Author: Lion City Sailors
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.
A massive 90 minutes awaits the Lion City Sailors on Thursday (20 February) night as they host Thai League 1 side Muangthong United in the second leg of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Round of 16 at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Muangthong’s bullish of a comeback
Muangthong will take confidence from the way they salvaged the tie after a disastrous opening 30 minutes in the first leg at Thunder Dome Stadium on 13 February, where they found themselves three goals down.
A second-half header from Melvyn Lorenzen and a dramatic last-gasp strike from vice-captain Tristan Do — 10 minutes into injury time — gave them a lifeline, and cut the deficit to just one goal. Now, they head into the second leg bullish about their chances of completing a comeback.
“We didn’t come here for a holiday or to visit Singapore. We’re here to win and reach the next round,” said Muangthong head coach Gino Lettieri at the pre-match press conference. “Yes, they have quality in their team, but on the field, it’s 11 against 11. Then we’ll see after the game which team moves on.”
“I don’t think the issue in the first leg was stopping them. If you watch the game again, you’ll see that all three goals came from our own mistakes. What matters most tomorrow is that we need to score goals to win this game, and that’s what we’ll be aiming to do.”
This will be Muangthong’s third time facing a Singaporean side in AFC competitions at Jalan Besar, and they will be hoping that the third time’s the charm.
In 2010, they fell 4-3 on penalties to the now-defunct Warriors FC after a goalless 120 minutes in a second-round ACL qualifier. The following year, they played out a 1-1 draw with Tampines Rovers in an AFC Cup group-stage match — the former second-tier club competition in Asia — which featured current Muangthong assistant coach Dagno Siaka.
The Twin Qilins have spent the past week training on astro pitches in Nonthaburi to acclimatise to Jalan Besar’s synthetic surface, in a bid to ensure they are well-prepared to take on the challenge.
However, winger Kasidech Wattayawong insists that the pitch will not be the deciding factor in their quest for victory.
“Yes, playing on an artificial pitch is challenging, but this is football — we’ve played on this type of surface before, so we know what to expect,” said the 31-year-old, who came on as a late substitute in the first leg. “What matters most is staying focused from the first minute to the last. That will make the difference, not the pitch.”
Muangthong’s key threats
Lorenzen remains Muangthong’s main attacking threat, and he is expected to be supported by former AC Milan forward Emil Roback — who should have recovered from the minor injury that kept him on the bench in the first leg — as well as Thai attacker Korawich Tasa, who came close on multiple occasions at the Thunder Dome.
Korawich also has fond memories of Jalan Besar Stadium – the venue where he netted a memorable hat-trick a decade ago to lead Thailand to a commanding 5-0 win over Singapore in the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship Qualifiers.
Muangthong also had the advantage of a weekend off to prepare for this clash, while the Sailors were in Singapore Cup action against Tanjong Pagar United.
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Lettieri’s side do have a massive Thai League 1 showdown against reigning champions and current league leaders Buriram United in just three days (23 February), but their focus remains firmly on this match.
“I don’t think we’re under much pressure — we want to enjoy this game,” said Lettieri. “We’re happy to be competing in ACL Two, and we’re not afraid of playing the Sailors or any team. We’ll stick to our style, play our football, and showcase our quality on the pitch.
“I know we need to be at our absolute best to win, because 90% won’t be enough. But if we give everything, we have a great chance. We have a strong team. Individually, we may not match the Sailors in certain areas, but collectively, we are tough to play against. This season, we’ve faced difficult opponents like Jeonbuk (Hyundai Motors), and the team has performed well. I hope we can do the same again.”
Sailors ready to put on a show
As for the Sailors, they are brimming with confidence and ready to put on another strong display in front of their home fans.
They have been impressive in continental matches at Jalan Besar this season, recording three wins, one draw, and just one loss across their ACL Two and ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup campaigns. Notably, they have kept three clean sheets in those five matches.
Despite their strong defensive record, Sailors head coach Aleksandar Ranković insists his team will take an attacking approach against Muangthong.
