Month: February 2025
Lionel Tan was the hero for the Lion City Sailors as his lone goal secured a crucial 1-0 victory over nearest title challengers BG Tampines Rovers at Bishan Stadium on Wednesday (26 Feb) night.
That was the Sailors’ seventh successive Singapore Premier League (SPL) victory as they extended their lead at the top to nine points — with a game in hand — and took a significant step towards reclaiming the SPL title.
Under the pouring rain at Bishan, the match began cautiously, with both sides cancelling each other out. The game then came into life towards the end of the first half, with BG Tampines spurning two glorious opportunities to score.
Joel Chew’s close-range effort in the 37th minute looked destined for goal but was denied by a brilliant last-ditch block by Diogo Costa, before Itsuki Enomoto’s header off Kyoga Nakamura’s deep cross forced a sharp reaction save from Sailors custodian Izwan Mahbud.
A potential concern arose for the Sailors in the 40th minute when centre-back Toni Datković was substituted due to injury, with Lionel taking his place.
Then, in first-half stoppage time, the Sailors nearly broke the deadlock when Maxime Lestienne’s goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Stags defender Dylan Fox.
At the post-match press conference, Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković addressed why his side struggled to create enough chances in the opening 45 minutes.
“This was definitely the most competitive game since the break. Even from the start of the league, BG Tampines have been very strong opponents,” Ranko reflected.
“There weren’t many chances because both teams defended and attacked well. I also think we were a bit fatigued. In the first half, we struggled to apply pressure, especially on their key players.”
The second half started much like the first, with both teams cautiously probing each other and creating few clear-cut chances. However, Rui Pires’ deflected effort early on in the second half signalled the Sailors’ intent to push for victory.
Both the Sailors and BG Tampines made substitutions in a bid to change the game, with the hosts introducing Christopher van Huizen and the visitors bringing on Faris Ramli. However, it was the Sailors who finally found the breakthrough in the 82nd minute.
After Maxime’s cross was half-cleared by Fox, Lionel seized the opportunity to take the ball down with his left foot before finishing with aplomb on his favoured right to give his side the crucial lead.
It was the centre-back’s first goal since July 2023, when he also scored at Bishan Stadium against Balestier Khalsa in the SPL.
Beyond sealing the victory, Lionel’s goal was also a response to his online critics. After the match, the defender reflected on how the criticism had only made him stronger and fuelled his determination to improve.
“I think I’ve matured as a player in how I handle pressure these days. For me, I just stay focused on my goals and find happiness in appreciating the small things — both in football and in life,” Lionel shared when asked about the online criticism.
“It’s a constant thing, and while it no longer affects me, it does impact my family and friends. But at the end of the day, this is football, and in other countries, it’s even worse.”
Soon after Lionel’s decisive goal, Tampines substitute Arya Igami saw his effort saved by Izwan, while at the other end, Maxime’s low shot was kept out by BG Tampines custodian Syazwan Buhari in a frantic finish to the game.
The Sailors eventually saw out the victory to claim their first SPL triumph over the Stags since August 2023, and open up a commanding lead at the league’s summit.
Another standout performer for the Sailors was defensive midfielder Rui Pires, who was duly named Man of the Match.
“I’ve had some injury issues over the past few weeks, but I’m really happy to be back and able to help the team,” said Rui, who once again embraced his role as a team player in Ranko’s side.
“Every time we secure three points, it’s a great feeling because it strengthens our position at the top of the table. As a team, we’re delighted, and we’ll keep pushing until the very end.”
With the Sailors’ Singapore Cup clash against Geylang International rescheduled to late March, their focus now shifts to a crucial away trip to Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, where they will face J1 League powerhouse Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Quarter-Final first leg next Wednesday (5 March).
For now, though, Ranko has just one immediate concern before the trip to Japan.
“We have to assess Toni’s condition,” said Ranko. “Fortunately, we have a full week to prepare since we don’t have a game this weekend. Hopefully, he recovers in time, and we’ll give it our best shot against one of Asia’s top teams.”
