played them a few times this season and won three times, and our objective is to do the same again.”
The Croatian defender also shares close ties with several Balkan players in the Balestier squad, including Tin Matić, Mario Šubarić and Mario Mustapić, with the group having spent time together off the pitch.
Those friendships, however, will be firmly set aside come Sunday.
“We still have a lot to look forward to,” Toni stressed. “Our full focus is on the league, and we want to secure the title as soon as possible.”
After opening their 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign with an emphatic victory over Balestier Khalsa, the Lion City Sailors Women will return to the Choa Chu Kang Stadium this Saturday (31 January) for a far sterner test against Still Aerion.
The Sailors’ 16-goal haul last weekend lifted them to the top of the WPL standings after the conclusion of the opening round of fixtures, level on points with Albirex Jurong in second, while Aerion – who beat Geylang International 3-1 in their season opener – are in third.
Despite their morale-boosting win over Balestier, the Sailors know they can ill afford to take their foot off the pedal, having failed to beat Aerion last season in two meetings.
This year’s Aerion side has also been strengthened by the arrival of Pikul Khueanpet, who joins fellow Thai international Sunisa Srangthaisong in the team, and both veterans bring valuable experience from the national setup. The squad is further bolstered by the arrival of Mikayla Simons from Philippines side Stallion Laguna, along with former Sailor Nicole Lim.
With a formidable Aerion side lying in wait, Sailors defender Irsalina Irwan stressed that the team wasted no time in mentally resetting after last weekend’s goal fest. Indeed, their focus has since shifted towards maintaining discipline and game management, which are qualities that she believes will be essential against a more defensively demanding opponent.
“The 16-0 win was a great result for us, but we’ve already shifted our focus to the next game,” said the 19-year-old, who made her WPL bow for the Sailors the last time out. “Against Aerion, it’s about staying focused, disciplined, and ready for a tighter and more defensive battle.
“Aerion are clinical with their long balls. They look to put pressure on the back line quickly, so you always have to be ready and on your toes.”
As a result, organisation and communication at the back have been major talking points in the Sailors’ preparation. Maintaining compactness, dealing with second balls, and ensuring the defensive unit moves as one will be crucial in limiting Aerion’s attacking threat.
That emphasis was echoed by fellow defender Siti Nurerwadah Erwan, who outlined her own focus heading into the contest.
“For me personally, I need to make sure I’m aggressive in the first duels. I have to ensure the Aerion forwards don’t get comfortable receiving the ball between the lines and turning to face our goal,” explained 21-year-old Wadah.
“Aerion are fluid in possession and will try to break our defensive shape. Communication is key in every game. Trusting my teammates, especially my fellow defenders, will help us stay connected and manage the game well.”
Irsalina shared that view, highlighting the importance of communication in keeping the back line compact and organised, particularly when dealing with long balls and second phases.
Crucially, the Sailors believe the hard lessons learned from last season’s tighter contests have prepared them well for moments like these.
“We have to switch on from the very first minute. If we stay composed, communicate, and follow the game plan, those experiences from last season can really help us handle Aerion’s attacking threat,” added Wadah.
For Irsalina, the defensive objective is clear. A solid showing at the back would not only neutralise Aerion’s strengths, but also set the tone for the Sailors’ season moving forward.
“A clean sheet would mean a lot to us because it reflects our discipline in defending. Getting the win will be a big confidence boost and help us build momentum going forward.”
The Lion City Sailors’ slim hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup were extinguished after they fell to a 3-0 defeat against reigning V.League 1 champions Nam Định FC in their penultimate Group B clash at the Thiên Trường Stadium on Thursday (29 January).
While the Sailors put in a committed performance on the road, they ultimately found themselves outgunned by a Nam Định side who maintained their perfect record in the competition to confirm their place in the knockout stage.
The Sailors, however, had to contend with several absentees on the night. New signings Kyoga Nakamura and Luka Adžić were unavailable as they have already represented Bangkok United earlier in the same stage of the competition, while Bart Ramselaar and Rui Pires were not included in the matchday squad due to the competition’s limit on the number of foreign players permitted.
Song Uiyoung also missed the trip through injury, and Hami Syahin was absent on paternal leave following the birth of his second child.
“It was a very disappointing match,” said Ranko after the final whistle. “We missed plenty of key players and it is not easy to play against a team of Nam Định’s quality with so many players out. The 3-0 scoreline might have been a bit flattering, but they deserved to win.”
In contrast, Nam Định head coach Mauro Jerónimo was able to name a full-strength line-up that included tournament top scorer Nguyễn Xuân Son. And after a cautious opening from both sides, it was the forward who registered the game’s first notable effort in the 28th minute, though his overhead kick drifted wide.
The Sailors responded soon after, with Shawal Anuar cutting inside to test goalkeeper Trần Nguyên Mạnh. But it was the hosts who eventually opened the scoring in the 35th minute, when Caio César curled a fine effort past Ivan Sušak to send Nam Định into the break with a 1-0 lead.
“We were too slow on the ball in the first half,” Ranko reflected. “That was our biggest problem. We gave away some goals, but I am still proud of my team’s effort.”
Looking to wrest control in midfield after the restart, club captain Hariss Harun, making his first Shopee Cup appearance of the season, combined with Tsiy Ndenge as the Sailors pushed higher up the pitch.
