Category: News
A 10-man Lion City Sailors side were edged 1-0 by Bangkok United in a closely-contested 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two (ACL Two) Group G encounter at the True BG Stadium on Thursday (23 October) night.
The Sailors were left to rue several missed chances, as Muhsen Al-Ghassani’s second-half penalty following Hariss Harun’s foul on Ilias Alhaft – which earned him a straight red card – consigned them to their first defeat of the campaign.
The result, coupled with Persib Bandung’s 2-0 victory over Selangor FC, saw Bangkok leapfrog the Sailors into second place behind the Indonesian champions, at the halfway mark of the group stage.
Speaking at the post-match conference, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković acknowledged that Hariss’ sending off changed the game, but also credited his players for the fighting spirit they showed right up until the final whistle.
“We played well today, especially in the first half, when we should have converted one of our chances,” said Ranko. “Bangkok started the second half stronger, although they did not really threaten that much in open play until the red card. We tried to chase the game and force something, but it wasn’t enough.”
The home side got off to a fast start, with Al-Ghassani coming close early on with a header that sailed over Ivan Sušak’s goal. They were then awarded a penalty just 12 minutes in, when Safuwan Baharudin was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. Up stepped Richairo Živković, but the former Sailor saw his attempted panenka come back off the crossbar.
That seemed to jolt the Sailors into life, with Lennart Thy firing just wide after 25 minutes and Tsiy Ndenge hitting the crossbar with a free kick soon after.
They kept the pressure up on the Bangkok goal as the first half drew to a close, forcing the home side into two last-ditch interventions. Bailey Wright’s 42nd-minute goalbound header was blocked by Nitipong Selanon, before Lennart’s header from the ensuing corner was cleared off the line by Everton Gonçalves.
They carried that intensity into the second half, as Bart Ramselaar curled a shot narrowly past Patiwat Khammai’s post within one minute of the restart.
However, the momentum soon swung massively in the home side’s favour.
Just a minute after Ivan was forced to smother an effort by substitute Teerasil Dangda’s effort, Hariss’ last-ditch challenge on Alhaft saw the Sailors captain receive his marching orders. Al-Ghassani stepped up this time, and made no mistake from the spot as he fired Bangkok into the lead.
The hosts came close to doubling their lead with Al-Ghassani rattling the post in the 78th minute and substitute Guntapon Keereeleang firing just wide in stoppage time, but one goal proved enough for them to claim all three points on the night.
Looking back on the game, Bailey reflected on the missed opportunities that proved costly for the Sailors.
“Football is about moments, and those moments went their way today,” said the Australian. “We put ourselves under unnecessary pressure in the second half and made a few mistakes, which gave them something to hold on to. The team dug deep, but we were not clinical enough tonight.”
Despite the defeat, Ranko praised his side for giving their all in pursuit of an equaliser that ultimately eluded them.
“My team has always shown a lot of character, and that is a positive we can take from the game,” he said. “The result is disappointing as I felt that we deserved a point, but that’s just how football is.”
With back-to-back ACL Two home games – including the reverse fixture against Bangkok a fortnight later on 6 November – still to come, the Serb is keen for his side to make amends.
“This is only our first loss of the campaign, and we are still in the game. We have two games at home next, and we will do our best to get maximum points there,” said Ranko, who also thanked the travelling Sailors contingent for their support.
“We always have a good following wherever we go, so a huge shoutout to the fans who made the trip to Thailand today. I hope they continue to turn up in the following games.”
There is little time for the Sailors to recover from this result, as their focus now shifts to a crucial top-of-the-table clash in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) against Albirex Niigata at the Bishan Stadium on Monday (27 October).
The Lion City Sailors will be looking to build on a decent start to their Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two campaign, which has yielded four points from their opening two matches, as they travel to the True BG Stadium to face 2024/25 Thai League 1 runners-up Bangkok United on Thursday (23 October) night.
Rivalry renewed
Remarkably, this will be the first of three clashes between both sides in the space of 43 days – the Sailors will host the reverse fixture on Matchday Four on 6 November, before returning to Thailand for an ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup encounter on 4 December.
The sides last faced each other in the 2023/24 ACL group stage, with the Thai outfit claiming two narrow victories including a 1-0 win at the Thammasat Stadium on 28 November 2023.
“While we beat them home and away two seasons ago, the Sailors are now a totally different team,” said Bangkok head coach Totchtawan Sripan, who has been in charge of the club since December 2022.
