Category: News
Timing his jump to perfection, Lion City Sailors centre-back Bailey Wright rose highest in the box to nod home Adam Swandi’s pinpoint corner for his team’s third – and final – goal of the night.
The Australian was immediately embraced by his jubilant teammates, who knew that his 84th-minute goal had just guaranteed them all three points against Tanjong Pagar United.
And so it proved, as the Sailors eventually ran out 3-0 winners against the Jaguars last Sunday (7 July) at the Bishan Stadium.
Notably, this was Bailey’s second goal in consecutive home games, having found the back of the net in the 7-1 thrashing of defending Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions Albirex Niigata (S) last month. With two goals to his name, the 31-year-old has already equalled his goal tally from last season.
Bailey, however, was keen to downplay his individual contribution, and instead emphasised the Sailors’ resilience and tenacity in beating Tanjong Pagar.
“There’s going to be times throughout the season when… we have to find different ways to play and win. I’m happy that I scored that header, but the most important thing for us is to win, and we fully deserved the three points,” said the Australian.
“We could have had more (goals), but I think there’s still more to come from us. It’s still early in the season. We know how good we can be, and we know we can still reach another level. That is what’s driving us in every game – to get better and keep winning.”
It has not gone unnoticed that the Sailors have looked more threatening on set-pieces this season, and Bailey admits that it is an aspect of the game the team has been working hard on.
He explained, “Set pieces are a significant part of football, and considering the quality we have throughout the team – both in terms of the set-piece takers and the players getting on the end of chances – we know we are capable of capitalising more on these opportunities. We’ve discussed it internally, and it’s definitely something that we pay attention to.”
At the other end of the pitch, Bailey has forged a strong partnership with Toni Datković in the heart of the Sailors defence. Despite joining the club in February this year, Toni – who came with experience in Spain’s LaLiga 2 – has quickly established himself as a key presence in the backline alongside Bailey, impressing with his ball-playing abilities and aerial dominance.
Having seen Toni up close in action, Bailey knows just how good the Croatian is.
“From the moment Toni walked in the door, he brought a top mentality. And you can see that on the pitch – he’s real quality.” said Bailey.
Bailey also attributes his on-field partnership with Toni to their strong relationship off the pitch.
“When you have a good relationship with someone off the field, you tend to have a good relationship with them on the pitch,” shared Bailey. “Toni and I get each other without having to say too much at times. When you feel that sense of confidence in your partner, you go out there and have fun. It’s always nice when you’re playing alongside a mate.”
Around this time last year, Bailey travelled more than 10,000km to carve out a new chapter of his career in Singapore with the Sailors.
Despite a rocky start to his Sailors career – he was sent off on his debut – Bailey has since won over the fans with his gutsy, all-action displays in defence. Now with a full pre-season under his belt, the former Sunderland captain is determined to push on even further.
“It was quite an experience, getting a red card on my debut.” Bailey recounted with a chuckle. “It was tough at the start without my family here, and when I got injured. This season though, I’ve had a full pre-season with the club, and now that I have my family living with me, I feel more settled in Singapore.”
Having already lifted both the Singapore Cup and Community Shield with the Sailors, Bailey is eager to add more silverware to his collection.
He stated, “A goal of mine this season is to play well and help the team that wins. It was nice to come here and lift two trophies, but I’m always hungry for more.”
Up next for Bailey and the Sailors is an intriguing encounter against fourth-placed Balestier Khalsa at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (13 July) evening.
Though the Sailors – who are unbeaten this season – are viewed as the favourites to win, Bailey is under no illusions about the challenge that the Tigers will pose this weekend.
“They (Balestier) are doing well, and we know that they’ll be tough opposition. Overall, I think the league is stronger this season, and we have full respect for everyone we play. We’re well aware of what Balestier are capable of, and I’m looking forward to the game.”
The Tigers have only lost just one out of their six games played so far – a 4-2 defeat to title challengers BG Tampines Rovers. They also possess in-form forward Kodai Tanaka, who has already scored eight goals this season after making a successful recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for the majority of 2023 when he was still with the Sailors.
While acknowledging that his former teammate will be a threat for Balestier, Bailey is looking forward to the challenge of keeping him in check.
“We know he (Kodai) is a good player and tough to play against. But as a footballer, that’s what you want. I’m sure he’ll be relishing the challenge as much as I am,” Bailey said.
