A gruelling season that kicked off 392 days ago will reach its conclusion this Saturday, 31 May, when the Lion City Sailors face off against BG Tampines Rovers in a mouthwatering Singapore Cup final at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

It was on this very pitch that the Sailors began their 2024/25 campaign with a commanding 2-0 win over then-Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions Albirex Niigata (S) to lift the Community Shield on 4 May 2024.

That win set the tone for a historic season, as the Sailors went on to dethrone Albirex to clinch their second SPL title, reached the final of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two — becoming the first local club to qualify for the final of a major Asian club competition — and are now contesting a second consecutive Singapore Cup final.

For Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković, lifting the Singapore Cup once more would be a fitting finale to a relentless yet rewarding campaign.

“We’ve done amazing things this season, but there’s still one more step to go. We are the defending champions, and we want to keep this trophy,” said the Serb. “To win it will be the cherry on top, and we want to be remembered as one of the best teams in Singapore football history.”

This has been a campaign that tested the Sailors’ mental resolve and stretched their physical limits, with Saturday’s Singapore Cup final set to be their 58th match of the season.

Having competed on four fronts — including the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) and ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup — the Sailors were put through a relentless, demanding schedule. In February alone, they endured seven matches in 21 days, and are now set to close out the season with eight games in 28 days this May.

“This has been the most challenging yet most rewarding season for me, and I believe many of my teammates feel the same,” said forward Shawal Anuar, who also made seven international appearances for Singapore between December 2024 and March 2025.

“Sacrifices have to be made as professional footballers, and we were prepared for this from the start of the season. Representing Singapore well on the continental stage was important, and I think we made the nation proud with our performances. Full credit to the backroom staff too — they’ve kept us rested and ready for every match.”

Shawal has enjoyed a standout season, registering a career-best 18 goals and 12 assists in the league to earn him a Player of the Year nomination at the upcoming SPL Awards Night, alongside teammate Bailey Wright. He also finished as the second-highest scorer in the ACL Two with eight goals.

“I’m never one to chase individual awards because I’ve always believed that the team’s success comes first,” said the 34-year-old. “Nonetheless, it’s a great feeling to be recognised, and I have to thank my teammates for this nomination.”

“The team spirit has been immense this year. We’ve stuck together through the highs and the lows, and now, we just want to finish the season with one more piece of silverware.”

The Sailors vs BG Tampines fixture has become one of the league’s fiercest rivalries in recent times, with the Sailors unbeaten in their last three encounters — including a goalless draw in the final SPL match of the season just a week ago (24 May).

And Ranko is relishing another high-stakes clash in the Singapore Cup final.

“Our games against BG Tampines have been fiercely contested this season, and I expect nothing less in the Final,” said the 46-year-old, who remains unbeaten in 12 Singapore Cup matches. “We’re hungry to bring home another piece of silverware, and I hope our fans will pack the stadium to push us over the line.”

Echoing his coach’s sentiments, Shawal called on the Sailors faithful to be at their loudest yet as the team bids to complete a historic domestic treble.

“We’re very grateful to our fans who turn up week in, week out. Win, lose or draw, rain or shine, they’re always there supporting us,” said Shawal, who is set to feature in his third consecutive Singapore Cup final. “They do sweet things like bringing gifts or birthday cakes, and it really means a lot to us.

“It’s important that we fight to win this Cup for them, for the club, and for our families. We want to make this a season they’ll always remember.”