When the Lion City Sailors U21 team hoisted the Singapore Premier League (SPL) Under-21 trophy into the night sky at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday, 14 May, it marked a defining moment — a statement that they are now the standard-bearers of Singapore’s youth football scene.

Their historic triumph in the 2024/25 SPL Under-21 season capped off a year-long journey that began in May 2024. And what a campaign it has been: the young Sailors surged to the title with an outstanding 19 wins and three draws from 24 matches, as they finished a commanding 15 points clear of nearest challengers Tanjong Pagar United.

But the Sailors did not just win the league — they dominated it. Boasting the league’s most potent attack, the team plundered 87 goals at a staggering average of 3.6 goals per game, with 13 different players finding the net. All this, while fielding a side with an average age of just 18 — the youngest squad in the competition.

A key figure behind the Sailors U21 team’s success is Head Coach Firdaus Kassim, who stepped in after the opening match of the season following Spaniard José Mataix’s departure. Without the luxury of a full pre-season, Firdaus drew on his experience with Muangthong United, the Laos national team, and Hougang United to hit the ground running.

“My predecessor left the team in a very good state and created a strong environment among players and staff, so it wasn’t difficult to integrate,” said Firdaus. “The boys were receptive to new ideas that aligned closely with the club’s philosophy. They understood everything was aimed at helping them become the best versions of themselves, and it was fantastic to see them express that on the pitch.”

Having started the season with a 3-1 victory over Balestier Khalsa in May, the Sailors followed up with a commanding 3-0 win over Albirex Niigata (S) to give Firdaus the perfect start to his tenure.

As one of the youngest coaches in Asia to hold the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) highest coaching qualification — the AFC Pro Diploma — Firdaus relished the opportunity to lead the youth setup at Singapore’s premier football club.

And while winning the SPL Under-21 trophy is a major achievement, Firdaus insists that he takes greater pride in seeing his players progress to the senior squad — as was the case last Wednesday (14 May), when Andy Reefqy, Enrico Silveira, Henry Spence, and Danie Hafiy all made their SPL debuts against Balestier Khalsa in the Sailors’ penultimate league fixture.

“I’m honoured by the trust the club has placed in me,” he said. “Winning the league is a bonus, but seeing four of our boys make their first-team debuts means more to me than any trophy. The first team has set a very high standard this year, so for any of our U21s to even be considered, they must already be operating at a top level. Credit to the boys for staying patient, working hard every day, and taking their opportunity when it came.

“I honestly feel like a proud older brother. This is not just a win for the team, but for the entire Academy. Everyone has been working tirelessly over the past five years to develop players capable of competing professionally, and to see it happen here at Lion City Sailors makes it all the more special.”

Under Firdaus’ guidance, the Sailors continued to flourish — notably stringing together a league-record 10 consecutive wins in 2025, which included a 12-1 demolition of Albirex Niigata (S) in February.

Bishan Stadium became a fortress, with the Sailors going unbeaten at home throughout the season, as they won nine of their 10 matches at the venue — a key pillar of their title-winning campaign.

“Early in the season, we had a small blip — two defeats and a draw — and the fact that we bounced back by going unbeaten for the rest of the season is the epitome of this team’s mental strength,” Firdaus reflected.

“There were many games where we had to dig deep to score late goals. The best example? Coming from two goals down to win the title-clinching game at Jurong East.”

For Firdaus, the foundation of that resilience was laid on the training ground.

“Our training sessions are designed to build resilience because we know how crucial mental strength is. It’s easy to stay motivated when you’re winning, but to sustain that over a long season, the players need to enjoy the process.”

A rock at the back, 19-year-old defender Enrico was ever-present throughout the campaign, as he anchored a Sailors defence that finished as the league’s best.

His consistency did not go unnoticed, with Sailors First Team Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković naming him in the matchday squad for AFC Champions League Two matches against Indonesia’s Persib Bandung and China’s Zhejiang Professional.

While he has yet to make a start for the senior team, Enrico’s upward trajectory is clear. He was handed the captain’s armband midway through the season following Marcus Mosses’ loan move to Tanjong Pagar — a testament to the trust placed in him.

