Back in November 2022, Farhan Zulkifli etched his name into Hougang United history by helping the Cheetahs defeat Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Cup final to secure the club’s first-ever trophy.

Almost four years later, Farhan was once again on the winning side against the Stags. This time, however, the winger was making his Lion City Sailors debut and playing a crucial role in his new team’s Community Shield triumph.

Two goals from Ilhan Fandi made the difference, but the 23-year-old was also among the Sailors’ standout performers, proving a constant threat down the right flank with his energy and direct running.

“I’m very thankful and blessed to be part of this Sailors team. Being able to contribute an assist and help the team win the Shield on my debut was a special feeling, and hopefully it will be the first of many,” said Farhan. 

“To start such an important game for a big club gives me belief and confidence. I just have to keep taking my chances as they come and prove my worth.”

Farhan’s best moment of the game came in the 26th minute, when he made a well-timed curved run to meet Bart Ramselaar’s return pass before squaring the ball for Ilhan to score his second.

“Bart and I have a very good relationship on the pitch,” said the fleet-footed winger. “All I did was give him the ball and run into space, and his pass put me in a good position to square it for Ilhan.

“We had spoken about it in training. If he gets the ball, I’ll make that run and trust that he’ll find me.”

Farhan was one of 11 players who made their Sailors debuts that night, with fellow new signings such as Matthias Phaëton, Giovanni Haag, Hugo Gomes and Ryhan Stewart also making their first appearances for the club.

“All the new additions are quality, professional players, so it’s easy to play alongside them. I think we performed very well as a team, and you could see on the pitch that we are already well connected,” said Farhan. “We just want to keep improving and win every game.”

The team’s two-week pre-season training camp in Spain gave the players valuable time to bond both on and off the pitch.

“Although the national team players joined us only later in the camp, it was still a very good experience,” said Farhan. “We were able to build strong connections, which will certainly help us understand one another better and be on the same page on the pitch.”

The Sailors have also remained united amid a period of transition in the coaching department, with the close-knit bonds within the squad helping to maintain a positive atmosphere.

The club moved swiftly to appoint Australian Head Coach Mark Jackson, a serial winner who guided both A-League outfit Central Coast Mariners and Thai powerhouse Buriram United to treble-winning campaigns, earlier on Wednesday (9 September). 

“Even with everything that has happened at the club, we have remained very positive. In fact, I think these situations have brought us even closer and made us stronger as a group,” said Farhan.

“I know Coach Jackson was with Buriram United and enjoyed great success there in both domestic and Asian competitions. I’m really looking forward to working with him, and I just have to give my best in every training session and match.”

Having made the leap to join the reigning champions in July, Farhan is relishing the opportunity to begin a new chapter in his career. With plenty of quality within the Sailors’ ranks, he sees the move as a chance to challenge himself and continue developing as a player.

“I was with Hougang for six years, so taking the next step was never going to be easy. However, I felt it was time for me to make a move to improve my game further, and this was the step I wanted to take,” he said.

(Photo: Singapore Premier League)

“The environment at the Sailors, as well as the quality of the players I’m training and playing with, will be very important for my development. Hopefully, this move can help me become a better player.”

Fittingly, the Sailors’ opening game of the 2026/27 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season will see Farhan face his former club Hougang at Bishan Stadium on Saturday, 12 September.

The Cheetahs have also significantly revamped their squad, bringing in the likes of forwards Oakley Cannonier and Connor Flynn-Gillespie, defender Miloš Drinčić and goalkeeper Takahiro Koga, as well as former Sailor Zulqarnaen Suzliman and Sailors loanee Khairin Nadim.

“I’m excited to see some familiar faces, but once we step onto the pitch, I’ll put all ties aside,” said Farhan, who ironically scored against the Sailors on last season’s opening day. “It’s important for us to start the league strongly because that will give us confidence going into the rest of the season. Our full focus is on our performance, and we will give everything to get the three points.”

Having experienced the fervour surrounding the Singapore National Team’s recent ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 campaign, Farhan is keen for the Sailors to forge a similarly strong connection with their supporters as they embark on their title defence.

“We’ve all seen the incredible atmosphere the fans can create when they turn up in numbers. We hope the Sailors fans can bring that same support and energy to our league games and push us on throughout the season.”