Author: Lion City Sailors
As the final whistle echoed around Choa Chu Kang Stadium last Sunday (13 April), the look of disappointment etched on the faces of the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team was plain for all to see.
After all, despite dictating the tempo from start to finish, they had been held to a goalless draw by a resolute Hougang United side that stood firm against relentless pressure.
Granted, the Sailors had their chances – including a late penalty that was squandered and a goal chalked off for offside – but they were ultimately left to rue their missed opportunities. And while the point was enough to keep them atop the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) standings, the reigning three-time champions made no attempt to hide their frustration.
Midfielder Ho Hui Xin summed up the mood in the Sailors’ camp, admitting that the stalemate felt more like a defeat.
“Even though we drew the game, it still felt like a loss,” said the 32-year-old. “We really tried to break through their low block, but as the minutes wore on, I think we got a little too eager and couldn’t find the breakthrough.”
Recognising the tactical challenges that lie ahead, Hui Xin also stressed the importance of taking lessons from matches like these – especially with more sides expected to adopt similar defensive approaches against the Sailors.
“The positive thing is that this happened early in the season,” she pointed out. “We can now bring this back to training, work on the solutions, and be better prepared the next time we face a team that sets up like this. Everyone – even those on the bench – needs to understand what to do when we take to the field.”
Hui Xin found herself in a slightly different role that evening – instead of her usual spot in midfield, she was deployed at the heart of defence by Head Coach Daniel Ong. But the experienced campaigner took the change in her stride, and insisted that she is always ready to step in wherever the team needs her most.
“It’s different from where I played last season, but it’s not a position I’m unfamiliar with,” said Hui Xin. “I’m happy to play wherever I can help the team. Having already featured as both a full-back and centre-back this season, I believe my positional awareness will only get better with more training and match exposure.”
Having begun her football journey back in 2009 as a student at Victoria Junior College, Hui Xin now brings over a decade of experience to the Sailors. As the most senior player in the squad, she is determined to uphold the high standards the team has built over the past few seasons.
“There’s a strong winning mentality here at the Sailors – we push each other hard in training to achieve the results we want on gameday,” she explained. “That competitiveness runs through the whole squad because no one’s place is ever guaranteed.
“Equally important is open and constructive communication – that’s the kind of culture we’re building at the Sailors, where everyone is committed to growing and getting better together.”
Eager to bounce back from that blip on the road, Hui Xin is eyeing redemption as she and the Sailors shift their focus to their upcoming league clash on Saturday (19 May) against BG Tampines Rovers – a side that has recorded one draw and a loss in their opening two fixtures.
The Sailors’ preparations are already in full swing, with the team returning to their Mattar Road training facility less than 24 hours after the draw with Hougang to kickstart their recovery programme.
“The result against Hougang was a wake-up call for all of us,” Hui Xin declared. “The work starts now, because every game matters if we want to retain the title. We have to shift our mindset and figure out what’s needed to get the win – especially when it comes to converting the chances we create.”
“I know we have that in us, so I’m confident we’ll bounce back immediately.”
There are changes to four of Lion City Sailors’ upcoming domestic matches, as confirmed earlier this evening (17 April) by the Football Association of Singapore.
Originally slated for 22 April, our Singapore Cup semi-final first leg against Brunei DPMM has been shifted to take place on 21 May. Kickoff remains 7.45pm at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The Sailors’ Singapore Premier League (SPL) fixtures against Albirex Niigata (S) and Young Lions on 25 and 30 April will now be held at Our Tampines Hub (OTH), due to the potential closure of Jurong East Stadium and Bishan Stadium in preparation for the upcoming Singapore General Election. Kickoff for both matches remain at 7.45pm.
Meanwhile, the SPL home game against Geylang International has been shifted a day later to 4 May due to a clash with the Polling Day. The match will take place at OTH, with kickoff remaining unchanged at 6.00pm.
The Sailors’ updated fixtures list can be accessed here.
The Lion City Sailors made history once again on Wednesday (16 April) night, as they became the first and only Singaporean club to reach the final of a major Asian club competition.
Despite a 1-0 defeat to Sydney FC at the Allianz Stadium, the Sailors held firm to book their spot in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final with a 2-1 aggregate victory in the semi-finals.
It was, however, far from a straightforward evening for the Sailors, who had made the arduous 6,300-kilometre journey Down Under carrying a two-goal cushion from last week’s 2-0 first-leg win at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković made two changes to his starting eleven from a week ago – both down the right flank – with Maxime Lestienne and Hami Syahin replacing Shawal Anuar and Christopher van Huizen.
That proved a shrewd move, with Maxime immediately making his presence felt in a bright Sailors start. Played through by Bart Ramselaar in the sixth minute, the Belgian winger had a clear sight of goal, but his tame effort was comfortably collected by Harrison Devenish-Meares.
It was a clear sign that the visitors were not content to merely sit back and defend their two-goal lead, and were intent on catching Sydney on the counter whenever the opportunity arose.
“We knew we were going to be under a lot of pressure. Sydney had to throw everything at us,” said Ranko. “But I think we did a really good job. They had their chances, but honestly, we had a few good ones of our own that could’ve killed the tie.”
