Category: News
Dan Petrescu: Sailors are no pushovers
Heading into their Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) 2023/24 Group F clash against the Lion City Sailors on Wednesday (8 November), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will feel like a wounded animal.
After all, they have just suffered a 4-2 loss to Pohang Steelers in the Korean FA Cup final last Saturday (4 Nov), a defeat that means the South Korean powerhouse will end the season without a single trophy for the first time since 2013.
With that result still stinging, Jeonbuk will walk out at the Jalan Besar Stadium with fire in their belly.
Last season’s ACL semi-finalists will be encouraged by the fact they recorded a 3-0 win against the Sailors in their previous clash at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium on 25 October.
No room for complacency
But Head Coach Dan Petrescu warned his charges against any hint of complacency.
“We’re talking about different competitions. This is the ACL, where top teams from Asia play, and just like teams in Europe, we have to forget about the FA Cup game and focus on this competition,” said the former Chelsea defender.
“Losing the FA Cup final was not a good result, but It’s going to be an exciting match between both teams. I’m sure the Sailors will play well just like they did in previous matches and it’s going to be hard for us.”
The FA Cup loss will not be the only thing on Jeonbuk minds.
Earlier on Tuesday (7 Nov), the Korea Football Association rejected their appeal over an issue of an additional opposition player on the pitch in their K League 1 match against Pohang on 28 October. The match that ended 1-1 saw Pohang played with 12 men on the pitch for six minutes.
A successful appeal would have meant a 3-0 win awarded in favour of them and given them a significant boost in their chances of finishing third – which comes with a spot in the play-off rounds of the 2024/25 ACL Elite competition.
Jeonbuk are now in fourth, four points off third-placed Gwangju FC with three matches left in the 2023 K League 1 season.
But Petrescu insists that the events surrounding the team will not affect their performances on the pitch.
“Of course I heard the news, but this is football sometimes, we have to accept this and quickly move on to our next match.”
Fatigue may be a factor
Since their previous encounter with the Sailors, Jeonbuk have played three competitive matches in the space of eight days, while the Sailors will undoubtedly come into Wednesday’s clash the fresher of the two sides, having not played any competitive games since falling to Jeonbuk in Jeonju on 25 October.
But midfielder Paik Seung-ho, who played the full 90 minutes across the three matches, is confident that their players are fully prepared for Wednesday’s clash.
“Of course we’re a little tired, but as players we’re thankful we get the chance to play so many games and competitions,” said the 26-year-old, who scored against Brazil in last year’s Qatar World Cup.
“Our strength is we have a lot of quality and depth in our squad, and those who go out onto the pitch will fight hard to get us the result we need.”
Weather and pitch conditions may play a part
For Jeonbuk, playing on an artificial pitch and adjusting to the weather conditions here will be challenges the players have to overcome.
“The weather here is totally different to that of Korea, and in these one or two days we have to try our best and adapt,” Petrescu said.
“In football, the game will never be the same, and we expect our chances to be even for tomorrow’s match.”
Sailors braced and ready
The Sailors are also in need of a result to keep their dream of becoming the first Singapore team to get through the ACL group stage alive.
And Sailors defender Manuel Herrera López (Súper) revealed that the lengthy rest the team has enjoyed will aid their cause, adding: “Right now we’re ready and everyone’s expecting a tough game.”
Jeonbuk have won twice at home – against Kitchee SC and the Sailors – in the group stage of the continental competition, but suffered a 3-2 defeat to Bangkok United in their only Group F away fixture thus far.
And at the halfway mark of the group stage, the nine-time K League 1 champions and two-time ACL winners are second in Group F with six points, three ahead of the Sailors.
Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković highlighted the changes his side will need to make in order to achieve a better result this time.
“In the away game, the defensive side was something we didn’t do well, especially the second balls we didn’t win. That’s something we’ve been working on for the last two weeks,” he said.
“We’ll need the fans tomorrow for us to play the perfect game and get the result we want.”
Defiant Sailors plotting Jeonbuk revenge
Even as the Lion City Sailors trudged off the Jeonju World Cup Stadium some two weeks ago, they already had that look on their faces.