“Kodai has had a tough time with his injury, but he worked really hard to get himself back fit. It seems like he’s enjoying his football and scoring goals. I’m just happy that he’s back to doing what he loves, because at the end of the day, everyone wants a healthy and happy career.”
Nonetheless, Bailey is confident that his team will be able to come away from the challenge of Balestier with all three points.
“We have a lot of firepower and quality within the team to score, and it’s evident in the strong goal difference we’ve amassed so far,” Bailey noted. “I think we just need to keep doing and executing it better as we continue to improve and practice.
“By continuing to build on the foundation that has brought us success so far, we will grow stronger as a team with each game.”
The Lion City Sailors are pleased to announce the appointment of Firdaus Kassim as the club’s new Under-21 Head Coach.
The 37-year-old replaces José Mataix, who leaves the club to take up a coaching role with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq.
Recognised as one of the brightest coaching minds in the local football fraternity, Firdaus brings with him extensive experience from his overseas coaching stints with Thailand’s Muangthong United and the Laos national team. He also previously led Singapore Premier League (SPL) side Hougang United to their first-ever trophy, the 2022 Singapore Cup.
He is also one of the youngest coaches in Asia to attain an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Professional Coaching Diploma, also known as the AFC Pro-Diploma – the highest level of coaching accreditation issued by the AFC.
“It’s a proud moment for me to be given this huge responsibility of developing the next generation of players at the Sailors. I’ve always loved working with young talents, and it’s exciting to be here because we have plenty of players with very high potential,” said Firdaus.
“Coach José prepared the team well during pre-season, introducing excellent ideas and implementing the Academy’s playing style. My goal is not only to build on the strong foundation already in place but also to positively influence this group of players. I hope they, in turn, will do the same for the next generation, fostering a culture of mentorship and support within our Academy.”
Firdaus came onboard the Sailors’ Academy earlier this year, taking on the roles of Under-15 Head Coach and Development Coordinator for the Under-13 to Under-18 teams.
It was an enriching experience that left him yearning for more. He elaborated, “I have to say this is by far the best environment I’ve worked in during all my years in coaching. The professionalism here is top-notch.
“We have a diverse group of coaches and players with varying backgrounds and profiles to learn from and share experiences with, and we’re all working towards a common goal.
“I enjoyed coaching the U15 team. The exciting football we played during our recent training camp in Madrid, Spain, showcased how brave and special these players are.”
A firm believer in having players develop as both individuals and as part of a collective, Firdaus’s primary target is to implement a style of play that is aligned with the club’s philosophy.
“Our idea is to always dominate the game, both with and without the ball,” Firdaus explained. “Every player who started playing football at a young age did so because they love having the ball, and found great pleasure in attacking and scoring goals.
“So, I hope we remain competitive against every team, playing with the intention to win while adhering to our style of football. It’s also important to maintain the same joy of playing that the players had as kids. We have a set of ideologies as an Academy about how we want to play, and I want everyone to take ownership of their responsibilities within the system. At the same time, we aim to create flexibility and freedom to allow individuals to flourish.”
Crucially, Firdaus is looking forward to being the bridge between the Academy and the first team. Much like how Academy graduates such as Nathan Mao and Nur Muhammad Asis have established themselves in the club’s senior squad, Firdaus hopes to be able to develop more talent for the Sailors’ first team in the future.
“As a club, we’re focused on developing players through training and leveraging the resources available to us. We aim to create an optimal environment for these players to seamlessly transition into first-team football,” he said.
“The ideal scenario, of course, is for some players to secure moves to overseas clubs to aid in their development as footballers and individuals. However, our primary goal is to produce players who not only break into the first team but also dominate and play a significant role in the club’s future successes, as well as contribute to the Singapore national team.”
Firdaus is now focused on preparing the boys for the resumption of their SPL Under-21 campaign. Having begun the season with a 3-1 win over Balestier Khalsa earlier in May, the Sailors will next take on Albirex Niigata (S) on Monday, 29 July.
Firdaus insists that he will look beyond just the team’s results this season and instead focus on the process of development.
“We have players with high potential, but we need to be patient and remember they’re still in the developmental stage. We should not expect too much from young players too early. Instead, we will balance this by giving them opportunities at the right moments, with a strong support system around them to help them succeed.
“We have to get this process right in order to bring through these talented young players.”
