Last year, the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team enjoyed a historic season, clinching their third consecutive Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) title while putting up a great account on their debut in the AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL).

A key pillar of the team’s success over the years has been the Sailors Girls Academy, which continues to provide a steady pipeline of talent. To date, 16 players have made the step up to the WPL, with more set to follow in 2025.

This season, two more teenage talents who were previously from the Sailors Girls Academy have earned promotion to the senior team — 14-year-old winger Amelia Ng and 17-year-old Nor Adriana Lim (pictured above), who shone for Mattar Sailors in the second-tier Women’s National League (WNL) last season, scoring 15 goals to claim both the Golden Boot and the Young Player of the Year award.

Attacker Putri Alyiah Seow (pictured below), who joined Mattar Sailors last year, also makes the step up after a breakthrough WNL season, which saw the 21-year-old finishing as the league’s joint second-highest scorer with seven goals.

Beyond academy and WNL promotions, however, the Sailors have also made three key signings from other WPL clubs to bolster their squad. Indian midfielder Anaya Sehgal, 15, joins from BG Tampines Rovers, while 24-year-old defender Mira Ruzana arrives from Still Aerion.

The most eye-catching addition, however, is none other than 2023 WPL Young Player of the Year, Dhaniyah Qasimah, who has made the switch from Albirex Niigata (S) to the Sailors.

An energetic and box-to-box midfielder, Dhaniyah was a key player for Albirex last season, playing a pivotal role in their thrilling title race with the Sailors. Now, she has chosen to cross the divide and don the Sailors’ white and blue, bringing her aggressive style of play to the champions.

“Joining the Sailors is a huge step for me, and I’m excited to test myself at an even higher level while contributing to the team’s ambitions in both the WPL and AWCL,” said 20-year-old Dhaniyah, who has already earned several caps for the Lionesses.

“Having worked with Coach Daniel (Ong) a few times in the national team, I’ve seen firsthand how he pushes players to reach their potential, and that’s something I’m eager to experience. His modern coaching style won’t just improve my skills — it’ll also shape how I perceive and adapt to challenges on the field.

“I’m really looking forward to helping the team defend the league title and competing in my first-ever AWCL campaign.”

The Sailors will kick off their 2025 WPL campaign against Albirex on 8 March, before embarking on their second consecutive AWCL campaign in August.

Reflecting on his squad for the 2025 season, Daniel declared himself satisfied, and is eagerly anticipating his second season as Sailors Women Head Coach. 

“I’m delighted we’ve secured Dhaniyah — she’s a fantastic addition, and I’m confident she’ll complement our style of play with her ability to defend, hold up the ball, and find incisive forward passes,” said the 36-year-old.

“It’s also crucial that we continue promoting players from the WNL and our Academy. They’re already familiar with our philosophy and coaching approach, which helps them integrate seamlessly into our system. These players have immense potential, and I’m excited to see them step up at the WPL level.

“Our primary goal is, of course, to retain the WPL title, but we also want to elevate each player’s standards so that we can compete more effectively against overseas clubs in the AWCL. As long as the team remains committed to the cause, I’m confident we can enjoy another successful season together.”

Meanwhile, seven players have been de-registered from the 2024 roster. Nur Ain Salleh and Natasha Naszri are currently in Spain under the Unleash The Roar! (UTR!) Overseas Football Scholarship, while Japanese forward Miray Altun and Canadian midfielder Madison Telmer have left to pursue their studies abroad. Filipino-American defender Sara Hayduchok is also seeking new opportunities.

Josephine Ang is undergoing rehabilitation following surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained last November, while Natasha Kaur also leaves the club.

Lion City Sailors’ 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) squad

Goalkeepers

Izairida Shakira, Beatrice Tan

Defenders
Umairah Hamdan, Seri Nurinsyirah, Syazwani Ruzi, Khairunnisa Anwar, Tia Foong, Tyan Foong, Mira Ruzana

Midfielders

Qarissa Putri, Ho Hui Xin, Sarah Zu’risqha, Nurhidayu Naszri, Dhaniyah Qasimah, Anaya Sehgal, Amelia Ng

Forwards

Cara Chang, Raeka Ee, Priscille Le Helloco, Liyana Rickit, Yuvika Suresh, Dorcas Chu, Nor Adriana Lim, Putri Alyiah Seow