Category: News
The Lion City Sailors battled to a hard-earned 2-2 draw against Bangkok United, picking up their first point of the 2025/26 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup campaign at the True BG Stadium on Thursday (4 December) night.
The Sailors struck twice inside the opening exchanges through Maxime Lestienne and Anderson Lopes, but were unable to press home their advantage as Bangkok scored a goal in each half to leave Group B honours even.
Speaking after the match, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković lamented the missed chances that could have tilted the contest, but conceded that a point apiece was a fair outcome from a tightly fought affair.
“A draw is a fair result. We took our first two chances, but we should have scored one or two more. We knew the pressure would come, especially with the players they brought on in the second half,” said the 47-year-old, whose side had lost all four previous meetings with the Bangkok Angels.
“As I’ve said before, our matches with Bangkok are always decided by fine margins. If you don’t convert your chances, you can lose games like this, so we were a bit fortunate today.”
Bangkok began brightly, with Seia Kunori firing an early warning shot, but it was the Sailors who landed the first blow — and in some style.
An incisive counter-attack, sparked by slick interplay between Hami Syahin and Tsiy Ndenge, sent the ball out to Maxime on the right. The Belgian winger needed no second invitation, cutting inside before unleashing a stunning strike into the top corner to hand the visitors an 11th-minute lead.
Tsiy was involved again nine minutes later, as he threaded a precise through-ball that sent Anderson racing clear. The Brazilian made no mistake, sliding his finish beyond Thai national no. 1 Patiwat Khammai and into the bottom left corner.
However, Bangkok halved the deficit in the 24th minute when Jakkapan Praisuwan’s effort from outside the area sneaked past Ivan Šušak.
Ivan, however, produced a brilliant stop in the 37th minute, as he reacted sharply to tip Kyoga Nakamura’s speculative shot over the bar.
Returning to the Sailors’ starting XI, Bailey Wright nearly marked his comeback with a goal in the 43rd minute, but his glancing header from a corner drifted just over the bar. Bangkok then passed up a golden chance in first-half stoppage time, as Kunori fired over from close range.
Chasing an equaliser after the break, the hosts introduced forwards Luka Adžic and Ilias Alhaft early in the second half. While Bangkok enjoyed more possession, it was the Sailors who carved out the clearer openings, most notably in the 70th minute which saw Maxime embark on a lung-busting run that ended with the Belgian flashing his effort narrowly wide.
Two minutes later, the Sailors threatened again when Maxime slipped a clever reverse pass into the path of Shawal Anuar, who also dragged his shot off-target.
They were made to pay for those missed chances as Bangkok eventually found the equaliser in the 76th minute. Thitiphan Puangchan’s effort was parried into the path of Alhaft, who squared it for Kunori to sweep home the equaliser.
The Japanese forward was later presented with a huge chance to put Bangkok ahead when he stretched to meet a Kyoga Nakamura cross from the left, but he could not make a clean connection.
Song Uiyoung then tried his luck from distance late on, though his effort drifted wide as the match ended honours even.
“I think we did well in the first half, but Bangkok came out strong in the second. We tried to win the game and gave everything we had, but we’ll improve on this performance,” said Shawal, who wore the captain’s armband for a second successive match.
Elsewhere in Group B, Nam Định defeated Shan United 3-0 while PKR Svay Rieng held Johor Darul Ta’zim to a 2-2 draw. The Sailors now sit fourth in the standings, ahead of Bangkok and bottom-placed Shan United on goal difference, the latter of whom they will host on 17 December.
Before that, however, the Sailors make a crucial trip to Malaysia for their AFC Champions League (ACL) Two decider against Selangor FC next Wednesday (10 December). A win, combined with a defeat for group leaders Persib Bandung, would secure progression to the knockout stage.
“Our priority now is to regroup and recover, and then assess who will be available,” said Ranko. “Anderson has picked up a knock, and Lennart (Thy) is expecting the birth of his child. It won’t be easy, but we’ll do everything we can to make the best of the situation.”
The Serbian also paid tribute to the travelling Sailors contingent in the away end, and emphasised that his side will give their all in what promises to be a pivotal fortnight ahead.
“The support from the fans was great today. I know it’s tough to fly here midweek, but I’m really happy and grateful for their voices,” said Ranko.
“The group is still open, and we have important matches coming up. Our goal is to win all of them and put ourselves in the best position to qualify for the next stage.”
After reigniting their hopes of reaching the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two knockout stages with a vital win over Persib Bandung, the Lion City Sailors now turn their attention to another international competition – the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup.
The Sailors take on familiar foes Bangkok United in a Group B Matchday Two clash away at the True BG Stadium on Thursday (4 December) night, and the target is clear: to get a good result and improve the team’s chances of reaching the knockout stages after an opening-day loss to Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).
Up against the Bangkok Angels (again)
This will be the fifth meeting between the two sides since 2023 – and their third in just 43 days – after facing off in the ACL Two on 23 October and 6 November.
