Category: News
The Lion City Sailors have officially reclaimed the Singapore Premier League (SPL) crown after edging past Tanjong Pagar United 1-0 at the Jurong East Stadium on Saturday (10 May).
A coolly-taken penalty by Maxime Lestienne in the first half proved enough to seal the victory and secure the club’s second SPL title — their first since 2021.
While BG Tampines Rovers kept their title hopes alive earlier in the evening with a 2-0 win over the Young Lions — thanks to goals from Itsuki Enomoto and Kyoga Nakamura — it ultimately wasn’t enough, as the Sailors’ victory gave them an unassailable eight-point lead with two games to spare.
“It feels like a big weight is off our shoulders now — winning the SPL was our main target this season,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković.
“After playing more than 50 matches across all competitions, this is an unbelievable achievement. I’m extremely proud of every single player and our backroom staff for the tremendous job they’ve done. It’s been a long journey, and everyone has worked so hard to get us here.”
Having suffered a surprise defeat to Geylang International in their previous outing, the Sailors were determined to bounce back — and had the perfect opportunity to seal the SPL title against bottom-placed Tanjong Pagar.
Former Jaguars captain Akram Azman, who joined the Sailors in the January transfer window, lined up against his former club as Ranko fielded a strong XI for this crucial game.
The early exchanges saw the Sailors dominate possession in Tanjong Pagar’s half, though without truly threatening Matt Silva’s goal — until Maxime decided to take matters into his own hands.
A trademark piece of trickery from the Belgian winger drew a foul from Marcus Mosses in the box, and after a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot. Maxime made no mistake, coolly firing straight down the middle to give the Sailors a 1-0 lead — and net his 14th SPL goal of the season in the process.
Maxime came close to adding a second in the 40th minute when he pounced on a misplaced pass from Silva, but his first-time lob sailed just over the bar.
The Sailors nearly doubled their advantage just before the break, when Diogo Costa’s pinpoint corner found Toni Datković, only for the Croatian defender to head wide from close range.
Reflecting on the performance, Toni said, “When you’re striving for perfection, you’re never fully satisfied. Today wasn’t as easy as we expected.
“But we fight for each other — always. That’s why they call us the best defence in the league.”
Truth be told, however, the Sailors’ stellar defence — the best in the league this season — was rarely troubled by Noh Alam Shah’s men.
The pattern remained unchanged in the second half, with Maxime continuing to torment the Tanjong Pagar backline down the left flank. The Belgian looked a constant threat the whole, and often left defenders chasing shadows.
In the 53rd minute, substitute Song Uiyoung picked out Maxime in space, but the latter’s curling effort failed to hit the target.
The Sailors pushed hard for a second goal to put the game to bed, with chances falling to Shawal Anuar, Maxime, and Diogo Costa. But Silva stood firm, as the Tanjong Pagar custodian produced a superb double save in the 82nd minute to deny the Sailors a much-needed cushion.
“I know that in matches like these — especially when there’s a title on the line — nerves can play a part. I won’t lie, at one point I was a little scared because anything can happen in a split second,” admitted Ranko.
“I’ve got to give credit to Tanjong Pagar. They defended well and made things really tough for us today.”
In the 84th minute, Maxime came close once more, only to see his goal-bound effort headed off the line by Mosses, who is currently on loan at Tanjong Pagar from the Sailors.
With the clock ticking down, Ranko turned to the experience of Hariss Harun and Christopher van Huizen to help see out the result as the Sailors held firm to clinch a gritty 1-0 win — and with it, their second SPL title.
“It was an Italian-style 1-0 win tonight,” quipped Ranko. “Honestly, this has been the hardest season of my life.
“Let’s not forget, we’ve done this with a relatively small squad — we don’t have 30 players to rotate. But we’re still hungry. There are more trophies to fight for, and we’re not done yet.”
The Sailors return to SPL action in midweek with a clash against Balestier Khalsa — their penultimate league fixture — before attention turns to a historic showdown next weekend: the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final against UAE side Sharjah FC at the Bishan Stadium.
Anticipation is reaching fever pitch in Singapore, with tickets snapped up well in advance to watch the Sailors — the first-ever Singaporean club to compete in a continental final — take a massive step towards history in their bid to win the ACL Two.
“We’ve still got a league game against Balestier on Wednesday that we want to win — we’re aiming to break as many SPL records as we can, whether it’s goals scored or number of wins,” said Ranko.
“After that, all our focus shifts to the ACL Two final. I don’t need to motivate anyone for that game — everyone in Singapore is waiting for it!”