Over S$132,000 in donations and sponsorships was raised at the Tasek Sailors Charity Football fundraiser on Sunday, 7 July, with 20 corporations and organisations, along with approximately more than 75 Tasek Sailors youths and their families, coming together for the second edition of the event.
The funds raised will empower and uplift disadvantaged children and youth across Singapore through Tasek Sailors – a collaborative initiative between Lion City Sailors and Tasek Academy and Social Services. Established in June 2023, this initiative aims to provide a comprehensive program that integrates football training with mentorship, academic support, and life skills development.
The multi-dimensional approach is designed to inspire children and youth to dream big, reach their full potential, and positively impact their communities.
After the success of last year’s inaugural event, the second edition of the Tasek Sailors Charity Football tournament returned to the Lion City Sailors Training Centre, with corporate donors and members of the local football community gathering once again in the spirit of the Beautiful Game.
Ms Jane Ittogi, graced the event as Guest of Honour and praised the work of the Tasek Sailors.
Ms Ittogi, who is also the Chair of Tasek Academy and Social Services, said, “The important thing… is that it’s not just about football. As Tasek Sailors continue to make waves, their journey shows us all that doors do open, and dreams can come true with self-belief, perseverance, and support from all. Football, like all sports, is about what we each do, as players, as parents, as teachers, as coaches, as donors, to open doors.”
The fundraiser saw esteemed organisations like JP Morgan, MSIG, Prudential, Deloitte, Singapore Pools, X-Press Feeders and the Ministry of Education (MOE) taking part in the Corporate tournament, with Kstone beating Studio 8 Interior 2-0 in the final to win the tournament.
Former and current Singapore internationals from both the Men’s and Women’s teams, including Lionel Lewis, Aleksandar Duric, Ho Hui Xin, and Zulfahmi Arifin, along with local media personalities Ian Fang and Nicholas Teo, added stardust to the event, as they led the Under-14 to Under-16 youth teams from Tasek Sailors in friendly matches against their counterparts, while also sharing their own personal life journey and giving advice to the young participants.
There were also workshops scheduled for the youths, featuring guest speakers from MOE – Ghazali Abdul Wahab, Noor Aishah Haja Mohideen, Khairunnisa Ismail and Nasrun Mizzy – and entrepreneur Nabill Shukry Johari, who is the founder of Cheekies SG. Participants at these workshops gained insights into entrepreneurship, sports nutrition and leadership.
In addition, selected post-secondary youths took on various event-related roles such as youth team managers and business managers, empowering them with leadership opportunities.
“This is the second time we’re holding this fundraiser and it’s even more meaningful this year with the inclusion of various aspects to enrich the youths that came,” said Lion City Sailors General Manager, Tan Li Yu. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants and sponsors who contributed to the success of this event.
“We’re delighted by the support given and we’ll channel the funds raised into further improving the Tasek Sailors program to benefit the youths even more.”
The funds will be channelled towards three key pillars: Enhancing wraparound mentoring support for disadvantaged children and youth, Elevating the quality of the Tasek Sailors football program, and Expanding outreach to include more girls.
The Tasek Sailors have achieved several notable milestones since their inception a year ago.
The funds raised in 2023 enabled the entity to establish East Centres at Bedok Green Primary School and Manjusri Secondary School, extending self-development opportunities through football to 200 additional children and youth. In total, the initiative has impacted over 750 socially disadvantaged children and youth till date.
With centres established in the East and West, the Tasek Sailors aim to expand their programme by opening centres in the North and South, making it accessible island-wide.
Exposure to youth competitions was enhanced, with a total of five teams across the East and West centres participating in this year’s inaugural Singapore Youth League in the Under-15 and Under-17 categories. The U15 Tasek Sailors West A Team exceeded expectations by advancing from the classification round to Division 1.
Individuals – both boys and girls – who shone with their potential and dedication received the opportunity to get into the Sailors’ youth setup. Eir’man Aqel, who is now with the Sailors’ Development Centre (DC) Under-12 team,will be going for a 10-day training camp in Portugal in end-2024, while another two – Ziecqy Fadzreeq and Rasul Aufirzuansyah – got into the Sailors’ Football School (FS) 1 team, which competed in the JSSL U11 League and emerged as champions of their division.
