Category: News
For Ilhan Fandi and the Lion City Sailors, the games in October are coming quickly. And so must the improvement.
After a frustrating start to the season, the Singapore forward is backing the team’s growing chemistry under Head Coach Mark Jackson to translate into results, starting with Sunday’s (11 October) Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash against Young Lions at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The Sailors head into their first home league fixture of the campaign looking to bounce back from Thursday’s 1-0 defeat to Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) FC in their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup opener, which followed draws against Hougang United in the SPL and BG Pathum United in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two.
“It was a tough start to our Shopee Cup campaign, but we have to look ahead to the next game because we have many matches this month,” said Ilhan.
“It was disappointing to concede the decisive goal just before half-time. It came down to a lack of concentration in a match where we had chances but didn’t take them. When you play at this level, missed chances can come back to bite you, and that’s exactly what happened.”
Leo Artur’s goal in first-half stoppage time proved the difference for CAHN, and left the Sailors still searching for their first victory under Jackson, who was appointed on 9 September.
While the players continue adapting to the Englishman’s demands, Ilhan believes there are encouraging signs to build on as they prepare for a busy run of domestic and continental fixtures.
“We are still adapting to how Coach Mark wants us to play. There have been glimpses of good play, and we have to stay positive and build on those,” he said. “Hopefully, we can get back on track with a better performance and a win against the Young Lions on Sunday.”
On paper, the Sailors’ first home SPL fixture of the season presents an opportunity to do just that, with the Young Lions sitting bottom of the table after conceding nine goals in defeats in their opening two league matches.
But there is quality in Firdaus Kassim’s squad, which includes former Sailors Izwan Mahbud, Hafiz Nor and Nathan Mao. However, one player holds a particularly close connection to Ilhan: his brother, Iryan Fandi.
“It will be nice to play against my brother, but my focus will be on helping my team score goals and win the match. At the end of the day, I’m here to do my job for the Lion City Sailors,” said Ilhan, who scored 13 SPL goals for Young Lions earlier in his career.
Sunday’s match begins a crucial stretch for the Sailors, with seven fixtures to navigate before the November international window. Building understanding within the squad will be key, especially as several players spent two weeks away on national team duty.
For Ilhan, who is one of several new arrivals this season, the time together on the training ground is already making a difference.
“Gradually, the chemistry in the team is improving. It’s been a little challenging with a new coach coming in and the national team boys returning after two weeks away,” he said.
“Now that we have more time together, we can build a better understanding and gel as a team for the upcoming matches. We’ll all hungry to deliver for the team and we’ll go all out for the three points on Sunday.”
The Lion City Sailors fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) FC in their opening Group B match of the 2026/27 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (8 October) night.
Leo Artur’s goal in first-half stoppage time proved decisive for the reigning V.League 1 champions, as the Sailors were left to rue missed opportunities on their return to action following an extended international window.
“We’re extremely disappointed with the outcome. We wanted to go on the attack and get the three points at home. We have to learn quickly and adapt to my expectations, although I did see some improvement today,” said Sailors Head Coach Mark Jackson at the post-match press conference.
Both sides threatened in a lively opening, with Diogo Costa dragging his effort wide in the eighth minute before Artur did likewise two minutes later.
CAHN’s Brazilian forward then registered the game’s first notable effort on target in the 18th minute, as he forced Sailors custodian Victor Aznar to palm his shot away.
The Sailors responded with opportunities of their own. Giovanni Haag’s free-kick drifted wide in the 26th minute, before Matthias Phaëton broke behind the CAHN defence and had his close-range effort gathered by Filip Nguyen, although the winger was subsequently flagged offside.
Antonio Mance became increasingly involved as the half progressed, firing over from distance in the 40th minute before a promising opening fell his way two minutes later.
With the ball at his feet inside the box, the Croatian attempted to pick out Song Uiyoung across the face of goal, but his pass was overhit, much to the frustration of the home supporters among the 1,897 spectators.
And the Sailors were made to rue their missed chances as the visitors eventually broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time when Brayan Perea drove forward before setting up Artur with a backheel, leaving the Brazilian to tap into an empty net.