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team emphatically dispelled any notion of Geylang International being their bogey side, as they put eight goals past the Eagles without reply at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Saturday (May 10) evening.
Geylang were the only team in the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season to avoid defeat against the Sailors — and had even brought an end to their 37-match unbeaten run with a shock 2-1 victory last June.
But there was to be no repeat of Geylang’s heroics this time, as the Sailors cruised to victory with goals from Nurhidayu Naszri, Priscille Le Helloco, a brace from Sarah Zu’risqha, and an incredible four-goal haul by Raeka Ee to seal all three points.
“The results against Geylang last season helped us identify specific weaknesses in our game,” said Raeka. “Over the past year, we’ve worked hard on our movement, finishing, and fundamentals — and I think all of that came into play today.”
Indeed, it took the Sailors just 16 minutes to lay down their marker, with Sarah delivering a pinpoint cross for Nurhidayu to tap home and give her side an early lead.
Just four minutes later, the Sailors doubled their advantage. Sarah was once again the provider, dribbling down the right flank before picking out Raeka in the box, who made no mistake from close range.
Priscille then opened her account for the season in the 32nd minute, latching onto a through ball before calmly rounding the goalkeeper and holding off two defenders to slot the ball into an empty net.
Reflecting on her goal, Priscille said, “It was a really good ball played through, and I was just focused on it. When the keeper came out, I tried to take it past her — and once I did, I finished it off.
“It feels really good to score today, especially since we’ve already played a few games this season and I hadn’t scored yet — so it’s nice to finally get one in.”
Two minutes before the break, Raeka effectively put the game beyond doubt with the Sailors’ fourth, as she sprinted onto a delightful chipped pass from Priscille before coolly slotting her shot past the keeper.
Priscille revealed after the game that the assist was the product of growing chemistry between the two forwards.
“Raeka and I have really improved our on-pitch connection — especially after a great training session on Thursday where we linked up well with a lot of good plays,” said the French forward. “So, to replicate that in the game and see it pay off with a goal was really satisfying.
“As a team, we played well together today. We’re starting to understand each other’s movements better, and that’s helped us make more effective passes. There’s always room for improvement, but we’re definitely clicking more and more each week.”
The Sailors picked up right where they left off in the second half, and needed just two minutes after the restart to add a fifth. This time, it was Sarah who finally got on the scoresheet, as her free-kick evaded everyone and wrongfooted the Geylang goalkeeper before nestling into the back of the net.
Six minutes later, Raeka raced onto a through ball from Syazwani Ruzi and fired it past the goalkeeper to complete her hat-trick.
The goals kept coming, and in the 56th minute, Dhaniyah Qasimah threaded a through ball to Priscille, who whipped in a cross for Raeka. Although Raeka narrowly missed the header, the loose ball fell to Cara Chang, who controlled it well before picking out Sarah in the box — and she made no mistake with the finish.
With a seven-goal lead, Sailors Head Coach Daniel Ong rang the changes, with the likes of Putri Alyiah Seow, Mira Ruzana, and Amelia Ng coming on for Priscille, Dhaniyah, and Cara respectively.
One key player, however, remained on the pitch — Raeka. And it was the Sailors’ 2024 WPL top scorer who put the icing on the cake in the 81st minute, running onto Alyiah’s through pass and finishing emphatically to net the Sailors’ eighth of the night.
“It feels great to have scored four goals today, but more importantly, I’m just really happy to help the team get such a good result,” said Raeka, who took her season tally up to seven goals. “Now we’re looking ahead to the game against Albirex Niigata (S) next week — and hopefully, we can get another strong result then.”
With the win, the Sailors stay top of the WPL table with 13 points from five games, with their only points dropped so far coming in last month’s frustrating goalless draw against Hougang United.
For Raeka, producing such a dominant win against a side that had troubled them last season is a timely confidence boost as the Sailors push to retain their title and qualify for the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) next season.
“It was really important for us to get the win, especially after the disappointing result against Hougang United,” Raeka said. “After that game, we knew every match from here on would be crucial in our title chase and in getting back to the AWCL next year. So to come out strong today and deliver such a convincing result meant a lot.”
The Lion City Sailors are now just one win away from clinching the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League (SPL) title.
The title equation shifted on Wednesday night (May 7), when BG Tampines Rovers — the Sailors’ closest challengers — fell to a 1-0 defeat against Balestier Khalsa. Former Sailors forward Kodai Tanaka struck the decisive blow, and the Tigers held firm despite going down to 10 men following Masahiro Sugita’s red card in the 59th minute.
