The Lion City Sailors brought the curtain down on their 2024/25 Singapore Premier League (SPL) campaign with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against BG Tampines Rovers at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday (24 May).

Already crowned league champions, the Sailors ended the season on 72 points to finish a commanding eight clear of the second-placed Stags.

Zharfan Rohaizad proved the standout performer on the night, pulling off a string of superb saves to earn Man of the Match honours in what was his first league start since July. The 28-year-old custodian was quick to share the credit with his teammates, as he said, “The boys showed character, especially my backline, and that’s something we can all be proud of today.”

With one eye on next Tuesday’s crucial Singapore Cup semi-final second leg against Brunei DPMM, Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković rang the changes, as he handed opportunities to several squad players.

Among the starters was 17-year-old Joshua Little, who made his senior professional debut at just 17 years and 206 days – the latest in a growing line of Sailors Academy talents stepping onto the big stage.

In contrast, BG Tampines fielded a near full-strength side and had the ball in the back of the net early on, but Itsuki Enomoto’s finish was chalked off after a VAR review for a foul in the build-up.

The Sailors had their first real sight of goal in the eighth minute through debutant Joshua, whose low drive was kept out by BG Tampines custodian Syazwan Buhari. The loose ball fell to Christopher van Huizen, but the full-back’s follow-up was blocked on the line.

At the other end of the pitch, Zharfan showcased sharp reflexes in the 23rd minute, as he dove low to his left to deny a goal-bound effort from Enomoto.

Enomoto continued to threaten, delivering a dangerous ball across the face of goal in the 29th minute that fell kindly for Arya Igami, who could only blaze over with the goal at his mercy.

The Stags kept up the pressure and nearly capitalised on a rare Sailors error in the 35th minute, as Igami intercepted Joshua’s pass deep in Sailors territory – but once again, he failed to make it count.

Despite that nervy moment, Joshua remained undeterred. Full of running and energy, the teenager nearly found the net a minute later with another low shot that forced Syazwan into action.

It was a spirited first-half showing from the Sailors’ young guns – one that drew praise from Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković.

“It’s very difficult to perform in a line-up you’ve never played with before,” Ranko reflected after the game. “This was a valuable experience for our young players. We were up against a full-strength side and, considering the circumstances, I’m proud of the effort.

“With a bit more luck, maybe we could even have nicked the win. But honestly, this was a game I didn’t put any pressure on my side to win.”

The second half began much like the first, with BG Tampines pressing forward in search of a breakthrough. The Sailors, however, stood resolute, and continued to defend with discipline and composure.

Just after the hour mark, Ranko made a double switch, as he introduced Henry Spence and Lionel Tan in a bid to inject fresh energy into the side.

That move soon paid dividends as the Sailors began to attack with greater intent, led by the direct and incisive running of Henry. The former Leeds United and Hull City youth prospect was quick to make his presence felt, threading a precise pass to Abdul Rasaq Akeem in the 70th minute, whose low effort was denied by Syazwan.

The final quarter of the match saw a moment of significance for the opposition, as Yasir Hanapi came on for his final professional appearance. The former Singapore international received a standing ovation from the BG Tampines faithful as he entered the fray.

Henry continued to trouble the Stags’ defence, and in the 78th minute, embarked on a mazy solo run into the box that was halted only by a last-ditch challenge from Miloš Zlatković. The 19-year-old also fired a shot just over the bar minutes later.

Joining Henry and Joshua from the Sailors’ SPL U21 title-winning side were Enrico Silveira and Andy Reefqy, as Ranko handed more young prospects valuable minutes against a quality Stags side.

In the 86th minute, the Sailors launched a rapid counterattack sparked by Anumanthan Kumar’s ball recovery deep in his own half. The move culminated in Haiqal Pashia finding space at the edge of the area, but his effort was deflected and blocked before it could trouble the goal.

Then, just as the match looked to be winding down, drama unfolded in the 89th minute.

Yasir thought he had capped off his professional football career with a fairytale assist, threading a pass through to Enomoto who swivelled and finished from close range. But for the second time on the night, celebrations were cut short, as the goal was correctly ruled out after yet another VAR intervention.

The Stags had one last opportunity to snatch all three points in stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, Joel Chew found himself in prime position for a close-range finish, only to be denied by a sensational point-blank save from Zharfan, who flung himself to his left to keep the ball out.

So convinced were BG Tampines that Chew’s effort was destined for the back of the net, Shah Shahiran had already begun to celebrate – but they hadn’t reckoned with a goalkeeper playing with a point to prove.

“Considering the fact that I didn’t have a good game in the previous match against DPMM, I told myself this was the one to bounce back – to show people that I’m better than that,” said Zharfan, who was in a reflective mood after full-time. “So yes, I’m proud of myself for today’s performance.”

After the final whistle, there was a touching moment of mutual respect as Hariss Harun and Izwan Mahbud made their way over to congratulate Yasir on a stellar career, with the trio posing for photos to mark the occasion – a fitting tribute for one of Singapore football’s most familiar faces.

For the Sailors, attention now shifts swiftly back to the Singapore Cup, with the second leg of their semi-final against Brunei DPMM set for Tuesday, 27 May. A win would not only seal their place in the final, but could also tee up a tantalising rematch against BG Tampines.

And Ranko made no bones about where his team’s focus lies for the remainder of the season.

“We want to win and progress to the Singapore Cup Final. That’s the main objective we’re focused on in the next couple of days,” he asserted.