“A momentary lapse in concentration just before half-time cost us. Overall, I think we dominated the game. We played relatively well but lacked that extra bit to make the difference,” said Sailors captain Hariss Harun.
Jackson introduced Bart Ramselaar for the second half as the Sailors sought an equaliser, while his counterpart Mano Pölking also made changes, bringing on Nguyễn Quang Hải and Jason Quang-Vinh Pendant.
Artur, however, continued to threaten the Sailors goal. His shot on the hour mark was saved by Victor, before Stefan Mauk sent the rebound over. A minute later, the Sailors goalkeeper produced another excellent stop, spreading himself to deny Quang Vinh from point-blank range.
At the other end, Song was unable to test Nguyen from a tight angle after meeting Ryhan Stewart’s lofted cross in the 66th minute.
Bart then picked out Kyoga Nakamura, whose effort was deflected behind for a corner in the 71st minute. The Dutchman had an opportunity of his own six minutes later, but could not keep his attempt on target after a move involving Diogo and Ilhan Fandi.
CAHN also had chances to extend their advantage, with Nguyễn Đình Bắc and Lê Phạm Thành Long unable to capitalise in the closing stages.
The Sailors’ final opportunity arrived in the 96th minute, when Toni Datković found substitute Abdul Rasaq Akeem, but the forward was unable to hit the target with a chance that could have salvaged a point.
“It’s good that we’re creating chances, but in close games like this, taking one or two can make all the difference. Today wasn’t to be for us because we weren’t clinical enough,” said Hariss.
Elsewhere in Group B, Thailand’s Port FC lost 3-1 at home to Indonesia’s Persib Bandung, while Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim defeated Cambodia’s PKR Svay Rieng FC 6-0.
Despite the disappointment, Jackson stressed the importance of focusing on the improvements needed as the Sailors look to build momentum early in the campaign.
“We will continue working. If you get transfixed on the outcome, it can be a negative thing. Sometimes you might play really well and lose, and sometimes you might not play so well and still win,” he said.
“We’ll identify the areas where we need to be better, and it’s my job to address those as quickly as possible.”
With most of the Sailors’ local players away on national team duty at the recently concluded FIFA ASEAN Cup, Jackson has had limited time to work with his squad since taking charge.
The Englishman will continue implementing his playing philosophy as the Sailors turn their attention to Sunday’s (11 October) Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash against the Young Lions.
He also paid tribute to the home supporters, who continued to urge the team forward as they searched for a late equaliser.
“The fans were fantastic tonight, pushing us on right until the end. We couldn’t get the result for them, but we’re appreciative of their support,” said Jackson.
“We need them to come and get behind the team again on Sunday when we’re back in league action. We need to dust ourselves off quickly, prepare for the next game and aim for the three points again.”
The Lion City Sailors will kick off their 2026/27 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup campaign with a tough home assignment against V.League 1 powerhouse Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) FC at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (8 October).
After group-stage exits in the past two editions, the Sailors are determined to mount a stronger challenge this time around as they target a spot in the quarter-finals.
Stern opening test
However, CAHN also have a point to prove. Having reached the final of the competition’s inaugural edition, they were eliminated in the group stage last season after finishing fourth in their group.
The Vietnamese side will enter this year’s competition with high expectations, having established themselves as one of the country’s most successful clubs in recent years. Since earning promotion as V.League 2 champions in 2022, CAHN have won two of the last four V.League 1 titles, two Vietnamese Super Cups and one Vietnamese Cup.
They have also started the new season in fine form, securing qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite with a 2-0 play-off victory over Adelaide United. Domestically, they have won all three league matches so far, scoring 11 goals without conceding.
At the helm of the club is Head Coach Mano Pölking, who was named V.League 1 Manager of the Season last year. The German-Brazilian is a familiar figure to many of the Singapore internationals in the Sailors squad, having previously coached the Thai national team.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Coach Pölking stressed the need for a strong performance against the Sailors as his side begin their pursuit of a first Shopee Cup title.