That result leaves the Sailors with an eight-point lead and only three matches left to play — meaning a victory over bottom side Tanjong Pagar United this Saturday (May 10) at Jurong East Stadium would seal the league crown with two games to spare.
Aleksandar Ranković’s men, however, will not be taking anything for granted — especially after a rare stumble last weekend, when they suffered a 3-2 loss to Geylang International that snapped their 16-match unbeaten run in the league. Goals from Lennart Thy and Shawal Anuar had given the Sailors a two-goal advantage, but the Eagles mounted a spirited second-half comeback to take all three points.
“The coaching team and our backroom staff have analysed the previous match while we prepare ourselves in training to do better,” said Shawal, who has now netted 27 goals in all competitions this season.
“We’ve shown all season that we have the resilience to bounce back from setbacks. It’s important we put in a strong performance against Tanjong Pagar to secure the title for the club and our fans.”
Tanjong Pagar may be on a seven-match winless run in the league, but the Sailors know there is no room for complacency at this critical stage of the campaign.
“Balestier’s win against BG Tampines does give us a helping hand, but we still have to get the job done in the next game,” said Shawal. “We don’t take any game lightly, and we’ll do everything we can to secure the three points we need.”
On a personal front, Shawal continues to play a pivotal role for the Sailors. He is currently the club’s second-highest scorer this season, behind only Thy.
His contributions have been especially vital on the continental stage, where he has racked up eight goals and four assists in 12 appearances to help steer the Sailors into the inaugural Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final.
With this season shaping up to be Shawal’s most prolific yet, he is determined to savour every moment of it.
“I’m playing for the biggest club in Singapore, so I always have to give my best — whether it’s through goals or assists,” he shared.
“My goal is to give everything I have in every match. At the same time, I’m aware that I don’t have that many years left in my playing career, so I want to enjoy every moment I get on the pitch.”
With 43 international caps for Singapore, it is perhaps surprising that Shawal had never found the net in continental competition at club level — until this season.
That has changed emphatically in 2024/25, with the 34-year-old proving he has aged like fine wine. Often used as an impact substitute in previous seasons, the pacy forward has embraced every role — whether off the bench or in the starting XI — always maintaining a top-class attitude and an unrelenting hunger for silverware.
“I’m happy that I’ve been able to adapt to situations like this. Last season, I was mostly used off the bench. But now, with the quality I bring to the team, the coach has me starting most of the time,” said Shawal, who etched his name into the history books by scoring the fastest-ever goal in ACL Two — a strike just 18 seconds into the clash against Thailand’s Muangthong United.
“At my age, recovery is crucial. I need to manage my injuries well in training. Even if I’m not starting, I’ll always be ready when called upon.”
The stage is now set for Shawal and his teammates to finish the job and bring the SPL trophy back to the club for the first time since 2021.
And with one hand already on the title, all that is left is to make it official under the Saturday night lights at Jurong East.
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is finally set to resume this weekend following a break due to the Singapore General Election — and the Lion City Sailors Women will restart their campaign with a high-stakes clash against familiar foes Geylang International FC this Saturday (10 May) at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
Currently sitting fifth in the standings, Geylang have proven to be a thorn in the Sailors’ side. They famously ended the Sailors’ remarkable 37-match unbeaten streak last season — a run that spanned over two years — and held the champions to a gritty draw last September. In fact, the Eagles remain the only team to avoid defeat against the Sailors in the 2024 season.
As the two sides prepare to face off for the first time since, memories of those hard-fought encounters still linger.
“It was definitely a tough pill to swallow and the team was disappointed with the result, but we took it as a learning experience and grew stronger from it,” reflected Sailors captain Umairah Hamdan.
“Going into Saturday’s game, we’re bringing a fresh sense of desire, hunger, and improved movement. There are lessons we’ve carried over from that match, and we’ll use them to push for a better outcome this time.”
Midfielder Dhaniyah Qasimah may have only joined the Sailors at the start of the 2025 WPL season, but she is well aware of the significance of last season’s results — having watched from the stands as an outsider.
Now an integral part of the squad, the 20-year-old has carried those observations into her game, and is determined to help the team turn the tide.
“I felt that in their last encounter with Geylang, the Sailors didn’t take advantage of some key moments, and that allowed Geylang to break through,” Dhaniyah recalled.
“This time, we’ll focus on being more clinical in front of goal and staying solid defensively. We want to dominate possession, exploit the spaces when we attack, and be more aggressive overall. The aim is to capitalise on our chances and come away with a result.”
