As Buriram United’s top scorer, Guilherme Bissoli, charged toward the Lion City Sailors’ goal in the dying minutes of their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup Group B match at Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (23 January) night, it seemed like the 10-men away side was poised to pull off a dramatic smash-and-grab victory.
But Sailors substitute Hafiz Nor had other ideas. With a perfectly-timed sliding challenge, he denied the forward and ensured his side secured their third clean sheet in four games since the start of 2025. While the tackle alone might not have kept the Sailors in contention for the Shopee Cup semi-finals, it was pivotal in earning a hard-fought point against the reigning Thai League 1 champions — one of Southeast Asia’s most formidable teams.
“Although we did well to earn a point against one of the best teams in the region, the team is still very disappointed that we didn’t get the result we wanted,” Hafiz admitted. “When Coach Ranko sent me on, he told me to keep pushing forward and keep attacking to get the goal we needed.”
“As for the tackle, I just did what I do best. They had a really good chance on the counter-attack, but thankfully, I was able to use my speed to make that crucial tackle and help the team avoid a loss.”
Though the full-time whistle was met with dejected expressions on the Sailors’ faces, it also reflected the club’s remarkable progress over the years and the players’ unwavering hunger to reach even greater heights.
“The club has been performing really well this season, especially on the continental stage,” said Hafiz. “We all share the same vision, and our goal is always to achieve more than we did in the previous season. Overall, I’m happy that we’re on the right track and that everyone in the team is progressing well.”
As one of the players who has been with the Sailors since their inception in 2020, Hafiz has become a key senior figure both on and off the pitch, and he holds the distinction of being the first Sailor to reach 100 appearances for the club. Over his five-year tenure, the 36-year-old’s role has evolved from being a regular starter to embracing a pivotal leadership position within the team.
“Regardless of whether I’m playing or not, I believe the experience I bring as the club’s longest-serving player is invaluable, and I want to use it to help the team win as many games as possible,” said Hafiz.
“I may not get as many minutes as I used to, but whenever I step onto the field, I’ll always give everything I have for the team.”
With the Singapore Cup kicking off in February, the Sailors’ schedule is about to become even more hectic as they juggle commitments in the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two and the Singapore Premier League (SPL).
“We need to be fully mindful of our physical limits and how we manage our bodies, especially when dealing with fatigue or injuries,” said Hafiz.
Even with a squad packed with quality starters, the Sailors have the added advantage of dependable options off the bench, which fosters constant and healthy competition within the team.
This includes players like Anumanthan Kumar, who impressed with his solid performances in midfield over the past two games, as well as emerging talents such as forward Abdul Rasaq Akeem and fullback Sergio Carmona Pérez.
“Our squad depth is crucial as it allows us to rotate the team even if a player is unavailable,” added Hafiz. “We have quality players on the bench who are always ready to step up. As long as we continue giving our best in games and training, I’m confident we can manage the rest of the season well.”
For now, the Sailors face another quick turnaround between games, with a high-flying Geylang International — winners of six of their last seven matches — awaiting them in the SPL on Sunday (26 January).
Despite having less than three days to prepare, Hafiz is confident that the Sailors will rise to the challenge posed by the Eagles.
“The recovery plans we already have in place have helped us cope with the many games we’ve played over the past few months,” said Hafiz. “We have a good team, and Coach Ranko has prepared us well for what we’re going to face on Sunday. All of us are ready, and we’ll give it our all to get the win against Geylang.”