The 3-0 defeat to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors that night stung, and it was clear that even as they dragged their feet off the pitch and into the dressing room in South Korea, the Sailors were plotting revenge.
The Singapore Premier League’s representatives at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) line up against Jeonbuk, two-time ACL champions, on 8 November at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Matchday Four of the ACL 2023/24 group stage, and they are hell-bent on making amends.
“I don’t think we did that bad. We tried to execute what we worked on in training, but a small mistake or lapse in concentration became crucial, as they do in games like these.
“When you concede a goal in the first five minutes against a team that has such quality, things become very difficult,” said Manuel Herrera López (Súper), referring to Jun Amano’s 5th-minute opener on the night.
“If we had gone into half time 0-0, they would’ve been in a rush, possibly making mistakes and we could have had more chances.”
The 31-year-old has already set his mind on a specific goal in the rematch.
“Playing against their no. 10, the striker (1.93m tall Park Jae-yong) was one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever faced,” said Súper.
“And I need revenge.
“Every day since, I’ve been thinking about how I could have done better, and I’m sure my teammates are also thinking how they can improve, and help the team get a result.”
Christopher van Huizen is another who has revenge on his mind.
“We could have kept better shape as a team and been stronger in one-on-one situations – especially me. I was quite disappointed with the way I played, especially because I was in quite good form for the previous one and a half months,” said the 30-year-old.
“I know one thing for sure, I’m not going to let this happen again.”
With a clearer picture of how Jeonbuk set up, coupled with the factor of playing in front of a home crowd at Jalan Besar, Súper is certain that the Sailors can jettison the underdogs tag and go all out for a victory on Wednesday.
“It’s going to be a different game here because it is hotter here than in Korea, the field is smaller and we are playing on an artificial surface. Jeonbuk play really nice football, but we are going to make it tough for them,” said the Spaniard.
“I’m not talking about one point – we’re going for three. I’m an optimist and I want to get the win so that we can keep dreaming of qualifying for the Round of 16.”
The Sailors are three points behind second-placed Jeonbuk at the halfway mark in Group F and six behind leaders Bangkok United. A win is the perfect tonic to revive the Sailors’ chances of progression ahead of the final two group games.
It is a fact not lost on Chris.
“We came into the competition believing we can do something, and we know we could have done better thus far – but we’re not giving up without a fight, even though it’s tough to get out of the group now,” said the Singapore international.
“Whenever we’re playing at home, we are pretty hyped and we’re going to draw on that energy from the crowd to push ourselves beyond our limits. It’s about keeping our shape, encouraging each other and keeping our heads screwed on throughout the 90 minutes.
“Let’s do that and see where it gets us.”
When the final whistle was blown at the Clementi Stadium, the stands erupted in wild cheers before chants of “Campeones” rang out, lauding the eleven players that made up the entire matchday squad of the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team on Sunday (5 November).
The evening’s resounding 11-0 victory over Geylang International saw the women seal the Deloitte Women’s Premier League title for the second year running, and there was a mix of joy and relief.
The team weathered a tough 2023, losing several players to long-term injuries while others headed overseas on football scholarships. The Sailors have had to dig deep several times all season, with last night proving a unique challenge – the women only managed 11 players on the day, and not all of them were fully fit.
“I already told the players that we should enjoy these two matches because for the whole season, we’ve been struggling with different challenges,” said Head Coach Yeong Sheau Shyan, who was effusive with praise for her players.
The Sailors got off to an energetic start, with Lila Tan taking two shots at goal and Josephine Ang hitting the woodwork.
“Initially, it was quite hard to break down the defence because they packed the middle,” said captain Ho Hui Xin. “I told the team at the start that if there is a half-chance, we have to take it.”
The team’s patient build-up play was rewarded in the 12th minute after Julia Farr hammered in the opening goal from the left flank.
Still working through rehabilitation for a knee injury, the early goal provided the German a big confidence boost.
“I haven’t played a full match in a while and knowing I could get some tackles did make me a bit nervous,” said Julia. “But everybody was amazingly supportive, kept pushing me, helping me and cheering me — that helped tremendously.”
In the 20th minute, fullback-turned-centre back Nur Syazwani Ruzi sent a delightful through-ball to Miray Altun on the right flank, beating the entire Eagles defence. Miray calmly slotted home the Sailors’ second goal of the night.