“They were the runners-up in the ACL Two last season; they’ve improved a lot with the addition of a few foreign players although they still have the same head coach. We need to be wary of their strengths, but at the same time stick to our game plan and focus on what we can do.”
A starter for the Sailors the last time the sides met, Richairo Živković crossed the divide to join Bangkok in July 2024. The Curaçaon forward has excelled for Totchtawan’s side, with 19 goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances – including four in seven ACL Two appearances last season.
Photo: 2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
And he is not the only familiar face that the Sailors will be coming up against. Thai national number one Patiwat Khammai and long-serving Brazilian captain Everton Gonçalves have remained mainstays of the Bangkok line-up since the sides last met, while former BG Tampines Rovers duo Seia Kunori and Kyoga Nakamura have also come onboard to support free-scoring Omani international Muhsen Al-Ghassani.
Another new addition, Ilias Alhaft, has also impressed, with the former Sparta Rotterdam forward scoring twice in Bangkok’s opening 4-2 win over Malaysia’s Selangor FC.
“Bangkok’s a very good, balanced team,” said Sailors head coach Aleksandar Ranković. “We already know a couple of players that played in Singapore, Kunori and Kyoga, and their central defenders are also very stable. And if he plays, we know Richi – he’s a top quality player that we will have to keep a close eye on.”
A Bangkok side out to make amends
There is no doubting Bangkok’s calibre – this is a side that finished runners-up to Buriram United in the Thai League 1 for the past three seasons, and is continuing to push the defending champions this term.
A record of five wins, two draws and one loss from their first eight league matches sees them sit two points behind Buriram – albeit having played a game more – although they will rue the two points dropped last weekend (18 October) in a 0-0 away draw with Muangthong United.
Photo: 2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Their ACL Two campaign has been a mixed bag though, with an opening 4-2 away win over Selangor followed by a shock 2-0 defeat by Indonesia Super League champions Persib Bandung at the True BG Stadium some three weeks ago.
That threw Group G wide open ahead of the Bangkok-Sailors double header on Matchdays Three and Four, with Bangkok now in third place trailing both the Sailors and Persib by a point.
Given the fine margins, Totchtawan is keenly aware of the importance of these two games in his side’s bid to reach the knockout stages of an AFC competition for a third consecutive season; in last season’s ACL Two, they reached the last 16 where they were knocked out by Australia’s Sydney FC over two legs.
“After losing our last group game, we need to have full concentration to get back to winning ways and get an important result to improve our chances of getting into the next stage,” said the former Thai international.
Singing from the same hymn book, Bangkok defender Jakkapan Praisuwan added: “Obviously we do need this important win at home. Our coaching staff has analysed the Lion City Sailors well and done a lot of homework on their team, so I’m sure we’ll be prepared for this game.”
Sailors aim to pick up where they left off
As for the Sailors, Thursday’s clash at the True BG Stadium marks a return to the scene of one of their most memorable ACL Two victories, which took place almost a year ago on 30 October 2024.
That night, a Shawal Anuar brace propelled them to a 3-1 group stage win over Port FC – a result that proved pivotal for the Sailors to finish top of their group and become the first club from Singapore to progress into the competition’s knockout stages.
But despite going unbeaten in six outings against Thai sides across all competitions in 2024/25, Ranko taking nothing for granted going into Thursday’s game.
“It was a nice memory (to beat Port FC last year), but it’ll be a totally different kind of game and different opponent this time round,” said the Serb. “It’ll be a competitive game against Bangkok tomorrow.”
The Sailors will also be buoyed by the fact current ACL Two top scorer Anderson Lopes has fond memories of playing against Bangkok, having converted a dramatic, 122nd-minute penalty for Yokohama F. Marinos to clinch an ACL Round of 16 victory over Bangkok in February 2024.
He will also come up against a familiar face in Bangkok centre-back and fellow Brazilian Philipe Maia, with whom he played five games for Brazilian side Avaí FC in 2015.
But familiar faces aside, Sailors midfielder Tsiy Ndenge insisted that team effort will matter most tomorrow night.
“I know the club was really successful last season and there’s a great team spirit within this group, but to now experience it myself is something else,” said the German-Cameroonian who joined the club from Swiss Super League side Grasshopper Club Zürich in the off-season. “The team is really motivated and really together, but of course we have to show it on the pitch.”
With the group finely poised going into Matchday Three, Ranko is aware of the importance of securing a positive result in Pathum Thani tomorrow night.
“I’ve said it before, this is the only group in the ACL Two this season where all four teams have similar qualities and all four teams can go through. It’s a very tough group and very competitive, so every point is very important for us to get to the next stage.”