“I won my first title (the 2020 ASEAN Championship) as a coach with the Thai national team in Singapore, so this place holds very fond memories for me. Tomorrow, we have a very tough game, and we need to stay focused against a strong team,” said Pölking.
“There are a lot of familiar faces at the Sailors whom we’ve known for a long time, and their coach knows me better now too. I hope we can deliver an entertaining game for the fans and the competition, and come away with all three points.”
Polking has refreshed his foreign contingent with the arrivals of defender Frans Putros, an Indonesian league winner with Persib Bandung who was part of Iraq’s squad at the recent FIFA World Cup, former Lazio centre-forward Brayan Perea and winger David Henen, who made more than 50 appearances for Everton’s Under-23 side in Premier League 2.
They add to an already formidable squad featuring Brazilian duo Léo Artur and Alan Grafite. Artur registered 10 goals and seven assists last season, while Grafite was the club’s leading scorer in domestic competition with 16 goals. Midfielder Stefan Mauk, a seasoned A-League campaigner, provides another goal threat.
CAHN also boast a strong Vietnamese contingent, which includes attacking midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải, rising winger Nguyễn Đình Bắc, defender Đoàn Văn Hậu, and left-back Jason Pendant.
Văn Hậu echoed his head coach’s sentiments, and stressed CAHN’s determination to improve on their previous final appearance.
“Whenever we enter this competition, we aim to go far. We reached the final two years ago but could not lift the trophy, so we want the best possible outcome this season. That starts with a strong performance against the Sailors on Thursday,” said the defender.
Sailors looking to make their mark
Head Coach Mark Jackson will take charge of his first Shopee Cup match for the Sailors as they seek a return to winning ways, following draws against Hougang United in the Singapore Premier League and BG Pathum United in the AFC Champions League Two.
The two-week international break has given the Englishman valuable time on the training pitch to work with his players, while the return of the Singapore internationals following their FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign has further bolstered the squad, with the past week focused on reintegrating them into preparations for Thursday’s.
“We have been working hard with the players. It was initially difficult with some away on Singapore national team duty, but we are fully supportive of the national team, and they have all returned in good shape,” explained Coach Jackson.
“It was important to reintegrate them into the group and manage their physical workload, while bringing them up to speed with what we have shared with the other players: how we want to play, my ideas in and out of possession, and how we want to move forward as a club.
“The players have taken everything on board very well. They have been focused and disciplined, and have shown a clear understanding of what we are trying to achieve.”
One player who knows the opposition well is centre-back Hugo Gomes. The Brazilian is set to face his former club, having played the full 90 minutes in CAHN’s 5-0 victory over the Sailors during the 2024/25 Shopee Cup. He will look to draw on that experience to help his new teammates meet the challenge.
“It’s always exciting to face your former club. But I am a professional, and my goal is to help my new club win. We are also representing Singapore against a Vietnamese team,” said Hugo.
“I want to win this competition. We have a coach who has already won it and a strong, talented squad. But for now, our focus is on this game because it is the first step towards our target of reaching the final.”
Jackson, too, brings valuable experience of success in the region. He guided Central Coast Mariners to the A-League Men Premiership and Championship double, alongside the AFC Cup title, in the 2023/24 season.
Most recently, he led Buriram United to a treble of the Thai League 1, Thai FA Cup and Shopee Cup, as well as the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals. He will now look to build a similar winning culture at the Sailors, starting with a strong showing against CAHN.
“The success I’ve had at my previous clubs comes down to many things: the players, the staff and the work that goes into building a strong culture,” said the 48-year-old.
“It takes time, but we have all the right ingredients here. Now it’s about putting in the work on the training ground and translating that into our performances in matches. We are heading in the right direction.
“This game is going to be a battle. Our tactical ideas will be important, but so will our physicality and winning mindset. We want to start my first campaign in this competition with the Sailors with three points, and I’m very optimistic that we can be successful.”
The Lion City Sailors return to action after a two-week international break this Thursday (8 October), determined to make a stronger mark on the regional stage as they begin their 2026/27 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup campaign.