A Geylang handball in the box gave the Sailors a 32nd-minute penalty, with Josephine converting from the spot to pick up her first goal of the evening. She later scored another two goals to snag her first WPL hat-trick.
Josephine is now the team’s third-highest scorer with seven goals, only behind Miray who has eight and Nur Izzati Rosni who netted 12.
“I think that we are really a team,” Sheau Shyan said. “We are passing the ball around trying to find the free player. It’s not about who is a good goal-scorer, but who is in the correct position.”
Before half-time, Julia bagged another goal while Lila capitalised on a smart switch in play to send the Sailors 5-0 up going into the break.
“It was definitely such a good feeling, especially after coming back from a five-month injury break,” said Julia, after her two-goal showing. “I just kept telling myself: do what you can and try to enjoy the game. Try to help the team and keep it simple. Focus on the basics and then see what I can do.”
In the second half, skipper Hui Xin and mid-season signing Nica Siy each picked up their first goals of the season. The Sailors now boast 19 different goal-scorers in this season, testament to the depth and clinical finishing across the entire squad.
Teenager Madelin Lock also got herself on the scoresheet in the 58th minute, after a solid performance in the Sailors midfield. The 16-year-old played a big role in relentlessly switching plays across both flanks, consistently opening up pockets of space for her teammates.
Miray then secured a brace for herself after firing a spectacular shot into the top corner in the 71st minute.
“Everybody knows their roles and responsibilities,” Hui Xin said. “As captain, I only had to remind everybody about the game plan, because everybody carried their weight tonight.”
Looking ahead, Hui Xin acknowledged that their next match against Hougang United, currently ranked third in the league, a fortnight later on 19 November will be a stern test.
“At the end of the day, we are a team and can be very proud to have overcome so many different challenges and obstacles this year,” added Julia.
“We always believed that we could win the league again and, after a lot of hard work from everyone, here we are.”
After last weekend’s (29 October) 3-0 win against second-placed Albirex Niigata (S), the Sailors propelled themselves seven points clear at the top of the 10-team Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) table.
With just three games left to play in the WPL 2023 season, that hard-fought victory now gives the Sailors the opportunity to seal back-to-back WPL titles this Sunday (5 November), if they beat Geylang International at Clementi Stadium.
In a challenging season that saw several key players sit out with long-term injuries and others leaving in mid-season to either further their studies or go on scholarships, several youngsters – seven in total – stepped up and into the spotlight after being promoted from the Sailors Girls’ Academy.
One of them is Josephine Ang, who will always remember the moment Head Coach Yeong Sheau Shyan told her she was going to be promoted to the WPL team.
“It was very shocking to me, but I knew I had to make Coach Sheau Shyan proud because she really believed in me from the start. She talked to me about the discipline and the commitment I need to have in order to be in the senior team,” said the 17-year-old forward.
There is little doubt that Josephine has come a long way as a player, but it is the team ethic and unity that makes her heart swell with pride.
“We lost many players due to long-term injuries and instead of us being negative about it, we worked even harder to get closer to the WPL title. The team has put in an incredible amount of effort this year – it’s surreal,” said the teenager, who already has four goals in her debut WPL campaign.
“The Albirex game last weekend was one of my proudest moments. The whole team worked hard and fought for one another. I saw my teammates score while I was on the bench and I’ve never been more proud of my team.”
Josephine called for discipline and composure as the women prepare to take what could be the final step up to be crowned champions this Sunday.
“We must treat this game like any other game but we cannot be complacent,” she explained. “We need to stick to Coach Sheau Shyan’s game plan, play to our strengths – keeping the ball in tight areas and being able to switch it out – and play with a higher intensity too.”
Lila Tan, who has three years on her younger teammate, has already established herself as one of the Sailors’ senior players. She is confident that the team has what it takes to get the job done on Sunday.
“I believe with an optimistic mentality and a strong team cohesion, we will be able to remain composed and execute our game plan,” she said.
“I do still get pre-match jitters, but I am eager to simply play my part in the team to get us that win. We have been pushing ourselves for the potential title at training and I’m confident we will implement what we have learned.”