Two girls, Nur Irnissa Munifa and Aniqa Shaista Bte Saufi, have also impressed enough to now be training with the Sailors’ Girls Academy.
The Tasek U16 girls team recently emerged champions in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Football Day tournament. They are also participating in the inaugural FAS Women’s Youth League, giving them exposure to both local and expatriate Singapore-based teams like the French Football Academy and ANZA.
Going forward, more training groups will be established to cater to competitive, developmental, and social players.
“Our goal is to make a lasting impact on the lives of our young participants by offering comprehensive support, high-quality training, and inclusive opportunities that empower them to realise their full potential,” said Muhammad Sufri Ramli, Lead Manager at Tasek Academy and Social Services.
“By integrating tiered leadership opportunities, psychoeducation, academic support, and increasing the presence of dedicated mentors, we aim to foster long-term personal growth alongside football development for our Tasek children and youth.”
The Lion City Sailors got the job done with a gritty performance, securing a 3-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) on Sunday (7 July) evening at the Bishan Stadium.
With the win, the Sailors – who dropped points for the first time this season following their 1-1 draw with Geylang International last Friday (28 June) – moved back to the top of the table, leapfrogging BG Tampines Rovers on goal difference.
The Sailors wasted no time in asserting their dominance over the Jaguars from the get-go, getting off to a perfect start when Maxime Lestienne gave them the lead after just two minutes with a precise left-footed curler.
The goal, which was assisted by Shawal Anuar, marked the fifth straight game in which Maxime has scored in the SPL this season.
Just three minutes after Maxime’s goal, Hami Syahin had the chance to double the Sailors’ lead when he beat his defender with a slick L-drag, only to see his shot go wide from close range.
In the 23rd minute, new Sailors signing Lennart Thy saw his goalbound effort blocked by a crowd of Tanjong Pagar defenders. This led to the visitors launching a counterattack which culminated in Zenivio Mota – the first Timor Leste player in the SPL – crossing the ball for Frenchman Salif Cissé, whose volleyed effort was well held by Sailors custodian Zharfan Rohaizad.
Midfielder Adam Swandi, who made his return to the Sailors starting line-up, staked his claim for a more regular role in the first-11 with a dazzling display, as he wowed the crowd with his skill and confidence on the ball throughout the first-half. And the 28-year-old was rewarded for his endeavour with a goal in the 41st minute, volleying home Maxime’s cross into the bottom corner of the net to double the Sailors’ lead.
“Starting a game means a lot to me, and I just want to contribute to the team as much as I can,” said Adam. “I’m happy to get a goal for myself, but of course, all the credit goes back to the team – Hariss (Harun) picked up a loose ball, Lennart created space in front of me, and Maxime, as always, created the chance. I just told myself to get some contact on the ball, and since it was near the goal, anything can happen.”
Despite holding a comfortable two-goal lead, the Sailors were determined not to rest on their laurels and immediately looked to extend their advantage in the second half, with Maxime’s 49th minute free-kick rattling the crossbar.
Christopher van Huizen reacted quickest to reach the loose ball, but his shot was parried by Tanjong Pagar goalkeeper Prathip Ekamparam. The rebound fell to Shawal, but the Singapore international lost his footing at the crucial moment, allowing the Tanjong Pagar defence to clear the danger.
At the other end of the pitch, Cissé missed several good opportunities to pull a goal back for Tanjong Pagar. The closest chance came in the 69th minute when his header from close range sailed over the bar.
Cissé’s misses ultimately proved costly for Tanjong Pagar as the Sailors secured all three points with a third goal in the 84th minute when Bailey Wright rose highest to head home Adam Swandi’s corner.
Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković was ultimately pleased to secure the win, and highlighted Adam for his impressive performance, which earned him the Man-of-the-Match award.
He said, “We scored three goals, got the three points and a clean sheet, so I’m glad the guys did their job. I’m happy that Adam stepped up for us today – he scored a goal and played a good game.”
Adam acknowledged that the Sailors could have performed better on the night, but credited the team for holding firm to deny Tanjong Pagar any chance of an upset and claiming a second clean sheet in the league this season.
“We are happy because we achieved our target of getting all three points today. Of course, there are still lots of things for us to work on on the pitch, and we are training hard every single day to correct it,” Adam elaborated.