“We’re approaching this game like any other in this campaign — playing on the front foot,” said Ranko. “Statistically, we’re one of the highest-scoring teams in the ACL Two this season, and we’re going for the win. Sitting back and protecting a 1-0 lead is not our style.
“It’ll be difficult to keep a clean sheet at this stage against quality opponents. Of course, we want to defend well, but we also have to respect the fact that the opposition has its strengths. In the last game, I felt we were very close to doing so before the red card.
“But we’re not just going to sit back and wait for the defense to do their job — we have to play football. We have to attack, and we have to score.”
While Song Uiyoung misses out due to last week’s red card, the Sailors will be boosted by the return of the versatile Hami Syahin, who sat out the first leg due to suspension.
With their sights set on a historic ACL Two quarter-final berth, the Sailors are determined to keep their remarkable campaign alive.
Should they progress, they will face Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima — who defeated Vietnam’s Nam Định 7-0 over two legs — in the next stage.
“We’ve already built a habit of making history at the Sailors, and we don’t want that to stop,” said vice-captain Bailey Wright, who has netted six goals in all competitions this season.
“What lies ahead is another opportunity to do just that. We’re all hungry to succeed, and like the coach said, there’s no specific target — it’s about going where no one else has gone before and seeing where it takes us.
“We’ve enjoyed the journey so far, and we want to keep enjoying it. Tomorrow is another great opportunity for us.”
It was at the beginning of the mid-season January transfer window when young Portuguese full-back Diogo Costa received a call from the Lion City Sailors technical director Luka Lalić, who presented him with an intriguing opportunity — a new and exciting footballing adventure in Singapore.
The idea of moving 12,000km away from home initially made Diogo hesitant, but the allure of the Sailors’ project proved too compelling to ignore. That was what convinced him to temporarily leave the comforts of home and his boyhood club, FC Famalicão, to join the Sailors on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season.
“Moving to the other side of the world initially felt very daunting,” Diogo admitted. “But after speaking with Luka and learning more about the Sailors’ project, it didn’t take me long to decide that I wanted to come to Singapore to help the club achieve its goals.”
To ease his transition into his new club, Diogo’s teammates welcomed him with open arms, which helped the Portuguese settle in seamlessly. He has since established himself as a key player in Coach Ranko’s side, even registering an assist in his first three matches.
Citing fellow countryman Rui Pires as one of the many teammates he quickly bonded with, Diogo shared: “From the moment I stepped into the club, I felt wanted. Everyone, from my teammates to the staff, has been incredibly welcoming, which made it easier for me to adapt. Now, I’m starting to feel like this is home.”
Being far from family in a foreign land is never easy for any footballer, but Diogo has shown that he possesses not just technical ability, but also the maturity of a seasoned pro.
“Even though I’m a young foreign player, I don’t think age matters. As long as I stay professional and bring the right mindset to every training session and match, everything becomes much easier — both on and off the pitch,” he added.
Diogo’s modern-day full-back abilities were on full display in his Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two debut against Muangthong United, where the Sailors battled to a hard-fought 3-2 away victory in the first leg of the Round of 16. The 21-year-old was a livewire down the left flank, and won his side a penalty early on after a mazy run into the box.
“For me, the team played well. We completely dominated them in the first half and managed to go 3-0 up early, which gave us plenty of confidence,” said Diogo.
“Taking such a big early lead can sometimes be risky, as teams tend to relax and sit back. But that wasn’t the case for us — we kept pushing and were ultimately able to leave Thailand with the win.”
Diogo also demonstrated his defensive prowess, playing a key role in a resolute Sailors backline that battled to protect their lead despite being reduced to 10 men early in the second half.
“In moments like these, it’s crucial that we stay together as a team,” Diogo emphasised. “It was tough, but we kept encouraging and motivating each other after every tackle and block. That spirit and togetherness were what got us over the line.”
The job is far from done, however, as a fired-up Muangthong awaits the Sailors at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (20 February). Having clawed back two goals in the first leg, the Thai side will take some confidence into this clash, but Diogo remains certain that his team is ready for the challenge.