The Lion City Sailors return to continental action this Thursday (23 October), as they travel to Thailand to face Bangkok United in their third Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Group G fixture.
The Sailors — last season’s ACL Two finalists — currently sit top of the group after a 4-2 victory over Selangor FC at the Bishan Stadium earlier this month.
“It wasn’t an easy match because we started well, went ahead, and then had to stop for an hour because of lightning,” recalled Sailors captain Hariss Harun. “Such disruptions can make you lose a bit of that focus, and you start wondering if the game will even continue.”
Despite having fewer shots on target and less possession, Aleksandar Ranković’s men delivered a composed performance as a whole to secure three vital points.
Hariss, who played the full 90 minutes, credited the team’s focus and collective effort in getting over the line.
“Towards the end, it got tough because they came at us, and we could’ve managed the ball better to prevent that,” admitted Hariss. “But credit to everyone, we stayed focused till the end. Overall, it was a strong performance and, most importantly, we got the result we needed.”
Anderson Lopes in the spotlight
But it was Anderson Lopes who shone brightest against Selangor, as the Brazilian forward struck all four goals against Selangor.
Signed from Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos, Anderson showcased his pedigree on the continental stage and what he is truly capable of in a Sailors shirt.
“Anderson is a quality addition. He’s got a big reputation in Asia, and a lot of players and teams know what he did in Japan,” said Hariss of his teammate, who netted his first hat-trick in AFC competitions. “To have him with us is a huge plus, especially in this competition. His experience and know-how are invaluable.
“I’m really happy for him. He needed a bit of time to get into his rhythm, but now we’re starting to see what he is truly capable of. Those four goals would give any striker a massive confidence boost, and he’s buzzing right now.”
With Anderson in red-hot form, the Sailors will head into their clash with Bangkok United brimming with confidence after three straight wins in all competitions.
A familiar adversary
Bangkok United are no strangers to the Sailors, with the two teams facing each other twice in the 2023/2024 ACL group stage. Both matches ultimately ended in narrow defeats for the Sailors (1-2 at home and 0-1 away).
“Bangkok United are definitely one of the top teams in Thailand,” said Hariss. “Every time we’ve played them, it’s been tough. But we love competing on this stage, and hopefully this time we’ll get a result.
“They’ve got quality attacking players and are solid defensively too. Their 2-0 home loss to Persib Bandung (on Matchday Two) was surprising, but we’re not reading too much into that. Our focus is entirely on ourselves and what we need to do.”
Since Bangkok United’s defeat to Persib, they have responded with a 3-1 win over Nakhon Ratchasima and a goalless draw away to Muangthong United in the Thai League 1.
Friends turned rivals
Bangkok’s squad features several familiar faces, including former Sailors forward Richairo Živković, who scored 15 goals in 19 appearances for the club in 2023 before leaving for the Thai side the following year. His memorable brace against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors remains one of the standout moments of the Sailors’ continental campaign that year.
“Richi dropped by to see some of the boys during our pre-season in Bangkok, and it was nice catching up with him,” said Hariss. “He gave us a lot when he was with us, and we know the quality he brings. We’ll definitely need to be wary of him.”
Another familiar face awaits in Kyoga Nakamura, who joined Bangkok United this season after five years with BG Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Premier League (SPL). The Singapore international also started both recent national team qualifiers against India alongside Hariss.
“We were fully focused on those India matches because they were crucial for us, and so we didn’t really talk about this match,” Hariss said with a wry smile.
“But of course, we know what Kyoga brings. Having faced him many times in the SPL, we know his quality. We have a lot of respect for Bangkok United overall, but we’ve got the players to deal with their threats.”
Photo: 2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Carrying on momentum from the National Team
Hariss and his international teammates return to club duty buoyed by Singapore’s impressive 2-1 win over India, where Song Uiyoung bagged both goals.
Now, the Sailors skipper is eyeing another crucial away victory, this time to take control of Group G. Coincidentally, the Sailors’ last continental away win also came in Thailand, against Muangthong United in last season’s ACL Two Round of 16.
“When you win big, crucial games, it gives you that feel-good factor. We want to carry that momentum back to the club,” said Hariss.
“We’ve shown collective effort all along. That’s what took us to the final last season. So we’ll focus on ourselves, stay organised, and look to take our chances while keeping things tight at the back.”
The Lion City Sailors extended their perfect start to the 2025/26 Singapore Premier League (SPL) campaign with a dominant 5-1 win against Young Lions at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (October 18).