The hosts’ first clear chance came in the 10th minute, when Anthony Caceres’ snapshot from a tight angle forced a sharp save from Izwan Mahbud. From the resulting corner, Jordan Courtney-Perkins found the back of the net, but Sydney’s celebrations were cut short after a VAR review ruled the goal out.
As the rain began to pour, the Sailors had another opportunity just past the half-hour mark. This time, Lennart Thy rose to meet a cross, but his header was comfortably gathered by Devenish-Meares.
Both sides knew exactly what was at stake, and it showed in the fierce one-on-one duel between Sydney’s marquee man Douglas Costa and the Sailors’ Portuguese full-back Diogo Costa, with neither giving the other an inch of space.
However, it was Ufuk Talay’s side who ended the first half on the front foot. Alexander Popovic forced Izwan into a save with a 39th-minute header from a corner, before Rhyan Grant found the back of the net moments later — but for the second time in the half, Sydney had a goal ruled out, this time for offside.
It was turning into a defensive masterclass from the Sailors’ back five, marshalled by former Socceroo Bailey Wright — who, in a twist of fate, was playing his first-ever competitive club match on home soil.
“We knew we were going to be up against some real quality,” said Bailey. “We’ve had our moments of luck, but I believe you earn that through hard work, commitment, and preparation. As a defender, you relish games like these, where you have to fight for every ball and truly earn the result, no matter how difficult it is.”
The second half began with the Sailors showing plenty of attacking intent, as Maxime, Bart Ramselaar, and Rui Pires all had decent chances to break the deadlock in the opening minutes.
The real question, however, was what would happen at the other end — and to Sydney’s credit, they kept pushing in search of a way back into the tie. But it took until the 61st minute for them to fashion their first real chance of the second half, when Adrian Segecic’s swerving effort from outside the box forced Izwan into a sharp save.
In the 74th minute, the Sky Blues came even closer, as Polish forward Patryk Klimala rose to meet a cross with a powerful header, only for Izwan to pull off another vital stop to preserve the Sailors’ two-goal aggregate lead.
Sydney’s persistence finally paid off in the 85th minute. Douglas Costa whipped in a cross that was nodded back across goal by Grant, and Joe Lolley was on hand to steer it past Izwan to make it 2-1 on aggregate.
“When the goal goes in at 85 minutes, it’s code red — you just have to defend for your lives in those final 10 minutes,” said Ranko. “I think the guys did a tremendous job.”
Ranko responded by sending on Lionel Tan to shore up the defence, and despite relentless pressure from Sydney, the Sailors’ rearguard held firm and got the job done in front of the 10,588 fans at the Allianz Stadium.
And when Kuwaiti referee Abdullah Jamali blew the final whistle, the Sailors bench erupted, with players and staff sprinting onto the pitch to celebrate what is arguably the greatest moment in the club’s history.
“From the start of this journey, I don’t think anyone really expected us to be here.” said Bailey after the game. “We’ve come through some real adversity, some tough obstacles, and we’ve had our setbacks, but here we are,
“Sydney are a really good team and they made it hard for us tonight. We didn’t win this game, but we got through. Honestly, I’m still pinching myself. These are the moments you dream of — playing in finals, being part of something special. That’s why you play football. And now, I just want to help the team go even further.”
This monumental achievement sees the Sailors go one better than Home United and Geylang International, who reached the semi-finals of the AFC Cup back in 2004.
Nearly 21 years on, the Sailors are now preparing to play in the prestigious ACL Two final — where they will take on United Arab Emirates’ Sharjah FC on Sunday, 18 May.
“What we’ve done is an unbelievable achievement for a Singaporean club,” said Ranko. “I’m still waiting for someone to wake me up — but honestly, I don’t want to be awake. I want to keep dreaming… and let’s hope we can go all the way.”
Just 90 minutes stand between the Lion City Sailors and a place in history — a chance to become the first Singaporean side to reach the final of a major Asian club competition.
But a true test of mettle awaits at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday night (16 April), as the Sailors take on Sydney FC in the decisive second leg of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two semi-final.
Armed with a vital two-goal cushion following a commanding first-leg performance in Singapore, the Sailors know the job is far from done.
A fired-up Sydney ready to hit back
Stung by their defeat at the Jalan Besar Stadium, Sydney are determined to turn the tide on home soil. The Sky Blues will look to ride the momentum from a spirited 2-2 weekend draw against A-League leaders Auckland FC — a result that kept their Finals Series hopes alive.
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They currently sit sixth in the standings, holding a slender one-point lead over seventh-placed Adelaide United and a two-point advantage over Macarthur FC in eighth, with just three games remaining in the regular season.
Despite the pressure on multiple fronts, Sydney head coach Ufuk Talay remains confident in his side’s depth and character ahead of Wednesday night’s crunch encounter.
“The team’s looking good. Other than a couple of injuries that we already know about, we’ve got everyone available for selection for tomorrow’s clash,” said Talay at the pre-match press conference.