The Sailors head into Saturday’s clash with Geylang riding high from a 9-2 win over BG Tampines Rovers nearly three weeks ago. While the scoreline suggests a dominant display, the Sailors started the game slowly, as they conceded an early goal from a corner.
And while the subsequent long break could have disrupted momentum, it became a timely window to regroup and fine-tune key areas. For Umairah — a pillar of the Sailors’ backline — it was an opportunity the team couldn’t afford to waste.
“We used the time to work on our passing chemistry, off-the-ball movement, timed runs, and overall fitness. But one thing really stood out to us: the importance of staying alert,” said the 23-year-old.
“The defence learned that even brief lapses in focus can lead to costly mistakes. Since then, we’ve been dialling in on discipline, communication, and resilience — so we can stay tighter at the back and bounce back stronger.”
Dhaniyah, who also featured in the huge win over BG Tampines, highlighted the team’s continued focus on tightening up at the back.
“We’ve been working on our defensive structure, especially during transitions and set-piece situations,” she shared. “We’ve also refined our pressing game to win the ball back higher up the pitch.”
That preparation will be put to the test against a dangerous Geylang side led by the in-form duo of Farah Nurzahirah and Farhanah Ruhaizat — both of whom featured for the WPL All-Stars against Brisbane Roar in early April.
With Geylang’s strength in the middle of the park, controlling the midfield battle will be crucial to the Sailors’ hopes this Saturday.
“Winning those central duels will be key to disrupting their rhythm and preventing them from building dangerous attacks,” Dhaniyah added. “We’ll need to be aggressive in our pressing, disciplined without the ball, and smart in possession.”
“Our midfield has to dictate the tempo — supporting the forwards while providing cover for the defence. We’re placing a strong emphasis on quick transitions too, so we don’t get caught out by their counter-attacks.”
Coming off an emphatic 8-1 victory over Balestier Khalsa on 16 April, Geylang will be aiming to build on their momentum and continue their climb up the WPL table. With a tough battle on the cards, Umairah’s message to her teammates is clear: stay focused, play their game, and secure all three points.
“We want to play good, entertaining football — and most importantly, come away with the win,” she said. “It’s about showcasing our style while staying locked in on the result.”
The Lion City Sailors are excited to announce that preparation works are underway at Bishan Stadium to accommodate up to 10,000 fans for the upcoming Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final against the United Arab Emirates’ Sharjah FC on 18 May. This follows provisional approval that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) granted earlier in April to host the match at Bishan Stadium.
The significant effort to prepare the venue for the final reflects the Sailors’ commitment to ensure that this historic occasion can be enjoyed by as many fans as possible. It is also the Sailors’ desire to create an immersive atmosphere worthy of a continental cup final as the team chases glory on home soil.
Beyond the action on the pitch, fans can also look forward to an enhanced matchday experience, with mobile food trucks, carnival games, and photo booths set to build the buzz and rally the home crowd ahead of kick-off.
Having earned the right to host the final in Singapore, the Sailors are working closely with Sport Singapore, the Football Association of Singapore, and sport industry partners to ensure that the venue is match-ready and deliver a true spectacle — one that showcases the nation’s ability to stage world-class football events.
The Sailors made Singapore football history in April, as they overcame A-League powerhouse Sydney FC over two legs to become the first local club to qualify for the final of a major Asian club competition.
“This final is not just a milestone for the Sailors — it’s a celebration of Singapore football. We can’t wait to see the stands packed and the nation rallying behind the team,” said Sailors chairman Forrest Li.
Tickets for the highly-anticipated ACL Two final will go on sale from Tuesday, 6 May, at 12:00pm SGT via the Sailors’ authorised ticketing partner, SISTIC.
Home section tickets are divided into four zones: West (Main), East, and the North and South stands (located behind each goal) — refer to the table below for full details.
Tickets for Sharjah FC supporters will be managed separately by Sharjah FC.
Fans who are part of The Deck, the Sailors’ official membership programme, will enjoy a 50% discount on their ticket transactions — this is applicable for up to six tickets per member.
For more information on The Deck, please visit: https://www.lioncitysailorsfc.sg/memberships/.
Fans are advised to act quickly once sales open, with high demand expected. Kick-off is scheduled for 8.00pm SGT on 18 May at Bishan Stadium.
The Lion City Sailors’ 16-match unbeaten streak in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) came to an end on Sunday (4 May) evening, following a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Geylang International at Our Tampines Hub (OTH).
