The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team produced a statement win on Friday (12 June) night, beating Women’s Premier League (WPL) leaders Albirex Jurong 4-2 in a crunch clash at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

Ami Takeuchi’s brace, coupled with a strike from Madison Telmer and a Sitianiwati Rosielin own goal, handed Albirex their first defeat of the season as the Sailors Women scored four times against a side that had conceded just two goals across their previous 14 WPL matches.

Crucially, the result moved the Sailors Women to within three points of Albirex. This means that with a game in hand and a six-goal advantage in goal difference (+130 to +124), the equation is clear for Daniel Ong’s side: win their final two matches against Tiong Bahru and Hougang United while maintaining that superior goal difference, and they will reclaim the WPL crown.

Captain Umairah Hamdan hailed the team’s collective effort after the match.

“Everyone in the team did an amazing job today. We worked together and moved as a unit,” she said.

“We were always covering and supporting one another in defence, and I’m proud that we did not cave in despite the tough moments. We kept our spirits high throughout, and I am confident that we can go on to secure the title if we play the way we did today.”

After surviving an early scare when Albirex’s Kana Kitahara dragged a shot wide on six minutes, the Sailors Women took the lead in the 14th minute.

Nur Ain Salleh was brought down in the box by Albirex’s Riho Katayama as she attempted to latch onto a lofted ball over the top from Ami, and the Japanese forward calmly converted the resulting penalty after the referee pointed to the spot.

Nur Ain went close to doubling the lead in the 26th minute, but her effort struck the outside of the post, before Albirex restored parity nine minutes later when Kitahara headed home from a corner.

Albirex took the lead for the first time just two minutes after the restart, with Sitianiwati rifling a left-footed effort into the bottom corner beyond the despairing dive of Sailors Women goalkeeper Izairida Shakira.

Still, the Sailors Women refused to give in.

After Umairah’s free-kick delivery was spilled by Albirex goalkeeper Talia Sachet, Madison reacted quickest to poke home the loose ball, becoming the Sailors Women’s 16th different scorer this season.

Back in Singapore during her term break, Madison was delighted to have made an impact.

“I was happy to get a goal today and to be able to contribute whatever I could to this game, knowing how important a win for us would be,” said the midfielder, who replaced Ami Kawase on the half-hour mark.

“I thought the team played really well today. We were clinical and created a lot more going forward. More importantly, everybody showed the desire to win the game and really fought till the end.”

It became 3-2 in the 70th minute when Sitianiwati inadvertently turned Eri Kitagawa’s corner into her own net at the near post, before the scoring was completed 20 minutes later.

After dispossessing Albirex debutant Reina Ikeda, the industrious Raeka Ee — who had come on in the closing stages — teed up Ami for her second of the night. The strike took the Japanese forward to within one goal of the 50-goal mark for the Sailors Women as she continued to strengthen her case for the WPL Player of the Year award.

The full-time whistle followed shortly after, with Umairah paying tribute to the Sailors faithful who had turned up in support of the team.

“The fans were brilliant, and the atmosphere was fantastic. As a player, I felt really supported and like they were pushing me as I pushed the team,” she said.

“I’m just very grateful for the fans. They were truly something else.”

The Sailors Women will now turn their focus to their penultimate match of the WPL season against Tiong Bahru at Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Saturday, 20 June.

“I’ve got one game left before I go, and I’m just hoping to contribute as much as I can by getting on the scoresheet and creating chances,” Madison noted.

“We still have a very strong squad, and I have full faith in them that they can bring home the title.”