Category: Feature
After leading South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) success last December, Kim Do-hoon had plans for a year’s sojourn to rest his mind and recharge his batteries.
Coming off a wildly successful four-year spell with the K League 1 side that saw him lead the club to their first-ever Korean FA Cup win and back-to-back runner-up finishes in the league, there was naturally no shortage of suitors for the 50-year-old who was set on taking some time out of the game.
He received lucrative offers from the Chinese Super League (CSL) and Japan’s J-League, but ultimately it was a meeting with Lion City Sailors chairman Forrest Li that convinced Kim to change his mind.
He had never managed outside of his home country, but Kim was won over by Li’s vision and commitment to revolutionise Singapore football and equip the Sailors to challenge the best in Asia. It was Li’s ambitious Sailors project that intrigued Kim, a new challenge that ultimately saw him cut short his planned sabbatical.
“I could tell from my conversation with Forrest that he’s a football man – he really understands the game and is heavily invested in the club. He not only wants the club to become the best team in the country, but also has the vision for us to be a proud representative for Singapore on the regional stage,” said Kim through a translator.
“Because of that, we always try to get the best players, coaches and backroom staff. And it’s this kind of environment that I really like, and I feel that Forrest’s vision is really in line with mine – a firm commitment to excellence and serious ambition to achieve targets.
“That’s why I really wanted to be a part of the Sailors.”
Talks between the club and Kim progressed swiftly with terms agreed on a two-and-a-half year contract that would last till the end of the 2023 season, as the South Korean was officially confirmed as the Sailors’ new head coach in mid-May.
Kim had been in Singapore a couple of times prior to this appointment, including once as an AFC coaching instructor in 2013. In his short stays here he was left impressed by the security and cosmopolitan culture of the country.
While Singapore may not be an established Asian powerhouse like Korea or Japan, ambitious plans have been laid out to improve the standard of the game here and to eventually take it to the world stage– through the nation’s much talked-about Unleash The Roar! project.
This is where Kim sees himself fitting in perfectly, as part of a larger plan to improve football. Since he started his coaching career with the South Korean Under-20s in 2014, Kim has thrived on bringing through promising young players and improving the style and results of teams he managed.
When he was at Incheon United, he led the club to a historic runners-up finish in the 2015 FA Cup – still their best-ever achievement in the tournament – where they only lost out to the more fancied FC Seoul, falling to two late goals.
At Ulsan, where the club’s only honour in the 11 years prior to his arrival in 2017 was the 2012 ACL triumph, he masterminded two trophies in four years and went closer to challenging Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for the league title. The Tigers only narrowly missed out in 2019 due to an inferior goal difference.
“I know there are big aspirations to improve the footballing scene here and to close the gap with other countries,” he said. “Hopefully with my experience, I can be part of the change in Singapore – maybe to improve professionalism and football quality as a whole.”
Having completed a 14-day quarantine after arriving in Singapore from his native Gyeongnam, Kim has wasted little time in getting down to work as he oversaw his first training session with the Sailors on Tuesday (29 June) evening.
Under his tutelage, Ulsan evolved into a team that not only played an eye-catching brand of attacking football, but was also known for their strong defence. Kim has laid out the same philosophy for his new charges.
While still in the midst of getting to know the players better, he has already observed enough from their matches this season to know that they have the potential to meet his high demands.
A prolific striker who represented the South Korean national team on more than 70 occasions, including at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Kim certainly knows a good player when he sees one.
“Obviously there is the stigma of the SPL not being comparable to the big leagues in Asia, but I can see for myself, we’re not as low as everyone thinks,” he emphasised. “I like what I’m seeing from these players and I’m here to help them reach their potential. I’m sure we can achieve things together once everyone is accustomed to what I want from them.
“Essentially I want the team to play a dynamic style of attacking football so that the fans that come to watch us can enjoy the game. I want to focus on the team cohesion – we must be a hardworking team that fights for the ball all the time, we have to control the game as a whole while being compact at the back.”
Kim believes the Sailors have the capacity for success, and is here to help to “accelerate the process” of the Sailors being competitive in the region.
“There is still a lot of room for improvement. But if we work together as a team and put in the effort, we can become a force in Asia in due time,” he proclaimed. “There are no shortcuts to success, but I’m here to help us achieve our goals in a faster manner.”
The short-term target: to lead the Sailors to their first-ever Singapore Premier League (SPL) title since their 2020 inception.
Kim will be looking to help the Sailors continue their excellent form before the international break, achieving a club-record six-game winning streak that has seen them go to 26 points, just one off the summit.
His first official game in charge of the Sailors will be a bumper top-of-the-table clash against league leaders and reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) on 23 July.
And Kim cannot wait to get started.
“Obviously the target is to win the league title this season. That will help us qualify for the ACL next year and challenge ourselves,” he said.
“We have to focus on this objective now before having bigger dreams and goals for next season and beyond.”
Despite the departure of Aurelio Vidmar, the Lion City Sailors continued their superb form in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) under the tutelage of interim head coach Robin Chitrakar, registering three wins in as many outings in May.
The Sailors started out with a hard fought 2-1 win over Geylang International. They then came from behind to beat Tanjong Pagar United 3-1, before closing out the month with a 1-0 victory over the Young Lions.
Here, we round up the major talking points from the Sailors’ three successful outings…
The ability to grind out wins
With the sheer amount of quality at their disposal, there are naturally huge expectations placed upon the Sailors. However, to expect them to show up and steamroll their opponents in every game is simply unrealistic.
To nullify the Sailors’ attacking flair, Geylang, Tanjong Pagar and Young Lions all opted to adopt a defensive approach – sit back, stay compact, and hit on the counter.
Facing such a low-block can be frustrating. But the Sailors remained calm and patient as they searched for a way to break down their opponents.
And ultimately, the talent within the Sailors’ ranks proved decisive.
Against Geylang, the Sailors found themselves being denied time and again by solid defending and an exceptionally good performance by debutant keeper Sanders Saurajen, but eventually came good via Saifullah Akbar’s wonderfully-struck shot from outside the area.
