It may still be early in the season, but the Lion City Sailors’ clash against BG Tampines Rovers on Thursday (18 July) night at the Bishan Stadium already feels pivotal in both teams’ hunt for the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title.

The Sailors and BG Tampines have started the season nearly identically – with six wins and a draw each, both teams are tied at the top with 19 points, though the Sailors’ superior goal difference currently gives them the edge over their title rivals.

With reigning SPL champions Albirex Niigata (S) struggling for form this season, the Sailors and BG Tampines — both of whom finished as the top two local sides behind Albirex for the past two campaigns — are now considered by many to be favourites for the 2024/25 SPL crown.

As such, a win for either team on Thursday would give them an early advantage in what promises to be a tight and enthralling race for the league title.

Nonetheless, Sailors captain Hariss Harun insists that while the team will be focused on beating Gavin Lee’s side, it is still too early in the season for the result of this match – the first of four league encounters between the two teams – to carry significant weight.

“We’re just completing Round 1 of the matches, so this match isn’t season-defining yet,” said Hariss. “However, things are quite tight at the top, so it’s still important to gain an advantage over them at this stage.

“BG Tampines have recruited well and have quality all over the pitch, but we’re focusing on our strengths and how we can hurt them. As footballers, these are the games everyone wants to play in, and we look forward to putting on another good show for our fans.”

Hariss played a crucial role in the Sailors’ last outing — a 4-2 win over Balestier Khalsa — as he won his side a crucial penalty in injury time. Maxime Lestienne duly converted the spot-kick to give the Sailors a 3-2 lead, before the Belgian scored again minutes later to wrap up the three points.

The dramatic victory over a resolute Tigers side showcased the Sailors’ fighting spirit and togetherness – qualities that Hariss believes will give his side the edge over the Stags when they meet.

The 33-year-old elaborated, “We didn’t play that well (against Balestier), but we kept going, which is testament to the team’s resolve and belief. In a long season like this, we’ll face different challenges and obstacles, so it’s important that we keep fighting to find a way through tricky matches. 

“The victory gives us good momentum heading into the Tampines game, and we need to capitalise on this to secure another three points.”

While acknowledging that there are certain aspects of the Sailors’ game that still need improvement, Hariss is adamant that it is only a matter of time before they iron out their early-season kinks and hit their stride.

“We know that people have high expectations of us. We also have high expectations of ourselves – we know what we can do and where we can improve. There have been a couple of games where our performances were not up to par, but having said that, we are still unbeaten, so it’s a positive start to the season. 

“There’s plenty of time to fine-tune things, and more importantly, we want to peak at the right time as a team.” 

With the Sailors notching up 13 wins in 15 home league matches since returning to the Bishan Stadium in 2023, Hariss believes the Crew is crucial in spurring the Sailors on to victory, and urged the fans to fill the stadium on Thursday with a sea of white and blue.

Hariss said, “We’re grateful to have our fans with us. They have stuck with us through both the good and bad times, and they’re a huge part of the Sailors family. I’m really looking forward to a strong crowd on Thursday night – that’ll give us added motivation and the drive to push harder.

“We promise to give everything, so that our fans can go home with a night to remember.”