On all four previous occasions, the Sailors were edged out by a solitary goal – an unwanted trend that head coach Aleksandar Ranković is determined to put right.
“We’ve played each other numerous times, so we’re very familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” said the Serb. “To be honest, I felt we didn’t deserve to lose in the last two meetings. What we learnt is that Bangkok are a side that know how to compete at this level, and they manage games with a lot of experience.
“We’re happy to be able to compete with them again and hopefully we can finally beat them this time.”
Like the Sailors, Bangkok United are still chasing their first points of this year’s Shopee Cup after an away defeat to JDT, and they arrive for this fixture in mixed form.
Since their 2-1 win in Singapore, they have drawn two of their last three Thai League 1 matches, with goalless results against Port FC and Sukhothai bookending a 4-1 victory over Prachuap FC.
On the continental stage, they were also held by a 94th-minute equaliser against Selangor FC a week ago (26 November), although the draw ultimately proved enough for them to clinch qualification to the ACL Two last 16.
“This is our second match in the Shopee Cup and we’re targeting a win to improve our chances of reaching the next round. We’ve beaten the Sailors in our past four meetings, and of course we want to make it five. But it will be a different game this time,” said Bangkok head coach Totchtawan Sripan.
“In the last two matches against them, the boys maintained full concentration and we were able to take advantage of the Sailors’ weaknesses. They had their chances but didn’t take them, while we took ours — that was the key difference.
“For tomorrow night, I believe the team that plays their football and makes the fewest mistakes will come out on top, and I hope that will be us.”
Sailors coming in with hunger
Once again, the Sailors will be up against several familiar names, including Thai internationals Patiwat Khammai, Weerathep Pomphan and Teerasil Dangda, as well as the former BG Tampines duo Seia Kunori and Kyoga Nakamura, with the latter having recently scored his first goal for Bangkok against Prachuap on 22 November.
Nonetheless, the Sailors’ priority is to focus on themselves and continue building on their recent improvements ahead of the clash.
The numerous encounters with Bangkok has also served to strengthen this point: the team will be decided on fine margins and the Sailors have been hard at work on the small details in training.
“There have been some great, closely fought encounters between both teams over the years. For us, we’re relishing this game, and we all know it comes down to the little details. Every mistake at this level gets punished, so we have to be fully switched on and play with a lot of pride tomorrow night,” said defender Lionel Tan.
It was a sentiment shared in the opposite camp.
“I didn’t play in the recent matches against the Sailors, but I watched them closely and felt we were just slightly ahead of them technically and tactically,” said Bangkok midfielder Wisarut Imura, who has recently returned from a long injury layoff.
“We’re a motivated team, and whether you’re in the starting eleven or coming off the bench, everyone is ready to contribute and help the team.”
The Bangkok match kicks off a hectic spell in which the Sailors will navigate five games across three competitions in just 17 days before the year draws to a close. However, it is a challenge Ranko believes has only fuelled the team’s motivation.
“We’re happy to have a run of games again, because we haven’t had that in the past couple of months. We’ve only played five league matches so far and that’s not enough for us. The players would always rather be playing than just training,” he said.
“I believe the team will be up for it, and we’re determined to deliver a good result for our fans who have travelled here.”
When Persib Bandung’s Andrew Jung put his side ahead at Bishan Stadium last Wednesday (26 November), it looked as though another difficult night in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two was looming for the Lion City Sailors.
This time, however, the hosts responded with conviction. Two quickfire goals from Shawal Anuar and Anderson Lopes flipped the contest on its head and sealed a vital win that kept the Sailors’ hopes of qualifying for the next round alive.
The result was especially satisfying for centre-back Lionel Tan, who still recalls last year’s corresponding fixture, which saw the Sailors concede three times in the final 15 minutes to fall 3-2 to the Indonesian side.
“I remember last year’s game vividly. We were disappointed, and nobody returned to the changing room happy,” said Lionel.
“This time, we managed to beat them by the same scoreline. Persib are a much stronger side this year, but we worked really hard and took our chances well.”
Beyond his defensive shift, Lionel also played a key part in the Sailors’ opener, delivering a pinpoint ball over the top for Lennart to finish. That assist was his third in Sailors colours.
“It was a good goal as my pass landed right behind the centre-back,” said Lionel. “But more importantly, Lennart’s touch and finish were perfect, so I’m just happy to have contributed.”
The victory was the Sailors’ fourth in five matches at Bishan Stadium this season, and Lionel felt the team’s response under pressure reflected their spirit and character.
“Everyone knew what was at stake. We certainly didn’t want to be eliminated from the competition, so we gave everything to get the win,” he said.
“Thankfully, we have a squad full of strong characters who can change a game even when we’re behind. That’s something we’ll carry into the final match.”