“It’s not the first time this season that we’ve been on the canvas and come back from it. I think the boys have shown good character and resilience to get themselves out of situations where we haven’t started with a positive scoreline.
“But we’ve also seen before — like against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (in the quarter-final second leg) — how we gave away a 2-0 lead in just 35 minutes against a quality opponent. So now, the reality is we need to score two goals in 90 minutes to give ourselves a real chance of getting something out of this game and progressing to the final.”
Sydney will also be driven by the knowledge that their only remaining path to continental football next season is to overturn this tie and go on to win the tournament.
Talay’s charges failed to defend their Australia Cup crown — which had secured their place in ACL Two this season — after a shock Round of 32 exit to National Premier Leagues (NPL) Victoria outfit Oakleigh Cannons FC.
They will be without key defender Alex Grant for the second leg due to a calf injury, but the rest of the squad is raring to go, especially with the in-form Adrian Segecic in their ranks.
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The 20-year-old, touted as one of Australia’s brightest prospects, netted a pair of stunning long-range goals over the weekend to go joint-top of the A-League scoring charts with 12 goals, and is likely to start this time round.
Sydney midfielder Anthony Cáceres believes that with the quality in their ranks, they are well-equipped to turn the tie around.
“We’ve got very capable players who can change the game at any moment,” said Cáceres. “Segecic has proven that time and time again. And ultimately, when things don’t go our way, we have our structure to fall back on. If we execute the structure and the game plan, we give ourselves the best chance for those moments to appear — and it’s about taking them when they come.
“We’ve got all the tools at our disposal. We’re tactically prepared, and individually, we’ve got players who can make a difference and get us back into the tie.”
Nonetheless, despite needing to overturn a two-goal deficit, Talay was quick to emphasise that his side would not adopt an all-out attacking approach from the first whistle.
“There’s not the mindset of going all out, all guns blazing,” he shared. “We need to be smart with the decisions we make. We know we need to score two goals to level the aggregate at 2-2, and then possibly look for a third.
“If that takes a bit longer than 90 minutes, so be it. But we’ll go out with the mentality that we need to play well, perform well, and score those two goals to give ourselves the best chance of getting something out of the game.”
Sailors gunning to create more history
While a tense battle awaits at the Allianz Stadium, the Lion City Sailors remain steadfast in their pursuit of silverware — both at home and on the continental stage.
Less than 12 hours after their goalless Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash against Brunei DPMM on Saturday (12 April), the Sailors were already airborne, embarking on a near eight-hour, 6,300km journey to Sydney.
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Quick turnarounds and packed schedules have been par for the course this season, with this match marking their 47th outing in a gruelling yet exhilarating 2024/25 campaign.
Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković lauded his team’s commitment and resilience that have carried them this far, and is backing his players to rise to the occasion and secure their place in the inaugural ACL Two final.
“In these kinds of games, I don’t really have to motivate the players much — so for me, these are actually easier games to coach,” said the Serb. “The confidence is definitely there after the first leg, but we know this is going to be a totally different game. We’re ready — and we’re not just going to sit back, let’s be clear about that.
“What gives us confidence is that we’ve scored in every away game of this campaign. We know we’re capable of doing it again.
“I think we put in a pretty decent performance in the first leg, especially defensively — we neutralised a lot of their attacking threats. If I were to be a bit critical, we had the chance to kill off the tie in that match, and that’s maybe the one thing we could have done better.”
A homecoming for Bailey Wright
This clash will carry extra significance for Australian Bailey Wright, as it marks the first time the Sailors centre-back plays a professional club match on home soil.
Bailey began his professional career with Preston North End and spent 14 years in England across four clubs before making the move to Singapore in July 2023.
Despite a long and decorated career — which includes appearances at the FIFA World Cup and over 200 games in the English Championship — the 31-year-old had never played in the A-League, making this a poignant return to familiar shores.
His unique storyline has attracted considerable media attention in recent weeks, but the former Socceroo remains focused on the task at hand: helping the Sailors script another memorable chapter in their pursuit of continental glory.
“Occasions like this — a semi-final of the ACL Two — are an opportunity for us to really make our mark on Asian football and show what Singapore is all about,” said the Melbourne-born Bailey, who previously played at the Allianz Stadium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with the Australian national team.
“We’ve got a really good group of players and staff who’ve worked incredibly hard to get to where we are. Singapore football doesn’t always get a lot of attention over here, especially when it comes to the league.
“But I think everyone who watched the first leg last Wednesday saw that we’re a quality side and we deserve to be at this stage. We’ve got some talented players, and we’ve been getting stronger and stronger since the start of the season.
“Sydney are a great team with a strong squad — I’ve always been a big supporter of the A-League — but we’re here to make a statement and show who we are, both as a team and as individuals.”
Bailey also rallied his teammates to leave everything on the pitch as they chase a moment that could define their careers.
“We’ve only been a club for five years, so just getting to this level is already a huge achievement — and now we’ve got an opportunity to make a final,” said Bailey. “Sometimes it can take 20 years for these moments to come around.