While their Group B opener against Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) FC at the Jalan Besar Stadium presents a stern test, full-back Nur Adam Abdullah believes the Sailors’ quality and close bonds will stand them in good stead as they prepare for their second game under new Head Coach Mark Jackson.
“I’m excited to be back playing for the Sailors after the international break. My focus is on giving 100% in every training session and every match this season,” said the 25-year-old.
“Looking at the calibre of players we have, our goal is clear: to win every competition we can. There’s no reason to believe we can’t do that. We want to build a winning mentality at the club, and that starts with doing well in the Shopee Cup.
“We have a good coach on this journey with us. He has done well at his previous clubs and has plenty of experience in ASEAN tournaments, so I believe he can take us to the next level. The team feels very positive about working with him.”
Several of the Sailors’ national team players have returned from a difficult FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign, which saw Singapore bow out of a group featuring Indonesia and Malaysia.
For Nur Adam, however, the priority is to take those lessons back to the club and respond with stronger performances.
“Despite the results not being what we wanted, playing in the tournament was still a great experience and an eye-opener for all of us. One lesson we took from it was not to take things for granted and to ensure we always perform at the highest level,” he explained.
(Photo: Football Association of Singapore)
“We have a group of national team players at the Sailors who know how to bounce back from defeats like these. I know they will come back stronger and be looking to prove themselves again at club level.”
Thursday’s opponents will put that resolve to the test, with Mano Pölking’s CAHN boasting a squad packed with quality. Indeed, the Sailors are familiar with the threat they pose, having lost 5-0 to the Vietnamese side in the 2024/25 Shopee Cup.
But Nur Adam is determined to help the Sailors make amends, as he highlighted composure and togetherness as being central to their approach.
“It will be a difficult challenge, especially since they beat us the last time we played, but things are different this season. We have prepared well, and what matters is how we respond, especially if things don’t go our way during the game. Ultimately, our performance will determine the result.
“Besides the quality we have in the team, the close bonds we share will drive us to give everything to get a positive result on Thursday.”
While the Sailors have endured a testing start to the season, Nur Adam believes their fans can provide a timely lift as they look to return to winning ways.
“I would like to thank our fans for always being there for us. Even when things get difficult, they still make the effort to come down and cheer us on,” he said.
“The atmosphere they create gives us an extra boost. They are a very important part of our team as we look to get back to winning ways.”
“The Shopee Cup is a tournament we want to go far in this season, and our target for this match is clear: to start our campaign with a win in front of our fans.”
The Lion City Sailors’ home Singapore Premier League (SPL) fixture against Tampines Rovers, originally scheduled for 21 October, has been moved to 4 February 2027.
The change reduces the Sailors’ October schedule to six matches, although it remains their busiest month of the campaign so far as they compete on three fronts.
The Sailors will begin their 2026/27 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup Group B campaign against Vietnamese champions Công An Hà Nội FC at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday, 8 October. They will then host Young Lions in their first SPL home game of the new season three days later.
A trip to Hong Kong to face Tai Po FC on 15 October follows, before the Sailors return to Singapore for an away fixture against FC Jurong at the Jurong East Stadium on 18 October.
Mark Jackson’s men will then host Tanjong Pagar United on 25 October, before rounding off the month with a challenging trip to face A-League side Adelaide United on 29 October.
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A total of 11 players from the Lion City Sailors will fly the flag for Singapore in the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026™, which will take place between 25 September and 5 October in Indonesia.
Lions and Sailors captain Hariss Harun will be joined by Lionel Tan, Nur Adam Abdullah, Hami Syahin, Kyoga Nakamura, Song Uiyoung, Shawal Anuar, as well as new recruits Ryhan Stewart, Glenn Kweh, Farhan Zulkifli, and Ilhan Fandi – forming the nucleus of Gavin Lee’s final 23-man squad that seeks to represent Singapore with pride in FIFA’s newest international tournament.
The Lions will kick off their ASEAN Cup Group A campaign next Friday, 25 September against hosts Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, before facing Bangladesh three days later (28 September) at the same venue and Causeway rivals Malaysia at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium on 1 October.