The Jaguars adopted a similar soak-and-strike approach to great effect, and even managed to grab a shock lead against the Sailors. Instead of pressing the panic button, however, Robin’s charges simply upped the tempo of their game.
It took eight minutes for the Sailors to find the equaliser through Jorge Fellipe’s header, and another four more minutes before Gabriel Quak gave his team the lead with a long-range strike. Diego Lopes wrapped up the victory for the Sailors 10 minutes from time with a header from five yards out.
And while the Sailors were also unable to find their rhythm against a gritty Young Lions side, they did create enough chances to win the game by a bigger margin, but were denied by a combination of the woodwork and some excellent goalkeeping.
In the end, it took a sublime free-kick from Shahdan to decide the game and secure all three points for the Sailors – yet another example of how talent can prove decisive in tight games.
The ability to break down stubborn teams and secure crucial points is a quality that will serve the Sailors well in what is proving to be yet another tight race for the title in the SPL.
Shahdan serving up a reminder of his influence
Given the wide array of attacking stars that the Sailors boast, there is perhaps a tendency for fans to overlook the contributions of those who deployed in the more defensive roles.
Shahdan, who usually plays at the base of the Sailors midfield, is one such player.
An accomplished trequartista, Shahdan not only provides creativity for the Sailors from deep, but is also often the player tasked with dictating the tempo of the game. It helps as well that the 33-year-old has a well-honed knack for picking out the right pass at the right moment.
Take Saifullah’s goal against Geylang for example. When the ball fell to Shahdan some 30 yards from goal, he could have easily attempted a shot, and no one would have faulted him. Instead, after assessing his options, he laid the ball off for Saifullah who was in a better position to take aim.
Saifullah duly obliged, and scored what proved to be the winning goal against the Eagles.
But the most obvious strength of Shahdan lies in his well-renowned set-piece deliveries. Apart from the aforementioned free-kick goal against the Young Lions, Shahdan also provided an assist for Jorge with a pinpoint corner kick in the Sailors’ win over Tanjong Pagar.
In all, Shahdan recorded one goal and two assists in the month of May – an especially timely reminder of his value to the team with national teammate Hariss Harun set to join Sailors in June.
Familiarity leads to greater understanding
After a mixed start to the season, the Sailors have steadied the ship and are enjoying their best run of form with six straight wins – it is the longest run of wins the Sailors have recorded since their official inception last year.
This is largely because the Sailors have been able to field a settled starting XI. Jorge and Amirul Adli have formed a sturdy centre-back partnership, while Saifullah and Shahdan have worked well in tandem supporting each other in the middle of the park.
In the attacking third, Gabriel Quak and Diego Lopes appear to enjoy playing alongside each other. Both of them have also developed a good understanding with chief striker Stipe Plazibat.
And should the Sailors need an injection of inspiration, they have plenty of game-changing options on the bench, including the likes of Faris Ramli, Adam Swandi and Song Ui-Young – experienced players who can seamlessly slot into the team whenever needed.
Coach Robin has also managed to ensure that the key values and playing principles from Coach Aurelio’s tenure remain in place, which means the players are all fully aware of what is expected of them. The impending arrival of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League winner Kim Do-hoon as the Sailors new head coach in June will only serve to provide a boost to the entire squad.
These factors set the Sailors up nicely for their next assignment – the AFC Cup Group H matches, which are scheduled from June 29 to July 5. The Sailors are due to face Vietnamese outfit Saigon FC, Indonesia’s Persipura Jayapura, as well as Malaysian side Kedah Darul Aman at the Singapore National Stadium.
With one game set to be played every three days, the Sailors’ winning mentality and mental fortitude will have to come to the fore to secure qualification from the group stage.
But if the Sailors’ recent performances are anything to go by, there is every chance of them progressing to the next stage.
Till then, ahoy Sailors!
Since making his professional debut in 2009 back home in Brazil with Juventude, Jorge Fellipe has played for 16 teams in an illustrious career that has seen him travel to Portugal and Saudi Arabia for the beautiful game, before moving to Singapore this year.
Only once – with Brazilian lower-tier side Nova Iguacu from 2013 to 2016 – did Jorge stay at a club for more than two years.
Now into his 17th club – the Lion City Sailors, however – the towering Brazilian centre-back is determined to ‘settle down’ for the long term in Singapore, where he hopes to help usher in an era of success for his latest team.
“Previously, I was always thinking about how to get more international exposure to broaden my horizon as a player – that’s why I moved out of my country to play elsewhere,” the 32-year-old explained.
“Being a bit older and wiser now, and having achieved both personal and financial growth as a player, I think it’s time to get more stability in my life for the sake for my family. I intend to stay as long as I can with the Sailors in this wonderful country, and help the team become Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions.”
Indeed, Fellipe’s ambition to play the game at a higher level saw him move out of his native Brazil in 2018 to join Portuguese first-division side C.D. Aves – just months after winning the domestic third-division (Serie C) title with Centro Sportivo Alagoano (CSA).
He enjoyed a good one-and-a-half seasons with Aves, and even helped the club beat heavyweights Sporting Lisbon to clinch the Portuguese Cup in 2018, before finishing runners-up in the subsequent Super Cup.
In the 2018-2019 season with Aves, Jorge enjoyed a sustained run in the first-team – he started 19 matches in total – and even played against a certain Bruno Fernandes.
Reflecting on the experience of playing against renowned teams like Porto and Benfica, Jorge said: “The Portuguese league is one of the most well-known leagues in Europe with many players who I used to watch only on TV, so my experience there was really important for my growth as a person and a player.
“I remember marking Bruno, Jonas – a famous Benfica player who many idolise – and many others. Playing against these high-level guys makes you learn very fast as a player.”
He also highlighted the increase in training intensity as the biggest difference between the Portuguese league and the others that he has played in.
“In Portugal, they train like they play in matches. Training is very intense because every player wants to get into the starting eleven,” he revealed. “I got injured a few times even during training over there.”
After further playing stints in Saudi Arabia and Portugal, Jorge decided to take a leap of faith and move all the way to Singapore to join the Sailors in January this year.