“You just never know, and that’s why you have to enjoy it and make the most of it. Before you know it, your career’s over and you’ll look back at nights like this. If you’ve capitalised on them, they’ll stay with you forever.
“We’re all aware of that. We know what’s at stake — and it’s not just important for us as a club or as individuals, but for Singapore as well.”
Should the Sailors progress, they will face either Saudi Arabia’s Al-Taawoun or UAE’s Sharjah FC in the final on 18 May.
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team were held to their first draw of the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, as they played out a 0-0 stalemate with Hougang United on Sunday (13 April) night at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
Coming into the fixture off the back of victories against Albirex Niigata (S) and Balestier Khalsa in March, the result sees the Sailors move to seven points from three matches – still enough to keep them top of the WPL standings.
However, this marks only the fourth time in the club’s history that the three-time defending champions have failed to find the net in a WPL match – the previous occasions being goalless draws with Tanjong Pagar United and Tiong Bahru in 2022, and against Geylang International last season.
This time against Hougang, it was a cagey affair with few clear-cut opportunities, though the Sailors did carve out the better chances in the second half. Despite their best efforts, however, a breakthrough proved elusive – much to the frustration within the Sailors camp.
The Sailors had an early opportunity to seize the initiative as early as the fourth minute, when Sarah Zu’risqha whipped in a cross that Nurhidayu Naszri met with a firm header – only to see it safely gathered by Hougang goalkeeper Intan Afiqah.
Nurhidayu was in the thick of the action again 12 minutes later, firing a shot over the bar as the Sailors looked to assert their dominance.
The Cheetahs, who came into the tie unbeaten with a win and a draw in their previous two games, put in a disciplined shift to restrict the Sailors’ potent attacking line-up.
As the first half drew to a close, Sailors captain Umairah Hamdan tried to lead by example with a speculative effort from distance, but once again, Intan was equal to it as both sides headed into the break goalless.
Looking to inject fresh impetus, Head Coach Daniel Ong turned to his bench at the interval, introducing Yuvika Suresh and Cara Chang in a bid to liven things up in the final third.
The Sailors thought they had finally found the breakthrough in the 55th minute when Sarah slipped a neat pass into the path of Raeka Ee, who side-footed the ball into the net – only for her celebrations to be cut short by the offside flag.
“It was a challenging game. The opponents set up in a very compact low block, and we found it difficult to break them down despite having a fair bit of possession,” reflected Raeka after the match.
The Sailors ramped up the tempo in the final quarter, and nearly reaped the rewards from a flowing move that saw Yuvika’s cross find Cara in space. She teed up Nor Adriana Lim, whose sharp turn and shot drifted just wide.
Then came the game’s biggest moment in the 84th minute. Tia Foong launched a ball into the Hougang box, which resulted in a handball and a penalty for the Sailors.
Syazwani Ruzi stepped up with confidence – aiming for the bottom left corner – but was denied by a brilliant diving save from Intan, who preserved her clean sheet and earned her side a valuable point.
At the other end of the pitch, Hougang ended the game with just two shots on goal across the 90 minutes – both of which were comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Beatrice Tan.
“There were a few questionable referee decisions that disrupted our momentum at times, but ultimately, we know we still need to do better as a team,” said Raeka.
“We’ll reflect on the performance, identify the gaps, and work on improving for the next match.”
Some questions were raised about possible rustiness within the squad, with the Sailors last featuring in a WPL fixture on 16 March. Raeka, however, refused to use that as an excuse and remained focused on improving the team’s attacking output for the rest of the season.
“Despite the league break, we continued training hard and kept the intensity high. We’ll need to be more clinical in the attacking third and in front of goal,” she explained.
The Sailors will now look to return to their goalscoring ways when they face a winless BG Tampines Rovers side on Saturday, 19 April.
The Lion City Sailors had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Brunei DPMM in their Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (12 April) evening.
The result sees the Sailors’ lead at the top of the SPL table reduced to five points, although they still hold a game in hand over second-placed BG Tampines Rovers.
Back on home ground for the first time in nearly a month – having last played at Bishan in a 4-1 Singapore Cup triumph over Balestier Khalsa – the Sailors were eager to build on their good run of form and take another step towards reclaiming the SPL title.
However, they were met with a dogged DPMM outfit who battled resolutely from start to finish, and ultimately earned a hard-fought point for their efforts.
“We are disappointed to drop two points tonight. We tried to go forward but they (DPMM) were fighting till the end with everything they had,” said Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković post-match.
The Serbian tactician made some notable changes to his starting eleven – midfield lynchpin Bart Ramselaar and Portuguese left back Diogo Costa were given a breather, while Maxime Lestienne returned to the lineup for his first start since recovering from an elbow injury.
The contest was disrupted early on, with the Lightning Warning System (LWS) activated just 13 minutes in, forcing players off the pitch due to inclement weather.
After a 35-minute delay, the action resumed and it was DPMM captain Azwan Ali Rahman who had the first opportunity – but his effort flew off target in the 16th minute.
The Sailors’ first notable attempt came in the 39th minute, when Abdul Rasaq Akeem tried to curl one into the far corner, only to find the grateful arms of DPMM goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski.