Despite securing a crucial win against the Group G leaders, the Sailors will still head into the final round of fixtures with their fate not in their hands. They must first beat Selangor FC and then hope Persib slip up against Bangkok United in order to reach the knockout stages.
Even with the uphill task ahead in the qualification race, Lionel remained intent on staying grounded in the Sailors’ own approach, and emphasised that the team’s mentality will be key heading into the decisive game.
“Focusing on what you can control is very important because you need to go into every game fully tuned in to your own performance, as well as what the coach has planned,” he said.
“Although qualification is not in our hands, we will go into the game aiming for a win. What we can control is giving our very best until the final whistle.
But first, the Sailors face a tricky away test against Bangkok United in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup on Thursday (4 December). This marks the Sailors’ third meeting with the Thai side in the past two months.
The Sailors’ only two defeats in their last eight matches against Thai opposition came against Bangkok, having recently lost 1-0 and 2-1 to them in the ACL Two group-stage encounters.
“Bangkok have some great players and are very competitive in the Thai League. This is the third time we’re playing them in a short span of time, and I think even they’re tired of seeing us,” Lionel said with a grin.
“Our past two meetings have been very close, and I expect the same this time. Losing all three games would not be ideal, so we’re definitely going there to get a result.”
The Sailors endured a disappointing Shopee Cup campaign in the 2024/25 season, finishing fourth in their six-team group after three defeats in five matches. They also made a tough start to this year’s edition, falling 3-1 to Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in their Group B opener back in August.
Even so, the experience has only strengthened Lionel’s resolve to help the team turn their fortunes around.
“The Shopee Cup is a very important competition to all of us. We know we have to push to do better than last year, which is why this game is so important,” said Lionel.
“It’s going to be tough, but I know the character we have in this team. We’re ready to bring the same spirit we showed against Persib and fight for all three points.”
Still riding the high of Singapore’s historic qualification for the Asian Cup, Lionel — one of eight Sailors called up for that decisive clash against Hong Kong — is keen to use that achievement as a springboard for further growth.
“Qualification for the Asian Cup has been one of the best moments of my career, and it motivates all of us to keep working harder,” he said. “For me, it’s about staying consistent, staying disciplined, and continuing to do what I’ve been doing.”
With a number of Sailors fans expected to make the nearly 2,000km trip to Bangkok, Lionel is determined to put in a performance worthy of their support.
“We’ve been to Thailand countless times, and we always see them there cheering for us. They may be small in numbers, but their voices are always heard loud and clear,” he said.
“Our Shopee Cup campaign has only just begun, and we’ll work hard to win games so we can be happy together.”
The Lion City Sailors reignited their 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two qualification hopes with a spirited 3-2 comeback victory over Group G leaders Persib Bandung at the Bishan Stadium on Wednesday (26 November).
Having suffered a heartbreaking late defeat in the corresponding fixture last year, the Sailors showed tremendous character to overturn a one-goal deficit through strikes from Lennart Thy, Shawal Anuar, and Anderson Lopes.
Crucially, the win keeps the Sailors firmly in the hunt for a spot in the Round of 16.
Speaking after the game, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković acknowledged that missing key personnel had complicated preparations, but paid tribute to his side’s grit and togetherness.
“This victory feels a little more special. We had trouble setting up the team with many key players missing, but my players gave everything they had and did an amazing job,” said Ranko, whose team became the first to put three goals past Persib this season.
“We knew it was going to be tough, and although the win wasn’t pretty, today was about getting the three points. Our hopes of qualifying are still alive, so full credit to the boys.”
In front of a 2,578-strong home crowd, the Sailors got off to a blistering start, taking just eight minutes to open the scoring through Lennart, who latched onto a long pass from Lionel Tan and lifted the ball over Teja Paku Alam for his third ACL Two goal of the campaign.
Persib, however, hit back almost immediately. Two minutes later, a short-corner routine ended with Frans Putros firing from the edge of the area; his scuffed effort struck the post and trickled over the line.
Song Uiyoung came close to restoring the lead in the 38th minute when his ferocious drive from range skimmed just wide, but the sides eventually went into the break level.
Persib emerged with greater intent after the interval, and took the lead in the 56th minute when Thom Haye found space down the right and crossed for Andrew Jung, who steered a precise header beyond Ivan Sušak.
With the Sailors staring at defeat, Ranko turned to his bench, introducing both Hami Syahin and Maxime Lestienne into the fray.
And their impact was immediate.
Barely a minute after coming on, Maxime whipped in a sumptuous cross for Shawal, who nipped in front of Putros and fired home the equaliser.
Persib almost hit back again, with Haye dragging a shot wide moments later. They went even closer on 67 minutes, but Ivan produced a superb reflex stop to deny Ramon Tanque from point-blank range.
From the resulting corner, Hami was perfectly placed on the line to nod away Júlio César’s goal-bound header.
The midfielder then turned creator in the 71st minute, showing real composure under pressure in his own box before lifting a pinpoint long ball into the path of Anderson, who coolly slotted past Alam for what proved to be the winner.