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
The Lion City Sailors’ Singapore Cup Group B clash against Geylang International, originally set for Sunday, 2 March, has been rescheduled to Thursday, 27 March, 8.30pm, at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The change allows the Sailors to optimise their preparations for their ongoing Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two campaign, where they will face Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarter-finals.
The first leg of the ACL Two tie will take place at the Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima on Wednesday, March 5, before the teams meet again for the return leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium exactly a week later on March 12.
The Sailors sit second in Group B of the Singapore Cup after an opening 4-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United and will next face Balestier Khalsa on March 16. The holders will then take on the Eagles on March 27, before concluding the group stage three days later (March 30) against Thai League 1 side BG Pathum United.
The Sailors extend our appreciation to Geylang International and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) for accommodating the rescheduling, as we continue striving to represent Singapore with pride on the continental stage.
Whenever the Lion City Sailors and BG Tampines Rovers face off, fireworks are almost guaranteed.
As one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in the Singapore Premier League (SPL), this fixture carries significant weight — and Wednesday’s (26 February) potentially title-defining showdown at Bishan Stadium is no exception.
With the Sailors in imperious form and holding a six-point lead at the top of the table, plus a game in hand, they have every reason to approach this clash with confidence.
However, recent history suggests it will be far from straightforward – after all, the Sailors have secured just one win in their last six league meetings against the Stags, the only team they have yet to beat this season. Their previous encounters saw a bruising 5-0 defeat and a hard-fought 2-2 draw, setting the stage for a pivotal encounter.
One player who is determined to rewrite that script, however, is Sailors midfielder Song Uiyoung. A seasoned veteran in this rivalry, Song has faced BG Tampines 27 times — more than any other opponent bar Albirex Niigata (S) and Balestier Khalsa. With his wealth of experience and deep understanding of what it takes to battle the Stags, he is fully committed to ensuring a different outcome this time around.
“Having faced BG Tampines many times, I know they are one of the best teams in the league, and I always look forward to playing against them,” said Song, who will be looking to add to his personal tally of six goals and five assists against the Stags.
“This will be one of the most important games of our league season so far. Our meetings have always been fiercely competitive and emotional, with both teams bringing intensity to the pitch every time.”
The Sailors will head into this decisive clash on the back of an emphatic 5-1 victory over Balestier in their most recent league outing. Song was a standout performer in that game, as he injected energy into the midfield and registered his third league assist of the season in a clinical Sailors display.
“I’m very satisfied with the result as it helps us maintain the momentum we’ve built so far,” said 31-year-old Song. “It adds even more positivity to the team and further strengthens our mentality. Results like these show that we approach every game with full commitment, and there’s no reason for us not to give our maximum effort, no matter who we face.”
The Sailors’ momentum has been steadily building through a series of impressive performances in a packed February. Despite playing five games in just 15 days, they have secured five consecutive wins across all competitions, scoring 20 goals in the process.
For Song, this fine form instils added confidence in the team, reinforcing the belief that, regardless of their recent record against BG Tampines, they have what it takes to get the job done.
“For us, the focus is never on our opponents or their team — it’s always on ourselves,” insisted Song. “We won’t get carried away by who we’re facing or the lead we have at the top. As long as we stay united and give our best, we can definitely get the result on Wednesday.”
“We are mature professionals; we know how to embrace big matches and handle any team we come up against. The most important thing is to maintain the positive energy within the squad by believing in and supporting one another, just as we have done so far,” he added.
Reflecting on one of the busiest months in the Sailors’ calendar — where they secured crucial SPL points and made history as the first Singaporean team to reach the quarter-finals of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two — Song was full of praise, not just for his teammates but also for the dedicated staff working tirelessly behind the scenes.
“I’m very proud of the entire Sailors team, from the players to the staff, and the mentality they showed despite such a demanding schedule,” said Song. “It wasn’t easy, but we managed both the mental and physical fatigue well, taking each game step by step. That was the key to overcoming the challenges that came our way.”