It was the Sailors’ first league match at Bishan this season, having last played there more than a fortnight ago in a 4-2 triumph over Malaysia’s Selangor FC in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two.
Five different scorers — Maxime Lestienne, Bailey Wright, Lennart Thy, Bart Ramselaar and Shawal Anuar — found the net as Aleksandar Ranković’s men made it four wins from four to begin their SPL title defence.
“It’s not easy to play these kinds of games. We’re the stronger side and that’s fine, but it can be difficult to penetrate opponents who sit deep. I’m very happy with the three points,” said Ranko.
The Sailors made several changes to their starting line-up, with Ranko resting players who had featured in Singapore’s memorable 2-1 away win against India in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers earlier in the week. That opened the door for some fresh faces, including Nur Adam Abdullah, who made his first start for the club since rejoining in September.
The 24-year-old last pulled on the Sailors jersey in August 2023 before he began his mandatory two-year National Service, during which he represented Young Lions.
Despite the squad rotation, the Sailors quickly took control of the game, and in the 17th minute, a sharp team move involving Tsiy Ndenge, Lennart and Bailey ended with Lennart’s effort blocked by Aqil Yazid.
Four minutes later, the German striker’s fierce shot was parried into the path of Maxime, who tucked home from close range to open the scoring — his 68th goal in 125 appearances for the club.
But the Sailors’ lead did not last long, with the Young Lions hitting back through Lucas Agueiro’s long-range effort in the 30th minute. The parity was short-lived, however, as just four minutes later, Maxime’s corner was met by Bailey’s thumping downward header to restore the Sailors’ lead.
Lennart then almost added another goal for the home side when his looping cross kissed the top of the bar, while Young Lions’ Nathan Mao — on loan from the Sailors and just 17 — impressed with a mazy run but failed to get his shot on target.
That was about as good as it got for the visitors as the Sailors found their rhythm and pulled away after the break.
It started when substitute Song Uiyoung picked out Lennart with a lofted pass, and the German forward unleashed a thunderous half-volley to make it 3-1 in what was arguably the pick of the goals.
“We knew it would be difficult as the Young Lions set up in a low block. But we played faster, especially in the second half, and that helped us create more chances and score more goals,” said Lennart, who was named Man of the Match.
“After 17 days without a game, it was important to start this intense week with a strong performance.”
The Sailors continued their relentless assault and came close to extending their lead even further through Tsiy’s dipping strike, which drew a fine save from Young Lion’s Slovenian goalkeeper Benjamin Zerak.
The Sailors’ pressure eventually paid off in the 76th minute when Lennart’s clever cutback found Bart, who slotted home from the edge of the box.
There was still time for another in the closing stages, as Akram Azman delivered a pinpoint first-time cross for fellow substitute Shawal to head home his first SPL goal of the season and complete the 5-1 rout.
For Nur Adam, his return to the Sailors’ first team was more than just another appearance — it was a homecoming.
“It feels great to be back. I love this club a lot, it’s like home to me,” said the full-back. “It was a strong team performance from the start and I really enjoyed myself out there today. I hope to keep this level and maintain healthy competition within the squad.”
Ranko was pleased with his team’s overall display and also offered encouragement to the Young Lions, which features several Sailors loanees under former Sailors Under-21 coach Firdaus Kassim.
“If they continue playing like this, they’ll get many more points,” said Ranko. “For us, it was also good that we have players like Nur Adam, Hami (Syahin) and Lionel (Tan) putting up good performances and showing their level.”
With the win, the Sailors have now stretched their unbeaten SPL run at Bishan to 10 matches. Next up: a midweek trip to Thailand to face Bangkok United in the ACL Two.
While the Thai League 1 side beat the Sailors twice two seasons ago, Ranko’s men will be eager to show how far they’ve come since then, especially now that they have been bolstered by the attacking partnership of Lennart and Anderson Lopes, who started together for the first time in this win.
“Every game, every goal and every win builds confidence ahead of tough continental tests,” said Lennart. “We want to keep the rhythm going and carry this momentum into Thailand.”
Diogo Costa is one of just two players — alongside Toni Datković — to have started every match for the Lion City Sailors in the 2025/26 season so far.
The Portuguese full-back has been a model of consistency, featuring in all seven matches across all competitions and contributing a goal and two assists along the way.
In the Sailors’ previous Singapore Premier League (SPL) outing against Tanjong Pagar United on 22 September, Diogo netted his first-ever league goal since joining the club in January.