Lila has watched the young ones come into the team this year, and the 20-year-old has enjoyed seeing them grow into their respective roles.
“It has been such a privilege to play with the juniors, they are full of spirit and determination,” gushed Lila.
“There is a growing unity between the juniors and the seniors, and I think it’s also important that we are having fun at training sessions – that can only help us improve as a team, and consistently get results, like we aim to do on Sunday.”
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team channelled nerves into a rousing 3-0 victory over Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) title rivals Albirex Niigata (S) at Clementi Stadium on Sunday night (29 October), opening up a seven-point gap between them and the second-placed White Swans.
The result means Sailors can potentially clinch back-to-back WPL titles next Sunday (5 November) against Geylang International, with the women needing just another three points to open an unassailable lead at the top of the 10-team standings.
“Everyone was nervous and it was stressful because we knew we had to win,” said Head Coach Yeong Sheau Shyan. “Our objective was to be efficient in attack today, to go around the midfield and play down the flanks.”
With teenager Madelin Lock signalling the Sailors’ attacking intent with a shot from distance in the second minute of the game, the stage looked set, but the White Swans responded strongly.
Albirex were hot on the charge in the following ten minutes, forcing the Sailors to work together and fend off the Japanese side’s quick attacking play, even managing to produce convincing counter-attacking opportunities in response.
“We knew that Albirex was stronger than us in the air so we had to make sure we challenged every ball,” said Sheau Shyan. “Beatrice did very well to claim a few.”
Sheau Shyan and the Sailors had Beatrice Tan to thank, the goalkeeper pulling off a string of fine saves to keep her team in the game, especially with Albirex’s 2015 FIFA World Cup silver medallist, Kana Kitahara, looking threatening in front of goal.
Even with a spectacular point-blank save off a Kana header in the 15th minute, Beatrice was quick to give credit to her teammates for their defensive work.
“I think it was Izzati (Rosni) who covered the gap,” Beatrice said. “The Albirex player didn’t get a clean header and therefore I was able to make the save. Without that, it would have been a different story.”
That save provided the Sailors a sturdy platform to go forward in search of goals to secure the three points, and that all-important first goal came in the 19th minute.
Mid-season signing Cara Chang took a cheeky free kick — smashing the ball under the wall of jumping defenders — for the Sailors’ first goal on the night and that was already the 14-year-old’s fifth goal in a promising start to her WPL career.
A few minutes later, an incisive through-ball from Sailors’ top-scorer Izzati set Miray Altun free on the right flank. Miray then calmly lobbed the ball over the Albirex keeper for her sixth goal of the campaign to double the Sailors’ lead.
In the 40th minute, Madelin rounded off a clinical first half from the Sailors with a goal of her own to put the Sailors firmly in the driver’s seat at the Clementi Stadium.
“It’s great that all three goals came from three different players, as it shows the versatility of the team,” Beatrice said. “We don’t rely on a single player. We work together as a team.”
The Sailors switched gears in the second half, with Sheau Shyan directing the team to play a more controlled game to preserve the three-goal lead.
“For the second half, we were keeping our advantage and not over-committing in attack. We had to hold back because we are usually very attacking-minded,” said Sheau Shyan.
“In the end, the team did what was needed — the boring job that was necessary.”
Central defender Sara Hayduchok put in a gutsy performance in the heart of the Sailors’ defence, shutting down several probing Albirex attacks, especially in the second period, but for Beatrice it was the team ethic and commitment to the game plan that were key to victory.
“Everybody always says the same thing about how we stick to the game plan, but it’s really, really true,” said the 31-year-old, who has still conceded just one goal all season. “Coach gave us a plan and everybody stuck to every detail of it, from the corners to the opponents’ goal kick.”
The clean sheet against Albirex is an important personal milestone for Beatrice. Over the last few weeks, the Sailors’ custodian was in recovery mode, nursing a back injury that she had picked up during the national team’s loss to North Korea at the recent Hangzhou Asian Games.
“It feels good to be back, fully fit. I’m really thankful for the support system at the club, including sports trainers Vincent Teo and Lucas Tay for helping me get back on track.”