“It’s never a perfect game… sometimes it’s scrappy like today. Certain aspects of our game did not click well but the biggest thing for us is to not concede goals. Everyone worked really hard to get the clean sheet today, and it gives us a morale boost for the upcoming games.”
Next up for the Sailors is a home game against fourth-placed Balestier Khalsa on Saturday (13 July).
It was a week ago when the final whistle blew at the Jalan Besar Stadium to signal the end of the Lion City Sailors’ perfect start to the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League season, as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Geylang International.
While Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković insisted that the draw was “justified” based on how the game went, it was ultimately still a disappointing result for his side, who were hoping to make it five wins out of five.
Nonetheless, there were a few Sailors who acquitted themselves well on the night against a resilient and tenacious Geylang side.
Among them was full-back Obren Kljajić, who has begun the season in fine form. Indeed, the 20-year-old Australian has played every minute of the Sailors’ five games so far, catching the eye with his industry, pace, and technical ability on the ball.
Despite the encouraging start to his Sailors career, Obren acknowledges the need to remain humble and not take his spot in the first team for granted.
Obren, who opened his Sailors account with a goal against Hougang United in their first SPL match of the season, explained, “It’s definitely a huge honour to be starting every game for a big club like the Sailors, especially given my age. All I can do is give my 100% everytime I step onto the pitch, and then it’s up to Coach Ranko to decide what he thinks is best for the team.”
When asked what his personal goals for the rest of the season were, Obren replied, “To be honest, I hope to play every game, and I want to contribute to the team in various ways. As long as I’m fit and healthy, and I can help the team, that’s all that matters to me.
“Overall, I think we have a really good group of players who have gelled really well together. We’ve all bought into what the coach wants us to do, so I’m confident it’ll be a good season for us.”
One of the criticisms levelled at the Sailors in the aftermath of their draw with Geylang was their supposed over-reliance in attack on last season’s SPL Player of the Year, Maxime Lestienne, who scored the equaliser to salvage a point for his side.
But Obren was quick to dismiss that notion, as he highlighted the depth and quality of attacking talent the Sailors possess – with already eight players on the scoresheet this season.
“We have numerous attacking threats in the team, including Bart (Ramselaar), Lennart (Thy), and Shawal (Anuar). Even midfielders like Song (Uiyoung) and Adam Swandi can make significant contributions in the final third,” Obren elaborated.
“I also see myself as a threat when I push forward from the left-back position. So apart from Maxime, we have plenty of firepower, which is evident in the goals we’ve scored this season.”
The Sailors will be looking to return to winning ways when they take on Tanjong Pagar United at the Bishan Stadium on Sunday (July 7) evening.
While the Sailors are heavy favourites to pick up all three points against seventh-placed Jaguars, Obren warned against complacency. The visitors got their first win of the season the last time out in a stunning 3-2 win over title challengers Brunei DPMM and will be looking to claim another scalp.
“I don’t think any game is easy in this league, so it will be a challenge for us,” said Obren. “If we drop our guard, we could get punished. Tanjong Pagar also just beat Brunei (DPMM), which shows that they are not a team to be taken lightly.
“We have to stay focused and play at our best. Our goal is to approach the game correctly, play well, and return to winning ways.”
Club Statement
We have noted FAS’s statement on 3 July 2024 regarding a goal in our Singapore Premier League match against Albirex Niigata (S) that was erroneously awarded due to an opposition player being in an offside position, and we would like to place on record our appreciation of their efforts in conducting a thorough investigation and review of internal processes to prevent a repeat of a similar incident. We fully recognise the huge responsibilities that match officials have and are very mindful of the intricacies that come with their roles.
We also are aware that a club official made certain comments on his personal social media account pertaining to the incident. The post has since been taken down and can no longer be viewed from his personal account. While the post was not intended to unfairly criticise, the official has acknowledged it was inappropriate for him to air his views through social media and understands that feedback should be submitted through the proper channels. We have taken disciplinary action against the club official.
At the Lion City Sailors, we uphold values of respect and integrity – and we will continue to work with FAS to foster the betterment of Singapore football together.
Any fears that the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team’s season would be derailed following their shock 2-1 defeat to Geylang International last Sunday (23 June) were well and truly put to rest, as Daniel Ong’s charges got back to winning ways with an emphatic 13-0 win over Tiong Bahru FC at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Saturday (30 June) evening.
With Albirex Niigata (S) hot on their tails in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL), the Sailors Women knew they could ill-afford to drop points in this one.
