The Lion City Sailors have booked their place in consecutive Singapore Cup finals for the first time in club history, following a commanding 2-0 victory over Brunei DPMM in the second leg of the semi-finals at the Bishan Stadium on Tuesday (27 May). The result sealed a 5-2 aggregate triumph for the reigning Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions, who remain on course for a historic domestic treble.
In stark contrast to the tense 3-2 battle in the first leg, the Sailors delivered a composed and dominant performance, as they took control of the match from the first whistle. Once again, it was the defenders who made the difference, with both Diogo Costa and Toni Datković finding the net to power the Sailors through.
After the game, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković hailed his side’s discipline and composure, which were key to nullifying DPMM’s threat for much of the evening.
“I think we fully deserved the win,” said Ranko. “We controlled the match from start to finish. Apart from one or two shots we gave up late on, the boys stayed relaxed and focused throughout – and that saw us through to the final.”
He also acknowledged the difference in preparation between the two legs, as he said, “The first leg came just two days after the AFC Champions League Two Final, so the team was still mentally and physically drained. Tonight, though, with a bit of rest and recovery, the players looked far more assured and comfortable.”
Having fielded a much-changed lineup in Saturday’s final SPL fixture against BG Tampines Rovers, Ranko reverted to his regular starters for this crucial clash, with cup custodian Zharfan Rohaizad the only player retained from the weekend’s XI.
Even so, this was the Sailors’ seventh match in a gruelling month, and it took some time for the side to find their rhythm.
They nearly struck early in the 15th minute when a slick counter-attack released Maxime Lestienne down the right. The Belgian cut inside and whipped a trademark curler that seemed destined for the top corner, only to see it crash off the upright.
Spurred on by that close call, the Sailors eventually found the breakthrough in the 33th minute.
After centre-backs Toni and Bailey Wright scored in the first leg, it was another defender who stepped up this time – fullback Diogo Costa. Arriving in the box in an uncharacteristic position, the Portuguese met Bart Ramselaar’s cross with a composed, striker-like header into the bottom corner to notch his first goal for the club.
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“I’m very happy to score my first goal for the Sailors,” said Diogo post-match. “But the most important thing is always to help the team on the pitch. Whether that’s through assists, goals, or just doing my job defensively – I don’t mind, as long as I can contribute in any way I can.”
Maxime would have another go at the same top corner he struck earlier, curling an effort just wide in the 41st minute.
The Sailors picked up where they left off after the break, immediately imposing themselves on the game. Midfield duo Song Uiyoung and Rui Pires each had early second-half chances, but neither could apply the finishing touch.
That missing bite in the final third eventually came in the 60th minute – and once again, it was the Sailors’ centre-backs who delivered. Maxime floated in a teasing cross that Bailey smartly headed back across goal, where Toni was perfectly placed to nod home from close range.
Now trailing by three goals on aggregate, DPMM briefly stirred into action. Dāvis Ikaunieks threatened with two quickfire efforts quickly after, but neither troubled Zharfan.
The Sailors soon regained control of the match, with Maxime continuing to probe and drawing a sharp save from Haimie Nyaring in the 68th minute with a curling free-kick. DPMM did find the net in the 73rd minute through Miguel Oliveira, but the flag was swiftly up for offside.
The midfielder would force another save from Zharfan moments later with a firm strike from distance.
Diogo nearly turned provider in the 81st minute when he slalomed past four players through the centre before slipping a neat ball through to Song, but Haimie was quick off his line to deny the Incheon-born midfielder.
Desperate for a consolation, DPMM threw numbers forward in stoppage time and carved out one final chance from close range, but Zharfan stood tall to preserve his clean sheet as the Sailors sealed their passage into the final.
Though the Sailors are now just one win away from completing a remarkable treble, Ranko remained calm and composed in the face of the final hurdle.
The Sailors will meet BG Tampines – who edged Thai side BG Pathum United 3-2 in a dramatic extra-time semi-final – in what promises to be a mouth-watering final at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday (31 May).
“The important thing now is to rest and recover well. We’re going to prepare for it just like any other game this season,” said Ranko. “In a one-off game like this, anything can happen – but what I do know is that we’ll give everything we’ve got to defend our trophy.”