Beatrice and her Sailors will be looking for the win next week against Geylang to defend the WPL title they won — as Invincibles — in 2022. And even if the Sailors do secure the WPL title next week, Sheau Shyan has set her team’s sights on repeating that feat.
“We have one more target on top of the title,” said Sheau Shyan.
“We want to be unbeaten — again.”
The chase has been on all season. The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team and their counterparts from Albirex Niigata (S) have both tasted the air at the summit of the 2023 Deloitte Women’s Premier League table, but it is the Sailors who have stood their ground at the top since late July.
This Sunday (29 October) at Clementi Stadium, the Sailors and second-placed Albirex – separated by four points in the table – will vie for the three points that will alter the complexion of the WPL title race.
Should the Sailors win, they will put one hand in the trophy, with a seven-point lead and just three games left to play. However, a loss means Albirex will be breathing down their necks being just a point behind.
Yeong Sheau Shyan’s side have been soldiering on despite recent issues with injuries and player unavailability, and defender Nur Syazwani Ruzi believes the team’s strong mentality is a key asset that will pull them through another tough obstacle.
“It’s mind over matter at this point. No matter the numbers, we will still play and everything will fall into place,” said the right-back.
“We make do with the players we have and the backroom staff have worked very hard to ensure we recover properly after every match so that we go into the next one in the best condition.”
The 22-year-old finds herself as the team’s top-scoring defender. She has already bagged three goals this season.
“It felt good as I told myself I want to score more this season, since I only scored one in our title-winning season in 2022,” she said, referring to her clutch injury-time penalty conversion to lead the team to a 1-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United two weeks ago.
The Sailors have largely brought their dominance of last season forward into 2023, with 13 wins and one draw in 14 matches this campaign.
That blot in what would have been a perfect record stings.
The White Swans was the only team that were able to take points off the Sailors when both sides last met in June – an injury-time equaliser by Tina Afrida helped Albirex collect a valuable 1-1 draw.
“It (that game) does really bother me, but we do make mistakes and we can only learn from them. It’s going be a crucial game this weekend and we will give 110% to win,” said Wani.
Sailors’ top-scorer, Nur Izzati Rosni, echoes her teammate’s thoughts.
“It certainly dissatisfies me to think about it, especially because we played very well and had numerous scoring opportunities. We should have won that game,” said the striker, who has 12 goals this season.
“But we didn’t, so we simply need to move on, concentrate on playing better and convert chances into goals in the next game. I want to beat them, and we must approach the game with discipline and focus in order to do that.”
With the experience of playing against numerous countries and clubs throughout her career, Izzati knows all too well the importance of adapting to an opponent’s style of play.
Albirex have strengthened much in the mid-season transfer window, with the addition of players like Marina Asada and Sierra Castles to complement league-leading scorer Kana Kitahara (17 goals) in the attacking third.
“Albirex has talented players, but their style of play differs from our preferred possession-based football. It will therefore be difficult for us. We have been working hard to get better at both our own style and how we handle opponents on the field,” she explained.
“At this point, everything depends on our ability to take this to the field and carry out our game plan. We are ready, and I have no doubt that we can get the job done.”
We lost to a better team: Ranko
Last April, the Lion City Sailors beat K League 1 side Daegu FC 3-0 for a historic first win in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL).
But there was no repeat of those heroics on Wednesday night (24 October) as the Sailors fell to a 3-0 loss to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in their ACL 2023/24 Group F clash at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium.
A disappointed Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković admitted his charges were beaten by a better team in their second ACL defeat of the season.
“Congratulations to Jeonbuk, they deserved this victory tonight. The result was a tough pill to swallow, even though we knew even before the game they had quality in their ranks,” said the Serbian, who acknowledged the gulf between the two teams.
“It was a difficult game and we were struggling especially in the first half. When you concede two very easy goals early on, you know it’s going to be a long evening ahead.”
It was indeed a long evening for the Sailors’ faithful, some of whom were present in the away section at Jeonju. In front of a boisterous partisan crowd of more than 4,800 fans, Jeonbuk took the lead after five minutes.
Japanese midfielder Jun Amano – who was the only foreign player to start for Jeonbuk on the night – curled an accurate left-footed shot from range into Zharfan Rohaizad’s bottom corner to stun the Sailors.