“This game is crucial because the level in the ACL Two is high, and that pushes us to maintain our standards. There will be pressure, but that’s a good thing — I enjoy playing under pressure,” said Diogo.
“The goal within the team is clear – we want to show that we can compete with the best of Asia. With our team spirit and strong belief, I believe we have everything we need to get the job done and progress to the next stage.”
Calling on the Sailors faithful to rally behind the team, Diogo believes they could be the difference-maker as the club stands on the cusp of history. After all, if the Sailors can hold on to their lead, they will become the first Singaporean side to reach the ACL Two quarter-finals.
“We have some really supportive fans here. Their support drives us through the toughest moments on the pitch, and we need them more than ever this Thursday. As a team, we’re going to give everything to give them a night to remember.”
There was a sense of déjà vu as the Lion City Sailors beat Tanjong Pagar United 4-1 for the second time in a week, to begin their 2025 Singapore Cup campaign on a winning note at Bishan Stadium on Sunday (16 February) evening.
Despite fielding a much-changed team from the one that defeated Muangthong United 3-2 on Thursday (13 Feb) – with the likes of Toni Datković, Diogo Costa, and Rui Pires all rested – the Sailors were able to maintain their intensity and quality, as they delivered a dominant performance to secure the three points in their Group B opener.
New signings Akram Azman and Ali Alrina were handed their first starts for the Sailors, while Anumanthan Kumar took charge of the midfield alongside Hami Syahin, with forward Lennart Thy leading the line for the defending champions.
Unfortunately for Ali, his game lasted just a couple of minutes as he was forced off with a head injury after a collision with Faizal Roslan in an aerial challenge.
The stoppage due to the Syrian’s injury seemed to take the sting out of the contest in the early stages of the game, with both teams struggling to create any meaningful chances.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 26th minute by Bart Ramselaar, who capped off a flowing counter-attacking move with a fierce shot that took a wicked deflection before finding the net — his 10th goal of the season in all competitions.
Song Uiyoung nearly doubled the Sailors’ lead in the 40th minute when he received a pass from Lionel Tan, beat his marker, and fired just over the bar with a rasping shot that had Tanjong Pagar goalkeeper Matt Silva scrambling.
Five minutes later, Lennart came even closer to adding to the Sailors’ advantage. A superb through ball from Anu found an overlapping Akram, who whipped in a cross for an unmarked Lennart, but the German forward failed to hit the target with his header.
It did not take long, however, for the Sailors to finally get their deserved second goal, which came in the second minute of first-half added time — a long throw from Akram was flicked on by Bailey Wright to an onrushing Bart, who volleyed home first-time from close range.
The Sailors continued to put pressure on the Tanjong Pagar backline in the second half as they took just four minutes to create another goalscoring opportunity, with Sergio Carmona Pérez delivering a brilliant cross which Lennart nodded just wide.
Lennart then teed up Song for a shot in the box in the 56th minute, but the Incheon native’s attempt was deflected over the bar by a covering defender.
While the Sailors’ backline had been largely untroubled for much of the game, Tanjong Pagar were handed a lifeline in the 68th minute under fortuitous circumstances. Akram misjudged an awkward bounce in the box, causing the ball to hit his arm, which led to the referee to award a penalty to the visitors.
Up stepped former Sailor Faizal, who made no mistake from the spot to halve the deficit for his side.
Akram nearly made amends almost immediately when he was presented with a golden opportunity to score from a rebound just a few yards out, but the 24-year-old somehow blasted the ball over the bar.
But there was no denying Akram in the 78th minute as he latched onto a superb lofted pass from Anu, before bundling the ball past Silva and into an empty net for his first-ever goal for the Sailors.
After the game, Sailors head coach Aleksandar Ranković praised full-back Akram for an impressive full debut with the club.
“I think Akram played a very good match,” Ranko said. “He could have been a bit nervous, given that he was facing his former club and making his first start, but he handled it well. I’m very happy with his performance.”
Two minutes later, Song played Lennart through on goal, but the 32-year-old’s shot was cleared off the line by a recovering Timur Talipov.