Nonetheless, Head Coach Daniel continued to place his trust in the club’s youth players, even handing a debut to 14-year-old Nur Ain Salleh – the first female scholar from the Lion City Sailors Football Academy’s Elite Development Programme.
And it was Ain, lining up on the right side of attack, who opened the scoring for the Sailors after just five minutes.
Receiving a pass from Dorcas Chu, the teenager took a touch to steady herself before slamming a fierce drive past the goalkeeper into the far corner.
Ain scoring so early on her debut may have come as a surprise to some fans in the stands, but Daniel insists he always had full confidence in her ability to make an impact on the team.
“She has been training with us for some time now, so her goal was not a surprise to us. We know what she is capable of, and in fact, she can perform much better than what she did today,” Daniel said after the game.
The early lead signalled the start of a relentless onslaught by the Sailors, as they launched wave after wave of attack on the Tiong Bahru goal. And the Sailors’ sustained pressure finally paid off in a devastating seven-minute spell, during which they scored four goals without reply.
First, forward Raeka Ee raced onto a through ball into the box, and calmly picked her spot past the despairing dive of the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 in the 19th minute.
That was her 12th goal of the season as she pulled level with Albirex’s Manami Fukuzawa at the top of the WPL scoring chart.
Barely two minutes later, Nur Sarah Zu’risqha won possession in the Tiong Bahru box and curled a shot into the far corner to make it 3-0 to the Sailors.
Dorcas then made it four with a long-range shot, before Sarah got her second of the game with a tap-in, giving the Sailors a five-goal lead in the 26th minute.
With the Tiong Bahru defence still reeling from the rapid succession of goals, Sarah capitalised to complete her hat-trick in the 32nd minute, pouncing on a loose ball in the box and calmly slotting it into the back of the net.
Now full of confidence, Sarah went on to score two more goals – one on the stroke of half-time and another just after the break – to take her tally this season to an impressive eight goals.
Reflecting on her prolific performance, the 17-year-old winger remarked, “I’m surprised I scored five goals tonight. Normally, I’m the one crossing the ball and creating opportunities for my teammates.
“But this week in training, we focused heavily on our attacking positioning and getting into better scoring positions — I believe it paid off, as I had plenty of chances today.”
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with the Sailors pressing forward in search of goals while limiting Tiong Bahru to speculative shots from range.
Sailors substitute Josephine Ang needed just five minutes to open her account in the game, pouncing on a deflected pass into the box and coolly directing a shot past the stranded Tiong Bahru goalkeeper.
Josephine then scored her second of the night after heading home Nurhidayu Naszri’s pinpoint cross, before curling a 66th-minute free-kick over the wall and into the back of the net to complete her hat-trick in style.
Incredibly, this was not the first time this season that Josephine has come off the bench to score a hat-trick, having done the same in the historic 18-0 win over Balestier Khalsa last month.
When asked about the competition for places in a squad filled with attacking talent, she explained, “Even though it’s challenging to secure a spot on this team, my teammates and coaches provide me with great motivation. So every time I come off the bench, I’m focused on giving my best for the team.”
Further goals from captain Umairah Hamdan and substitute Cara Chang added a touch of gloss to the scoreline for the Sailors, who have now completed the double over Tiong Bahru this season.
Despite securing a comprehensive win and increasing their goal difference, Daniel believes there is still room for further improvement from his team.
“Today we saw some positive movement, and combinations between the players, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” he reflected. “Nonetheless, I trust everyone in this squad, regardless of their age.”
The win moves the Sailors three points ahead of their closest rivals, Albirex, who face Geylang International on Sunday (30 June) night. The Sailors and Albirex will meet head-to-head on 20 July at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
The Lion City Sailors saw their perfect start to the 2024/2025 Singapore Premier League (SPL) campaign come to an end at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday (28 June) night, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by an impressively tenacious Geylang International side.
Indeed, it required a moment of magic from Maxime Lestienne to rescue a point for Aleksandar Ranković’s charges, who were far from their free-flowing best on the night.
The tone for the match was set as early as the 10th minute. The Sailors failed to clear their lines from a Geylang corner, leading to a gilt-edged opportunity for forward Tomoyuki Doi, who somehow managed to send the ball over the bar from point-blank range.