As the league season nears its climax with just ten matches remaining for the Sailors, Song emphasised the importance of the bond between the team and the Sailors faithful, highlighting how their unwavering support helps push the team over the line.
“At the Sailors, we have this special connection between the players and our fans,” said Song. “We work together, play together, and achieve results together. I truly appreciate how they show up to support us without fail — their presence drives us forward in every game.
“We know how much this game against BG Tampines means to them, and we’ll give everything to secure the three points.”
Lennart Thy stole the show at the Bishan Stadium on Sunday (Feb 23), as he scored four goals to inspire the Lion City Sailors to a commanding 5-1 victory over Balestier Khalsa in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).
The result extends the Sailors’ winning streak in the SPL to six matches, keeping them six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand as they take another important step towards reclaiming the league title.
Balestier came into this contest on the back of consecutive wins in both the SPL and Singapore Cup, but they were overwhelmed from the outset by a relentless Sailors side that wasted no time asserting its dominance.
Just three minutes in, full-back Akram Azman — handed his second consecutive start in domestic competitions — delivered an inch-perfect cross for an unmarked Lennart, who nodded home the opener with ease.
Buoyed by the opener, the Sailors kept knocking on the door, with Maxime Lestienne striking the post and Song Uiyoung denied by Hafiz Ahmad’s quick reflexes in the 18th minute.
But the Sailors’ persistence paid off in the 29th minute when Song lofted a precise long ball to Maxime, who skipped past Madhu Mohana before calmly slotting in to give his side a two-goal advantage.
“Of course, you always want to start well, but you can’t predict scoring in the opening moments every time,” said Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković after the game. “After going 2-0 up, I felt we should have pushed on. But after Thursday’s game against Muangthong United (in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two), we were a little fatigued, so we slowed the pace of the game down.”
Balestier nearly halved the deficit five minutes later, but Anton Fase’s goal-bound effort was heroically cleared off the line by a retreating Toni Datković.
That was as good as it got for Balestier in the first half, as their night took a turn for the worse in the 38th minute when left-back Fudhil I’yadh was sent off for a last-man challenge on Maxime.
The Sailors capitalised on their numerical advantage soon after. In first-half stoppage time, Lennart took a deft first touch at the edge of the box, swivelled, and unleashed a venomous strike to score arguably the goal of the night and give his side a 3-0 lead.
Any hopes of a Balestier comeback were dashed within five minutes of the restart. Following a well-worked free kick, Toni found Lennart in the box, and the German striker clinically swept home his third to mark back-to-back SPL hat-tricks.
Balestier did put the ball in the back of the net in the 56th minute, but Kodai Tanaka’s effort was eventually ruled out after a VAR review.
Ranko freshened things up with a triple substitution in the 66th minute, and it paid off instantly. One of the introductions, Abdul Rasaq Akeem, produced an audacious backheel to tee up Lennart for his fourth goal of the night to complete a brilliant personal haul.
This marked only the second time in his career that Lennart had scored four goals in a single match — the first coming in 2015 for FC St. Pauli in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga.
“It was a strong team performance. Scoring early was key, and after the red card, things became more manageable,” said Lennart, who was named Man of the Match. “We’ve learned how to exploit situations when playing against 10 men, and we executed our game plan well.”
Balestier did eventually get a goal back in the dying moments with Tanaka tapping in Fase’s low cross. But that goal was nothing more than a footnote, as the Sailors’ dominant display ensured their grip on top spot remained firm.
“We’ve been consistent across both domestic and continental competitions, and we’re determined to keep this momentum going,” said Lennart, who is now up to 22 SPL goals for the season.
Meanwhile, over at the Jalan Besar Stadium, title rivals BG Tampines Rovers beat Brunei DPMM 1-0 courtesy of a Damir Muminović own goal. The result sets up an intriguing midweek top-of-the-table clash between the Sailors and Tampines on 26 February.
However, with the Sailors set to play their seventh match in 21 days, Ranko acknowledged the mounting physical toll on his squad.
