They showed their potential in a thrilling 4-2 Café Football Charity Cup victory over 2023 Women’s National League champions Royal Arion earlier in January. 

Now, the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team – with a new coach at the helm and a refreshed playing roster – will be looking to attack the 2024 Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) season with the same vigour. 

Daniel Ong’s charges will kickstart their campaign with a clash against last season’s bottom-placed side Tiong Bahru on Saturday, 9 March, at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, before facing off against fellow title challengers Albirex Niigata (S) on Sunday, 24 March in what promises to be a tasty second fixture. 

Games against Hougang United and Tanjong Pagar United – who make up last season’s top four – on 14 and 20 April respectively round off an interesting opening four fixtures for the Sailors Women, as they seek to win the title for a third consecutive season.

Following the withdrawal of Police SA, the WPL is now a nine-team league. As such, each side will play 16 matches in a double round-robin format this season.

The Sailors Women will wrap up their 2024 WPL campaign on Sunday, 8 September against Geylang International at Choa Chu Kang. 

Having put together a young and hungry squad filled with several promising youngsters, Daniel is looking forward to his first season in charge, as he looks to build on the solid foundation laid by two-time WPL Coach of the Year Yeong Sheau Shyan. 

“It won’t be easy (to defend the title) as many of the other teams have strengthened their squads. For us, we’re largely focusing on ourselves and how we want to improve as a team,” said the 35-year-old.

“We’ve promoted some really talented youngsters from our Girls Academy, and this is the chance for them to show that they can be national team stalwarts in the future. I have full trust in them, and I’m personally excited to see what they can produce this coming season.”

The Sailors Women’s full fixtures list for the 2024 WPL season can be accessed here.