“I’m happy with the result, but this win was a team effort,” said Anderson, who was named Man of the match. “Everybody gave their all. You could see how much we wanted the three points, and that says a lot about our character.”
Despite missing stalwarts Bailey Wright, Hariss Harun, and Safuwan Baharudin at the back, the Sailors’ defence held firm under late Persib pressure. Ivan then capped a standout performance with another crucial save in the 75th minute, spreading himself brilliantly to block Uilliam Barros’ effort.
The win leaves the Sailors third in Group G, three points behind Persib, but with a superior head-to-head record.
With Bangkok United sealing qualification after drawing 1–1 with Selangor earlier in the evening, the Sailors know they must beat the Malaysian side on the final matchday, and hope Persib fall to Bangkok, to qualify as runners-up.
Even so, Ranko emphasised that the focus must remain on matters within the team’s control, as they now turn their attention to two pivotal away fixtures: a meeting with Bangkok United in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup on 4 December, followed by the decisive ACL Two clash against Selangor six days later.
“Just like today, every game is a must-win, so nothing changes,” said Ranko. “Selangor will be at home, it’s their last game and they’ll have a point to prove, so it won’t be easy.
“But instead of thinking about what happens elsewhere, our full energy and focus will be on Bangkok United next week, and then getting that win away at Selangor.”
After a three-week break, the Lion City Sailors return to action with a pivotal Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two clash against Indonesia Super League powerhouse Persib Bandung on Matchday Five.
Down, but not out
For the Sailors, the equation is simple – this is a do-or-die fixture. With back-to-back defeats to Bangkok United leaving their campaign on the ropes, they must beat the reigning Indonesian champions at Bishan Stadium to keep their hopes of reaching the next round alive.
Under ACL Two regulations, head-to-head results take priority over goal difference. So, as things stand, the Sailors must take maximum points from their final two matches, while hoping either Persib or Bangkok lose both of their remaining fixtures.
Any further dropped points would see the Sailors’ continental run come to an end.
The Sailors’ immediate task is to overcome a Persib side in formidable form. The Indonesian giants arrive in Singapore on the back of a seven-match winning run across all competitions, and remain unbeaten against the Sailors in three previous meetings.
Their last visit to Singapore came in November 2024 at the Jalan Besar Stadium, where they struck three times in the final 12 minutes to claim a 3-2 victory. Persib repeated that same feat in their recent ACL Two outing, as they came from two goals down to beat Selangor FC and move top of the group.
But despite their perfect away record so far, Persib Head Coach Bojan Hodak stressed caution ahead of the test at Bishan.
“Our confidence is high after winning the last seven games in a row. The team is getting better after each win, but the challenges are also getting tougher,” said the 54-year-old.
“The Sailors were finalists last year, so it will be a tough game. If we go into it with the mindset of settling for a draw, we’ll probably end up losing, so we’re going to try and win.”
A serial winner with 10 domestic top-flight titles across Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia, Hodak has steadied Persib after a shaky opening to the campaign.
The arrivals of versatile full-back Eliano Reijnders and Brazilian defender Júlio César have tightened Persib’s rearguard, which has kept five clean sheets in their last six matches and not conceded a domestic goal since September.
Further forward, new signing Andrew Jung has hit the ground running. The former Ligue 2 striker has scored in six consecutive matches, and most recently scored the winner in a crucial 1-0 league victory over Dewa United that kept Persib within reach of leaders Borneo FC.
While a draw tomorrow would be enough for captain Marc Klok and his side to reach the knockout stages of an AFC competition for the first time since 2015, the midfielder does not want to leave anything to chance, and insists his side will fight for all three points.
“We are not here for a draw tomorrow; our mindset is to go into every game wanting to win,” he said.
“The goal for Persib as a club isn’t just to qualify for the next round. We want to win the group. That has been our mission since the start of the tournament.”
Ready to give everything
The Sailors will look to build on the lift provided by Singapore’s historic Asian Cup qualification, which was secured with a 2-1 win over Hong Kong that featured five Sailors players in the starting XI.
Among them was midfielder Song Uiyoung, who previously spent half a season in Indonesia with Persebaya Surabaya. The 32-year-old knows Persib’s quality well, but believes the Sailors have what it takes to match them.
“The team has played against Persib a few times over the past two years, so we are familiar with their players and their strengths. All of us are well prepared for tomorrow,” said Song.
“We achieved a historic result for the Singapore national team last week, and I’m in a good mood and rhythm. I’m determined to perform and help the team get all three points.”
With a second successive knockout-stage qualification on the line, Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković is fully aware of the magnitude of the occasion.
“The one thing we’ve shown in this campaign is that the mentality in the team is strong. I don’t think we deserved to lose our previous two games based on the way we played, but luck has not been on our side this season, and that’s football,” said Ranko.