Bart Ramselaar displayed some neat, intricate play near the touchline before squaring the ball for Diogo to apply the finishing touch to a flowing team move.
“It’s always good to score your first league goal,” recalled Diogo. “The most important thing is to help the team, whether that’s through goals, assists or defending, but naturally, I’m an offensive-minded player.”
The last time Diogo found the net in league action prior to his move to Singapore was for FC Famalicão in Portugal’s Liga Revelação, when he struck a free-kick winner against SC Braga in November 2024.
Since joining the Sailors, the 22-year-old has earned plaudits for his all-round performances in both domestic and continental competitions, prompting the club to turn his initial loan into a permanent five-year deal at the start of July — a clear sign of faith in his long-term potential.
“This place has very quickly become my new home,” he said. “Settling in after my permanent move hasn’t been difficult. I’m very happy to be spending the next five years here, so let’s see what happens.
“Of course, it’s always nice to get some numbers up early in the season as goals and assists help with confidence.”
Buoyed by back-to-back wins, the Sailors will look to extend their good run of results when they host the Young Lions in this weekend’s SPL fixture at the Bishan Stadium.
It will be the Sailors’ first league match at Bishan this season, with their last outing at the venue ending in a thrilling 4-2 victory over Malaysia’s Selangor FC in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two Group G opener on 1 October.
Having started the domestic campaign with three wins out of three, the reigning SPL champions will be eager to maintain their perfect record before a midweek ACL Two trip to Thailand to face Bangkok United next Thursday (23 October).
The Young Lions, however, will not be pushovers. Apart from being bolstered by Brazilian duo Abner Vinicius and Sérgio Mendonça, as well as a number of promising Singaporean talents, they also feature several Sailors Academy prospects on loan, including Enrico Silveira, Henry Spence and Marcus Mosses.
“I trained with them quite a few times last season, so I know they have a lot of quality,” said Diogo, who recorded four assists in just two league encounters against the Young Lions last season. “But we’re aware of the job we need to do on Saturday to get the three points.”
Nonetheless, confidence is high in the Sailors’ camp, with seven players recently returning from international duty after featuring in Singapore’s brilliant 2-1 comeback win away against India, which kept their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualification hopes alive.
(Photo: Football Association of Singapore)
Song Uiyoung’s brace in Goa saw Singapore go level on points with Hong Kong, China at the top of Group C, with two matches remaining.
“Personally, I don’t like the long international breaks, so it’s great to have the whole squad back together,” said Diogo. “Our win against Selangor at the start of the month was a big one, and it’ll be the same mood in the dressing room regardless of who’s on the pitch.
“We’ll fight together for a common goal again and continue our winning run in the SPL.”
The Lion City Sailors Women ended their 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign with a 1-1 draw against Geylang International on Sunday (5 October) evening at Choa Chu Kang Stadium — a result that saw them finish third in the table with 36 points.
The Sailors looked on course for a final-day win when Dhaniyah Qasimah calmly converted a penalty in the 83rd minute, but their joy was short-lived. Four minutes later, Geylang’s Farhanah Ruhaizat struck a brilliant long-range equaliser to deny them all three points.
“It was tough, and there were glimpses of us pressing well, but it was just not enough,” reflected Dhaniyah. “The biggest lesson today is to play to the final whistle and never let your guard down when you’re leading. Football is 90 minutes, and anything can happen.”
The Sailors started brightly and came close to scoring in the 10th minute when Farah Nurzahirah forced Geylang goalkeeper Fadhilah Hassan into a save, sparking a goalmouth scramble that the forwards could not turn in.
At the other end, Sailors new signing Hazel Lim was alert to danger, producing a brave 60th-minute intervention to snuff out a one-on-one opportunity.
Four minutes later, teenage substitute Amelia Ng made an instant impact with a teasing cross that Dhaniyah cushioned into the path of Qarissa Putri, whose fierce drive towards the bottom corner was brilliantly turned away by Fadhilah.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 83rd minute when Farah earned a penalty after being fouled in the box by Geylang defender Elyssa Qistina. Dhaniyah made no mistake from the spot, slotting it confidently into the right corner for her fourth goal of the season since joining in February.
“As much as people say penalties are easy, it’s also easy to get them wrong,” she said with a smile. “I’m just happy to have converted it for the team. I’m usually more defensive, but I’ve been scoring a bit more this season, and I’m proud to have contributed.”