The group winner will then progress into the Division 1 final to take on the winner of Group B, which consists of Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, and Philippines, on 5 October.
We wish our Lions representatives the best in the upcoming tourney.
All photos courtesy of Football Association of Singapore
The Lion City Sailors opened their 2026/27 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Group F campaign with a 1-1 draw against BG Pathum United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (17 September) evening.
In a closely contested encounter, the Sailors took a first-half lead through a Marko Nikolić own goal, before Patrik Gustavsson drew the visitors level shortly after the break. Both sides had opportunities to find a winner thereafter, but neither could make the decisive breakthrough as the points were shared.
The match also marked new Sailors Head Coach Mark Jackson and Assistant Coach Cameron Toshack’s first game in the dugout. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Coach Jackson praised his players for adapting quickly despite having had limited time to work together, while stressing that there is plenty more to come from his side.
“Our intention will always be to win every home game. There were certain elements today which I was really pleased with, and other areas where we need to be more consistent. We want to be a side that plays on the front foot and creates lots of chances, while remaining strong in defence,” said Coach Jackson.
“That will take a bit of time, as I have been with the team for only two days and we’ve already tried to implement lots of things. However, I’m proud of what the boys have done and how they’ve taken the information on board. Today, they showed in parts of the game that they wanted to do the right things.
“It might not have always come off, but the big thing is that the boys showed fight, togetherness and a willingness to learn as well, and that’s very important to me.”
The Englishman’s charges started brightly, dictating the early proceedings and enjoying the majority of possession. And aside from a Fabio Kaufmann effort from outside the box that was comfortably saved by Sailors goalkeeper Victor Aznar in the seventh minute, the visitors were largely kept at bay.
In the 21st minute, Farhan Zulkifli showed great persistence to chase down the ball and win a corner, from which Matthias Phaëton headed into the arms of opposing goalkeeper Saranon Anuin.
The Singaporean winger caused more problems just three minutes later when he won a free-kick down the right. Having already threatened with his deliveries earlier, midfielder Giovanni Haag whipped another dangerous ball into the box that forced Nikolić to turn it into his own net and hand the Sailors the lead.
BG Pathum then responded five minutes into the second half. Anthony Belmonte intercepted a loose ball on the right and found Chanathip Songkrasin, who slipped Gustavsson through to score the equaliser.
Chanathip nearly turned the game on its head just six minutes later when his curling effort rattled the crossbar.
That warning sparked a response from the Sailors, who began moving the ball with greater urgency in search of a second goal. Giovanni came close in the 75th minute, curling a free-kick inches wide of the top corner.
Five minutes later, BG substitute Raniel Santana was presented with a golden opportunity when the ball fell kindly to him in front of goal, but Victor produced a superb full-stretch fingertip save to keep the scores level.
The Sailors pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages but were unable to find the breakthrough. Substitute Shawal Anuar was unable to connect with Diogo Costa’s shot in the 86th minute, before Ilhan Fandi’s stoppage-time header lacked the power to trouble Anuin.
“The intensity has gone up a lot over the last few days with the new coach, but today we were just missing something in the final third, so we will build on that,” said Man of the Match Bart Ramselaar.
“It always takes time for a coach to get his players to play the way he wants, and it starts with putting in the work on the training pitch. I’m confident that we will improve over the coming weeks and have a great season together.”
With another long season ahead featuring a packed schedule of domestic and continental football, Coach Jackson is determined to make full use of the squad at his disposal.
“It’s clear we’ve got some of the top local and foreign players in the team, and it’s my responsibility to utilise the squad. Every player has been fantastic so far,” he said.
“Although I’ll miss the national team players over the next few weeks, my promise to them was that when they come back, I’ll spend time teaching them what they’ve missed, so they can fit straight back into what we want to do as a team, as all of them are very important.”
In the other Group F fixture, Adelaide United cruised to a 3-0 win over Tai Po, with goals from Ethan Alagich, Juan Muñiz and Craig Goodwin putting the Australian side top of the group.
With club football taking a break for the September international window, a busy October awaits the Sailors upon their return to action.