“My biggest concern now is keeping the players fresh and motivated. We’ve only got two days to prepare for Tampines, and that’s a big challenge for my staff,” he admitted. “We’re getting used to this intense schedule, but fatigue is bound to hit at some point.
“But I’m very happy. In the past, we had a really tough time with these types of matches after playing at the continental level. But now, we are improving.”
Since childhood, Lion City Sailors full-back Christopher van Huizen has followed a personal bucket list — an outline of experiences he hoped to tick off at least once in his lifetime.
By his own admission, making it far in professional football — let alone competing in the latter stages of a major regional tournament like the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two — felt like a distant dream.
That dream, however, has now turned into reality, with Chris and the Sailors set to take on Japanese powerhouse Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the ACL Two quarter-finals in March.
The 32-year-old has been an ever-present figure in the Sailors’ continental campaign, starting every game so far — including both legs of their emphatic 7-2 aggregate victory over Thailand’s Muangthong United in the Round of 16. Now, he stands on the brink of another milestone, ready to face one of the most decorated clubs in J1 League history.
“It’s a huge achievement for me because I never imagined coming this far in professional football,” said Chris. “Now, I’m playing in major competitions for a big club like the Sailors, alongside top local and European players. Just talking about it gets me excited — it’s already exceeded my expectations by far, and I know there’s still so much more to come.”
The flying fullback caught the eye with a string of impressive performances on the national stage during the 2022 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup, prompting the Sailors to secure his signature in January 2023.
Since then, the club’s top-notch facilities and elite training environment have been pivotal in Chris’ development, helping him establish himself as a regular for both the Sailors and the national team.
“Being spotted by the Sailors back then and getting the chance to be part of this club was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” said Chris. “Qualifying for the knockout stages of a continental competition is something most players — including me — have dreamt of. This is a massive achievement, not just for the Sailors, but for Singapore football as well.
“The player I am today is a testament to how much I’ve grown under all the coaches and clubs I’ve been with. Now, it’s about setting new expectations for myself — and maintaining them.
“It helps to have senior players like Hariss Harun and Hafiz Nor who always offer their support. At the same time, I’m also learning from younger players like Nathan Mao and Diogo Costa — these guys have massive potential and valuable experience despite their age.”
However, there is little time for the Sailors to savour their historic continental achievement, with two tough Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches lined up in the next five days before the squad departs for Japan. While the quick turnaround and frequent travel could pose challenges for many players, Chris has embraced the demanding schedule with open arms.
“For me, this is the life I’ve always wanted to live,” said Chris, who had previously experienced travelling and playing across various Malaysian states during his stint with the now-defunct LionsXII. “I’m happy to embrace this lifestyle because this is what real professional football is all about. This is the level every player should aspire to, and these are the experiences we live for.”
Despite the Sailors holding a tidy six-point lead at the top of the SPL table with a game in hand over second-placed BG Tampines Rovers, Chris insisted there is no room for complacency, and urged his teammates to maintain their high standards ahead of their next SPL clash against Balestier Khalsa on Sunday (23 February).
“Regardless of how many games we play, we will not drop our standards,” Chris declared. “Our main target this season is to reclaim the SPL title, so we’re going all out for the three points against Balestier.”
A major driving force behind the Sailors’ success this season has been the unwavering support of their faithful fans, as Chris emphasised the crucial boost they provide to the players on the field.
“I got goosebumps as we walked out and lined up in front of the home crowd before kick-off against Muangthong,” said Chris. “The atmosphere was amazing — these are the moments we work so hard for. Our fans always make a huge impact, and we’re really blessed to have them behind us.”
Bill Mamadou joins Young Lions on loan
Lion City Sailors defender Bill Mamadou has joined the Young Lions on loan for the rest of the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season in pursuit of more regular game time.
This marks the 23-year-old’s second stint with the developmental side, having previously featured for them in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
A commanding presence at the back with strong ball-playing abilities, Bill — who has been capped at the Singapore Under-23 level — joined the Sailors in 2022, and has since made 25 appearances across all competitions.