“I was mesmerised by the club’s ambitions and what we want to achieve, as well how Singapore is as a country.I just couldn’t wait to come here,” claimed Jorge.
Having sat out the first three matches, Jorge made his Sailors debut in a 3-1 win over Young Lions last month. He has since got into his groove, and started the subsequent four games.
His commanding performances at the back helped the Sailors hit a rich vein of form, with the team notching four wins and one draw in the five games that Jorge has played so far.
Crucially for Jorge, he is enjoying his football with the Sailors.
“I’m very proud to wear this jersey and to carry out the work that we’re doing,” Jorge declared. “The good results so far reflect all the hard work we do in training, and good tactical planning by the coaches.
“I’m adapting well here and it’s all down to the nice people at this club. Everyone has made me feel very welcome here and they have done a lot to make sure I’m okay off the field. The camaraderie within our group is really something special.”
Of course, it helps to have a compatriot in the same team, with Jorge forging a close friendship with Diego Lopes some 17,000km away from their country. Coincidentally, the pair first met in Portugal a few years ago – as opposing players.
Now they are good friends who often go to restaurants together on their days off. Jorge revealed that even their families are getting along well with one another.
“Our wives are also talking to each other now! They often chat and exchange ideas,” Jorge said, chuckling. “We’re just counting down to the day when our respective families can be here, so that we can all meet and have a good time with our loved ones.”
But while waiting for his wife and three kids to join him in Singapore, Jorge’s main focus is on getting even fitter to produce better displays on the pitch.
“Right now, my match fitness is still not back to the level where I used to be at. So, I’m going to train and work harder to get back to my 100%.”
After a two-week break, the Sailors’ title charge resumes this Sunday with a clash against Geylang International at the Jalan Besar Stadium. A win over the Eagles could see them potentially closing the three-point gap between them and leaders Albirex Niigata (S).
The Sailors won by a handsome 8-0 scoreline when both sides last met in April, but Jorge insists that result will have no bearing on the coming match.
“Past results are just a statistic to me and it means nothing,” he said. “We cannot think it’s going to be easy just because we won big the last time. Every game has its difficulties, and surely Geylang will come and try to beat us.
“We just have to work hard and focus on getting the victory. Our ultimate goal is to become champions, and we must keep our concentration throughout the season to achieve that.”
Unbeaten in five straight Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches, the Lion City Sailors’ recent run of good form has seen them move up to second in the table, just three points behind league leaders Albirex Niigata (S).
In their last two matches, Aurelio Vidmar’s men not only thrilled fans with their exciting style of football – as seen in their 4-1 win over Balestier Khalsa – but also showed they were capable of grinding out results, like they did in their 1-0 win over title rivals Hougang United.
Here, we round up the major talking points from those two matches…
Resilience, and an ability to win in more ways than one
Think of the most successful teams in the world. Apart from having a squad replete with top-level talent and a first-rate coaching set-up, one of the things they all have in common is a winning mentality.
No matter the opponents or circumstances, these teams somehow manage to adapt and find a way to win – and they do this regularly.
On that basis, the Sailors have shown – especially in their last two matches – that they have what it takes to be a title-winning team.
Against Balestier, the Sailors flew out of the blocks and raced to a two-goal lead within 20 minutes. Although the Tigers pulled one back shortly after, the Sailors remained calm and continued to play their typical brand of attacking, possession-based football. And the Sailors were duly rewarded, as they scored two quick goals in the second half to pull further ahead and effectively kill off the game as a contest.
The game against Hougang, however, was completely different. Boasting a talented squad capable of going toe-to-toe with any SPL side this year, Clement Teo’s men had already beaten the Sailors once before – a 3-1 victory at Jalan Besar Stadium – earlier in the season.
But this time at the Hougang Stadium, the Sailors put on a battling and gritty display as they relentlessly pummeled a disciplined and compact Cheetahs side. In the end, it was a moment of magic from Diego Lopes that unlocked the Hougang defence and helped secure the three points for the Sailors.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Sailors dug deep and found a way to win – and that’s all that really matters.
Quality of goals an indication of team’s technical ability
Having spared no expense to improve the quality of their squad over the past two seasons, the Sailors are now reaping the rewards on the pitch with some outstanding performances.
In particular, some of the goals scored by the Sailors this year have lit up the SPL and gone viral on social media.
Take for example Gabriel Quak’s stunning first-time volley against Balestier. The goal has been doing the rounds on social media over the past week, and even caught the attention of FIFA after it was touted as a possible contender for the Puskas award.
A week later, it was Diego’s turn to capture the imagination with his physics-defying effort against Hougang. To have the audacity to attempt that strike is one thing, but then to execute it to perfection the way he did, was nothing short of world class.
But let’s not forget the other three Sailors goals against Balestier– they were all efforts that also required top technical quality to execute, and should be equally appreciated in their own right.
Shahdan’s inch-perfect free kick, which arched into the top left corner, was – dare we say it – Beckham-esque.
And while Stipe Plazibat’s tap-in off Gabriel’s pass may seem like a straightforward goal, it came about as a result of a lethal counter-attacking move that has become a Sailors trademark over the past couple of seasons. The drive and tenacity Stipe showed to sprint more than half the length of the pitch, just so he could be at the right place at the right time to finish off the move, should not be overlooked either.
Last but not least, reigning Young Player of the Year Saifullah Akbar’s goal against Balestier – where he cut inside his marker before firing a crisp shot into the bottom corner – showcased just how much the previously goal-shy midfielder has progressed, especially in the final third, over the past two years.
That we are seeing the Sailors score goals of such high quality is testament to the technical capabilities of their players. But it is not just the individuals who have shone – as a team, the Sailors have also impressed with their lightning-fast build up from back to front. As long as the team continues to play at such a high level, Sailors fans can look forward to seeing more of such top-drawer goals in the future.
The kids are alright
When Aniq Raushan and Glenn Ong were named on the Sailors’ teamsheet against Balestier, the majority of fans and local football observers probably asked themselves: Who?
If they didn’t know the two players back then, they definitely do now.