They will play four games in the space of 10 days, beginning with a home clash against Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) FC in the 2026/27 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup on the 8th.
The Sailors will then face Young Lions in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) on 11 October, before travelling to Hong Kong to take on Tai Po in the ACL Two four days later. An away league clash against FC Jurong on 18 October rounds off the hectic stretch.
Coach Jackson is looking to make the most of the upcoming break to further imprint his ideas on the team.
“With the break, we now have time to work with the players on the training pitch. Whenever we train, we work on all aspects of our game, from how we build up and score to how we press, defend the box and handle set pieces. These phases are all part of our methodology,” he explained.
“Obviously, we’re missing a few players, so we’ll probably utilise the Academy team as well to come in and support our training sessions. We have a plan for how we’re going to develop each element over this period, and we will continue to improve in all aspects.”
The Lion City Sailors are ready to turn the page as they embark on their 2026/27 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two campaign with a home fixture against Thai League 1 heavyweights BG Pathum United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (17 September) evening.
A new era dawns under Mark Jackson
Thursday will mark Mark Jackson’s official debut on the touchline for the Sailors, with the Englishman’s employment visa approved earlier this week following his appointment as Head Coach of the reigning Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions.
Jackson arrives in Singapore with a proven continental pedigree, having guided Australian outfit Central Coast Mariners to victory in the 2023/24 AFC Cup – the final edition of Asia’s second-tier competition before its rebranding to ACL Two.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the 48-year-old, who also spearheaded Thailand’s Buriram United to the ACL Elite quarter-finals last season, expressed his excitement at kicking off this fresh chapter and driving the Sailors to greater heights on the continental stage.
“It’s great for me to finally get on the pitch to work with the players yesterday after I got cleared for my work visa. The energy I felt from the boys was superb – there’s a real intensity and togetherness within this team. I can already see from the first 24 hours that we’ve a galvanised group who wants to work towards success for this club,” said Jackson.
“It’s a quick turnaround for tomorrow’s game so I can’t implement too many new ideas, but I do have good knowledge of BG Pathum. I came up against them in pre-season when I was with Buriram; I know their coach. They’ve a very organised team with very good players and a distinct playing style.
“But I know we have enough quality in this team and I’m confident of a really positive performance and result from us in this game.”
The Sailors face a formidable opening hurdle in BG Pathum, who are one of Thai football’s powerhouse clubs.
The Rabbits secured their ACL Two berth after edging out Bangkok United for fourth place in Thai League 1 last season, and they have bolstered their squad significantly ahead of the new campaign.
Their revamped roster features several high-profile additions, including former Australia U23 international Ryan Edwards, former Ligue 1 midfielder Anthony Belmonte, Bundesliga 2 veteran Fabio Kaufmann, and imposing 1.95m Brazilian striker João Magno, who will enter the clash fresh off a match-winning brace against Rasisalai United over the weekend.
These newcomers complement an established core of Thai international talent, which includes Chanathip Songkrasin, Kritsada Kaman, and club captain Sarach Yooyen, as the visitors aim to banish the memories of last season’s early group-stage exit.
Speaking on behalf of Head Coach Vladimir Vujović, who currently lacks the required AFC coaching accreditation, long-serving team manager Surachai Jaturapattarapong acknowledged the challenge posed by the Sailors.
“Even though their new coach just arrived, the system of their team still remains so we cannot underestimate our opponents,” said Surachai, who previously represented the Sailors’ predecessor, Home United, between 2003 and 2005. “Mark Jackson knows us very well because he managed Buriram last season, but we also know him and his tactics very well.
“We’ve played in this competition for a few seasons now, so we’re aware of the quality at this level. Lion City Sailors are a strong team and we have to make sure we prepare very well to play them.”
Fired-up Sailors gunning for strong start
Far from being deterred by the opposition’s star power, however, the Sailors’ Class of 2026/27 are focused on writing a new chapter after falling short of the knockout rounds last season.
Bolstered by shrewd player acquisitions and a clear tactical vision under Jackson, the Singaporean giants are determined to mount a deep run in a competition where they reached the final just two seasons ago in May 2025.
