Six months of hard work will come down to 90 minutes at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Sunday (15 September) evening, when the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team take on fourth-placed Still Aerion in their final match of the 2024 Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) season.

Currently two points behind current leaders Albirex Niigata (S), who have already completed their campaign, the equation for the Sailors Women is straightforward: win, and they will secure their third consecutive WPL title. 

Fresh off an impressive 10-0 win over BG Tampines Rovers in midweek, Daniel Ong’s young charges are raring to go as they look to bring the trophy back to Mattar Road once again. 

 “It was nerve-racking against Tampines because we had to win; we were admittedly rushing things a bit at the start, so I was glad to to score the first goal and lift the weight off the team’s shoulders,” said midfielder Dorcas Chu, whose 25th-minute header opened the floodgates against the Stags. 

“Overall, we had a good game, but the job is still not done yet. We have to give 100 percent (against Aerion), leave everything out there, and make sure we get our hands on that trophy come the final whistle on Sunday.” 

Title race going down to the wire

The 2024 season has admittedly presented a different challenge to the Sailors Women. After all, this is the first time that the title race has gone down to the wire, having been pushed hard by a dogged Albirex side which had brought in several Singapore internationals.

In contrast, the past two seasons in 2022 and 2023 had seen the Sailors Women secure the title with two games left to spare.

However, Dorcas believes the pressure of being involved in a title race is something that is bringing the best out of the Sailors.

“Of course, there’s an element of stress that comes with a title race, but this is what football is all about, and it’s through this that we learn and improve,” said the 22-year-old, who noted that having another team challenge for the title is testament to the ever-improving level of women’s football in Singapore. 

“I’m actually glad we have this pressure, and I’m really proud to see that instead of allowing the pressure to break us, it’s bringing the team together and developing us.

“I can see the desire and hunger among the younger players here; they’re always giving their 100 percent, and trying everything to become even better individuals. I hope we keep this attitude up because we have plenty more to achieve.”

Young squad proving their worth

After shifting to a younger squad — with seven players promoted from the Girls Academy in the off-season and the majority of the team under the age of 22 — the Sailors Women have done exceptionally well to stand on the cusp of another WPL triumph.

Among the seven Academy players who were promoted to the senior squad include Yuvika Suresh. The 15-year-old has impressed in her maiden WPL campaign, scoring two goals – one of which came against the Stags in their previous encounter.

“I’m really grateful to be promoted to the first team this season; it’s been a great journey with this team,” said the winger. 

“The intensity of training and the competition for places are two of the things that really stand out for me. We all have to fight for our spot; every training, we have to be fully switched on so that we can prove our worth in this team.” 

Another AWCL campaign in sight

The Sailors’ motivation to win the WPL title also stems from a bigger goal in mind: to return to compete in the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) qualifiers for a second straight year. 

“Our participation in the AWCL last month really gave us something to work towards, and this is our target as a team: to play in the AWCL again, so that we can be exposed to the level of the game at the international level. 

“To do that, we’ve to make sure we win on Sunday and be champions of the WPL,” said Yuvika.

Lifting the 2024 WPL trophy will also mean a lot for Dorcas, who missed the 2023 triumph due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Dorcas, who has since made a full recovery and been a key part of the Sailors Women this season, said, “Winning the league will mean the whole world to me. It will be a vindication of all the hard work I put in during rehab so that I can get back to playing.

“But it’s not just about me; it’s about the team. We’re going to focus on the playing style that Coach Daniel has drilled us on all season, and hopefully we can enjoy the winning moment together as a team.”