The Sailors did finally get their fourth goal in the 89th minute, as substitutes Nathan Mao and Abdul Rasaq Akeem combined brilliantly, with the former delivering an inch-perfect through pass to the latter, who calmly side-footed the ball past Silva to seal the victory for Ranko’s charges.
With this win, the Sailors move to second in Group B of the Singapore Cup, just one point behind BG Pathum United, who have played a game more.
Song, who was named Man of the Match, credited the Sailors’ winning mentality for overcoming what could have been a tricky fixture.
He said, “I’m very happy with the win. It was a tough game, especially with our packed schedule, but the fans were behind us, and our coaches and teammates stuck together. We always believe we can score and win, and having that winning mentality is crucial.”
Ranko also praised his side for disrupting Tanjong Pagar’s game, saying, “We pressed them throughout the match and didn’t give them a chance to build up. I think we controlled the game well. We conceded an unlucky penalty, but overall, we played well. Even after that, we continued to dominate. It’s a good win — we got the three points, and now our focus shifts to Thursday against Muangthong.”
The Sailors will next host Muangthong in the second leg of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Round of 16 at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (20 February) night.
It was an emotionally charged and physically exhausting battle, but after more than 100 minutes, the Lion City Sailors emerged victorious from their Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two Round of 16 first-leg clash against Muangthong United on Thursday (13 February).
However, the Sailors will have barely three days to savour that hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Thai League 1 side at the Thunder Dome Stadium, as they kick off their Singapore Cup title defence against Tanjong Pagar United this Sunday (16 February) evening.
The match at Bishan Stadium will already be the Sailors’ fourth in a hectic February, with three more still to come. This means that, with seven games packed into just 21 days, the Sailors are averaging a match every three days.
For Sailors playmaker Bart Ramselaar, however, the unforgiving schedule is something he thrives on.
“We’re enjoying this hectic run of games, and it’s something that galvanises us,” Bart said. “Of course, training is at a lower intensity now because of the number of games, but this is why we play football. We’re competing in three different tournaments — we’ve already won the Community Shield, and now we want to win the Singapore Premier League (SPL) and the Singapore Cup as well.”
Indeed, despite playing their third game in a week, Bart and the Sailors showed no signs of fatigue on Thursday as they stormed to a 3-0 lead against Muangthong within the first 30 minutes.
Bart, in particular, was a lively presence down the left flank and scored arguably the best goal of the match — a superb first-time guided volley from Maxime Lestienne’s chipped through pass.
“The ball from Maxime was perfect. At first, I thought about taking a touch, but I decided to hit it first-time instead. Thankfully, it went exactly as I envisioned, and it turned out to be a great goal,” recounted Bart, who has now scored nine goals in all competitions this season.
“As a team, that was probably our best first-half so far. We played really well — everyone was involved, and we were all enjoying ourselves out there, myself included.”
While the Sailors eventually conceded two goals in the second half following Song Uiyoung’s dismissal, Bart believes they can take plenty of positives from their overall performance.
“Obviously, our first-half performance gave us a lot of confidence, and the way we defended after the red card was really good,” reflected the former PSV Eindhoven man. “We fought all the way to the end, and if you had told us before the game that we’d leave the Thunder Dome Stadium with a 3-2 win, we would have been very happy.
“But of course, after going 3-0 up, we hoped to keep a clean sheet. But given the red card and everything that happened, I think we managed to hold it together well.”
The Sailors will look to carry that confidence into both the ACL Two Round of 16 second leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium next Thursday (20 February) and their opening Singapore Cup Group B clash against the Jaguars this weekend.
Having convincingly beaten Tanjong Pagar 4-1 in the SPL just a week ago, the Sailors are the favourites to secure another victory when the two sides meet again.
Nonetheless, Bart has cautioned against underestimating a wounded Tanjong Pagar side, as he said, “Tanjong Pagar are a much improved team as compared to where they were earlier in the season and they’ll want to bounce back from last week’s defeat as well.
