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.”