If there is one player in the Sailors’ squad who embodies the phrase “body on the line,” it is centre-back Toni Datković. The Croatian is known for his fearless commitment, and often throws himself into challenges to protect the Sailors’ goal.
Toni’s uncompromising defensive style has been instrumental in the Sailors boasting the tightest defence in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) so far, conceding just 24 goals in 20 games. Since the turn of the year, he has also helped the team keep clean sheets against formidable continental opponents, which include Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur City and reigning Thai League 1 champions Buriram United.
But Toni’s contributions to the team are not limited to just his defensive work. The 31-year-old has also developed a knack for scoring, and recently netted his fourth goal of the season — a crucial equaliser in the Sailors’ 2-1 league win over Geylang International.
“It was an important statement win for us,” said Toni. “We had the opportunity to go six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand, and we took it. The team has been doing an amazing job over the past few months, so now we just need to stay consistent and maintain this level of performance until the end of the season.”
As Toni’s nickname, El Sicario — a Spanish term that translates to “The Hitman” — suggests, he has added an extra layer of steel and aggression to the Sailors’ backline since signing for the club last February. In that time, he has forged strong bonds with teammates like fellow defenders Bailey Wright and Lionel Tan, and those close-knit relationships are paying dividends on the pitch.
“The relationships we share are a big strength of this team,” explained the Croatian. “We always hang out as a group and spend a lot of time together on and off the pitch — especially during away trips. Everyone is really happy, and that positive mood within the camp helps us perform well in games.”
These bonds will be crucial for Toni and his teammates as they face a hectic February, with seven games packed into just 21 days.
Their schedule could get even more demanding if they advance to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two, as they will then have to play a two-legged tie scheduled for 5 and 12 March. This could see them playing a match every three to four days until the mid-March international window.
“As footballers, we always want to play more games, so this won’t be a problem,” said an unfazed Toni. “It will be tough on us physically, but we’re already mentally prepared. We expect a lot of rotation, so every player must be ready because everyone is important.”
Having racked up over 100 appearances in Spain’s LaLiga 2, along with stints in top-tier competitions like the UEFA Europa League and Major League Soccer (MLS) in the USA, Toni is eager to lend his experience to help his teammates navigate the packed schedule.
“I’ve played many games in Europe, where there’s much more pressure with tens of thousands of fans in the stands. It may be slightly different here, but the stakes are just as high and we have to be constantly on our toes to make sure our team win matches,” said Toni.
“Besides me, there are other players in the squad who’ve played in Europe and around the world, like Maxime (Lestienne) and Bart (Ramselaar). That experience will be invaluable, especially during times like these.”
The Sailors’ next continental challenge is a trip to the Philippines to face Kaya FC-Iloilo in their final ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup group match. While their place in the semi-finals is now out of their hands, Toni and his teammates remain determined to end their tournament on a high.
“Doing well on the continental stage is very important for this club, so we’re going there with everything to get the win. We want to show how much we’ve grown since losing the first two matches, and that we actually deserve to be in the next stage,” said Toni.
Fully aware of the high expectations surrounding the Sailors as they approach the business end of the season, Toni urged his teammates to embrace the pressure and keep fighting for the club.
“Many people in Singapore expect us to win everything, but this is football, and we’re confident about what lies ahead,” he said. “Everyone here wants to win trophies and continue making history for the club, so we’ll give 100 per cent to ensure we have no regrets at the end of the season.”