And Hariss Harun emphasised the squad’s readiness to set the tone early in front of the home crowd.
“We’re playing at home where we know our fans will be there throughout singing and chanting for us for the whole 90 minutes. As long as they’re there, we always know we can do something special on the pitch,” said the Sailors captain.
“Of course we reached the final before, but that’s something in the past now and we have to live in the present – and that’s with a new coach and new ideas here now. Coach Mark has a rough idea of how he wants us to play and we’ll try to execute his game plan on the pitch. It also helps when he has good knowledge of Thai football, which can be an advantage for us.
“We’ve shown in the last couple of seasons that we can compete at this level, but now we’ve to push ourselves a little bit more and aim to go a little bit further in this competition. The priority now is to prepare as best as we can and get off to a winning start.”
Having gone two goals down inside 22 minutes of their Singapore Premier League (SPL) season opener against Hougang United, the Lion City Sailors found themselves with an immediate mountain to climb.
But what followed was a firm display of their character, as new recruits Antonio Mance and Bobby Adekanye both found the net to cap a stirring fightback and rescue a 2-2 draw. In doing so, they preserved the reigning champions’ unbeaten opening-day record.
Central to the Sailors’ comeback was Kyoga Nakamura, as the tireless midfielder threw himself into every duel and pulled the strings as the Sailors clawed their way back to secure the point.
“It was a tough result to take because we set out to win,” Kyoga reflected. “Opening games are always tricky, and the league is very competitive this year.
“We made individual and collective mistakes that led to their goals, and once Hougang went ahead, they sat deep to make space tight. We could have pressed better and managed transitions more cleanly, but we will learn from it and make sure we are sharp for the next challenge.”
The Sailors will now turn their focus to continental glory, as they prepare to kick off their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two campaign against Thai powerhouse BG Pathum United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (17 September).
For Kyoga, the clash carries extra significance.
“I’m really excited for BG Pathum. Having played in Thailand last season, I know how good their squad is,” said the former Bangkok United man. “They have quality foreign signings and top local players, including good friends of mine like Sarach Yooyen and Chanathip Songkrasin. It’s always special to go up against them in midfield, but we have a fantastic team here and we are ready.”
For the Sailors, it is a chance to right past wrongs in the competition. Last season, the team narrowly missed out on the ACL Two Round of 16 on head-to-head record, despite amassing 10 points in the group stage.
Ironically, it was Kyoga’s Bangkok United that edged the Sailors out. Now that he is donning the blue of the Sailors however, the midfielder is determined to drive the club into the knockout rounds.
“Qualifying from the group is the target, so getting off to a winning start at home is massive,” Kyoga stated flatly. “We want all three points to build early momentum. The club won the domestic double last season, but we haven’t taken that next step to claim a regional or continental title like the ACL Two yet. That’s what we are fighting for.”
Navigating the pressure of Asia’s elite is second nature to Kyoga. During his tenure in Thailand, he featured in high-stakes fixtures, including an ACL Elite qualifier away against Chengdu Rongcheng, as well as hostile away trips against Persib Bandung and Selangor FC.
“I’ve played in huge stadiums under immense pressure,” Kyoga shared. “The atmosphere in Bandung, for instance, was intense. But those experiences build resilience. I know what to expect and how to handle it. We just need to stay composed, play our football, and count on our fans to fight alongside us.”
BG Pathum arrive in Singapore with a heavily bolstered squad, which include former Ligue 1 midfielder Anthony Belmonte, clinical forward Ashley Coffey, and 200-match Bundesliga 2 veteran Fabio Kaufmann.
“Continental football brings a different kind of pressure,” Kyoga acknowledged. “BG Pathum are strong, but if we stay tactically disciplined and mentally sharp, we have every capability to secure a massive result.”
Beyond the points at stake, Kyoga views every ACL Two matchday as a chance to fly the flag for his adopted home.
“It’s a privilege to represent Singapore on the Asian stage,” he said proudly. “Whether it’s for club or nation, bringing joy to the fans here means everything to me. Now that I finally have the chance to play for the Sailors in Asia, I want to deliver a performance everyone can be proud of.”
