When French midfielder Giovanni Haag joined the Lion City Sailors, he brought with him a reputation for adding physicality and composure to the heart of midfield.

Yet it did not take long for another aspect of his game to stand out. His pinpoint set-piece deliveries have added a new dimension to the Sailors’ attacking threat, making him a key weapon in dead-ball situations.

Since his debut, Gio’s set-piece deliveries have played a part in seven of the Sailors’ 22 goals across all competitions, accounting for almost a third of the team’s goals.

His influence has been felt on both the domestic and continental stages, with his deliveries contributing to goals against BG Pathum United and Tai Po FC in the ACL Two, as well as Young Lions and Tanjong Pagar United in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).

The 26-year-old was equally influential away at Adelaide United, producing arguably his most telling contribution yet.

With the score deadlocked after 80 minutes, Gio’s corner found Hugo Gomes, who broke the deadlock and set the Sailors on their way to a memorable 2-0 victory.

“The win against Adelaide meant a lot to us. We knew how important it was to get all three points, and we’re happy that we managed to fight together as a team,” explained Gio.

“We work a lot on set-pieces because we have players like Hugo, Bailey (Wright) and Toni (Datković) who are dangerous in those situations. It’s one of my strengths, and the most important thing is that I use it to help the team.”

The match also marked Lennart Thy’s long-awaited return to action, with the German announcing his comeback in style with a deft dinked finish to put the result beyond doubt.

“It was great to see everyone happy, especially Lenny coming off the bench and scoring on his first appearance of the season. It was a perfect night for us, but we want to build on this performance on Sunday and when we face them again next week,” said Gio.

Beyond the collective effort on the pitch, the midfielder was also quick to acknowledge the coaching staff’s contributions and the vital role they played in securing the win.

“A lot of preparation went into this game, with the coaches and staff paying close attention to every detail. (Assistant) Coach Cameron (Toshack), for example, takes the time to speak with every player and make sure everyone is on the same page,” he explained.

“Communication across the team is especially important when it comes to set-pieces, and we saw the results again with another goal from a dead-ball situation. The staff’s guidance made the difference, so credit goes to them.”

While the Sailors celebrated with their travelling supporters after full-time at the Coopers Stadium, there was little time to savour the hard-fought victory.

Less than 12 hours after the final whistle in Adelaide, the team was already at the airport for an almost seven-hour flight back to Singapore.

The Sailors now turn their attention to league duties as they face Balestier Khalsa at Bishan Stadium on Sunday (1 November), looking to close the gap on leaders Geylang International.

They will then welcome Adelaide United to Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (5 November) for the return fixture in the ACL Two. 

“We want to win every match, so we have to keep our momentum going, especially with the next two games coming up quickly. This is what the season will be like if we want to go far in the different competitions, so it is our job to be prepared,” said Gio.

“We have little time to recover, but the entire team is putting in the work and ready to give our best against Balestier to maintain our winning run.”

Although the Sailors began October on a frustrating note with a narrow defeat to Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) in their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup opener, they have since bounced back emphatically with five consecutive wins, scoring 17 goals and conceding just once.

But with the reigning SPL champions competing on multiple fronts this season, Gio emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards and consistency every time they step onto the pitch.

“Just like the game against Adelaide, we must be at our best in every match, whether it is in the ACL Two, Shopee Cup, or the domestic league. We have to approach every game with the right mentality and do everything we can to win and score goals.

“The teammates, coaching staff, club and fans have all made me feel very welcome here. Everything has been top-class, and we just want to keep winning and enjoying what we are doing.”