Just a couple of minutes later, the best chance of the half fell to Hami Syahin, who aimed for the top corner from close range, but his shot took a deflection and went out for a corner.
It was a frustrating opening 45 minutes for the Sailors, with clear-cut chances few and far between – a point Ranko did not shy away from in his post-match comments.
“We threw away the first half. In the first half, we were really nowhere,” said the Serbian tactician. “We were slow on the ball and not really aggressive. However, we were better in the second half.”
In a bid to change the game’s outcome, Song Uiyoung was introduced at halftime and nearly made an immediate impact, but he fired his effort just wide in the 47th minute.
Hami was next to try his luck, striking a powerful shot in the 58th minute that sailed over the bar.
At the other end, DPMM had a golden opportunity from a corner in the 72nd minute – Damir Muminović was left unmarked for a free header, but his effort went straight at Izwan Mahbud. It proved to be the visitors’ only shot on target all evening.
As the Sailors ramped up the pressure in the closing stages, Rui Pires picked out Maxime with a delightful ball over the top, but the Belgian’s volley was well-saved by Kristijan Naumovski.
In the dying moments of the game, Christopher van Huizen’s goal-bound strike looked destined for the back of the net, only to be headed away by Muminović as DPMM stood firm under intense pressure to see out the draw.
“They (DPMM) play very deep in their own half. You have to move the ball quickly from side to side, and find those 1v1 situations on the flanks,” Ranko explained. “That’s something we didn’t do – especially in the first half. We did a little more of that in the second, but it wasn’t enough.”
In a way, this encounter served as a dress rehearsal for the Sailors’ upcoming first leg clash with DPMM in the semi-finals of the Singapore Cup, which is set for Tuesday, 22 April.
The Sailors have six matches remaining in the 2024/25 SPL season and Ranko wants his charges to keep their focus for the final stretch.
“We’re still five points clear (in the SPL) with a game in hand, but it’s not going to be easy,” Ranko cautioned. “If anyone thinks it will be, I’m telling you now – the last few games of the season are always the most difficult.”
There will be precious little time for the Sailors to dwell on Saturday’s result, with the team set to embark on a 6,300km journey Down Under to face Sydney FC in the return leg of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two semi-final.
Ranko’s charges take a 2-0 advantage into the tie, thanks to goals from Bart and Lennart Thy in the first leg that put the Sailors in the driver’s seat.
Like the Sailors, Sydney will also enter this clash on the back of a draw, having let slip a 2-0 lead to share the spoils with A-League leaders Auckland FC on Saturday. With both sides hungry for continental glory, all signs point to a blockbuster encounter.
“We don’t have much time to think about today’s game because the next one is already around the corner,” said Ranko. “We’re travelling on Sunday morning, and then we’ll switch our focus to that.”
When Lion City Sailors playmaker Bart Ramselaar’s stunning curling effort cannoned off the crossbar and into the back of the Sydney FC net, the Jalan Besar Stadium erupted, with the majority of the 4,213-strong crowd leaping to their feet in sheer jubilation.
The eruption spilled over to the home bench, where the Sailors substitutes burst forward to mob the Dutchman, who had sprinted over to celebrate with them. It was a powerful moment that encapsulated the unity and spirit fuelling the Sailors’ fairytale run in Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two – a campaign that has seen them defy the odds time and again.
Among those on the bench was midfielder Hami Syahin, who kicked every ball from the sidelines as he watched his teammates go toe-to-toe with one of the most decorated sides in Australian football.
“Watching from the side was certainly very nervy for me – we didn’t get much of the ball in the first six minutes,” Hami recalled. “But when Bart scored that screamer and ran toward us, the entire bench just exploded. We were all jumping and shouting – it was an indescribable feeling. The atmosphere was absolutely electric, and we were just so happy to see the team get that first goal.”
As Sydney ramped up the pressure in the second half, Sailors head coach Aleksandar Ranković turned to his bench, and called upon Hami to help protect the two-goal cushion.
The 26-year-old slotted seamlessly into midfield, bringing composure and control to a tense encounter. His ability to dictate the tempo proved crucial, helping the Sailors navigate the storm and secure yet another famous win on the continental stage.
“When Coach Ranko sent me on, I knew my job was to keep the midfield compact and make sure there were always bodies in there,” said Hami. “Even though I didn’t start the game, I was fully ready to give my best when called upon. We’ve got a packed schedule across all competitions, so every single player has to be prepared to step up.”
While it was two moments of brilliance – a Bart belter and a composed finish from Lennart Thy – that ultimately made the difference, Hami was quick to highlight the collective spirit that carried the Sailors through.
“We have plenty of quality individuals like Maxime (Lestienne) and Bart, but the real strength of this Sailors side lies in our unity,” he emphasised. “This is a squad that’s willing to run, cover, and fight for one another – and that was clear yesterday, from our goalkeeper all the way to our striker. Everyone dug deep to get the result we needed.”