However, an attempt to build-up from the back proved costly in the 61st minute, as Bailey Wright’s pass was intercepted by Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, allowing Xuân Son to twist and turn before doubling Nam Định’s advantage.
Three minutes later, Percy Tau threatened to extend the lead with a solo effort, but Ivan produced a fine save to keep the Sailors in the contest. And though the Sailors entered the final quarter two goals down, their bench offered limited attacking options.
“We have had a small squad all season,” Ranko explained. “We have around 20 first-team players and today we only had three outfield players on the bench. To make it tougher, all three were defenders, so preparing for this game was always going to be difficult.”
Nonetheless, Ranko did ring the changes, with Christopher van Huizen, Hafiz Nor and Nur Adam Abdullah introduced late on in an attempt to change the game’s momentum, but clear chances remained scarce.
Indeed, Tsiy’s low effort on target in the 90th minute proved to be the Sailors’ closest attempt in the second half. Moments later, substitute Lâm Ti Phông’s pass released Xuân Son, who calmly finished to claim his seventh Shopee Cup goal of the campaign and seal the result in front of 3,918 spectators.
Xuân Son was duly named Man of the Match, as Nam Định maintained their perfect record in the competition to secure qualification for the knockout stage.
“Nam Định are a physically strong and well-organised team with a very good squad,” added Ranko. “This was one of the toughest matches we have faced in terms of quality.”
The Sailors will now turn their focus back to domestic matters as they resume their Singapore Premier League title defence, beginning with a home clash against Balestier Khalsa this Sunday (1 February).
After securing an all-important first win of their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup campaign against Shan United in mid-December, the Lion City Sailors resume their journey in the competition with a crucial Matchday Four encounter away to Vietnamese champions Nam Định FC at the Thiên Trường Stadium on Thursday (29 January) night.
Up against quality opposition
Nam Định have set the early pace in Group B and deservedly so, having won all three of their matches so far. Their most eye-catching result came in the previous round, when they claimed a stunning 4-1 away victory over Bangkok United to move to the brink of qualification for the semi-finals.
The home side boast an array of attacking options, including South African international Percy Tau, who made three appearances in the English Premier League during the 2020/21 season with Brighton & Hove Albion, and Brazilian forward Brenner, who has already netted five goals in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two this term. That tally includes a hat-trick in a 9-0 victory over Hong Kong side Eastern SC on 11 December.
Photo: ASEAN United FC
The standout threat, however, is Brazil-born forward Nguyễn Xuân Son (pictured above), formerly known as Rafaelson.
The 28-year-old marked his return from an 11-month layoff following a broken leg in emphatic fashion, as he scored all three goals in a 3-0 win over Shan United, before adding a brace against Bangkok United. Those strikes have propelled him to the top of the Shopee Cup scoring charts after just two appearances.
And despite not having played a competitive fixture since their clash with Eastern some 48 days ago, Nam Định have kept match-sharp with a series of domestic friendlies since the turn of the year, including a 2-2 draw with Công An Hà Nội FC last Friday (23 January).
Victory over the Sailors would confirm a top-two finish for the V.League 1 side, and it is a target that is clearly on the minds of head coach Mauro Jerónimo and his squad.
“Of course, I believe our team can win this match because we work every day towards one objective: to win,” said the former Benfica youth coach, who was appointed last November.
“The Lion City Sailors are a very good team. They dominate their domestic league and have also performed well in international competitions, reaching the final of the ACL Two last season.
“They are strong in transition and have quality players going forward. They have also been under the same coach for the past three years, which makes them a very stable team. For us, it is important to start the game with the right tempo and intensity, but I am confident of our chances.”
Sailors ready to rise to the challenge
The task ahead is undoubtedly a demanding one, but the Sailors head into the contest determined to rise to the occasion, even with chilly conditions expected in Nam Định, where temperatures are forecast to range between 24°C and 15°C.
Currently fourth in Group B and three points adrift of second-placed Johor Darul Ta’zim, the reigning Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions know that a victory would blow the group wide open. It would also set up a tantalising final Matchday Five showdown at home against Cambodian side PKR Svay Rieng next Thursday (5 February).
The Sailors, however, have a slightly thinner squad to call upon for this one, with a number of players unavailable – including new signings Luka Adžić and Kyoga Nakamura who are ineligible for the Group Stage as they have already featured for Bangkok United earlier in the competition.
“The preparation for this game has been a little different from our usual matches. We’ve had some difficulties putting out our strongest squad due to the unavailability of a few players, and that is one of the biggest challenges we have faced this season,” said Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković, who is set to take charge of his 100th match at the helm of the club.
“Nam Định are a very strong side, with quality in both their foreign and local players, but our focus will be on ourselves and what we can do. What is important for us tomorrow is to show resilience, character and the patience to manage the game in a smart way in order to get a result.”
That defiance is echoed by forward Shawal Anuar, who will be aiming to add to his tally of seven goals in all competitions this season.
“It will be a tough challenge for us tomorrow, but we know the coaches will prepare us in the best way possible,” said the 34-year-old, who netted a stunning strike away to JDT last August.
“We just need to trust the game plan, give everything we have and work together as a team. If we can do that, I believe we have the quality to trouble our opponents. Ultimately, we want to represent Singapore football well on this stage and give our travelling fans something to cheer about.”