“Our task tomorrow is simple: it’s an important game that we have to win to stay in the competition. All of us are prepared to give everything to get the result we need.”
The Sailors fought to a hard-earned 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture on Matchday One, and Ranko remains confident that his side can do one better in front of their home fans.
“We’ve created a lot more chances than last season, but we’ve scored fewer goals, and that’s something we need to work on. If we can finish those chances, I think we can perform well in the competition,” he said.
“We carry the mindset to win into every game, and tomorrow will be no different — after all, it’s a must-win match for all of us.”
Key centre-back Bailey Wright will be suspended for this clash after accumulating three yellow cards, but the Sailors will be boosted by the return of captain Hariss Harun, who sat out the Sailors’ 2-1 home defeat to Bangkok three weeks ago.
Hariss’ leadership and experience will be invaluable for the Sailors, especially with a sizeable Persib following expected at Bishan Stadium on Wednesday evening. Song, however, believes the Sailors can rely on the home support to push them over the line in what promises to be an absorbing contest.
“The game tomorrow is very important, and I believe the fans are well aware of it,” said Song. “They have been giving us full support and motivating us in every game, and I’m confident it will be the same tomorrow.”
The Lion City Sailors Women concluded their maiden Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) group stage campaign with a 5-0 defeat to Stallion Laguna on Wednesday (19 November).
The result marked the Sailors’ third loss in as many Group A games and sealed their elimination from the tournament.
Nonetheless, Sailors head coach Daniel Ong praised his players’ efforts, and acknowledged that they had faced stronger opposition in all three matches.
“The level of physicality and technical ability at this stage is much higher,” said Daniel. “We need more opportunities to train and compete against teams of this calibre, and continue improving technically and physically so we can match the demands of top-level football.
“But I must say the players gave everything until the final whistle, and I truly respect their effort and commitment throughout this campaign.”
The Sailors made just one change to their starting lineup from the previous match, with Zhang Qiaoling replacing Irsalina Irwan. Stallion, meanwhile, named a strong side that included Philippines internationals Chandler McDaniel and Olivia McDaniel.
However, it was the Sailors who registered the game’s first meaningful effort in the ninth minute, when Eri Kitagawa’s sharp strike was gathered by Olivia.
Stallion responded three minutes later as Mia Bookhard tested Izairida Shakira with a fierce shot.
As the game wore on, the Filipino champions gradually took control, with Angelica Teves releasing Chandler in the 21st minute, only for Shakira to make an excellent stop. But from the resulting corner, the breakthrough arrived as Chandler’s delivery was headed home by American centre-back Halle Johnson to open the scoring.
Chandler continued to threaten, and the Stallion captain doubled her side’s lead just before half-time when Tayla Christensen slid a pass into her path for a powerful finish high into the net. It was a quality strike that underscored the pedigree of a player who had featured against Switzerland and Norway at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Sailors looked to regain a foothold after the break, but Stallion continued to look a threat whenever they poured forward in attack. The next chance of note came on the hour mark through Chandler’s free-kick, which was well gathered by Shakira.
Five minutes later, the Sailors fashioned a chance of their own through a set-piece, but Ami Takeuchi’s free-kick was saved by Olivia.
But Stallion put the contest beyond doubt in the 74th minute, after fine work down the left by McKenna Davidson ended in a simple tap-in for Christensen. The forward then completed her hat-trick in the 84th minute with a stunning long-range effort to make it 4-0.
The Sailors then introduced Rivka Ramji and Farah Nurzahirah as they looked to freshen things up, but it was Stallion who struck again in stoppage time when substitute Kaya Hawkinson released Chandler to slot home.
While the Sailors ended their debut group stage campaign without any points to show for, the experience has only strengthened resolve within the club to return stronger.
“It feels like going back to square one, similar to how we felt in the preliminary round last season,” said Daniel. “But it’s important to see firsthand the standard at this level. It gives us clarity on where we must improve.”
It has nevertheless been a campaign of marked progress. From finishing bottom of their preliminary group in 2024/25, the Sailors stepped up this season by defeating Jordan’s Etihad Club, SDYUSHOR SI-Asiagoal of Kyrgyz Republic, and Malaysia’s Kelana United — scoring eight goals across three matches — to reach the group stage for the first time.
“By getting here, we’ve shown the community back home the level they can aspire to,” said Daniel. “Hopefully it gives young players the motivation to compete well in the domestic league every week.”
Sailors captain Umairah Hamdan admitted that progressing from the group was always going to be a tall order, but emphasised how proud she was of the team’s bravery and effort in every match.
“One of the clearest learnings is the difference between full-time footballers and part-time players. You can immediately see the gap in fitness, intensity and endurance. But our girls really pushed their limits and kept going regardless,” said Umairah.
“On top of that, coming into a competition of this calibre — where the physical demands and quality of football are higher than what we faced in the preliminary rounds — required strong mental readiness. We had to adapt quickly, stay composed and embrace the challenges head on.”