Thrown into the deep end against the Tigers, the pair of 17-year-olds proved that they were on the pitch that night not simply to make up the numbers, but because they were good enough. While nominally a centre-back, Aniq was deployed in a somewhat unfamiliar position as a right-back, but still managed to hold his own as he roved up and down the flank to provide support at both ends of the pitch. He was subsequently rewarded with his first full 90 minutes against Hougang, where he once again acquitted himself well with a stable, all-rounded performance.
A hardworking central midfielder, Glenn was an enterprising presence in the middle of the pitch and looked right at home alongside the experienced Shahdan Sulaiman. His confidence on the pitch was evident right from the start, as his first significant action at this level was to put in a no-holds barred challenge to win the ball off Šime Žužul. Earning himself another start against Hougang, Glenn displayed his ability to retain possession, and made several intelligent passes before being replaced by Song Uiyoung after the break.
It will come as little surprise if Aniq and Glenn continue their run in the first-team in the coming matches. What is clear, however, is that the Sailors are firm believers of youth development, and are unafraid of blooding youngsters if the coaching team deems them ready.
It remains to be seen if more youngsters will get a chance to make their debuts for the Sailors this season, but for now, with the likes of Aniq, Glenn, Saifullah, Haiqal Pashia and Justin Hui in the team, the Sailors’ future looks bright.
It is a goal that will undoubtedly be replayed time and again – the quality of Gabriel Quak’s volleyed strike in the Lion City Sailors’ 4-1 win over Balestier Khalsa last Sunday evening was such that many are already touting it as possibly one of the best-ever goals scored in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).
The technique, finesse and goalscoring instinct Gabriel displayed for the goal has been widely praised, and rightly so.
But somewhat lost in the adulation for Gabriel’s strike was how crucial a role Naqiuddin Eunos played in the goal.
After all, the 24-year-old was the one who sent in the pinpoint cross – with his weaker left foot, no less – for Gabriel to score.
But Naqiuddin’s superb cross for Gabriel was no fluke. The full-back, who now has two assists to his name this year, revealed that the move leading up to the goal was something the team had worked on during training.
“I was so happy to see the ball go in because we work a lot on these crossing moves in training,” Naqiuddin said.
“When I was going down the line, I knew for sure that someone would be around the box (to receive the ball) so I just whipped it in.
“That was a very nice way for me to get my second assist of the season, and hopefully I can do more to contribute to the team, attacking-wise, in the coming games.”
Previously deployed as a roving winger, Naqiuddin was converted into a full-back by Coach Aurelio Vidmar when he joined the Sailors in 2020. While Naqiuddin admits there were some teething issues with the change of roles at the start, he has since developed into a consistently reliable full-back for the Sailors.
And he says he now absolutely relishes the defensive side of the game.
“I’ve definitely grown to love defending over the course of these two seasons,” Naqiuddin declared. “Of course, when I first played in defence, I was a bit shaky. But Coach Aurelio and Coach Noh Rahman gave me a lot of tips on how to position myself with and without the ball.
“They showed me videos of how to play as a full-back, and also taught me how to cope with certain situations – it’s all very specific. At home, I also watch video clips on how full-backs defend and try to learn from there. That’s how I managed to improve my game.”
Naqiuddin, the only player to start in each of the Sailors’ 14 games last year, hailed his 2020 season as a “good start” to his career at the club.
This year, however, brought about new challenges for Naqiuddin – in particular, he had to adapt to a relatively new position in the team. Where he previously played only on the left, he was now being deployed on the right side of defence.
Nonetheless, Naqiuddin – who has started five games so far this season – remains unfazed by the change in position, and is determined to continue impressing in whatever role he is deployed in.
“Last year was a good year for me, but the second season will always pose new challenges and I knew it was going to be tougher,” Naqiuddin mused. “So, I made sure to work even harder in training to prove to Coach that I deserve to be a starter.
“I had a chat with the management during the off-season and they told me I will be playing mainly as a right-back this year. It’s a new challenge, but I believe it’s one I can live up to because I am right-footed anyway.
“Of course, the body positions that I’ve to adopt while defending are different (as compared to playing at left-back). But the coaches, as well as (fellow right-back) Aqhari (Abdullah) have taught me a lot.
“I also try to study the way Aqhari plays, especially in terms of his positioning and aggressive style. Now, I can safely say that I’m very comfortable at right-back, and I feel I’ve improved a lot both defensively and in attack.”
Playing alongside the settled centre-back partnership of Jorge Fellipe and Amirul Adli has also helped, Naqiuddin added.
“For me, both of them have been really excellent in defence. Jorge is very comfortable on the ball while Adli is very aggressive,” he explained. “Both of them are also experienced lads. They talk to me a lot during the game, and I’ve to say the chemistry between the back-four is very good.”
While Naqiuddin has impressed on the right flank this season, he will likely have to revert to his familiar left-back role for the next few games, with Nur Adam Abdullah currently sidelined with a ligament injury.
Up next for Naqiuddin and the Sailors is an away game against Hougang United tomorrow evening at 8.30pm.
The Sailors were beaten 1-3 by the Cheetahs the last time both sides met in March, but Aurelio’s men have since picked up form and are on a four-match unbeaten run. The Sailors are currently second in the table, level on points with Clement Teo’s charges, but with a better goal difference.
With 12 goals from just their last two outings alone, it is clear the Sailors have found their groove in attack, especially with star signing Diego Lopes developing a good understanding with the likes of Saifullah Akbar, Gabriel Quak and Stipe Plazibat in the final third.
Naqiuddin believes his team are now better equipped to face Hougang, as they look to put the disappointing defeat at Jalan Besar Stadium behind them.
“No one felt good after that game against Hougang and I guess they surprised us with a different tactical plan,” said Naqiuddin, who was an unused sub that evening. “We made some mistakes, but we created a lot of chances to score and we didn’t manage to put them away.
“For this Saturday’s game, we have to show that we’re better than what we were then. The team is ready and prepared to take home the three points, and nothing less than that will suffice. It’ll be a tough game, but if everyone gives their 110 percent and sticks to their roles, I don’t see why we can’t win.”