Barely three minutes later, the hosts found themselves ahead, with Vincent Bezecourt winning the ball in midfield before firing a long-range shot past the despairing dive of Sailors goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad. This marked the first time this season that the Sailors had trailed.
It was the wake-up call that the visitors – who had started the game sluggishly – needed, as they began to assert themselves on the game.
However, Mohd Noor Ali’s men put in a disciplined and hardworking shift to limit the gaps in their defence and midfield, making it difficult for the Sailors to carve out clear-cut opportunities.
At the other end of the pitch, Geylang continued to pose a threat on the counter, but they were unable to seriously test Zharfan in the Sailors’ goal.
By half-time, Geylang had outshot the Sailors eight to five – a clear indication that the Eagles had edged the first 45 minutes.
The Sailors, however, came out after the break looking intent on making amends for their first-half underperformance.
Unsurprisingly, it was Maxime who provided the spark for the Sailors, creating no less than three decent opportunities within the first five minutes of the restart, the closest of which came when Toni Datković headed the ball just wide from a set-piece routine.
Eventually, however, the Sailors’ pressure on Geylang paid off in the 57th minute. Bart Ramselaar delivered a low cross into the box from the left flank, finding an onrushing Maxime, who superbly placed a first-time shot into the bottom corner of the net for his fourth goal in as many games to draw the Sailors level.
Three minutes later, the Sailors came close to taking the lead for the first time in the game, but substitute Adam Swandi’s effort from Maxime’s cutback sailed just over the bar.
In the 65th minute, Geylang carved out their best opportunity of the second half, as Iqbal Hussain set Ryoya Taniguchi through on goal, but the Japanese was denied by a superb point-blank save by Zharfan.
The final quarter of the game saw a series of half-chances for both sides, with Bezecourt and Sailors striker Lennart Thy coming closest for their respective teams.
It took until the second minute of injury time for another clear-cut opportunity to present itself – this time, it was Sailors defender Bailey Wright who came close to scoring, as his header from Hafiz Nor’s cross drew a superb save from Geylang custodian Hairul Syirhan.
Ultimately, though, Ranko believes that a draw was a fair result on the night for both teams.
He said, “At the end of the day, I think a draw was justified. Both teams had chances to score. In the first half, Geylang had a little more initiative, but they didn’t really create much apart from a couple of set-pieces and their goal.
“In the second half, we were the better team, and the result could have been different if things had gone our way. But I think a point was the maximum we deserved to get.”
Ranko also admitted that there were aspects of his side’s performance that needed improving ahead of their next game against Tanjong Pagar United on 7 July.
“We played really poorly in the first half, especially in terms of our intensity. It was really surprising, and some of the players looked a little leggy, so that’s something that we’ll have to look into,” said Ranko. “Nonetheless, we knew we had to dig in during the second half, and that’s what we did. So, I’m happy overall that we managed to get a point.”
With the draw, both the Sailors and Geylang maintained their unbeaten records this season. The Sailors currently lead the SPL with 13 points, three ahead of Geylang and BG Tampines Rovers, who occupy second and third place in the table respectively.
The anguish and tears on the faces of the Lion City Sailors Women team at the final whistle following their 2-1 loss to Geylang International in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) last Sunday (23 June) said it all.
This was a foreign, unfamiliar experience – the pain of defeat was something that the Sailors Women had not felt before.
But all good things must eventually come to an end. And after 37 games, two years, and two WPL titles, the Sailors Women’s incredible unbeaten run – which began at their inception in 2022 – was finally over.
Understandably, this past week has been one of introspection and reflection for Daniel Ong’s youthful charges.
“We sat down as a team to discuss the game – Coach Daniel told us his point of view, and each of us also expressed how we felt,” revealed Sailors Women captain Umairah Hamdan. “We had honest conversations with one another, and this really helped the team internalise what happened last Sunday.”
As one of the more experienced members of the squad, Umairah acknowledges that she is relied upon to provide guidance and mentorship to the younger players this season – an especially important role during difficult times.
It is a responsibility that Umairah relishes, as she explained, “We’re an ambitious team that not just wants to win the WPL, but we also want to do well in the upcoming AFC Women’s Champions League.
“The pressure sometimes can be huge, and it does get to the younger players. So it’s our job as the senior players to reach out to them, provide support, and help them out in any way we can. We’re a close-knit group on and off the field, and that will help us in the important months ahead.”