“Whenever a new head coach comes in, we usually expect a change in system, but thankfully both José and Coach Firdaus shared similar philosophies,” Enrico explained. “That helped us adapt quickly to Coach Firdaus’ style of play.”

Enrico has also embraced the leadership role that comes with wearing the armband.

“We’ve got a good relationship with Coach Firdaus and the entire coaching staff. On the pitch, I’m always talking to the younger players, and trying to guide and adjust where needed. Being captain means I have to lead by example, and show the team how to carry themselves both on and off the pitch.”

At the other end of the pitch, 15-year-old sensation Izzan Rifqi Bin Ahmad has made an immediate impact since his promotion to the U21 team in January, and has scored six goals in the league despite being the youngest player in the squad.

In truth, however, Izzan’s reputation was already growing before that. In October last year, he won the Top Scorer award at the Asiana Cup in Jakarta — a tournament that featured esteemed youth sides such as Japan’s Cerezo Osaka, Spain’s RC Alcobendas, Australia’s Football West, and Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim.

Then came a dream debut in the SPL U21 league. Coming off the bench against BG Tampines Rovers at Woodlands Stadium, Izzan scored the match-winner with his very first touch in a thrilling 4–3 victory.

“Playing in the Asiana Cup really helped me think faster as a striker,” he reflected. “The SPL U21 league is physically demanding, so those international experiences sharpened my decision-making and improved my overall game.

“I had a strong feeling I could make an impact when I came on for my debut. My only mentality was to help the team win. The day before the match, I actually visualised coming on in the last 10 minutes and scoring the winner, and it happened.”

Several other players, including Henry Spence and Ainun Nuha Ilyasir, also caught the eye throughout the campaign, with Ainun notably earning a call-up to the Singapore U20 national team for the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Doha, where he featured against Hong Kong.

With a squad brimming with talent, the young Sailors have begun attracting international attention. Earlier this year, Australia’s 2 Halfs Development Team — where Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess trained ahead of his Premier League debut with Ipswich Town — visited Singapore to play a friendly against the Sailors U21 side.

“Facing overseas teams gives us valuable new experiences,” said Enrico. “They approach the game differently, and that challenges us to adapt and grow.”

Indeed, earning a chance to play overseas is something the 19-year-old has firmly set his sights on as the next step in his career.

“I’m already playing for a big club like the Sailors, but getting a chance to go overseas would be a huge opportunity for my career.”

The current crop of Sailors U21 players need not look far for inspiration, with recent alumni like Nur Muhammad Asis and Khairin Nadim blazing a trail to Europe.

Both have secured high-profile moves to Portugal, with Asis joining C.F. Estrela da Amadora on loan last July and Khairin signing a one-and-a-half-year deal with FC Vizela earlier this February.

In an interview with Futbolita, FC Vizela Sporting Director Toni Dovale shed light on the decision to bring Khairin onboard, praising the former Sailor’s unique qualities.

It’s a powerful testament to the Sailors’ ability to polish raw talent into standout prospects — a development that not only elevates the club but also benefits Singapore football as a whole.

Izzan, who revealed that he looks up to Asis, is inspired to chase his own European dream with the same grit and determination.

“I idolise Asis because, even though he had a very difficult background — including taking a two-year break from football — he still worked hard enough to make it to Europe,” said Izzan.

“Being at the Lion City Sailors motivates me to push myself to greater heights. I won’t stop working hard until I achieve my goal of playing in Europe one day.”

With a maiden SPL U21 title in the bag, several of the Sailors’ young stars will now be looking to build on this momentum and continue their upward trajectory in the months ahead.

However, one thing is clear — the future looks bright, as the Sailors Academy continues to set the standard for youth development in the region.

“There are a number of players in this squad who have the potential to make the step up and play abroad,” said Firdaus. “In football, it’s about timing, opportunities, and yes, a bit of luck to be in the right environment.

“The bigger challenge is longevity — adapting to a new environment, fighting for your place week in and week out, and having that relentless drive to keep improving. The rest is down to their natural talent, and that, polished here at the Lion City Sailors, will do the talking.”