The ball had found the back of the net after a huge deflection, but Lion City Sailors midfielder Diego Lopes couldn’t care less.
After all, the goal sealed his first-ever career hat-trick on what was a perfect night for the Sailors last Sunday – they thumped Geylang International 8-0 in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at Our Tampines Hub.
In addition to his hat-trick, Diego also notched two delightful assists for Saifullah Akbar and Stipe Plazibat. The assist for the former in particular showcased Diego’s ingenuity, as the Brazilian used his chest to lay off a cross into the path of Saifullah, who made no mistake from close range.
It was a stunning individual display by Diego, and one that indicated that he had finally found his feet in Singapore football.
With five appearances for the Sailors so far this season – including three as a starter – Diego says he is pleased with how things have gone for him at his new club.
And while the former Rio Ave star admits he was pleased to have recorded his first career hat-trick, he insists that getting a good result for the team will always be more important than any individual accolade he achieves.
“It’s a great feeling to score a hat-trick for the first time, but the most important thing is that it helped the team to get three points,” Diego said through a translator. “The whole team did what we were supposed to do and played very well, which is the most pleasing aspect.
“This is the third straight game in which I’m in the first 11 and that gives me a good feeling. It also helps that I’ve already adapted to the team’s style of play, which makes things so much easier.
“My main job here is to help the team play well and get the victory. It doesn’t matter which position Coach Aurelio (Vidmar) plays me in – wherever I play, I will give my 100 percent for the team. I will continue to work hard to help the team to achieve our objectives.”
Thankfully for Diego, who arrived in Singapore only in early February, life off the pitch is going well for him too.
While this is his first foray into Southeast Asia, the 26-year-old says he already feels very much at home in the Lion City.
“Singapore is a very different city from where I’ve lived and been before,” said Diego, who had played in Portugal, Turkey, Greece as well as in his native Brazil. “It’s a very clean place and things are very safe. The most important thing is that the people here are very polite and show a lot of empathy to a foreigner like me.
“It’s not just people at the club, but also the people outside the scope of football. For example, when I’m out on the streets and I’m not feeling very sure about something, or I’m trying to find my way to somewhere, there are always people who will try to help me out. I’ve met many good people in this wonderful city so far, and I really want to spend a long time here.”
Diego also revealed that he has been adapting well to local food, and even cites the iconic chicken rice as his favourite Singaporean dish.
While waiting for the relevant logistics to be sorted so his wife and son can come over from Brazil, Diego says that he generally leads a simple life away from football at the moment.
“I’m a very homebound person. So, whenever I’m not training, I tend to be resting at home,” said Diego. “Maybe when my family is here, I’ll bring them to a few places.
“Once in a while, I will just go to some restaurants to eat with (compatriot) Jorge (Fellipe). Those are the only places that I’ve been to in Singapore, outside of football.”
While he is unable to speak in fluent English just yet, it has not stopped Diego from building an excellent relationship with his Sailors teammates.
“Once my family comes here, we’re going to take formal English lessons together. Hopefully, that’ll be soon!” he shared. “Although I can’t really speak English yet and my teammates barely understand me, we still try to talk anyway, and we manage to communicate in certain ways.
“Most of the time, I make mistakes in my pronunciation. But they’re always there to correct me and teach me some new words at the same time. I’m very grateful for their help, both on and off the pitch.”
Diego also says that he enjoys playing alongside the likes of Saifullah, Shahdan Sulaiman and Gabriel Quak in the attacking third, and claims that they are not in any way inferior to his previous teammates.
“Not just the three of them, but also quite a few more in our team are talented individuals who can definitely play in Europe,” Diego emphasised.
“Their abilities are not in question at all. The only thing is how they adapt themselves in another league and environment. There are several factors outside of football that can affect a player’s career.”
Having signed a three-year contract that will take him to the end of the 2023 season, Diego is determined to stamp his mark on this ambitious Sailors project, as the club seeks to dominate Singapore football and compete in the region.
“We’ve set very high goals for ourselves. That’s a key reason why I decided to come and represent this club, because I want to be a winner,” he explained. “We’re aiming to become champions not just in the league, but also in the Asian competition (the AFC Cup). We want to make it to the AFC Champions League next season.
“The club is doing a lot of things off the pitch to give the players the right conditions, so they can fulfil their potential. The club is very supportive and takes good care of everyone, so it’s important that we (the players) all do our jobs on the pitch to repay them.”
In the short-term, the Sailors are looking to continue their recent run of fine form in the league when they take on a gritty Balestier Khalsa side at the Jalan Besar Stadium tomorrow night.
A win will help them keep pace with current league leaders Albirex Niigata (S), but it will not come easy against a Tigers outfit which has developed a reputation for being tough to break down under Croatian tactician Marko Kraljevic.
Marshalled by towering Serbian centre-back Ensar Brunčević, Balestier boast the second-best defensive record this season with just seven goals conceded in six outings.
Diego believes the key to prevailing in this clash is to be patient, and to stick to the team’s usual pass-and-move philosophy.
“We’ve many talented players who’re capable of scoring from any position, so definitely we can expect teams to be more defensive and try to hit us on the counter,” Diego elaborated.
“What we’ve got to do is to play smart, move the ball around as fast as we can with one or two touches and wait for the best opportunity to find an opening to score. With the quality and our team’s philosophy, I’m sure we can do just that.”
He counts the likes of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, AC Milan star Ante Rebic, Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic, Juventus Marko Pjaca and Bayer Leverkusen defender Tin Jedvaj as among some of the talents that he has worked with in his career.
In fact, no less than 9 players from the 23-man Croatian squad that finished second in the 2018 World Cup in Russia have, at one point of time in their careers, been trained by Mario Jovanovic.
Even so, Mario believes his current undertaking – as the Lion City Sailors’ Head of Sports Science – could be his most rewarding yet.
Hailing from Croatia, Mario joined the Sailors in February this year after a four-and-a-half year stint at Qatar’s renowned Aspire Academy.
His appointment comes as part of the Sailors’ ongoing efforts to strengthen their expertise off-the-pitch, with Mario set to oversee a specialist team that currently comprises strength and conditioning coaches, as well as sports trainers.