Umairah also expressed her confidence in the Sailors Women not only bouncing back from the defeat to Geylang, but also growing from this painful experience.
She said, “It’s a good wake-up call. The girls now understand that we are not invincible. Each of us have to take ownership of our individual roles, as well as fine-tune our style of play together as a team to regain our winning formula.
“It wasn’t a bad thing to see how sad the younger girls were after the final whistle. It just shows how passionate and determined the team is to deliver results.
“Instead of being down, I can see the team having a lot of hunger to improve, and together, we’re going to fight and battle even harder so that we can be champions again by the end of the season.”
To that end, the Sailors Women have been working hard this past week on a number of attacking drills, while also ironing out certain defensive kinks that appeared in their previous game.
And they will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on seventh-placed Tiong Bahru at Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Saturday (29 June) evening.
“We actually played according to our plan against Geylang, but we did not crack their defence often enough, and when we did, we did not finish our chances,” Umairah reflected. “As such, we’ve been working on our creativity and movement in the attacking third so that we can find new ways of scoring.”
The Sailors and Albirex Niigata (S) are currently tied at the top of the WPL standings with 21 points each, but the Sailors hold the edge due to a superior goal difference.
With a swing of his right foot, Lion City Sailors midfielder Song Uiyoung volleyed the ball into the Albirex Niigata (S) goal, past the despairing dive of Hassan Sunny.
As Song ran off to celebrate his goal, the net still rippling from his shot, it was clear for all to see that the 30-year-old was well and truly back to his best.
Song’s goal was the fourth of seven for the Sailors in their 7-1 victory over defending Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions Albirex at the Bishan Stadium last Sunday (23 June).
More significantly for the Incheon native, however, it was his first goal for the Sailors since returning to the club in the off-season.
Song admits it was a special moment for him, one he had been looking forward to experiencing since donning the Sailors’ colours again.
“It was amazing to see the big reaction from the fans after I scored, and I fully felt the love coming from them. For me, this is what football is all about – it’s not just about us players, it’s about creating joy and having that genuine connection with our supporters,” said the Singapore international.
“I really appreciate their support, and we want to give them more things to be happy about this season.”
Song may have netted plenty of memorable goals during his first stint with the Sailors from 2020 to 2022, but he claims that this goal against Albirex ranks among his favourites.
Looking almost sheepish, the ever-humble Song said of his goal, “It was good…a good finish. The credit goes to Obren (Kljajić) – his cross was excellent and he gave it to me exactly in the spot that I wanted.
“We’ve been working on this (combination) and communicating a lot in training. He knows if he receives the ball on the flank, he can just cross it in because our attackers will be waiting in the box to receive.”
While Song has opened his account this season, he wants to temper expectations of being a regular scorer, as he has been assigned a different role since his return to the Sailors.
Given the plethora of attacking options within the Sailors’ ranks, Song has been deployed in a deeper role, where he is tasked with being the ‘bridge’ that connects the midfield and attack.
Regardless of where he plays, however, one thing is for sure: Song will always give 100 percent commitment and play for the team’s cause.
Up next for Song and the Sailors is a tough challenge against third-placed Geylang International at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday (28 June) night.
The Sailors will head into the game in good form, having gotten off to a perfect start in the 2024/25 SPL season with four wins out of four. But Song believes the team should stay grounded and continue working hard to keep their winning run going.
“We’re satisfied with our current results, and the team’s atmosphere is very positive. However, we must remain hungry and not let complacency sneak in. It’s a long season, and we need to stay motivated for every challenge,” he declared.
“Taking things easy after a good start is not our way. Every match is important, and we’re always on our toes during training to improve ourselves as individuals and as a team.”
Alongside the Sailors and BG Tampines Rovers, Geylang are one of three teams still unbeaten in the SPL. They also boast the league’s leading scorer, Tomoyuki Doi, who has netted nine goals so far.
As such, Song acknowledges that the Sailors will have to bring their A-game against the Eagles in order to pick up their fifth straight win on Friday.
“The SPL is not what some others think it to be – many teams have improved, and we’ve already seen some surprising results this season,” Song elaborated.
“Geylang is definitely a strong team, and we’ll have to be at our best to beat them. What’s most important for us is to prepare well and stick together as a team whenever we face any setbacks in a match or during the season – that is what will carry us throughout this long season.”