We wish him the best in his spell with the Young Lions.
The Lion City Sailors have officially unveiled their club mascot, Helix, in celebration of their fifth anniversary. Inspired by the Greek meaning of ‘Helix’ — a curve leading to new discoveries — the mascot embodies the values of pioneership, courage, and resilience.
Helix bears a tear along his ear, leading to an X-shaped scar on his face — a mark left by a battle at sea — which symbolises the hardships he has endured and the belief that storms forge stronger sailors. Intended as a representation of Singapore, Helix’s lion spirit seeks to inspire others to brave uncharted waters, conquer challenges, and evoke national pride.
The conceptualisation and creation of Helix was led by the Sailors, who turned five on 14 February this year.
Helix made his first-ever public appearance amid much fanfare at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (20 February), and played his part in inspiring the Sailors to a 4-0 victory over Thailand’s Muangthong United – which sealed a 7-2 aggregate win to secure them a historic spot in the quarter-finals of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two.
“A mascot is key to a football club’s identity. It’s something the club has considered for a long time, but it was equally important that this process was carefully thought through and curated,” said Lion City Sailors General Manager Tan Li Yu.
“We have created a mascot that will enhance the matchday experience and create more enjoyable, lasting memories for our fans. He is now part of the club’s DNA, and will play a vital role as we continue striving to be the pride of Singapore.
“Moving forward, Helix will be at the heart of our efforts to grow our footballing culture and deepen our ties with the community. Whether through fan engagement, outreach programmes, or his presence at key events, we believe Helix will unite our supporters and inspire future generations of Sailors.”
Beyond match days, Helix will actively engage with fans at all Sailors’ home games and represent the club at community initiatives, charity events, and school visits — reinforcing the club’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections across Singapore.
The unveiling of Helix follows the release of the Sailors’ club anthem, Champions in Blue, and is another step in the club’s ongoing mission to strengthen its identity and build an enduring relationship with its passionate fanbase.
The Lion City Sailors have made history as the first Singaporean team to reach the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two quarter-finals, after a commanding 4-0 victory over Muangthong United in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (20 February) sealed a handsome 7-2 aggregate win.
With this victory, the Sailors now hold the proud distinction of being the only Southeast Asian team left in the competition.
Holding a 3-2 lead from the first leg, the Sailors knew they only needed a draw to advance. However, rather than sitting back to defend their slender advantage, the hosts took the initiative — and it paid off handsomely.
All three scorers from the first leg — Maxime Lestienne, Bart Ramselaar, and Shawal Anuar — were on target again, with the latter netting a brace, as the Sailors delivered a scintillating performance that blew the Thai side out of the water.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković hailed his side as worthy winners of the tie.
“Looking at both matches we played against them, I think it was obvious that we deserved to go through,” a jubilant Ranko said. “In the first match, we played very well aside from the red card, and today, there was no doubt about who should advance.”
Despite the absence of Song Uiyoung due to suspension, the Sailors asserted their dominance from the first whistle, and needed just 15 seconds to earn a penalty. Shawal broke past the Muangthong defence before being clumsily brought down in the box by goalkeeper Kittipong Phuthawchueak, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.
Maxime stepped up and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way to give the Sailors a 1-0 lead in the third minute.
From there, the Sailors took control of the match, limiting the visitors to few clear-cut chances. And just as they had started the half with a bang, they ended it in similar fashion.
In the third minute of first-half stoppage time, Maxime once again proved why he is such a key asset to the club, as he delivered a perfectly weighted ball over the top for Shawal. The Singapore international accelerated past his marker, before unselfishly squaring it to Bart, who applied the finishing touch at the back post.
With the tie seemingly out of reach after the first 45 minutes, Muangthong responded by introducing Poramet Arjvirai — who has four goals in the ACL Two this season — as a half-time substitute.
Meanwhile, Shawal’s off-the-ball movement continued to trouble the Muangthong backline in the second half, and in the 63rd minute, they were punished once again, as the in-form 33-year-old produced a stunning lob to make it 3-0 on the night.