“That’s why we cannot afford to be complacent when we face them. Yes, we have another important match coming up with the second leg against Muangthong next week, but our focus right now is solely on the Singapore Cup.
“Defending the cup is a key objective of the team, so we’re going to take this game very seriously.”
The Lion City Sailors gained the upper hand in their quest to reach the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Muangthong United in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie at Thunder Dome Stadium on Thursday (13 February) night.
In a game of two distinct halves, the Sailors stormed to a three-goal lead within the first 30 minutes, but were pegged back in the second half after going down to 10 men when Song Uiyoung was shown a red card.
Nonetheless, the Sailors will return to Singapore confident in their ability to finish the job in the second leg on 20 February. Head coach Aleksandar Ranković echoed this sentiment, saying, “I think our performance, especially in the first half, gives us the confidence and motivation to compete against teams of this level. Now, we’ll be playing (the second leg) at home, in front of our fans, and we’re ready for the challenge.”
The last time the Sailors faced Thai opposition in this competition — against Port FC — they made a blistering start, taking the lead after just 42 seconds through Song.
Incredibly, they managed to outdo themselves this time, as they struck even earlier — after just 18 seconds. Shawal Anuar picked up the ball at the edge of the box and laid it off to Maxime Lestienne, who returned the pass perfectly for the Singapore international to slot the ball past Muangthong goalkeeper Kittipong Phuthawchueak and give the Sailors the lead.
Buoyed by the early advantage, the Sailors took control of possession, dictating the tempo with confidence. Their positive play was soon rewarded in the 10th minute when Portuguese left-back Diogo Costa weaved past two defenders on the left before being brought down in the box by Purachet Thodsanit, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot for a penalty.
Up stepped Maxime Lestienne, who coolly dispatched the penalty, sending Kittipong the wrong way to double the Sailors’ lead.
In a bid to change his side’s fortunes, Muangthong Head Coach Gino Lettieri made an early substitution in the 18th minute, bringing off Purachet for forward Korawich Tasa.
But the change had little effect on the flow of the game, and Ranko’s men nearly extended their lead again in the 15th minute when Bart Ramselaar whipped in a brilliant cross from the left that sailed just inches over the head of an unmarked Shawal.
The two Sailors nearly combined again in the 23rd minute when Bart burst down the left flank and whipped a dangerous ball into the box for Shawal, who was just inches away from turning it past Kittipong.
Given the Sailors’ dominance, however, another chance felt inevitable. And when it arrived in the 27th minute, Bart made no mistake, as he calmly guided Maxime’s delightful chipped pass into the net with a stunning first-time volley for his side’s third goal of the evening.
The Sailors kept the three-goal lead till the break, but Muangthong were handed a lifeline seven minutes into the second half with Song handed a straight red red card for excessive force while attempting to shield the ball from Siradanai Phosri.
Muangthong made their numerical advantage count almost immediately, pulling one back in the 56th minute through Melvyn Lorenzen, who rose highest to head home from a well-worked corner routine.
Ranko immediately responded to the goal by bringing on defensive midfielder Anumanthan Kumar for Shawal, as he sought to shore up the midfield and protect his team’s lead. The change appeared to pay off, as the Sailors largely kept Muangthong at bay despite being a man down.
Nonetheless, the Thai side remained dangerous from set-pieces and nearly pulled one back in the 72nd minute – Lorenzen got a foot to a whipped free-kick but, under pressure from Izwan, directed his effort just wide of the post. Izwan’s heroics came at a cost, however, as he was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher after a heavy collision with Lorenzen.
Izwan’s departure triggered a series of defensive changes for the Sailors. Zharfan Rohaizad replaced him in goal, while defenders Lionel Tan and new signing Ali Alrina — making his Sailors debut — came on for Bart and Christopher van Huizen respectively.
Muangthong continued to apply pressure as they sought to claw their way back into the tie, but the Sailors’ backline largely stood firm against the hosts.