With such an impressive CV, Mario’s appointment can be considered something of a coup for the Sailors, but the 36-year-old revealed that he was equally excited to join the Sailors, having been impressed by the vision and ambitions of the club.
“From my conversations with the Sailors management, I understood that they were serious about growing the club,” said Mario. “They’re investing a lot in the academy, they’re building the team, and their ambition is to improve the players and to be a catalyst for changing the mindset about football in Singapore.
“I also really liked that (Sailors chairman) Forrest Li was very clear with his objectives regarding the Sailors. And it’s not just talk – I can see clearly the steps being taken to drive the club towards the direction they want to go.
“I was sold on the Sailors story. The prospect of being part of something new, and building something big really appealed to me. This was a good opportunity for me to roll up my sleeves and deliver in a new country.”
However, Mario’s journey into the field of sports science actually started in somewhat unfortunate circumstances.
A former player with top-tier Croatian side HNK Rijeka, Mario’s playing career was cut short after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at the age of 21.
But that proved to be a blessing in disguise, as it allowed him to focus on getting his Sports Science degree at the University of Zagreb. He excelled in his studies, and was offered a position at the University to do a Phd. in Sports and Exercise, but this time, with a specific focus on football.
“It’s probably a good thing I focused on my studies because I probably was not good enough to continue playing professionally,” Mario admitted, laughing. “I had a decent level, but was not at an international level, so I just decided to stick to studying.
“That was a key moment in my life because it really helped to kick off my career in sports science.”
Thereafter, Mario re-joined his old club as the Strength and Conditioning coach managing the Under-21 team and overseeing academy work at the Rijeka academy. It wasn’t long before his talents were noticed by the Croatian Football Federation, who offered him a job with the National Youth squads as a Strength and Conditioning coach.
It was there that he played a role with the Under-21 team in helping many of the current stars of the Croatian National Team become the players they are today.
And now, Mario is hoping to do the same for the Sailors.
“The players here have already reached a certain level, but my aim is to help them go beyond that,” Mario declared. “The long-term objective is to optimise the training process, to bring it to a level that is necessary for the club’s ambition, and to maximise the potential that we have with the players.”
Further explaining his process, Mario added: “I always say that half of the coin in football is the physical performance side, but never forgetting that he needs to be a talented footballer as well. When you talk about modern footballers, for me, before he is a player, he has to be an athlete.
“We’re looking at how training will impact a player over a period of time, because that’s the nature of our physiology – things don’t happen overnight. Ultimately, our aim is to build all-rounded, holistic athletes who will help the head coach and the team deliver results on the pitch.”
Having joined the Sailors just a week before the season started, Mario concedes that his main task now is to, together with the help of the backroom staff, optimise player conditioning so they are match-fit and ready to give their 100 percent on the pitch.
“At this moment, we are in season, which means we are focused on match day performance,” said Mario. “So, we’re not pushing them to the limit from the training side of things, because that can produce negative results.
“A big part of our work is also to try and help players mitigate the risk of injury, and to help them recover. So, we try to monitor their load, do injury prevention work before the sessions, as well as some strength and power work in season – whatever it takes to keep the players we have on the pitch.
“But this process for the first-team is always driven by the head coach, because he has a certain style of play, a certain mindset regarding the training session and how it’s going to look. What we need to do is tailor our approach for that perspective – we’re just a small piece of the puzzle that needs to fit into that big picture.”
While Mario has been with the Sailors for barely two months, he says he already feels comfortable at the club.
“The first few weeks was about getting to know the squad and rest of the staff, building relationships, and getting the buy-in from the players,” said Mario. “These are first team players, so they already have their own routines, which means that whatever I am doing has to be tailored for their needs.
“But the whole squad really tries to push themselves out of their comfort zone and are always seeking ways to improve. So far, everyone has been great in welcoming me into the team. The integration has been very smooth, and I couldn’t be happier.”
And Mario claims that the competitiveness of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) will go a long way to helping the players improve.
“To be honest, the SPL is much more competitive than I thought,” Mario mused. “The difference between the teams is not that big, and everyone is able to compete at a high level. I’ve been following the league closely and I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen.
“This competitiveness is good for the league and for the players as well, because that’s how you develop – in high-performance, high-intensity competition. Hopefully, though, we will be able to emerge as the best team this season and win the title.”
If their last three Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches are anything to go by, it’s evident the Lion City Sailors have finally clicked into gear after a mixed start to the season.
Since returning from the international break, the Sailors have beaten the Young Lions 3-1, held reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) to a 2-2 draw – fighting back from two goals down in the process – and most recently, thumped Geylang International 8-0 in a dazzling display of attacking football.
We round up the major talking points from the Sailors’ last three outings as Aurelio Vidmar’s men sent a clear signal of intent to the rest of their title rivals.
Diego has found his groove
Having joined the Sailors in January as Singapore football’s first-ever million-dollar signing, there are understandably high expectations of the former Benfica midfielder.
After making two substitute appearances before the international break, Diego made his first start for the Sailors against Young Lions, registering an assist with a superb ball over the top for Stipe Plazibat, who left his defender for dead before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
A slightly more subdued display in the subsequent bumper clash against Albirex, however, saw Diego cop a bit of criticism on social media.
But he proved his critics wrong just four days later with a hat-trick and two assists in the Sailors’ big win over Geylang. Pulling the strings for the Sailors in the number 10 role, the 26-year-old was at his devastating best as he ran the Geylang defence ragged with his creativity and passing.
Take that chest-down for Saifullah Akbar to score for example – a simple move, but one that required incredible vision, speed of thought and technical ability to execute to perfection as Diego did.
Diego’s second assist showcased how dangerous he can be when on the counter. Surging through the middle of the pitch with the ball, Diego had the presence of mind and composure in the final third to set Stipe through on goal with a perfectly-weighted pass. Stipe, of course, made no mistake with his finish.
Considering that Diego arrived late in pre-season, is still adapting to a new country, a new style of football, and learning a new language, it is perhaps understandable why he failed to really sparkle in his first two matches.