That collective spirit is exactly what Hami and the Sailors will be counting on next Wednesday (16 April), when they head to Sydney for the decisive second leg – with a first-ever spot in the final of an Asian club competition hanging in the balance.
Having already battled through tough away fixtures in Japan, China, and Indonesia during this spectacular ACL Two campaign, Hami knows the job is far from done.
“Yes, this win is a huge boost – not just for the club, but for Singapore football,” said Hami. “But it’s only half-time in the tie. Playing away is never easy, but we’ve learned our lessons – especially from the tough away game against (Sanfrecce) Hiroshima.
“The bond within this squad can take us to another level. As long as we stay united and play as one, we believe we can get the result we need.”
Before that all-important clash in Sydney, though, the Sailors return to domestic action in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) this Saturday (12 April), as they host seventh-placed Brunei DPMM at the Bishan Stadium.
Despite a short turnaround of under 72 hours from their intense midweek victory, Hami insists there will be no let-up in focus as the Sailors look to strengthen their grip on the league title.
“DPMM will definitely make things tough for us – players like Farshad Noor and Dāvis Ikaunieks can hurt any team,” he acknowledged. “But the mentality we’ve built this season drives us to treat every game with the same hunger.
“Nothing will stop us from giving everything. We’re determined to take all three points and move one step closer to the title.”
Beyond the tight-knit bond shared among the players on the pitch, Hami believes it is the Sailors’ special connection with their loyal supporters in the stands that continues to drive the team forward.
“As a team, we couldn’t be more grateful for our 12th man,” he shared. “The atmosphere they create – especially in big games – gives us that extra push to keep going.
“The turnout against Sydney was incredible, and it’s not something we see often in Singapore football. We’re truly blessed to have such passionate and unwavering support from our fans.”
The Lion City Sailors have given themselves a strong chance of qualifying for the 2024/25 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final, following a stellar 2-0 victory over Australia’s Sydney FC in the first leg of the semi-final tie on Wednesday (9 April) at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Coming up against one of the A-League’s most decorated sides, the Sailors produced a performance that proved they belonged on this stage – with a touch of magic from Bart Ramselaar and a clinical finish by Lennart Thy giving them a crucial two-goal advantage ahead of the return leg in Sydney.
Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković hailed his side’s collective spirit in the post-match press conference, as he praised the unity and discipline on display from the first whistle to the last.
“Every game we’ve played this season has been a team effort,” said Ranko. “Tonight was an amazing performance – every player, whether starting or coming off the bench, understood the assignment and executed our plan perfectly. That makes my job much easier, and I couldn’t be prouder of the boys.”
Both teams started the match tentatively, but it was the Sailors who found the breakthrough in spectacular fashion in the 18th minute.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the box via a Diogo Costa pass, Bart needed no second invitations to unleash a stunning strike that crashed off the underside of the bar and into the net to send the 4,213-strong home crowd into raptures.
“It was an amazing goal – definitely one of the best I’ve seen this season,” said Ranko. “I’ve been encouraging Bart to take more shots like that…if you give him space, he can produce moments of real quality – and that was one of them.”
That wonder strike capped off a near-perfect first half for the Sailors, who not only limited a Sydney attack which featured the likes of Douglas Costa to barely a sniff at goal, but also looked dangerous every time they surged forward.
Buoyed by the momentum in the first 45 minutes, the Sailors picked up right where they left off after the break – and it took just eight minutes to double their lead.
A delightful ball over the top from Diogo was expertly brought down in the box by the in-form Lennart, who rifled an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net from a seemingly impossible angle for his 10th goal in his last six outings across all competitions.
The introduction of the returning Maxime Lestienne on 59 minutes gave the Sailors a further lift, but it was Sydney who nearly pulled one back seven minutes later, when the ball fell invitingly to substitute Adrian Segecic in the area – only for the forward’s effort to flash narrowly wide of Izwan Mahbud’s post.
Lennart then had the chance to kill the tie in the 80th minute when he burst clear on goal, but Sydney’s Harrison Devenish-Meares produced a last-ditch save to deny the German striker a brace.
Nonetheless, the Sailors’ resolute backline held firm to see out their third clean sheet of the ACL Two campaign, as the hosts recorded another memorable continental night at Jalan Besar.
With this latest result, the Sailors have now scored two goals or more in eight of their 11 ACL Two matches, taking their tournament tally to an impressive 25.
Nonetheless, while the Sailors hold a strong two-goal advantage heading into the second leg, man-of-the-match Lennart was quick to keep things in perspective.
“We can all be happy with the performance we put in today,” said Lennart. “We stayed compact and played to our strengths on the counter-attack, but there are still 90 minutes to go in Sydney. None of us are thinking about easing off – it’s important that we stick to our game plan like we did today and keep doing what’s been working for us.”
The Sailors will now shift their focus back to domestic duties, with a Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash against Brunei DPMM on Saturday (12 April), before making the 6,300km journey to Sydney for the decisive second leg next Wednesday (16 April), where a place in the final awaits.
The Lion City Sailors’ fairytale run in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two continues as they gear up to face Australian giants Sydney FC in the first leg of the semi-finals on Wednesday (9 April) at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
A historic meeting
This match marks a historic occasion – the first-ever competitive meeting between a Singaporean and Australian club side. And what a clash it promises to be.