Despite taking a 2-0 lead through goals from Lennart Thy and Shawal Anuar, the Sailors were undone by a spirited second-half comeback from the Eagles, who had been winless in their previous six outings across all competitions.
It was an uncharacteristically off-colour performance from the Sailors, who looked set to continue their fine run of form until Geylang mounted their response after the break.
“It is what it is. The defeat at this point definitely doesn’t help our season,” said Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković. “We went 16 games without a defeat, so maybe it had to happen at one point.”
The evening kicked off with a heartwarming gesture, as children from Chaoyang School accompanied the players of both teams onto the pitch – courtesy of a collaboration between the Sailors and APSN (formerly known as Association for Persons with Special Needs).
Despite the absence of Song Uiyoung and Bart Ramselaar, the Sailors started strongly and created the first notable chance of the match in the 14th minute. Maxime Lestienne did well to keep the ball in play near the touchline before whipping in a cross that Lennart met with a strong leap, but his header flew just wide.
A few minutes later, Maxime had an effort of his own that missed the target, but the Belgian winger soon played a decisive role in the game’s opening goal.
Rui Pires found Maxime in space, and the 32-year-old threaded a brilliant eye-of-the-needle pass to Lennart in the box, who showed great awareness to turn sharply before firing home to make it 1-0 in the 34th minute.
Just four minutes later, the Sailors doubled their lead — and once again, Maxime was at the heart of the move, as his inch-perfect cross into the box found an unmarked Shawal, who made no mistake with a firm header into the back of the net.
It looked to be smooth sailing for the Sailors as the game approached half-time, but the complexion of the contest suddenly shifted when Geylang pulled one back. Tomoyuki Doi – currently the SPL’s top scorer – reacted quickest to a rebound to reduce the deficit to 2-1 just before the interval.
“At 2-0 up, we weren’t really in trouble. But before half time, we brought them back into the contest,” lamented Ranko. “Thereafter in the second half, the way we gave away two goals for them to win… it’s not something that either I or my team is used to.”
Geylang remained patient in their search for an equaliser after the break, with both sides probing cautiously until the game burst into life in the final 20 minutes.
The breakthrough for the Eagles came in the 73rd minute, courtesy of their Japanese duo. A lofted ball over the top from Takahiro Tezuka caught the Sailors’ defence off guard, and with goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud stranded in no man’s land, Ryoya Taniguchi calmly slotted home to level the score.
The Sailors had a golden opportunity to regain the lead shortly after, but Maxime’s close-range free-kick failed to trouble Rudy Khairullah in the Geylang goal.
Then came the decisive blow in the 86th minute. Geylang, the league’s second-highest scoring team after the Sailors, launched a lethal counter-attack — Vincent Bezecourt’s incisive pass found Doi, who rifled an unstoppable shot past Izwan to make it 3-2.
It was Doi’s 44th league goal in what has been a record-breaking campaign for the prolific Japanese forward.
Abdul Rasaq Akeem was introduced in the closing stages, but Geylang held firm to see out the win at OTH — handing the Sailors a league result they have not been accustomed to for quite some time.
“We lacked intensity tonight. The duels were far away from their forwards. Moreover, in the second half, they had a lot more patience, and I think we lacked that aspect as well,” Ranko candidly reflected in his post-match assessment.
Despite the setback, the Sailors remain in control of their SPL title ambitions. They currently sit eight points clear of BG Tampines Rovers, although having played a game more — and know that two wins from their remaining matches will still be enough to seal the championship.
Next up for the Sailors is a clash against bottom-placed Tanjong Pagar United on Saturday, 10 May, before a quick turnaround to face Balestier Khalsa four days later.
“The only thing I can say right now is that we’ve made the title race exciting,” Ranko added. “We have an eight-point lead, even if we’ve played a game more. But we still have destiny in our own hands.”
The Lion City Sailors have made their fair share of inspired overseas signings over the years — and Portuguese full-back Diogo Costa looks well on course to join that illustrious list.
The 21-year-old joined the Sailors in January 2025 on loan from Portuguese top-flight side FC Famalicão, and has since cemented himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Known for his marauding runs down the flank, pinpoint crosses, and quality set-piece deliveries, Diogo has quickly endeared himself to the Sailors faithful with a string of standout performances — both on the domestic front and on the continental stage.
“I’m really happy here, especially with how well the team is doing. We’re in the fight for three titles and I just try to give my best in every game. Right now, everything’s going great,” said Diogo.
Having spent his entire career in Portugal until now, the move to Singapore was Diogo’s first foray abroad. A product of his hometown club Famalicão, he also enjoyed a brief loan stint at Académica de Coimbra before making the switch to Southeast Asia.