Diego now looks like he has found his feet in Singapore football and is feeling right at home with the Sailors. And while it is still early in the season, there has been more than enough evidence to suggest that SPL fans are going to be in for a treat in the months ahead.
Jorge and Adli forming a mean centre-back partnership
Defensive issues were one of the reasons why the Sailors did not have the best of starts to the season. With six goals conceded in their opening three matches, it was clear that the Sailors needed to better protect their goal if they were to mount a serious title challenge.
And with just three goals conceded in the next three games following the international break, it would be fair to say that coach Aurelio has managed to find some answers.
A large part of that improved defensive solidity must be credited to the presence of Jorge Fellipe.
After impressing in his debut against Young Lions, the towering Brazilian centre-back scored his first goal for the club in the very next fixture – a crucial late equaliser in the comeback draw against defending SPL champions Albirex. And he followed that up with another commanding showing against Geylang, helping the Sailors to a precious clean sheet.
Tactically disciplined, hard in the tackle, and an excellent reader of the game, Jorge’s qualities perfectly complement Amirul Adli’s more front-footed style of defending, and the two have already formed a decent understanding with each other at the back.
In the two matches they were paired in defence – against the Young Lions and Geylang – both Jorge and Adli rarely gave an inch to opposing attackers, and were key in helping the Sailors build up from the back.
With more games under their belt, the Jorge-Adli partnership will surely improve, perhaps providing the solid foundation from which the Sailors can launch a serious title challenge.
The best part? There is strength in depth in this area for the Sailors, with Aurelio able to call upon other quality centre-backs in the team, including Tajeli Salamat and Abdil Qaiyyim.
Young guns pulling their weight
Apart from achieving on-field success, a huge part of the Sailors’ philosophy is to nurture up-and-coming talents of Singapore football, and take them to the next level.
With a number of young Sailors already impressing this season, it seems the club is on the right track.
Reigning SPL Young Player of the Year, Saifullah, has carried on where he left off last season, with a goal and an assist to his name. Playing alongside Diego in midfield, the 22-year-old has the perfect role model to learn from.
Left-back Nur Adam Abdullah, 20, has been a revelation in defence. With his tough-tackling style and ability to whip in dangerous crosses into the box, Nur Adam has been an absolute menace on the left-flank. While he has registered just one assist so far, Nur Adam has been crucial in the build-up for a number of the Sailors’ goals this season.
Fellow new recruit Justin Hui is also beginning to stamp his mark after his arrival from Hougang United, with the industrious 23-year-old proving to be a livewire down the left flank. Justin already has an assist this season, after his superb first-time low cross was tapped in by Gabriel Quak for the Sailors’ opening goal against Geylang.
And while winger Haiqal Pashia is currently on the comeback trail from injury, it should not be overlooked that the 22-year-old was the one who contributed the assist for the Sailors’ opening goal of the season.
All in all, it looks like the Sailors’ Under-23 contingent are flourishing this season – and this bodes well for the future of Sailors, and perhaps the Singapore National Team too.
They had been teammates at no less than four different clubs – including at the Lion City Sailors – and have fought side by side while donning the Singapore National Team jersey at various international competitions.
In all, it is a friendship that stretches for over a decade. But come this Sunday evening at 5.30pm, both Shahdan Sulaiman and Izzdin Shafiq will be standing on opposing sides when the Sailors take on Geylang International in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at Our Tampines Hub.
Having played with – and, on several occasions, against – Izzdin for so many years now, Shahdan is fully aware of how influential the former Sailors captain can be from the middle of the park.
With Izzdin having formed a tidy partnership in the Eagles midfield alongside Firdaus Kasman and playing well at Geylang this season, Shahdan knows the Sailors will have their hands full in the battle for midfield supremacy on Sunday.
“I think everyone knows how good Izzdin is – he’s shown over the years that he’s very capable of dominating the midfield, and he has the vision to split defences with one pass,” Shahdan explained.
“It was very easy and enjoyable to play alongside him in midfield. We don’t need to say too much to each other on the pitch because we’ve got good chemistry and are on the same wavelength. We both understand how to control the game from midfield. While it’s a shame we’re no longer club teammates, I’m happy for him that he’s doing well at Geylang.
“We’ve faced each other before, so I know it’s going to be very tough playing against him. But at the same time, this will be a good challenge for the team and I.”
The Sailors will be seeking a return to winning ways against Geylang following their thrilling 2-2 draw with reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) last Wednesday evening.
The match saw the Sailors’ indomitable fighting spirit come to the fore as they fought back from two goals down to rescue a point.
While Shahdan was encouraged to see the resilience shown by the Sailors, he knows they will have to step up if they want to get all three points against a tricky Geylang side who are determined to end a four-match winless streak.
“The team really showed a lot of desire and a positive attitude to keep going although we were down by two goals. We knew that we were capable of producing a comeback, so we kept going and I’m happy our efforts paid off in the end,” said Shahdan.
“But we’ve to keep pushing and improve as a team. Especially since we’re coming up against Geylang, who have been tough opponents. We cannot take them lightly.”
With two wins, two draws and a loss so far this season, the Sailors have admittedly not enjoyed the best start to the season.
Nonetheless, they are still only just three points behind current league leaders Albirex. But, with the Sailors having kept just one clean sheet this year, Shahdan knows the entire team will have to work harder to protect their goal if they want to win the SPL title.
“At the end of the day, it’s the whole team’s duty to come back and defend. It’s not just the responsibility of the four or five players at the back,” the 32-year-old elaborated.
“We can definitely get better defensively, and we’ve been working hard in training to improve this aspect of our game. It helps that Jorge (Fellipe) is also now settling well into the team with two games under his belt – his commanding presence at the back and calmness on the ball will help us a lot in the long run.”
Shahdan asserts that every player in the team has been giving their 100 per cent during matches and even in training sessions – and that can only help drive the Sailors forward.
“The competition for places is good because it keeps everyone on their toes, and every performance matters,” Shahdan mused. “If we don’t play well, we know we may well be dropped by the coach.