Widely regarded as Australia’s most successful club, Sydney have racked up an impressive haul of silverware, including five A-League Men Championships, four A-League Men Premierships, and two Australian Cup titles.
While they may not have hit the same heights in recent years, the Sky Blues remain a formidable outfit. They finished fourth in the 2023/24 A-League season and reached the Championship semi-finals, eventually bowing out to champions Central Coast Mariners. They also lifted their second Australian Cup after a 3-1 victory over Brisbane Roar.
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Sydney have yet to find top gear in their domestic campaign, having registered just nine wins in 22 league games. However, their recent dramatic 3-2 win over Adelaide United has kept their finals hopes alive, and more importantly, provided them with a timely morale boost ahead of this trip to Singapore.
While Sydney have been inconsistent on the domestic front, they have looked imperious in the ACL Two — winning seven of their 10 matches en route to the semi-finals. Only Group E winners Sanfrecce Hiroshima have managed to get the better of them — and even then, only by narrow margins of 2-1 and 1-0.
Sydney also displayed their grit and spirit in the knockout rounds, as they overturned a 2-1 deficit to edge Thailand’s Bangkok United 5-4 on aggregate in the Round of 16, before staging another thrilling fightback against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the quarter-finals, which saw them recover from two goals down in the second leg to clinch the tie.
They are also the most prolific side in the competition so far, racking up 27 goals — underlining the attacking threat the Sailors must be wary of.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Sydney head coach Ufuk Talay lauded his side’s resilience on the continental stage, while also acknowledging the quality that the Sailors bring to the table.
“We’re super excited to be playing in the semi-final of an Asian competition. As Australians, we like to have a go, and we’ll definitely push to go all the way,” said the 49-year-old. “We’ve got the mentality and drive to succeed – and that’s rubbed off on our foreign players as well. The boys know how to dig deep and push right till the final whistle, and that’s helped us get results in many games.”
Talay also made it clear that his side are under no illusions about the challenge that awaits them at Jalan Besar.
“We’re very aware of how the Sailors play and the threats they pose. They’ve got some very talented foreign and local players,” he added. “But if we play the type of football we’re capable of, that’ll give us a good chance of coming away with a positive result tomorrow.”
No lack of pedigree and experience
Talay, a former Socceroos assistant coach, has a squad brimming with talent — and no shortage of attacking firepower.
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Sydney’s headline act is undoubtedly Brazilian star Douglas Costa, who was once dubbed by Pep Guardiola as “one of the best wingers in the world”. With his trademark flair and one-on-one wizardry, the 34-year-old – who brings a glittering CV that includes three Serie A titles with Juventus, three Bundesliga crowns with Bayern Munich, and a FIFA Club World Cup medal – very much remains a match-winner on his day.
But he is far from being Sydney’s lone threat.
English winger Joe Lolley has been one of the team’s standout performers this season, and has recorded nine goals and seven assists in 20 A-League appearances. A veteran of over 200 games across the English Premier League and English Championship, the 32-year-old was Nottingham Forest’s Player of the Season in 2018/19, and continues to be a key creative outlet down the flanks.
Leading the line for Talay’s charges is Polish striker Patryk Klimala, who has hit red-hot form in this competition. The former Celtic man has chalked up six goals and three assists in eight ACL Two outings, including a clinical three-goal haul across the two legs of the quarter-finals.
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Talay can also call on other foreign stars, including ex-Eredivisie playmaker Anas Ouahim and former Serie A midfielder Léo Sena, both of whom bring technical quality and continental experience to the side.
Apart from their foreign contingent, Sydney’s local talents are just as prominent and key to the team. Mercurial forward Adrian Segecic has been a revelation, and currently leads the club’s domestic scoring charts, while Socceroos call-ups Alex Grant and Anthony Caceres lend steel and composure in defence and midfield respectively.
Sydney captain Rhyan Grant knows just how much is at stake — and he is determined to lead from the front.
“This game is massive for us — it’s the best chance we’ve had to win silverware outside of Australia,” said the long-serving fullback at the pre-match press conference. “Wearing the armband is something that really motivates me, and I’m determined to lead the boys to something special tomorrow.”
Sailors fuelled by national pride
Having already defied expectations to reach the final four of ACL Two, the Lion City Sailors are relishing the opportunity to pull off yet another upset – even if the challenge ahead is a formidable one.
Their continental home form offers plenty of encouragement. Jalan Besar Stadium has been a tough hunting ground for visiting teams, with the Sailors losing just once in their past seven continental matches – in both the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup and ACL Two – on home turf. That run includes statement victories over Thai powerhouses Port FC, Muangthong United, and China’s Zhejiang Professional FC.
On the domestic front, the Sailors are flying high. Unbeaten in their last 17 league and cup outings, they have racked up 13 wins and dropped points on just two occasions since the start of the year.
Yet, head coach Aleksandar Ranković remains laser-focused on the task at hand.
