It was an evening to remember for Lion City Sailors Women as they made Women’s Premier League (WPL) history with a 20-0 victory over Hougang United at Bukit Gombak Stadium on Saturday (4 April).

The result set a new record for the largest winning margin in WPL history, overtaking the previous record of 18-0 set by the team against Balestier Khalsa in May 2024.

Ami Takeuchi led the charge with a remarkable nine-goal haul, while Eri Kitagawa and Nurhidayu Naszri both struck hat-tricks. Ami Kawase added a brace, with Venetia Lim, Wan Nashirah (pictured below) and Remi Ogawa all netting their first goals of the campaign to add gloss to the scoreline.

“It’s a good feeling to set a new record, but we didn’t focus on the scoreline,” said vice-captain Syazwani Ruzi. “Our focus was on ourselves, our playing style, keeping the ball and controlling the tempo.”

The Sailors made three changes from their 7-0 win over Tiong Bahru last weekend, while Hougang came into the match rooted to the bottom following a 5-1 defeat to Geylang International.

Hougang head coach Al-Ameen Maricar, a former Sailors assistant, was forced to name just nine starting players due to several unavailable players and that set the tone for what proved a long evening for the Cheetahs.

And the Sailors made their numerical advantage count within five minutes, when Venetia’s mis-hit effort was headed in by Ami Takeuchi. The Japanese forward then added a long-range strike before completing her hat-trick inside the opening 15 minutes.

Eri made it 4-0 in the 27th minute after capitalising on a goalkeeping error, before turning provider for Takeuchi to add another. Eri then got her second of the night soon after.

Ayu then joined in the party as she opened her account for the season with a close-range finish to make it 7-0, before Venetia headed in Dhaniyah Qasimah’s cross for her first goal of the campaign.

“I was determined to contribute and make a real impact,” said Ayu. “Now that I’m back in the starting lineup, I need to step up and prove my worth.”

Takeuchi then scored with a superb long-range effort to send the Sailors into the break 9-0 up.

The Sailors picked up where they left off after the restart, as Venetia set up Ayu to bring up double figures in the 52nd minute, before teenage substitute Ami Kawase struck almost immediately to make it 11.

Takeuchi then added three more in quick succession to extend the lead to 14-0, before Ayu completed her hat-trick in the 69th minute after neat work from Venetia.

“I’m really grateful to have scored a hat-trick today,” said Ayu. “I’ll keep working hard to improve, especially when it comes to taking my chances.”

The goals kept coming, with five coming after the 80th-minute mark.

14-year-old Kawase grabbed her second in the 82nd minute to bring her goal tally to seven for the season, before Nashirah lashed home to make it 17-0.

Substitute Remi added another and Eri then completed her hat-trick, before Takeuchi sealed the 20-goal victory deep into stoppage time with her ninth goal of the night.

The glut of goals meant Takeuchi brought her season tally up to 27 as she continued her strong bid for the WPL Golden Boot.

The emphatic victory meant the Sailors kept pace at the top of the table, while also boosting their goal difference to +72 ahead of Albirex’s clash with Tiong Bahru on Sunday (5 April).

Despite the one-sided contest, the Sailors were quick to acknowledge their opponents’ resolve with a depleted squad.

“Kudos to Hougang for their determination and resilience,” said Ayu. “It’s not easy playing with nine players from the start, and we wish them all the best for their other matches ahead.”

The Sailors Women will next be in action on 21 April against Balestier Khalsa as they continue their push for the WPL title.