After eking out a gritty 1-0 win over Still Aerion in the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) the last time out, the Lion City Sailors Women turn their attentions to Tampines Rovers at Choa Chu Kang Stadium this Sunday (27 August). 

This is a chance for the Sailors Women to end August on a perfect note, having strung three straight victories in the WPL, including a 10-0 thumping of Tiong Bahru on 5 August. 

Yeong Sheau Shyan’s charges are perched atop the 10-team WPL on 31 points, four clear of nearest challengers Albirex Niigata (S), who are due to face Geylang International on 26 August.

With a spate of injuries and absences forcing them to name a matchday squad of only 13 players against Still Aerion, midfielder Ho Hui Xin acknowledged that the result was a precious one.

“While the bench was thin, I felt that we could have managed the game better with the quality of players we had,” admitted the 31-year-old, who has donned the captain’s armband on several occasions this season. 

“It was frustrating to come up against an Aerion side who pressed us hard, but I’m thankful we came away with the win as we did not want to drop unnecessary points at this stage of the season.”  

Despite the Sailors’ run of form, Hui Xin believes there is still room for improvement as they come up against a Tampines side who are sixth in the WPL and are currently on a five-game winless streak, having last tasted victory in a 6-1 win over Tiong Bahru on 24 June. 

While they have lost the services of Giselle Blümke and defender Sara Hayduchok who joined the Sailors in the mid-season transfer window, Tampines still boast plenty of experience in Singapore Women’s National Team players Farhanah Ruhaizat and Stephanie Dominguez. 

“I expect them (Tampines) to throw everything at us and we definitely cannot take anything for granted,” said Hui Xin of their opponents whom they beat 1-0 in the reverse fixture on May 21. 

“We need to be better in playing the ball forward and have the confidence that things will work out. We just need to continue to play the football that we are used to, hopefully that will translate into results for us.”  

With the likes of Josephine Ang and Cara Chang breaking into the WPL squad and already impressing this season, Hui Xin believes these younger players have a part to play in the team’s success. 

“While they may still be teenagers, they are technically sound and complement the senior players, allowing us to perform better as a team,” pointed out the Singapore international.

“Jo has got a few goals under her belt, while Cara also scored her first goal recently. I hope they will continue to get better and fire us to victory against Tampines to keep the momentum going.“