Captain Umairah Hamdan hailed the team’s hard work that led to the penalty: “It felt like a blessing. We were really pressing and dominating their box, so when the referee gave the penalty, it felt deserved. That goal on the final day was a reward for all our hard work.”
However, Farhanah’s late equaliser silenced the Sailors’ celebrations, and Syazwani Ruzi admitted it was a harsh reminder of the importance of focus.
“The penalty gave us hope of ending the season with a win, but we didn’t hold on. It’s a lesson that if you don’t give 100 percent until the end, you won’t get the result you want.”
With their domestic campaign concluded, the Sailors now turn their attention to November’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League group stage in Vietnam — their maiden appearance in the tournament proper.
“Today taught us about desire and purpose,” said Umairah. “It’s not just about individual effort. Every player must bring that same intensity and drive. Going into the AWCL, we need that collective determination every match.
“I’m so proud of everyone for showing up to every training session and giving their all. Whether you were on the pitch or on the bench, your energy and support didn’t go unnoticed. That spirit keeps us going as one team.”
For Dhaniyah, the focus is firmly on moving forward. “I’m new to the team and I know this wasn’t our best season, but we have to look ahead. We tried our best, and that’s what matters.”
The Lion City Sailors Women stormed to a 6-0 victory over Tiong Bahru in their penultimate Women’s Premier League (WPL) fixture of the 2025 season at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Wednesday (1 October).
First-half goals from Dhaniyah Qasimah, Dorcas Chu, and Syazwani Ruzi set the tone, before Farah Nurzahirah, 16-year-old debut scorer Tyan Foong, and captain Umairah Hamdan added further gloss after the break.
The result kept the Sailors in the hunt for second place going into the final day of the WPL season this weekend, as they closed the gap between them and Still Aerion to three points.
“The margin of victory could have been much higher. Finding pockets of space and making intelligent runs was the key factor tonight,” said Head Coach Daniel Ong.
Buoyed by Sunday’s stoppage-time equaliser against Aerion, the Sailors started brightly and nearly struck early when Dhaniyah rattled the crossbar in the 7th minute.
Four minutes later, she made no mistake with a calm close-range finish for her third goal of the season.
Dhaniyah and Umairah both went close before substitute Tia Foong made an immediate impact after replacing Wan Nashirah in the 35th minute. The 18-year-old swung in a cross that Farah cushioned perfectly for Dorcas to slam home in the 38th minute.
Six minutes later, Syazwani brilliantly flicked home Dhaniyah’s cross to send the Sailors into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Daniel then handed goalkeeper Nurul Haziqah Haszman her WPL debut in the second half as the Sailors continued to maintain control of proceedings.
Within two minutes of the restart, Farah headed Dhaniyah’s cross goalwards, and though her initial effort was saved, she reacted quickest to tuck home the rebound to extend her fine scoring run after netting the winner against Tiong Bahru last week.
That was Farah’s 13th goal for the Sailors since joining in the mid-season transfer window and her 24th of the season overall.
In the 83rd minute, teenager Tyan Foong – who replaced Khairunnisa Anwar midway through the half – announced herself in style. Latching onto a through ball, the Sailors Girls Academy graduate coolly lobbed the ball over the onrushing keeper to notch her maiden WPL goal.
“It feels surreal to score at this level,” said a beaming Tyan. “From captaining the national Under-16s at the Lion City Cup to now finding the net in the WPL, it’s such a big step in my journey. I’m grateful to the coaches for believing in me and helping me grow.”
Tyan’s goal also meant a total of 19 different players have netted for the Sailors in this season’s WPL.
There was still time for one more goal, as Umairah’s late effort deflected into the net to complete a resounding win for Daniel’s charges.
The Sailors will now look to close their domestic campaign on a high as they face Geylang International on Sunday (5 October). A win will be enough to overhaul Still Aerion for second place, if the latter loses to Albirex Niigata (S) on the same night.
Anderson Lopes was in unstoppable form at the Bishan Stadium on Wednesday (1 October), as he scored all four goals to fire the Lion City Sailors to a 4-2 win over Malaysia’s Selangor FC in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two.
The Brazilian forward completed his hat-trick before half-time and added a fourth after the break to seal the Sailors’ first win of their 2025/26 ACL Two campaign. The result lifted them to the top of Group G, after Persib Bandung’s 2-0 victory over Bangkok United in the group’s other fixture.
Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković made just one change from the opening-day draw against Persib two weeks ago, bringing in Christopher van Huizen for Safuwan Baharudin.