Echoing Umairah’s sentiments, Daniel added, “Facing professional clubs who train, eat and breathe football every day was never going to be easy. Our players need to grow physically, mentally and technically. There’s still a sizable gap in terms of attributes and fitness, but we’ve definitely improved from our first AWCL season.
“There’s plenty of work ahead before we can truly compete with professional clubs at this stage, but we’ll keep pushing.”
The Lion City Sailors Women have endured a challenging yet eye-opening debut Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Group Stage campaign, with back-to-back defeats in Group A leaving them in must-win territory for their final fixture.
Having fallen to Melbourne City and Ho Chi Minh City, the Sailors now know that only victory over Philippines side Stallion Laguna at the Thong Nhat Stadium on Wednesday (19 November) will keep their hopes of a quarter-final berth alive.
A tricky opponent
Stallion, however, present a stern test. A large portion of their squad comprises Filipino players with American heritage, including the McDaniel sisters — goalkeeper Olivia and attacker Chandler — who were part of the Philippines’ historic FIFA Women’s World Cup debut in 2023. The pair joined Stallion following that campaign and played pivotal roles in edging arch-rivals Kaya FC–Iloilo to the 2024 PFF Women’s Cup.
Photo: 2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Team captain Chandler (pictured above) is a prolific threat in the final third, having scored nine goals across three AWCL Preliminary Stage matches to fire Stallion into the Group Stage. Olivia has been equally influential at the opposite end, and is currently second for saves made in the Group Stage, with seven stops in their 1-0 and 7-0 defeats to Ho Chi Minh City and Melbourne City respectively.
The squad is further bolstered by a talented supporting Filipinas cast, including midfielders Kaya Hawkinson and Isabelle Pasion, as well as newly-capped forward Malia Cerdon. They are complemented by experienced foreign recruits such as former Ninja A-League midfielder Emily Roach and New Zealand forward Tayla Christensen, who featured at the 2016 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
Sailors determined for AWCL breakthrough
Despite the setbacks against Melbourne City and Ho Chi Minh City, the Sailors remain in contention for a place in the next round, with a route still open to qualification as one of the two best third-placed teams.
A win will see them secure third place in the group and progression will then hinge on whether their final points tally exceeds that of the third-placed side in Group B.
“The past two results weren’t good for us, but it’s part of the game. The atmosphere in the camp remains really positive and we all believe that we still can qualify,” said forward Raeka Ee.
“We’ll be going out there with full determination tomorrow and we’re very eager to show what we can do on the continental stage.”
But regardless of how the qualification picture unfolds, the Sailors remain intent on making their mark by overcoming Stallion and securing their first-ever points in the competition.
“We’re not overly concerned with the results or qualification; our focus is largely on how we can improve as a team and how the girls can benefit from this experience,” said Assistant Coach Yeong Sheau Shyan.
“The girls have fought admirably throughout this campaign and tomorrow is another chance for them to battle against the best in this region. I’m confident they will put up a performance that we can be proud of.”
Singing from the same hymn book, Raeka added, “Instead of focusing on things that are not within our control, we want to use our energy on trying to play our football, stick together as a team, and execute the game plan laid down by our coaches.
“As long as we do that, I think we can get a good result.”
The Lion City Sailors Women delivered a spirited performance in their second Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Group Stage fixture against Ho Chi Minh City Women, but were edged out 2-0 by the hosts at the Thong Nhat Stadium on Sunday (16 November) night.
The Sailors held firm for much of a tightly contested affair and put in a resilient defensive shift, only to be undone by two late strikes. The match also saw a worrying moment in the second half involving Nur Ain Salleh, but the team showed admirable resolve to press on until the final whistle.
Reflecting on the result, Sailors Head Coach Daniel Ong noted that while there remains ground to cover to match the competition’s top sides, he was proud of his players’ unwavering commitment.
“Although there is still a significant gap between us and the other clubs, the girls have always given their all in every training session, even after coming from work or school,” he said. “They have pushed themselves to their ceiling, so let’s not take anything away from them.”
Up against a side that had previously made a surprise run to the semi-finals, the Sailors showed no sign of intimidation, and even created the first real opening of the match with a slick move in the 15th minute, which ended with Ami Takeuchi forcing goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh into a smart save.
As the hosts looked to grow into the game, the Sailors’ backline — marshalled by Khairunnisa Anwar and new signing Hikaru Shibusawa — stood their ground with a series of important blocks and timely interventions.
Ho Chi Minh City’s first real sight of goal came in the 32nd minute, when skipper Huynh Nhu’s dangerous cross flashed across the face of goal and just evaded an onrushing Aubrey Goodwill. The hosts threatened again moments later, as Phan Thi Trang headed a free kick over from close range.
Spurred on by nearly 1,000 home supporters, Ho Chi Minh City almost broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time through Huynh Nhu’s curling free kick, but Sailors goalkeeper Izairida Shakira reacted brilliantly to palm it onto the post.