In fact, it was not until the 87th minute that Muangthong carved out another clear opportunity, when a low cross from Korawich on the left found Teeraphol Yoryoei at the edge of the six-yard box. However, the 30-year-old scuffed his shot, sending the ball harmlessly over the bar.
With Izwan’s injury leading to 10 minutes of stoppage time, Muangthong went close in the 95th minute when Korawich’s header from Tristan Do’s corner crashed off the crossbar.
Muangthong’s persistence finally paid off with the last action of the match, as Do ghosted in at the back post to steer Poramet’s whipped cross past Zharfan to reduce the deficit to just one goal.
Despite the late setback, the Sailors ultimately did enough to secure victory in Thailand, and Maxime remains confident that his side can finish the job when the two teams meet again in the second leg at Jalan Besar Stadium next Thursday (20 Feb).
The Belgian, who was named Man-of-the-Match after recording two assists and a goal, said, “We played very well today, and the first half was amazing from us. In the second half, after we went down to 10 men, it became more difficult. But we can be proud of how we fought together until the last minute.
“We are all positive about our chances of going through, and we have one more game to stay focused. If we play like we did today, there’s no reason why we can’t progress.”
While Ranko lamented Song’s red card as the game’s turning point, he praised his team for digging deep and delivering an immense defensive effort to prevent Muangthong from finding an equaliser — or worse.
“I have mixed feelings about the result,” Ranko admitted. “In the first half, we controlled the game and scored three goals. Even after the break, things were going well until the red card, which completely changed the match. I think we should be proud of the boys for playing well against a tough opponent, and I’m confident that if we hadn’t gone down to 10 men, the result would have been very different.
“Defensively, I think we did well. Muangthong’s first goal came from a corner, and their second — when you defend with a man down for almost an entire half, sometimes you lose concentration. Now, we have a Singapore Cup game this weekend that we’re focusing on, and we’ll think about the second leg again next week.”
The Sailors will next take on Tanjong Pagar United in the Singapore Cup at the Bishan Stadium this Sunday (16 February).
The Lion City Sailors’ Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two journey continues on Thursday (13 February) night as they face Thai League 1 powerhouse Muangthong United in the first leg of the Round of 16 at Thunder Dome Stadium.
A resurgent Muangthong side
The four-time Thai League champions and 2010 AFC Cup semi-finalists have endured challenging times in recent years, but are steadily reclaiming their status as one of Thailand’s top clubs.
Returning to the ACL group stage for the first time since 2017, the Twin Qilins were on the brink of elimination after picking up just two points from their first three matches. However, they staged a remarkable turnaround, winning their next three games to finish second behind South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in Group H and securing their place in the knockout stage.
Domestically, Muangthong have been one of the league’s most in-form teams, and have won five of their last six matches. Their latest triumph was a dramatic 2-1 home victory over Chiangrai United on 8 February which was sealed by injury-time goals from Teeraphol Yoryoei and Aly Cissokho.
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That victory propelled Muangthong United from mid-table to third place, leapfrogging Port FC — the Sailors’ ACL Two group-stage opponents — after 20 matches.
Two additional factors have worked in Muangthong’s favor ahead of this clash. On 21 January, the club won its appeal with the AFC to allow them to return to the Thunder Dome for the ACL Two knockout stages, after being forced to play their group-stage matches at Rajamangala National Stadium.
The Thunder Dome, Muangthong’s rightful home since 2007, is a more compact and intimidating venue where they have won their last five Thai League 1 home matches — including a 2-1 victory over second-placed Bangkok United in November.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Muangthong head coach Gino Lettieri underscored the significance of playing at the Thunder Dome, saying, “For us, it’s a comfort to play at home. I hope we have a full stadium tomorrow, and I hope the fans will come out to support us. We’ll try to give our best for them — playing at home gives us a special feeling and the motivation to give even more.”
Muanthong’s league fixture against Khon Kaen United, originally scheduled for 16 February — between the two legs against the Sailors — has also been postponed to April, thus allowing them to fully focus on their continental campaign.
However, Lettieri warned against underestimating the Sailors.