With the home fans in full voice, the Sailors flew out of the blocks and opened the scoring inside seven minutes, when Bart Ramselaar’s cross was flicked on by Maxime Lestienne for Anderson to nod home.
Just five minutes later, the Brazilian struck again, reacting quickest to a deflected effort from Bart before rounding Selangor goalkeeper Kalamullah Al Hafiz and finishing into an empty net with his favoured left foot.
“I think we started the match very well. Two early goals are exactly what you want for a great start,” said Ranko. “After that we went a little bit into a defensive mode, which was not necessary, but it’s something natural.”
The game was then halted just past the half-hour mark when the Lightning Warning System (LWS) forced the players off for 95 minutes.
On the restart, Selangor immediately pulled one back through Chrigor Moraes, who converted from the spot after being adjudged to have been brought down by Ivan Sušak.
But the Sailors soon restored their two-goal cushion in first-half stoppage time. Ivan launched the move from the back, Maxime picked out Tsiy Ndenge, and the midfielder’s deflected pass fell kindly for Anderson to tap home with his right peg and complete a perfect hat-trick.
“I don’t believe sitting back is a good thing unless you’re protecting a lead. With our strength, we can keep pushing, and luckily we got the third goal,” Ranko reflected.
Selangor threatened early in the second half when Faisal Halim stung Ivan’s palms with a rasping drive, but the Sailors responded instantly as Bart spearheaded a swift counter-attack and released Anderson, who coolly lifted the ball over Kalamullah Al Hafiz to make it 4-1.
It was Anderson’s second career four-goal haul, with his first coming for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo against Shimizu S-Pulse in the J1 League back in 2019.
“I’m ready to score more goals for the Sailors,” said Anderson, who was named Player of the Match. “In every new league there’s an adaptation period, but I feel I’ve settled now and I want to keep improving.”
Despite trailing by three goals, Selangor refused to give in and nearly pulled one back when Al Rawabdeh’s effort beat Ivan but crashed off the crossbar. The Red Giants did reduce the deficit in the 72nd minute, as Faisal Halim unleashed a fierce strike that went in off the underside of the bar.
He came close again with a curling free-kick 10 minutes later, but Ivan’s fingertip save ensured the Sailors closed out the victory with ease.
Despite the 4-2 win, Ranko stressed that his side could have been far more clinical as the Sailors marked their return to Bishan Stadium for continental action since last season’s ACL Two final.
“The only thing I would say is we could have scored more,” said Ranko. “We also conceded a very unnecessary second goal, which made it a little more exciting for the fans. But it’s good that I have two or three good strikers because they push each other and that brings the best out of them.”
The night, however, belonged to Anderson, who once again showcased his pedigree on the continental stage in front of 1,745 fans. The 28-year-old is now up to 22 goals in AFC competitions, having also shone in his previous stint with Japanese giants Yokohama F. Marinos.
“We know he’s a top player,” Ranko added. “Every foreign signing needs time to adapt, but there’s absolutely no doubt about Anderson’s quality.”
The Sailors will return to action on October 18 as they host Young Lions in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at the same venue, before travelling to Thailand to face Bangkok United in their third ACL Two Group G match five days later (23 October).
Causeway pride will be at stake on Wednesday (1 October) evening, when the Lion City Sailors host Malaysia’s Selangor FC at the Bishan Stadium in their Group G Matchday Two clash of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two.
A sleeping giant
In what will be the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides, the Sailors are determined to make an early statement in the competition. Standing in their way, however, is Selangor – the most decorated club in Malaysian football history.
Selangor have lifted 53 top-flight honours, including 33 Malaysia Cup titles, eight Charity Shields, seven league championships, and five FA Cups. Their last major trophy, however, came in 2015 when they won the Malaysia Cup.
The Red Giants have struggled in the early stages of the Malaysia Super League (MSL), with a recent 1-0 loss to Kuching City marking their third defeat in five games. Their ACL Two campaign also started poorly with a 4-2 defeat to Bangkok United.
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Nonetheless, they have shown their pedigree in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, holding Buriram United to a 1-1 draw before sweeping aside BG Tampines Rovers 4-2 in their opening two matches.
But Selangor’s preparations for the Sailors clash were unsettled by a sudden coaching change, with Katsuhito Kinoshi dismissed just five days before Wednesday’s match.
Christophe Gamel has since taken over as Interim Head Coach, and the 53-year-old Frenchman began his tenure with a 2-1 victory over a Singapore Premier League (SPL) Selection in the Sultan of Selangor’s Cup on Saturday (27 September).