The Vietnamese side continued to apply pressure after the break, with substitute Thi Huynh Nhu striking the post in the 58th minute. She nearly turned provider nine minutes later, as she whipped in a cross that found Phan Thi Trang, whose header once again came back off the woodwork.
From the resulting corner, Huynh Nhu met the delivery with a powerful header, but Shakira stood tall to block it at point-blank range.
However, the match’s key turning point came in the 75th minute when Ain went down off the ball, with the severity of the situation underscored by an ambulance being called onto the pitch.
With play halted for eight minutes and the team understandably shaken, the Sailors gathered together in a tight huddle before the restart to muster up their spirit for the remainder of the game.
But with emotions still raw, their resistance was finally breached in the 83rd minute, when Tran Bao Chau’s mishit pass took an unfortunate bounce over Shakira and into the net.
“The girls have an amazing bond between them, so it’s only natural that the incident affected all of them,” Coach Daniel explained. “It’s not easy to stay focused against a quality opposition after such an incident, and it was an experience that the girls had never faced before.”
In the fourth minute of added time, substitute K’Thua broke into the box and calmly slotted home to put the result beyond reach.
“We came prepared for a very tough opponent, and the girls did well to keep the scoreline goalless for the majority of the game,” said Assistant Coach Yeong Sheau Shyan, who also shared that Ain was thankfully awake in hospital thereafter.
“The players were understandably shaken after the incident and lost a bit of focus. The goal came soon after the restart, and it was difficult to claw our way back from there.”
Despite the disappointing result, Sailors captain Umairah Hamdan praised the team’s resilience in the face of adversity.
“Today’s performance showed the amount of grit and fight in the team. We used the incident as fuel to keep going on the pitch,” she said.
“We’ll bring that same hunger and spirit into the next game. All of us are motivated to give everything we have to push for a place in the knockout stages.”
Despite back-to-back defeats, the Sailors remain in contention for a place in the knockout stage as one of the two best third-placed teams. They will next face the Philippines’ Stallion Laguna on Wednesday (19 November), with a draw enough to secure third place in the group on goal difference.
Their progression will then depend on whether their final points tally surpasses that of the eventual third-placed side in Group B, whose matches begin on Monday (17 November).
Regardless of what unfolds, Coach Daniel hopes this campaign will lay a foundation for aspiring female footballers in Singapore.
“The girls have given their all, both physically and mentally, across this tournament, and featuring at this stage is a huge milestone for all of them,” he said.
“We hope this campaign inspires the next generation of female footballers to work harder and develop the attributes needed to compete at this level.”
The Lion City Sailors Women will need to dust themselves off quickly after Thursday’s (13 November) 5-0 loss to Melbourne City, with another formidable test awaiting in the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL).
After all, the Sailors’ second Group A fixture sees them take on host side and last season’s surprise semi-finalists, Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City Women’s Team, at the Thong Nhat Stadium on Sunday (16 November) night.
Up against ASEAN’s finest
The all-conquering HCM City recently clinched a record 14th Vietnamese Women’s National League title, as they underlined their domestic dominance for the seventh consecutive year.
In last season’s inaugural AWCL, they made waves with a remarkable comeback in the quarter-finals as they overturned a two-goal deficit in the final 15 minutes to defeat Emirati side Abu Dhabi Country Club 5-4, before eventually bowing out to eventual champions Wuhan Jiangda Women’s Team.
Their star-studded squad features several players from Vietnam’s historic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, including national no. 1 Tran Thi Kim Thanh and 37-year-old winger Tran Thi Thuy Trang.
The standout name, however, is captain Huynh Nhu, the country’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 116 caps. The 33-year-old forward is also the first and only Vietnamese woman to play professionally in Europe, having featured for Länk Vilaverdense in the Portuguese top flight from 2022 to 2024.
Nhu — the third-highest scorer in last season’s AWCL with three goals — has picked up where she left off, curling in a stunning free-kick on Matchday One to give HCM City a winning start against Stallion Laguna.
Photo: 2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Their foreign contingent also features United States-born Pakistan captain Maria Khan and Tunisian international defender Samia Aouni.
Sailors determined to prove a point
Despite Thursday’s (13 November) defeat to Ninja A-League powerhouse Melbourne City in their AWCL Group Stage bow, Sailors Assistant Coach Yeong Sheau Shyan insists their team spirit remains as strong as ever, and they are determined to prove a point in their next challenge.
“The atmosphere in the camp is still pretty positive and we’ve largely focused on a quick recovery for this upcoming game,” she said.
“Ho Chi Minh City are a physically quick side with a very direct style and several strong individual players. Nonetheless, we’ll look to our own strengths to match up to them and find a way through.”
Singing from the same hymn book, Sailors goalkeeper Izairida Shakira said, “First of all, we’re aware of the quality of the opponents we’re facing at this level. These are professional teams with players who have featured on the biggest stage, including the World Cup.