While Diogo was thrown straight into the thick of things — making his league debut against Geylang International just a day after he was unveiled — he handled it with composure beyond his years, a sign of things to come.
“Your debut is always special. Geylang are a good side who play intense football, but we’re the Lion City Sailors — we go into every match expecting to win,” he said confidently.
Diogo featured for 66 minutes on his debut and showed plenty of intent despite being in unfamiliar surroundings. That promising display quickly earned him the trust of Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković, who began turning to the Portuguese left-back in increasingly important fixtures.
The Vila Nova de Famalicão native seized his opportunity with both hands. On his Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two debut — an away clash against Muangthong United in the Round of 16 first leg — Diogo made an instant impact by earning a penalty which Maxime Lestienne converted. From that point on, there was no looking back.
He has since started every ACL Two match and continued to rise to the occasion, notably grabbing the headlines with two assists in a 2-0 semi-final first leg victory over Sydney FC. Since joining the Sailors, he has racked up an impressive 10 assists across all competitions.
“I see myself as a team player. The fans can tell that I enjoy both attacking and defending,” said Diogo, who registered a hat-trick of assists in an SPL clash against the Young Lions last month.
“I work on both aspects of my game every week. The assists are coming now, but I believe the goals will follow too. I’m aiming to become a complete player.”
Amid all the buzz surrounding the Sailors’ ACL Two run, attention now shifts back to the Singapore Premier League (SPL) — with a clash against Geylang at Our Tampines Hub (OTH) on Sunday, 4 May.
The fixture marks the start of a decisive month for the Sailors, who are gunning for an unprecedented treble by the end of May.
For Diogo, it will be a familiar opponent. Having made his SPL debut against Geylang, Sunday’s match will mark his third encounter with the Eagles this season — including a Singapore Cup meeting. Despite Geylang managing just one win in their last six outings, he is not taking anything for granted.
“They’re still third in the league, so that says a lot,” said Diogo. “I know from experience they’re not an easy team to face. But this is the final stretch of the season, and we’ve got that extra motivation to push for the SPL title.”
Remarkably, Sunday’s fixture will be the Sailors’ 51st match across all competitions — a testament to a gruelling yet immensely rewarding season.
Adding to the boost ahead of this crucial clash is the return of club captain Hariss Harun, who missed the previous outing through suspension. The 34-year-old recently added a new milestone to his illustrious career by being elected Vice-President of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
With a near full-strength squad at his disposal, Ranko’s men will be targeting nothing less than three points as they continue their SPL title push — and Diogo is determined to keep up his strong form in the season’s final stretch.
“It’s been a great season so far,” said Diogo. “We’re so close to the title, and we want to win it for our incredible fans. I’m really happy here in Singapore — the city, the people, everything suits me well.
“We’ll see what happens next season, but I’d definitely be happy to stay. My focus now is on the team and helping us to win every trophy possible.”
The Lion City Sailors moved within touching distance of reclaiming the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title on Wednesday (30 April) with a vital 3-1 win over Young Lions at Our Tampines Hub.
The result means that the Sailors now need only two more victories from their remaining four SPL games to secure the league title.
Marking their 50th game of a gruelling campaign across all competitions, head coach Aleksandar Ranković opted for rotation – making four changes from the side that beat Albirex Niigata (S), with key figures Lennart Thy and Toni Datković rested, while skipper Hariss Harun was ruled out through suspension.
Despite the changes, the Sailors showed no signs of slowing down. After Bart Ramselaar’s thunderous opener was cancelled out by Jun Kobayashi, the home team rallied and restored their lead just before half-time through Shawal Anuar, before Maxime Lestienne sealed the win with a sublime second-half free-kick.
“The last few games of the season are always the toughest,” said Ranko after the game. “Credit to Young Lions – they gave us a good fight – but my players showed great resilience, and the most important thing is we got the three points and kept our momentum.”
Having suffered just two defeats in their last nine away matches, the Young Lions showed early signs of why they have been a tricky opponent on the road. Indeed, they carved out the game’s first opportunity in the 9th minute through a clever set piece that Kan Kobayashi latched onto with a fierce strike – only to be denied by a sharp low save from Izwan Mahbud.
Moments later, in the 12th minute, it was Bart who lit up the match with a moment of individual brilliance, as the Dutchman let fly from the edge of the box, sending a peach of a strike curling into the top left corner to give the Sailors the lead – and notch his 10th league goal of the season.