“We’re not reading too much into recent results – not ours, not theirs,” he said. “Sydney are a quality side with experience at this level, but we’ve shown that we can compete with the best. It’s now about doing our talking on the pitch.”
The Sailors will be buoyed by the timely return of key men Maxime Lestienne and Song Uiyoung — the former is back in contention after recovering from injury, while Song returns from a three-match suspension. Their availability will provide a significant boost as the Sailors prepare to face a star-studded Sydney side stacked with attacking talent.
Despite the calibre of opposition, Ranko is staying calm and composed.
“Of course, they have a world-class player in Douglas Costa, but our focus won’t be solely on him — they’ve got others who can hurt you as well,” said the Serbian tactician. “That’s something we’ll have to manage. But we have quality players of our own, and I’m expecting a good match.”
For the Sailors, this semi-final is about more than just club glory — it is a chance to fly the Singapore flag high on the continental stage.
Ranko’s men are fully aware of the responsibility they shoulder, and for midfield dynamo Song, playing in front of a sell-out crowd at the Jalan Besar Stadium adds an extra layer of meaning.
“I would say this is the biggest game of my club career, and the whole team is very motivated to face Sydney tomorrow,” said Song, who has five goals and one assist in seven ACL Two appearances.
“We’re not just playing for the Sailors — we’re playing for Singapore football. I’m going to give everything I have to help the team get the best possible result.”
When a young Yuvika Suresh stepped into her first training sessions with the Lion City Sailors Women’s Team in early 2024, she was gripped by a wave of nervous anticipation.
After all, the Sailors Girls Academy graduate was about to rub shoulders with Singapore internationals and some of the top talents in the local game – players she had long admired from afar.
“Joining the Sailors’ Women’s Team is quite surreal for me,” shared the 16-year-old. “But it was also initially daunting, as many of them were from the national team. I was especially nervous about making mistakes during my first season.”
That anxiety, however, quickly began to melt away as Yuvika got to know her new teammates. Their warm welcome and unwavering support helped her settle into the squad and slowly feel at home – not just as a player, but as part of the Sailors family.
“As I got to know each of my teammates, I realised it was okay to make mistakes – they never put me down. Instead, they were always encouraging me,” said the forward. “This team spirit and the cohesiveness within the camp is what makes this team extra special to me.”
Reflecting on a journey that has taken her from the Academy to the bright lights of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League (AWCL) last season, Yuvika admits she never imagined things would unfold the way they have.
“When I joined the Academy back then, I didn’t think much of it – I simply wanted to gain game experience,” said the forward. “But I never thought that this journey would take me this far, so this means a lot to me and I’m happy to be here.”
Now a Secondary 4 student at Cedar Girls’ Secondary School, Yuvika has already made a statement in the 2025 Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) season. Coming off the bench, she won a penalty and scored twice in a commanding 9-0 victory over Balestier Khalsa – matching her goal tally from the entire 2024 season in just seven minutes of action.
“Overall, it was a good match for me,” she recounted. “When I came on, my goal was to use my fresh pair of legs as an asset to run at the tiring defence. That worked out well – I managed to press, win the ball back… but scoring two goals was definitely unexpected!”
“Last season, I didn’t even score that early on – I only managed two goals across the whole campaign,” added Yuvika, who netted her first senior goal against BG Tampines Rovers in 2024. “So I’m really thankful that my teammates created those chances for me with such good passes – all I had to do was tap the ball into the net.”
It has been a good start to the season for the reigning champions, with two wins from their opening two fixtures setting the tone for another strong campaign. But Yuvika remains focused and grounded, and is committed to improving with each game.
“I think winning our first two matches is a great start, but we definitely cannot let our guard down,” she emphasised. “Coach Daniel has specific tactics planned for each opponent, so we need to keep pushing – not just to win, but to play well throughout the process.”
The Sailors’ next assignment is a midweek clash against Tanjong Pagar United on Wednesday (9 April) – a side that also started their season brightly with a 4-0 win over Balestier. Aware of the challenge that lies ahead, Yuvika is determined to play her part in keeping the Sailors’ early momentum going.
“It’s going to be hard to break down their defensive block, so I hope we can stick to controlling possession and creating different passing combinations to score the goals we need,” she said. “I know it’ll be a tough game, but I’m confident and motivated to give my 100% to help the team get all three points on Wednesday.”
Now in her second WPL season, Yuvika is thriving in the intensity of senior football – and embracing every opportunity to test herself against the league’s finest.
“The WPL brings a different kind of intensity compared to the (second-tier) WNL (Women’s National League), and that pushes me to give my best every single game,” she reflected. “I get to compete against fantastic players – some of whom have played in the World Cup – and the experience they bring amazes me. As a young player, these are the role models you look up to in order to become better.”
The confidence Yuvika now carries is clear to see – both on and off the pitch – as she sets her sights on bigger goals in the season ahead.
“Now that I’m more confident with the ball, I want to make a bigger impact – not just by scoring, but also by creating more chances for my teammates,” she said. “Our goal as a club is to win the league title again, so we can return to the AWCL and gain more experience playing against overseas teams.”