Lennart Thy, Akram Azman, and Anumanthan Kumar were introduced in the final quarter of the match as Ranko reshuffled his side, who were on the verge of making history.
Muangthong substitute Teeraphol Yoryoei had his team’s best chance of the half in the 83rd minute, but his effort from a tight angle was comfortably gathered by a grateful Izwan Mahbud.
Just five minutes later, the Sailors emphatically sealed the win. Lennart’s shot was parried into the path of Shawal, who pounced to score his seventh ACL Two goal of the season — moving just one behind Iranian duo Sardar Azmoun and Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh at the top of the scoring charts.
Highlighting the Sailors’ attacking prowess in the competition, Ranko said, “When you see us score seven goals across two games, along with the way we played and finished today, it’s pretty amazing. I think only one team has scored more than our 22 goals in this campaign (UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli Club with 23), so a lot of credit goes to the players.”
The fourth goal capped off a joyous night for the majority of the 2,749 fans in attendance, as the emphatic victory underscored the Sailors’ continental ambitions this season.
Ranko was quick to credit the wider team after yet another milestone that will go down in the club’s history.
“I’m the head coach, but don’t forget I have a lot of support staff behind me. I have people who support us, like Badri (Ghent), Bruce (Liang), and Luka (Lalić), as well as our chairman, Forrest Li. Even our media officer, Ken (Kenneth Tan), has played a role. There are so many people involved in this achievement, which makes me even prouder to be a part of it.”
Next up for the Sailors in the ACL Two is a stern test against three-time J1 League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarter-finals, which will be played over two legs on March 5 and 12. The Japanese side also made a statement in the round of 16, as they put seven goals past Vietnam’s Nam Định FC.
Sanfrecce have also started their domestic season in good form, as they beat AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 qualifiers Vissel Kobe 2-0 in the Japanese Super Cup, before kicking off their 2025 J1 League campaign with a victory over Machida Zelvia on Sunday.
“We’ve already shown that we can compete with anyone, so we’ll go there with our heads held high, give our best performance, and see what happens,” Ranko concluded.
For now, though, the Sailors will shift their focus back to Singapore Premier League (SPL) action, with a clash against Balestier Khalsa at Bishan Stadium on Sunday (23 February).
Having secured a stunning three-peat last season, the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team now have their sights set on their next challenge — defending their Women’s Premier League (WPL) crown in 2025.
A successful title defense would see them draw level with Warriors FC and BG Tampines Rovers as the teams with the most WPL titles, with four each. The Sailors are also aiming to match both clubs’ record of four consecutive league triumphs — Warriors achieved this from 2016 to 2019, while BG Tampines did the same from 2000 to 2003.
Daniel Ong’s charges will kick off their 2025 campaign with a blockbuster clash against last season’s runners-up, Albirex Niigata (S), on Saturday, 8 March, at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium. The two sides were locked in a thrilling title race last season, with the Sailors ultimately clinching the trophy by just one point.
The Sailors will then face Balestier Khalsa on Sunday, 16 March, at the same venue, before playing their next four matches in April.
Set to compete in a 16-match double round-robin format, the Sailors Women will wrap up their season on Sunday, 5 October, against Geylang International.
While acknowledging the magnitude of the challenge ahead, skipper Umairah Hamdan is relishing the opportunity to lead and inspire the team to a fourth straight WPL title.
“It was a great honour and a fantastic experience to be part of a team that won three consecutive WPL trophies. Last season wasn’t easy — we were pushed hard by Albirex, and Geylang International gave us a real fight in both encounters,” said the 22-year-old.
“The competitiveness and challenges we faced helped our young team grow, and I’m proud to see many of our younger players stepping up. It’ll be a similar situation this season, with plenty of teams eager to take the crown off us.
“But our focus remains on how we want to play and continuing to refine the game model implemented by Coach Daniel. If we stay true to that, we can enjoy another successful season together.”
The full fixtures list for the 2025 WPL season can be accessed here, with the squad lineup to be announced in due course.