But the visitors hit back almost immediately. Just three minutes later, Jun Kobayashi capitalised on a loose ball in the box following a corner and lashed home the equaliser.
But the Sailors were unfazed by the setback, and turned up the pressure on the visitors, with both Maxime and Shawal forcing Young Lions goalkeeper Umayr Sujuandy into a flurry of saves.
The Sailors’ persistence finally paid off in the dying moments of first-half stoppage time when Bart slipped an inch-perfect pass into the path of Shawal, who showed composure to guide the ball past Umayr and restore the Sailors’ lead.
“They defended really deep – and rightly so – which left us more space between the lines,” explained Ranko. “We created a number of chances and honestly should have scored more, especially in the first half.”
Despite dominating possession and crafting several dangerous opportunities after the break, the Sailors were unable to extend their lead – that is, until Maxime stepped up in the 77th minute.
With a trademark swing of his left foot, he curled a delightful free kick over the Young Lions’ wall and into the net – ending a five-game run without a goal involvement, and giving the Sailors a crucial two-goal cushion they would hold onto for the rest of the match.
Now sitting 11 points clear of BG Tampines Rovers at the top of the SPL table albeit playing a game more, the Sailors are within touching distance of the title. But goalkeeper Izwan stressed the importance of staying focused.
“We’ve got a lot of experienced players in the squad, and everyone knows what’s required at this stage of the season,” said the Singapore international. “We’re taking it one game at a time. Our focus now is on the next match against Geylang, and we’ll give everything to secure the three points.”
The Sailors return to action on Sunday (4 May) against the Eagles at Our Tampines Hub, before heading west to face Tanjong Pagar United at Jurong East Stadium on Saturday (10 May) – with the SPL crown firmly within reach.
There is one date that Lennart Thy will never forget: 18 May 2009.
Representing Germany in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final, a 17-year-old Lennart pounced on a loose ball in the 34th minute to score a crucial equaliser against the Netherlands. His goal proved decisive, as the Germans went on to triumph 2-1 in extra time in front of a 24,000-strong crowd – securing the first, and so far only, major title of Lennart’s career.
“I still have the good memories from that day in my mind,” recalled the 33-year-old. “Scoring in the final was such an emotional moment. I remember standing on the bench after I got substituted, anxiously waiting for the final whistle. Running onto the pitch to celebrate with my teammates still gives me goosebumps even today.”
Sixteen years on from that night, Lennart finds himself on the cusp of another golden opportunity – with him and the Sailors still in the hunt for silverware on three fronts, both domestically and continentally.
“I’ve not been blessed with many titles in my career, so I’m hungrier than ever to win everything we’re competing for this season,” he said. “We’re in a strong position, but it’s important we stay humble and take it one game at a time. If we stay focused, I’m confident we can achieve something special by the end of the season.”
Two draws in their past three league matches may have cast a small shadow of doubt over the Sailors’ title hopes, especially with BG Tampines Rovers hot on their heels. But the league leaders quickly responded with a commanding 2-0 victory over reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) on Friday to open up an eight-point lead at the top of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) table.
Lennart delivered another trademark hardworking performance, with his link-up play and relentless pressing causing constant problems for the Swans’ backline. The German was unlucky not to find the net, as he failed to convert the opportunities that came his way on the night.
“I want to score every time I step onto the pitch, so it was frustrating not to finish the chances I had,” said the Sailors’ top scorer. “But games like these happen, and what matters most now is picking up the three points to bring us closer to the league title. We showed plenty of intensity and patience against a tough opponent, and this win will give us a lot of confidence moving forward.”
Now turning his attention to the Sailors’ next league assignment against the Young Lions on Wednesday (30 April), Lennart is determined to maintain the winning mentality that has been instilled within the team – even with their upcoming opponents winless in their last five SPL matches.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge ahead because we know the Young Lions can be a dangerous side,” said Lennart. “We approach every game wanting to win, so we must stay sharp and focused to build the momentum we need heading into the final stretch of the season.”
Nearly a year on from signing with the Sailors in May 2024, Lennart is now fully settled into life both on and off the pitch in Singapore – a smooth transition that is reflected in his performances, with the forward having already racked up 33 goals and six assists in all competitions this season.
“Life has been great for me,” he shared. “I needed a bit of time to adapt at the start, but I’ve shown that I can be an important player for the team. Working with this group has been enjoyable – the dynamic is good, and we always know when it’s time to have fun or time to be serious.”
As a family-oriented individual, a major part of Lennart’s comfort and success in Singapore has been down to the happiness of his wife and two young children.