Despite the short lead time, Gamel remains upbeat about his side’s prospects against the Sailors.
“Four days with the team and one game in between isn’t enough, but the players are highly motivated,” he said. “We’ll make up for the lack of time with extra focus and energy. No matter the circumstances, it’s our job to make things happen.”
But even with the Sailors’ formidable home record in ACL Two, the former Vietnam assistant coach is confident his side can rise to the occasion.
“We know the Sailors are strong at home, but we want to play good football, and if we do that, we can get a positive result. The team will fight to secure the maximum points possible,” he added.
No shortage of experience
Despite losing talisman Ali Olwan in the summer, Selangor have revamped their squad with several key signings.
The standout addition is English attacking midfielder Zach Clough, formerly of Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest, who arrives after being named Adelaide United’s Player of the Year in the 2023/24 A-League season.
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They have also recruited Thai internationals Picha Autra and Kevin Deeromram – both of whom faced the Sailors in last season’s ACL Two with Muangthong United and Port FC respectively – and Brazilian striker Chrigor Moraes, who already has nine goals and five assists in 10 games.
This foreign contingent joins an already strong spine featuring Jordan internationals Mohammad Abualnadi and Noor Al-Rawabdeh, who were both instrumental in their nation’s first-ever FIFA World Cup™ qualification, while Cape Verde winger Alvin Fortes adds further attacking options to the squad.
Selangor’s imports are complemented by a solid local core that includes four Malaysian internationals. Captain Faisal Halim is a constant attacking threat, while Finland-born midfielder Nooa Laine (pictured below) remains a mainstay for both club and country.
Midfielder Quentin Cheng has also been a creative force for Selangor from the right, having recorded five assists in eight matches. However, they will be without centre-back Harith Haiqal, who is suspended after his red card against Bangkok United.
Sailors return to familiar ground
After a testing start to the campaign, the Sailors have rediscovered their groove in recent weeks, with a resounding 7-0 victory over Tanjong Pagar United in their last SPL fixture giving them momentum as they head back into continental competition.
This will be the Sailors’ first continental match at the Bishan Stadium since their heartbreaking ACL Two final defeat to Sharjah FC, and they are determined to make their return a triumphant one in front of their supporters.
“We are playing at our home ground for the first time in all competitions this season, so we’re very happy to be back here after four months,” said Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković. “There’s no pressure on the team. We have a group of experienced players who know how to handle big occasions. The focus is on enjoying every moment of this competition.”
Vice-captain Bailey Wright echoed his coach’s sentiments, and stressed the importance of converting home advantage into points.
Reflecting on the Sailors’ opening 1-1 draw against Persib Bandung in Indonesia, the Australian said, “I thought we played very well against Persib Bandung, especially in the second half when we looked more likely to win it. But like Coach Ranko said, every point is valuable in this competition.
“Our home record is good, but it’s up to us to keep it that way. Selangor’s changes make them unpredictable, but we always focus on ourselves and aim for the win.”
With a Singapore–Malaysia rivalry adding spice to the contest, Bailey knows that national pride is also at stake in this game.
“History shows there’s always been a rivalry between the two countries, and it’s always nice to be part of a game with that extra edge. Such games attract good support, and we’ll have our fans behind us,” he said.
“Last year’s run showed that we weren’t just representing the Sailors, but also Singapore as a football nation. We feel a responsibility to do well for both club and country, and we’ll use that motivation to drive us tomorrow.”
Seven Lion City Sailors players have been called up to Gavin Lee’s 26-strong Singapore National Team squad that will face India in a crucial Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifying double-header in October.
On-loan defender Safuwan Baharudin, along with Lionel Tan, Hami Syahin, Song Uiyoung, Shawal Anuar, and custodian Izwan Mahbud, have kept their spots from the previous September window, during which the Lions were defeated 2-1 by Malaysia and held Myanmar 1-1 in ‘A’ International Friendlies.
Meanwhile, Lions and Sailors captain Hariss Harun returns to the fold after a successful return from injury and has a chance to add to his tally of 142 caps.
The 34-year-old started two out of the Sailors’ three fixtures in September, including the 5-0 Singapore Premier League (SPL) win over Balestier on 14 September and a 1-1 draw away against Persib Bandung in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two four days later.
The Lions will first host India at the National Stadium on Thursday, 9 October before facing the South Asia nation again away at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa five days later (14 October).
Currently top of Group C with four points from two matches, positive results in these two games will put them in the driving seat for a first-ever qualification to the Asian Cup on merit.