“For myself as well as the team, we know it’s important to be consistent. We’ve got to maintain a good run of form to achieve our target of winning trophies, and I believe we have all the right tools to make this a successful season for all of us.”
There was a marked air of self-assurance about Gabriel Quak as he rounded Young Lions goalkeeper Nurshafiq Zaini before slotting the ball into an empty net for the Lion City Sailors’ third goal in their 3-1 Singapore Premier League (SPL) win over Philippe Aw’s men last Saturday (April 3).
Composed, confident, clinical.
The goal – his second of the game – perfectly encapsulated the evolution of Gabriel into a bona fide goalscorer.
Where Gabriel might have preferred to hug the touchline and send crosses into the box in seasons past, the 30-year-old now often runs into more central areas to get himself into better goal scoring positions.
Indeed, that was how he scored both of his goals against the Young Lions. The first saw him make a lung-busting sprint to latch onto Stipe Plazibat’s pass before bending the ball into the top corner, while his second goal owed much to the intelligent run he made in behind two Young Lions defenders to meet Saifullah Akbar’s precise through ball.
With four goals to his name in the first four games of this season, the Singapore international currently leads the Sailors in the goalscoring charts alongside last year’s SPL Top Scorer, Stipe.
To put his hot goal streak in context, Gabriel only found the back of the net five times in total last season. His career-best tally in the league remains the nine-goal season he enjoyed in 2019 with Warriors FC.
So, it comes as no surprise that Gabriel has set himself an ambitious personal target this season: for the first time in his illustrious career, he wants to hit double figures for league goals.
“Yes, it (hitting double figures for goals) is something I want to achieve,” Gabriel acknowledged. “As an attacker, I always give myself added pressure to deliver in the attacking third – that’s how I push myself to work on my end product every single time. But I’m definitely pleased with my output in terms of goals so far.”
But while Gabriel might seem like a natural predator in front of goal these days, he revealed that it actually took hours upon hours of hard work on the training ground to develop his goal scoring prowess.
“It’s important to put in your best effort during training so it becomes almost like a repetition,” Gabriel explained. “Whatever you do on the training ground – such as the kind of runs you make and the kind of passes you give – you will subconsciously bring it with you into the game.
“Take that first goal which I scored against Young Lions for example. I scored the exact same type of goal during training two days before the game. This is what I mean by it being a routine.
“It also helps that I’m enjoying my game right now. When you enjoy what you’re doing, you’ll be able to flourish because you won’t feel like you’re forcing things to happen.”
Conversely, however, Gabriel is yet to notch an assist this year – a surprise, considering that he topped last season’s assists chart with seven.
But Gabriel remains unperturbed by that statistic, as he believes it comes as a natural consequence of playing in a team that has a plethora of players who have the ability to pick a pass in the final third.
“We have plenty of quality ball carriers this season in Shahdan (Sulaiman), Diego (Lopes), Song (Uiyoung) and Stipe. Let’s not forget Faris (Ramli) and Adam (Swandi) as well. Really, it’s not that bad being at the receiving end of their passes!” he chuckled.
“Anyway, football is a team sport. It’s important how I bring the best out of my teammates, and how they can bring the best out of me. Somebody has to make the runs (to score from their passes), and I’m happy to be that player. Ultimately, if it means the team achieves victory, that’s all that really matters.”
Having won last season’s Player of the Year (POTY) award, Gabriel knows that there are high expectations placed on him to excel again this season.
But Gabriel insists that he thrives upon such pressure, although he remains adamant that the needs of the team come first.
“If you don’t have this kind of pressure, you wouldn’t try to push past your boundaries,” said Gabriel. “I want to be seen as the type of player to stand up and lead the team when the chips are down.
“In the past three to four years, I’ve been working on my consistency, which I admittedly lacked when I was younger. I’m glad that my efforts were finally recognised with the POTY honour last season, and I would love to win the award back-to-back, but the team comes first. Whatever I do must go towards helping the team achieve success.”
Up next for the Sailors is a big clash against reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday night (April 7). The Japanese side has carried on where they left off last year – they currently lead the table on 10 points, have conceded just one goal, and remain the only unbeaten team in the SPL so far.
But Aurelio Vidmar’s side has a score to settle with the White Swans – last season, the Sailors were narrowly beaten 2-3 by Albirex in both encounters despite arguably playing the better football.
The Sailors will go level on points with Albirex with a victory on Wednesday, and Gabriel says that everyone in the Sailors camp is eager to get one over their title rivals.
“This is a six-pointer and we want to show a statement of intent by beating a fellow title challenger,” Gabriel declared. “We were disappointed not to beat Tampines on the opening day of the season (a 3-3 draw), and we know we need to pick up maximum points in these types of games.
“Playing against Albirex is always tough…they change several of their players every year, but the philosophy remains the same. These players are hungry because they know this is a stepping stone to bigger things in their career.
“They showed over the course of last season why they are deserving champions, but we also did show in the two games against them that we’re more than capable of beating them.”
Unfortunately, the Sailors will have to rejig their defence, with centre-back Amirul Adli serving a one-match suspension after his dismissal against the Young Lions.
While Gabriel labelled Adli’s absence a “big blow”, he is confident that the teammate who steps in to fill the void in the centre of defence will be able to “rise to the occasion”.
He said: “Adli has been very important to us – he brings stability to our defence. But we have Tajeli (Salamat) and Abdil (Qaiyyim) who can step in and play a good game as well.
“Jorge (Fellipe) had a great game (vs Young Lions), and I’m sure he will help whoever that plays alongside him.”
Gabriel was equally bullish about the Sailors’ capability in attack – in particular, he hailed the quality of star signing Diego, and tipped him to make a positive impact in the coming games.
“Diego came with very big hype and a lot of attention in the media, so I was looking forward to meeting him when he came,” Gabriel shared. “To me, the behaviour of a person says a lot about their personality – there are no airs about him, he has been respectful of everyone, and we all enjoy having him around.
“We’ve been combining well when we play small-sided games in training, so we’re building some chemistry between us. It’s important for us attackers to understand each other’s style of play, which makes things easier in the game. I’m sure you’ll see more good things from him – and from us throughout the season.”