“When my family is happy, I’m happy too,” said Lennart. “Moving to Singapore wasn’t a decision I made alone – it was one we made together as a family. Singapore is a beautiful country with so much to offer, so the mood at home is very positive. Knowing that my family is doing well helps me feel more relaxed, and that gives me a huge boost on the pitch.”
Having set his sights on helping the club achieve its ambition of becoming one of Asia’s elite from day one, Lennart pointed to the significant progress the Sailors have made in what is shaping up to be a historic season for the club.
“Everything about the Sailors was already very professional when I first arrived, but it’s clear that the club is committed to continuous improvement,” said Lennart. “Whether it’s fan engagement, media presence, attendance, or results, everything is moving in the right direction – and I believe this is just the beginning of even greater things to come.”
The Lion City Sailors extended their lead at the top of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) standings to eight points with a straightforward 2-0 victory over Albirex Niigata (S) at Our Tampines Hub (OTH) on Friday, 25 April.
Goals in each half from Toni Datković and Shawal Anuar sealed the win for Aleksandar Ranković’s men against an Albirex side now winless in seven matches across all competitions.
“I’m very satisfied with the performance tonight – it’s 2-0, a clean sheet, and three points, that’s all that matters,” said Ranko. “We were the team mostly in the ascendancy, and it could’ve been more had we converted a couple more chances.”
The Sailors came into this match riding the high of reaching the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final, becoming the first Singaporean club to qualify for a continental final.
Following a 30-minute delay due to the Lightning Warning System (LWS), the Sailors started strongly as Lennart Thy found himself through on goal and rounded Hassan Sunny in the 10th minute, but could only find the side netting.
Bart Ramselaar then had a couple of shots off target as the Sailors sought to gain a firm foothold in the match.
The breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute — and it was no surprise that Diogo Costa played a part. Moments after forcing a brilliant save from Hassan, the Portuguese full-back delivered a dangerous ball into the box from a corner routine, which Toni met with a thumping header for his fourth league goal of the season.
Albirex looked for a response after going behind, with Daniel Goh testing Izwan Mahbud, but it was a comfortable save for the Sailors’ custodian.
Goh did find the back of the net in the 38th minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Despite Albirex’s pressure towards the end of the half, the Sailors headed into the break with the lead firmly intact.
“When you come out to play matches like this — especially after the Champions League nights, and with the travel, the mental and physical side of things involved — to recharge every time is not easy,” said Ranko.
“I’m very proud of my boys. They do this week in and week out, and as a former player, I know just how hard it is to maintain that.”
The Sailors gradually upped the tempo of their attacks in the second half, with Maxime going close with a curling effort that was deflected away by Syahrul Sazali.
From the resulting corner, Lennart struck the post in the 61st minute as the Sailors’ search for a second goal continued.
That search ended in the 78th minute, courtesy of substitute Shawal Anuar, who shimmied inside the box and, after seeing his first effort saved by Hassan, kept his composure to slot home at the second attempt to give the Sailors some much-needed breathing space.
Albirex had Hassan to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable, with the former Sailors custodian producing smart saves to deny a Bart Ramselaar free-kick and a late effort from Abdul Rasaq Akeem, as the Sailors comfortably saw out the game with their two-goal lead intact.
The win marked a successful return to OTH in the SPL for the Sailors — their first appearance there since 2023, when Maxime memorably netted a first-half hat-trick at the same venue.
And while he did not get on the scoresheet this time around, Maxime’s strong influence and hard running throughout the game saw him named Man of the Match.
Speaking post-match, the Belgian said, “All the players are happy tonight. We’re in a good position now. It’s been a long time since I scored, but I don’t care — whenever we win, I’m happy.”
The Sailors’ healthy eight-point lead over title challengers BG Tampines Rovers puts Ranko’s side in a strong position heading into the final five league fixtures.
While three more wins would mathematically secure the SPL title, Ranko is not getting ahead of himself just yet.
“We will secure the SPL title whenever it happens. We’re not really calculating when — we’ll go match by match and see what happens in the end,” he said.
Next up for the Sailors is a midweek clash against Young Lions on Wednesday, 30 April, at the same venue — with the developmental side on course to avoid finishing bottom of the table for the first time since 2020.
At this stage of the season, three points are all that matters, and Ranko’s charges will once again approach the upcoming fixture with the same gusto.
“We look forward to every match — we just love playing,” said Ranko. “We’ve played close to 50 matches across all competitions this season, so at this point you can say we love playing more than training!”