“We as a team are very motivated for these matches. For us, it’s all about trusting our abilities, staying compact, and leaving everything out on the pitch.”
A positive result would reignite the Sailors’ hopes of progressing, with the top two teams from each group — along with the two best third-placed sides across the three groups — advancing to the next stage.
Nonetheless, Shakira is keeping her focus on the bigger picture.
“Of course, we have aspirations of qualifying and we want to get our first points in the AWCL Group Stage,” said the 18-year-old.
“But ultimately, it’s more than just results that will define our campaign. It’s about the fight we show, and we’re determined to give a good representation of Singapore women’s football.”
The Lion City Sailors Women fought bravely in their first-ever Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Group Stage match, but fell 5-0 to Melbourne City at the Thong Nhat Stadium on Thursday (13 November).
Despite the defeat to last season’s competition finalists, Sailors Head Coach Daniel Ong believes his players will take plenty from the experience of competing at the highest level of Asian football.
“It’s tough playing against a professional outfit like Melbourne City. Congrats to them for the win, they were far superior to us. Physically and technically, they knew exactly what they were doing,” admitted Daniel.
New signings Rivka Ramji, Hikaru Shibusawa, and Wang Jiaxin were handed their debuts for the club, with all three named in the starting line-up. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Nur Ain Salleh was also named in the first 11, as she became the youngest-ever starter in AWCL history, and only the second-youngest player to feature in the competition at just 15 years and 310 days old.
In contrast, Melbourne fielded 45-year-old goalkeeper and assistant coach Melissa Barbieri between the sticks, while last season’s AWCL Most Valuable Player Rebekah Stott led a formidable side as captain.
Unsurprisingly, it was the Australian side who took control in the early stages, and it did not take them long to break the deadlock. A handball inside the Sailors’ box prompted referee Oh Hyeon-jeong to award a penalty after a Football Video Support (FVS) review.
Last season’s Ninja A-League top scorer, Holly McNamara, made no mistake from the spot, sending a low effort into the bottom corner in the 12th minute.
Leticia McKenna then tested the returning Izairida Shakira with a couple of efforts, while at the other end, Raeka Ee’s persistence earned the Sailors a corner, though it ultimately came to nothing.
“We went into the game expecting it to be a difficult one. They’re from the A-League and reached the final last year, but I’m really proud of the team for giving 100 per cent despite the challenging pitch conditions,” said Raeka in a post-match interview with Futbolita.
“It’s a huge step up from what we’re used to in Singapore and even in the AWCL Preliminary Stage. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to play against these opponents and to help raise the level of women’s football in Singapore.”
Despite the early setback, the Sailors kept their composure and did well to contain their illustrious opponents for much of the first half.
However, Melbourne’s relentless pressure eventually told in first-half stoppage time, when the Sailors conceded a second penalty. McNamara once again converted clinically to give the Australian side a two-goal lead at the break.
Daniel made a change at the break, introducing Qarissa Putri for captain Umairah Hamdan, but the substitution did little to halt Melbourne’s momentum as they continued to press forward in search of another goal.
While they battled valiantly, the Sailors were finally undone in the 55th minute when teenager Alexia Apostolakis unleashed a stunning strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Two minutes later, it was 4-0 to Melbourne as Danella Butrus marked her maiden professional start with a low drive that beat Shakira from a tight angle.
Just past the hour mark, new signings Zhang Qiaoling and Irsalina Irwan (pictured above) came on for the Sailors with the latter making her AWCL debut, while Melbourne substitute Caitlin Karic was denied only by Shakira’s quick reflexes after her effort was stopped right on the goal line in the 66th minute.
However, Melbourne would get their fifth and final goal in the 73rd minute with Dhaniyah Qasimah unfortunately netting an own goal.
The Sailors saw out the final quarter and eight additional minutes without further changes to the scoreline, with Daniel praising his players for their effort in what was an entirely new stage and environment for the team.
“The girls did very well, in my view. In the first half, we conceded two penalties, which was tough on them, but they gave their best. There’s a gap in quality that we have to acknowledge, but it was definitely a good experience playing against a team like Melbourne City,” said Daniel.
Next up for the Sailors is another stern test against hosts and last season’s AWCL semi-finalists, Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC.
The Vietnamese champions boast a strong side led by Huynh Nhu, who is the national team’s record goalscorer and a true icon of women’s football in her country.
Nonetheless, Sailors Head Coach Daniel Ong believes his side can build on the lessons learnt from the Melbourne defeat as they prepare for their next match on Sunday (16 November).
“I’ll look back on this match and there are a lot of positives to take. We can definitely track our opponents better next time, but overall I’m very happy with the team,” he said.
“It’s just that the fitness levels aren’t quite there yet, because our players have to juggle school or work before coming for training. It’s tough on them, but they did a really good job.”