Up against a defence marshalled by Jeong Tae-uk and Hong Jeong-Ho, the likes of Maxime Lestienne and Richairo Živković found it tough to get a sniff of the ball as the Sailors struggled to get their engine into gear.
The Sailors would find themselves two goals down on 33 minutes, with defender Lionel Tan inadvertently turning home Lee Dong-jun’s cross into his own net.
Just before the interval, the visitors mustered their only shot on target all night, with Maxime’s near-post effort kept out by Jeonbuk custodian Kim Jeong-Hoon.
In a bid to add firepower upfront, forward Shawal Anuar came on in place of Lionel at the break, but the move did not manage to spark life into the Sailors.
Instead, it was South Korean international Moon Seon-min who would go on to seal the three points for two-time ACL winners Jeonbuk in the 57th minute.
The former Djurgårdens IF man capitalised on a Zharfan spilled cross, to tap the loose ball into an empty net to make it 3-0, a scoreline that remained until the final whistle.
The result means the Sailors remain third in Group F with three points in as many games. Jeonbuk move into second, three points behind leaders Bangkok United who ran out 2-1 winners over Kitchee SC in the night’s other Group F fixture.
Both sides set to face off again at Singapore’s Jalan Besar Stadium in two weeks’ time on November 8.
Despite the defeat, Ranko is certain his charges can only grow from this experience.
“I told my players in the dressing room: they can get better by playing in games like these. We can learn a lot from today, especially when it comes to the intensity of the game,” he pointed out.
“We might have lost today, but we still have one more game and it will be a different game playing at home with the artificial turf and weather. If there was one positive from today, it would be that we didn’t pick up any new injuries or red cards.”
Wide man Hafiz Nor agreed.
“It was a disappointing result for us tonight, but I’m hopeful that we can get a positive result with the home advantage in our next game,” said the 35-year-old, who came on as a 67th-minute substitute.
“We are thankful to the fans who showed up in Korea. They cheered us on regardless of the result and they will be crucial again when we face Jeonbuk back in Singapore.”
On paper, the odds are stacked against the Lion City Sailors.
The Singapore side are making just their second foray into the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL), and will stand across two-time ACL champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the South Korean outfit’s own Jeonju World Cup Stadium.
But the stoic Sailors are unfazed.
“Jeonbuk is undoubtedly one of the strongest teams in Asia, but we came here to compete and show what Singapore football can do. We believe we’re capable of playing good football, even against the best in the region,” said defender Zulqarnaen Suzliman, who started in the Sailors’ first two Group F ACL games.
Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković sang from the same hymn book.
“Jeonbuk is a big club with a lot of tradition in the AFC Champions League, with physically very strong players, local players who are playing at the highest level for South Korea and a very experienced coach as well. We’re here as a new club trying to represent the best of Singapore football,” said the 45-year-old.
“But we’re ready to come here and compete – my players are ready for this challenge and we’re not intimidated.”
A tough trek into Jeonju
Barely 12 hours after Saturday’s (21 October) 4-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United to put one foot into the Singapore Cup semi-finals, Ranko’s men hopped on a six-and-a-half hour flight to Incheon and then had to travel another four hours by bus before settling into Jeonju-si late on Sunday night.
Issues with training grounds on Monday saw the Sailors improvise, training on the artificial surface at Deokjin Sports Park, a public football facility owned by the Jeonju City Sports Council, and even had to clear the pitch due to prior bookings made by a local amateur group.
The Korean autumn has not helped.
Average temperatures hovers between 18°C and 7°C with the Sailors backroom staff hard at preparation before the trip to make sure the players are acclimatised. Thermal innerwear and winter jackets have been provided for each player, with this the first time most of the Sailors’ local footballers are playing under such conditions.
But Zulqarnaen (Mamat) is adamant the unfamiliar climate will not deter their drive to put on a good performance.
“After a few days here, we’re getting used to things. This weather is actually perfect for football – it’s not too cold and we don’t sweat as much compared to when we’re playing in Singapore,” he said.
“We’re just focused on what we want to achieve as a team. This is a big game – a tough test – for us and we’re going in with everything we’ve got to make our fans proud.”
To say that it is a tough test is no understatement.