The Lion City Sailors showed resilience to come back from a two-goal deficit and salvage a 2-2 draw against Hougang United in their 2026/27 Singapore Premier League (SPL) opener at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (12 September) night.
New signings Antonio Mance and Bobby Adekanye both opened their goalscoring accounts for the club, as the team displayed the sort of fighting spirit that Interim Head Coach Varo Moreno insists will define the Sailors’ campaign.
“We had plenty of chances to score more than two goals, but in the end, we had to be content with a point,” said Varo. “This is just the first game of the season. There’s still a long way to go, and the big positive for us was that the team never gave up.”
Varo made five changes to the side that lifted the Community Shield with a 2-0 win over Tampines Rovers last weekend, as he handed first starts to Antonio and Jorge Karseladze, but it was another new signing, Matthias Phaëton, who set the early tempo, unleashing the game’s first effort just three minutes in.
However, the heavily revamped Cheetahs, which featured nine debutants, gradually found their footing and broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ayman Kassimi cut inside to fire a low effort past Ivan Sušak.
Five minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead when former Sailor Zulqarnaen Suzliman embarked on a brilliant solo run before setting up Oakley Cannonier to make it 2-0.
“The difference was those opening 25 minutes,” Varo reflected. “I know many people expect us to win every match, but other SPL teams have strengthened significantly. The league is getting better, which is great for Singapore football.”
The reigning champions responded immediately, and Matthias thought he had halved the deficit in the 26th minute after finishing off a sublime outside-of-the-boot pass from Song Uiyoung, but VAR ruled the goal out with Diogo Costa adjudged to have made a foul in the build-up.
Nonetheless, the Sailors kept pressing, and the breakthrough finally arrived six minutes before the break. Diogo did brilliant work down the flank before crossing to Antonio, who showed wonderful composure to control the ball on his chest before tucking it home to make it 2-1.
The Sailors dominated the remainder of the half, with Bart Ramselaar and Ilhan Fandi both coming close in stoppage time, only to be denied by Hougang custodian Takahiro Koga.
Varo then injected fresh legs in the second half, introducing Bobby, Ryhan Stewart, Giovanni Haag, and Captain Hariss Harun in a bid for the equaliser, and the positive changes eventually made the difference in the 86th minute.
Matthias threaded a precise pass into the box for Bobby, and the former Liverpool youth winger made no mistake with a deft finish over the advancing Koga to restore parity.
Ivan then produced a spectacular flying save in added time to push Kassimi’s curling effort around the post and ensure the Sailors secured a point in their first SPL game of the new season.
“I’m happy to get my first goal, but as a team, we want to win every game,” said Bobby, who arrived in Singapore with top-flight experience in Serie A and the Eredivisie. “We have high standards here, but it’s early in the season and we’ll refine our play.”
Off the pitch, the 27-year-old Dutch forward revealed that he is settling in seamlessly to life in the Lion City. “This is my first time in Asia, and both my wife and I are loving every second of it. I hope to be here for a long time.”
While not getting the win was disappointing, there is little time for the Sailors to dwell on the result, as they now turn their focus to continental action. The team will host Thailand’s BG Pathum United at the Jalan Besar Stadium in their AFC Champions League (ACL) Two Group F opener on Thursday (17 September).
BG Pathum will come into the clash with a similar season record as the Sailors (one win, one draw) after opening their Thai League 1 campaign with a goalless draw against newly promoted Pattani FC, followed by a 3-2 victory against fellow newcomers Rasisalai United on Saturday.
Raniel Santana’s early brace had given the Rabbits a 2-0 lead, only to be pegged back in the first half itself before João Magno struck an 88th-minute winner and the Sailors will be well aware of the threat posed by Thai clubs.
“We have to analyse what happened in this match (vs Hougang), but our preparations for the next match are already underway,” revealed Varo. “Our team is used to playing every three or four days, as all our focus will now shift towards a very important AFC Champions League (ACL) Two match in midweek.”