“Tomorrow won’t be an easy game for us. People assume we can win every match, but they sometimes overlook what the Sailors have accomplished this season,” he remarked. “Let’s not forget — Port FC played twice against them and lost both times, conceding eight goals.”
Despite the challenge, Lettieri remained optimistic. He said, “I have a good feeling about tomorrow. The team is well-prepared, and I hope we’ll have an exciting match.”
Notable names and key threats
Muangthong’s Singapore international Jacob Mahler will miss out on a reunion with familiar faces due to injury, but the Thai side still boasts several key players who are capable of causing problems for the Sailors.
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Their attacking quartet features former Werder Bremen and ADO Den Haag forward Melvyn Lorenzen, alongside Swedish attacker Emil Roback, who was still on the books of Italian Serie A giants AC Milan as recently as 2024. Adding to their firepower is 20-year-old Kakana Khamyok, the ACL Two’s joint-top assist provider with five — level with the Sailors’ Maxime Lestienne — as well as Poramet Arjvirai, who scored a stunning goal in Thailand’s 3-1 win over Singapore in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers last June.
At the other end, 37-year-old Aly Cissokho — who made 70 English Premier League appearances for Liverpool and Aston Villa between 2013 and 2017 — marshals the backline alongside new South Korean recruit Hong Jeong-un, a former Daegu FC defender who was part of the side that lost 3-0 to the Sailors in the ACL back in April 2022.
Muangthong can also count on experienced right-back and vice-captain Tristan Do, who has amassed more than 50 international caps for Thailand, to provide defensive stability and attacking width down the flank.
But Poramet is well aware that the Sailors possess quality players within their squad too.
“We know tomorrow will be a tough challenge. They have quality players throughout the squad, including several from the Singapore national team,” said Poramet. “But we’re looking forward to a great match. The team is ready to give everything for the win.”
Sailors eyeing more history
Nonetheless, having shown their mettle against Thai opposition this season — completing a double over Port FC in the ACL Two group stages and holding Buriram United to a goalless draw in the Shopee Cup last month — the Sailors will back themselves for another strong performance.
“It’s a great opportunity to play this game. We’ve worked hard for this, and as group winners, playing the away leg first can offer a slight advantage,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković. “That said, we’re very happy to be here, competing against strong opponents. We had a good result away against Port FC, and our away form hasn’t been bad. Even in the games we lost, we weren’t outplayed — we dominated most of them.
“Of course, playing in front of your home crowd is always an advantage (for Muangthong), but we know we can compete against them.”
Coming off a dominant performance against Tanjong Pagar United, which secured their fifth straight league win — their longest streak this season — the Sailors will enter this clash with strong momentum.
However, they will be without Hami Syahin, who is suspended due to an accumulation of three yellow cards from the group stages.
Nonetheless, Sailors captain Hariss Harun is confident his side has what it takes to secure a victory in Thailand and has urged his teammates to believe in themselves.
“The knockout stage is always an exciting phase, and the whole team is motivated to get going,” said Hariss. “We’ve had a great campaign so far, and now it’s about stepping up to the challenge. We know what’s at stake — it’s two games to reach the next round, and we have to back ourselves to get the job done.
“Muangthong are a quality side, but we must trust in our abilities. The confidence that got us this far will drive us forward, and we’re ready to give everything.
“This is uncharted territory for us, but we need to enjoy the moment and focus on our responsibilities. February is a big month with many important games, but right now, our full focus is on this match.”
Hariss also emphasised the importance of representing Singapore football in the best possible manner on the continental stage.
“It’s very important — we are setting the benchmark for Singapore football. In many ways, the club is doing things that are unprecedented, pushing boundaries that haven’t been seen here for a long time,” said the 34-year-old.
“Football is a results-driven industry, and the best way to lead the way is by delivering results. That’s what we’re striving for this season. It’s been a long campaign, and while our Shopee Cup exit wasn’t the way we wanted to end that competition, we’re still competing on three fronts.
“This is the biggest of them all — the Asian stage — where we have the chance to showcase the best of Singapore football. We need to give our all and represent the country in the best way possible.”