Up against an Asian giant
Jeonbuk – semi-finalists at last season’s ACL – are Asian football royalty.
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal have the most ACL titles winning the tournament four times. Pohang Steelers (South Korea) and Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) have three each, while Jeonbuk have won Asia’s flagship club competition twice – in 2006 and 2016 – while finishing runners-up in 2011.
They are amongst the most successful teams in K League 1 and have been champions a total of nine times – including a string of five consecutive titles from 2017 to 2021.
Players who have suited up for them in the past includes the legendary Lee Dong-gook, current Bayern Munich star Kim Min-jae and forward Cho Gue-sung who featured at the 2022 FIFA World Cup for South Korea.
Jeonbuk’s current squad features much talent as well. Current South Korea internationals include the likes of Kim Jin-su, Moon Seon-min (pictured below) as well as Paik Seung-ho who scored a long-range screamer against Brazil at the Qatar World Cup.
But they have wobbled a little this season, seeing former coach Kim Sang-sik stepping down in May, and languishing in mid-table for portions of the 2023 K League 1 season.
A surprise 3-2 defeat to Thailand’s Bangkok United on the last ACL matchday meant the Thai side currently lead Group F with six points, with Jeonbuk level on three points with the Sailors.
Jeonbuk’s upturn in form
However, they have been on a mini-renaissance since then. Jeonbuk defeated FC Seoul 2-0 on the final day of the 33-round Regular K League 1 season, finishing within the top six to clinch a spot in Final A – where they will play another five matches within the group to determine their final position.
In their first match in Final A last week, they struck a last-gasp winner to down Daegu FC 2-1 to go into this game brimming with confidence.
Their bid for the three points against the Sailors are boosted by the return of five players who missed the first two matchdays due to their Asian Games participation with South Korea’s Under-23 side.
Paik captained the young Taegeuk Warriors to a 2-1 victory over Japan in the final, alongside the likes of goalkeeper Kim Jeong-hoon, defender Park Jin-seop, midfielder Song Min-kyu and forward Park Jae-yong.
Head Coach Dan Petrescu is adamant that they put on a strong display at home after failing to win all four (two draws and two losses) of their last home games in domestic football.
“Tomorrow is a really important game for Jeonbuk because of the loss in Thailand. I want to see a very good reaction from the players. While I want my team to be offensive, I want them to control the game and have balance,” said Petrescu.
“We’ve shown in our last two games that if we concentrate, other teams will find it hard to score against us,” added the Chelsea legend, who was appointed only on 9 June.
“But it won’t be an easy game, the Sailors have top national players who play for Singapore and some very good foreigners. So we definitely have to play good in defence to win the game.”
The Lion City Sailors Women came away with a routine 6-0 win against Balestier Khalsa in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) on Sunday (22 October).
The result at Choa Chu Kang Stadium meant Yeong Sheau Shyan’s Sailors remained top of the WPL standings with 40 points, four ahead of second-placed Albirex Niigata (36), the Sailors’ opponents next Sunday (29 Oct).
Against Balestier, the defending WPL champions got off to a lacklustre start but recovered well to dispatch their opponents comfortably. 16-year-old Madelin Lock also got on a WPL scoresheet for the first time with two goals to her name.
Sheau Shyan was delighted with a win that will provide a much needed confidence boost ahead of the Albirex clash.
“We needed this result today, we were a bit slow in the beginning but the second half was a much better performance and we’re happy with that,” the 45-year-old said.
“We saw the younger players being able to keep the ball well, especially in the middle of the park. I didn’t expect them to adapt as quickly as they’ve done, but technically and tactically, they’re as good as the older players.”
Four players promoted from the academy this season featured for the Sailors on Sunday: Tia Foong, Madelin included in the first eleven, while Cara Chang and Josephine Ang came off the bench.
Balestier enjoyed early possession, but the Sailors grew into the game, and took the lead in the 28th minute.
Miray Altun received a pass down the right flank and her cutback was diverted by Izzati Rosni into Madelin’s path. The midfielder sent a looping shot over Balestier goalkeeper Tan Eng Chiu, becoming the Sailors’ 17th different goalscorer for this WPL season.
