Ichigo Ichie is a Japanese phrase that expresses the idea that every meeting is unique and can never be repeated in exactly the same way.

When Ami Takeuchi and Eri Kitagawa first arrived at Lion City Sailors Women ahead of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League (AWCL) Preliminary Stage campaign last August, few could have predicted just how profound an impact they would go on to make.

Initially brought in alongside three fellow Japanese players for the continental campaign, the pair returned after the tournament to bolster the Sailors for the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season. What followed was a remarkable journey that saw them not just become central figures in the club’s title-winning campaign, but also beloved members of the Sailors family.

Together, they combined for a resounding 93 league goals, with Ami finishing as the league’s top scorer on an astonishing 60 goals and Eri ending the campaign third in the scoring charts with 33 goals. Ultimately, their firepower proved instrumental in helping the Sailors reclaim the WPL title.

Yet beyond the goals and silverware, it was the friendships, laughter and shared experiences that ultimately defined their time in Singapore.

Ami revealed that fellow forward Raeka Ee was one of the first teammates she connected with, thanks to an amusing misunderstanding during the AWCL campaign.

“She was my first roommate. At first, I thought she was 33 years old! When I was on a call with my mum and told her Raeka’s age, Raeka understood what I had said in Japanese and said, ‘33 years old? No, I’m 22!’ After that, we became really close,” laughed the former Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies starlet. 

“My favourite memory of us together was in Malacca. I scored the free kick in the first game and she said, ‘Ami, sugoi!’ which means ‘Ami, amazing!’ in Japanese. She was so funny because she always tried to speak Japanese in the hotel while I tried to speak English. We talked a lot during that trip.”

Despite scoring goals almost at will throughout the season, Ami still considers that free kick in the Sailors’ 2-0 upset over Jordanian champions Etihad Club in last season’s AWCL as her favourite moment in Sailors colours. 

“The game was so important for us because it was our first AWCL match. When I scored, everyone came to celebrate with me, even the players on the bench. I’ll never forget that moment,” said the 20-year-old, whose strike helped the Sailors become the first Singaporean team to win a match in the region’s most prestigious women’s competition.

For Eri, it was teenage teammate Nur Ain Salleh who first made her feel at home.

“She is so funny and taught me some Malay words!”

Throughout their time at the club, both players also developed a special appreciation for Head Coach Daniel Ong — although perhaps not for his driving.

“Too fast!” Eri replied immediately when asked about Daniel’s drives across Singapore from the East to matches at Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Gombak Stadium.

Ami agreed without hesitation.

“The engine is so—” Ami paused before launching into a series of loud revving noises as she perfectly mimicked Daniel’s car roaring to life.

“When he starts the car, our bodies go like this,” she laughed, dramatically throwing herself backwards in her chair.

After a brief pause, she added matter-of-factly with an innocent smile, “But I’m used to it now.”

Behind the jokes, however, both players credited Ong for playing a huge role in their development before they return to Japan.

“He always helped me with my finishing, especially because I couldn’t convert many chances in the first few games. He kept reminding me not to worry too much, and that helped me stay calm and focus on scoring. He taught me how important mentality is.”

Eri echoed the sentiment.

“He’s kind, but sometimes scary,” she laughed, recalling his demanding training sessions.

“I noticed how particular he is about shooting. From him, I learned the importance of having the confidence to take a shot.”

For both Ami and Eri, that opportunity to grow was precisely why they chose to return to Singapore after the AWCL. Indeed, the move represented far more than simply another football contract.

“There were many difficult moments because this is such a different environment with different languages. I came to Singapore to challenge myself in a different environment from Japan. This has been a very important experience in my life, not only in football but off the pitch too. I tried my best in everything I did here,” shared Ami.

Singapore quickly began to feel like home.

“Everyone was so kind. Singapore is easy to live in because it’s a small country where people speak English too. I wanted to experience playing in another country, so I decided to come here.”

Eri’s journey was equally memorable. While adapting to a new country and league came with its own challenges, the support around her made the experience worthwhile.

“There were plenty of difficult moments, but thanks to everyone’s support, I’ve had so much fun playing football here,” shared the 25-year-old, who has now sealed a move to Nagano Parceiro back home in the Women’s Empowerment (WE) League. 

“After battling through the AWCL together, I felt the true joy of football. That’s what made me agree to return to the team for the WPL when they called.”

The bond between the players grew rapidly, both on and off the pitch. While their exploits on the pitch often stole the headlines, some of their fondest memories came away from matchdays.

For Ami, one particular team-bonding session stands above all the rest.

“The team bonding in Malacca (during the AWCL Preliminary Stage)! We did a Japanese nursery rhyme called The Frog Song and everyone could not stop laughing. It was truly so funny,” recalled Ami, struggling to contain her laughter.

Sharing an apartment also created plenty of memorable moments. Ami took the top bunk while Eri slept below.

“We each cook for ourselves, make our own food and eat. For cleaning, whoever notices will clean it. We don’t really make a mess, do we?” Eri asked, turning towards Ami, who was sitting just behind the camera with a smile.

“I think we keep the place pretty neat. Ami is the one who wakes up first,” laughed Eri.

Ami then added another memorable detail that immediately sent everyone in the room into laughter.

“Recently, the bed creaks a lot whenever we move.”

The pair, who stayed in the eastern part of Singapore, also embraced local life wholeheartedly, quickly developing a taste for several Singapore favourites.

“Prata and chicken rice are my favourites… and the potato snack!” said Ami excitedly.

The mention of a “potato snack” drew puzzled looks around the room. Before anyone could ask what she meant, Eri was already frantically scrolling through her phone to find a picture.

As it turned out, Ami was referring to the humble Win2 Potato Crisp Crackers, a snack most Singaporeans barely give a second thought to. Yet for the Japanese duo, the simple crackers ranked alongside chicken rice and prata — especially the egg prata from Springleaf, where the team often gathered after Thursday training sessions — as one of their favourite discoveries in Singapore.

As they prepare to return to Japan, both players leave with a deep appreciation not only for Singapore’s food, but also for its football culture.

“The standard is different compared to Japan, but everyone here is incredibly passionate about football. Even after work, they give everything on the pitch and that’s something I really admire,” said Ami.

Eri shared a similar perspective.

“It’s different from Japan, but everyone seems to be having so much fun playing football and I think that’s amazing.”

Perhaps the clearest indication of how much the club came to mean to them arrived when they were asked what they would miss most.

For Eri, the answer was simple.

“Everyone.”

As much as Ami loves the team, however, there was one thing that even her friends could not quite top.

“Chicken rice! Chicken rice,” she said twice, as if there had ever been any doubt.

Then, with a smile, she quickly added: “But friends, of course! And the Lion City Sailors Training Centre at Mattar. I come here every single week to play football and spend time with my friends, so I’ll miss it here a lot.”

It perfectly captures the legacy the pair leave behind. They arrived as short-term reinforcements, but depart as league champions, cherished teammates and lifelong friends.

Their goals helped the Sailors reclaim the WPL title, but their impact stretched far beyond the scoresheet. From singalongs in Malacca and learning Singlish to unforgettable goals and title celebrations, Ami and Eri leave Singapore with memories to last a lifetime, and leave behind memories that will live just as long within the club.

As a final message to the supporters who embraced them from day one, both had heartfelt words of gratitude.

“Thank you for always supporting us. We could always hear your voices during the matches, and your support gave me so much encouragement,” said Ami.

“I’ll always support the Sailors too. Thank you, everyone.”

Eri added: “Thank you for coming to support us at every match. Your encouragement always gave me strength and motivated me to keep giving my best.”