Eight minutes later, the Sailors doubled their advantage after Izzati received the ball inside the box, took a touch and slotted it into the bottom corner for her 12th goal of the season.
The team started the second half with more control, and dominated proceedings even though they only opened the floodgates in the 71st minute.
14-year-old Cara, who had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes, curled the ball into the top corner for her fourth goal of the season, this after being played through by fellow substitute, Josephine.
Another three goals in the space of eight minutes then put the game to bed. Balestier’s Seri Nurhidayah turned the ball into her own net in the 77th minute, before Madelin netted her second of the night four minutes later.
Miray then finished off a counter-attacking move in the 85th minute for her fifth goal of the campaign to seal an emphatic Sailors’ win.
For Madelin, the goals provided an added boost, the match is only her second since returning from an injury sustained on 5 August.
“I am exhilarated, it’s amazing to score, especially because I’m more used to assisting my teammates,” she said.
“I’m thankful to my physios, for helping me get me back to full fitness, and my teammates for being patient with me throughout my rehabilitation.”
Despite the big win, Sheau Shyan was acutely aware that there is still everything to play for in the WPL, with a top of the table clash against Albirex around the corner.
“Sunday’s match will probably be the deciding match of the season, and we’re going all out to try and win,” she said.
“We know what we’ve set out to do and we want to win every match left this season.”
He can recall the moment in vivid detail as if he was watching a video playing right in front of his eyes.
“I didn’t think the cross would reach me, but I knew I needed to be sharp and react. And when the ball left my foot, I knew I was going to score,” said Richairo Živković.
With that swing of his left boot, the 27-year-old scored his 10th, and perhaps the most significant goal of his four-month old Lion City Sailors career. Richi’s 14th-minute strike set the platform for a crucial 2-1 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) victory over Hong Kong champions Kitchee SC on 4 October, a victory that kept the Sailors in the hunt to qualify for the Round of 16.
“It was an amazing feeling and gave us confidence as a team to score that early,” said the former Ajax Amsterdam man.
“We played a very good first half and should have been three or four goals up instead of just two. Overall, it was a great night in Hong Kong and everyone left the stadium very happy.”
The result, coupled with Bangkok United’s 3-2 upset of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, have thrown Group F wide open after two matchdays.
Bangkok lead the table with six points, while the Sailors are level with Jeonbuk on three points – with both teams set to face off in Jeonju in Matchday Three on Wednesday (25 October) before reconvening at Singapore’s Jalan Besar Stadium two weeks later.
After a couple of creditable performances and a win in the bag, Richi is bullish about the Sailors’ chances against an Asian powerhouse with two ACL trophies in their cabinet.
“For sure, it won’t be easy but the ball is round, no?” mulled Richi. “And we’ve shown so far that we can level up to perform in this competition.
“We’ll need to work together as a team and try to take advantage whenever we get some space upfront. At the same time, football is also about luck and we’ll probably need to get through a phase of the game where the other side is constantly attacking,” he added.
“Our mentality as a team is to go for the three points and that doesn’t change, even if we’re playing against a top side.”
While Richi and the Sailors’ attacking crew will be looking to exploit the spaces upfront, Aleksandar Ranković’s men will also need to replicate the resolute defensive display they put up against Kitchee.
With Zharfan Rohaizad putting up an inspired performance in between the sticks that earned him a spot in the ACL Team of the Round for Matchweek 2 and a solid back three of Manuel Herrera López (Súper), Hariss Harun and Lionel Tan, the Sailors stood firm in Hong Kong.
“It was a pleasant surprise and an honour to be selected, but at the end of the day, I was just happy to help the team and that’s what it’s all about really,” said Zharfan.
“The defenders in front of me did a splendid job – they swept everything up and had full concentration till the final minute of the game. We were very motivated to get a result and that’s how we should always perform in the ACL.”
Against Korean giants Jeonbuk, the odds are stacked against the Sailors, but the 26-year-old stands defiant.
“If it’s not tough, then it won’t be the ACL. We’re in this competition for a reason – to show that Singapore football has a place in Asia,” said Zharfan.
“We’re here not only to represent the club, but also our country: to play top teams from Korea or Japan is always the aim – and we’re not fearful, we’re relishing this challenge.”
