Category: Feature
In Sailors Abroad, we take an in-depth look at the Sailors’ foreign stints, through the eyes of those who lived through the experience.
In this piece, Lion City Sailors Football Academy Under-17 Elite squad Head Coach Daan van Oudheusden shares his thoughts on Sailors trainees who have a unique opportunity to train alongside their counterparts at Borussia Dortmund.
While December is usually a period of rest and relaxation for children and youths, that is not the case for four boys in the Lion City Sailors Football Academy Under-17 Elite squad as they embarked on a 11-day training stint in Germany at the famed academy of eight-time German champions Borussia Dortmund (BVB).
Led by their head coach Daan van Oudheusden, Singaporean goalkeeper Issac Goh, American attacking midfielder Tad Woolfe, Belgian winger Nils Vandersmissen and Singapore-born Swiss forward Hugo Foelmli has the privilege to train with the very best in Europe.
Courtesy of the ongoing partnership between the Sailors and BVB which focuses on youth development and knowledge sharing, the quartet – all born between 2007 and 2008 – were put through their paces both individually and collectively with their esteemed European counterparts over the course of the trip (24 November-4 December).
Speaking from Dortmund, Coach Daan believes his charges are gleaning much from this opportunity.
“It’s no secret that the standard of football in Europe is much higher than what we have in Singapore, so the key objective of this trip was always to get the players out of their comfort zone and adapt to situations they’ve never experienced before,” said the 30-year-old Dutchman, who used to coach in Willem II and the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB).
“It’s not just the footballing side of things, but on a personal and human level, they have greatly benefited from this as well. They needed to learn to socialise a bit with the boys from Dortmund and that can be challenging, but it’s been great to see they’ve done well in that aspect. They are pretty talkative and have struck up a good bond with the group.”
Varied challenges have come thick and fast for the Sailors academy trainees – in football and in weather and culture.
On the pitch, the boys have had to adjust to the quicker pace and intensity of the European game.
“Fitness or physically there are no issues. The tough part is coping with the decision-making. Everything seems to be going so fast over there and the players in Dortmund make much fewer errors, so our boys need to think and act quicker in duels.
“While they have been made to feel welcome, there is always the thinking of their local players that ‘you’re coming here to take my spot’ so our boys really need to show what they’re made of and earn their position,” stressed Daan.
Away from football, sub-zero temperatures of Dortmund’s winter and the variety of food offered to them were facets they needed some getting used to.
“In the beginning the boys were quite shocked because they didn’t know it could get or feel this cold here. The food here is also way different from traditional Asian food, it’s pretty plain – a lot of potatoes and rice, not much spices at all like what we have in Singapore.
“But as the trip went on, they started to enjoy the climate and have even started liking the food so that was nice to see,” he added.
It was not all serious work as the boys were afforded some time to tour the city. They also visited Dortmund’s iconic Signal Iduna Park and even tried out Dortmund’s famed Footbonaut machine that is designed to improve a player’s reaction time.
It has been a fruitful trip for the Sailors trainees who are getting a good gauge of their abilities and continue to receive good feedback from the BVB coaches.
“We have a good system in our academy and the boys are at a high level by Singapore’s standards, but it’s important for them to come here and see what the benchmark is in Europe. It’s really good for them to put things into perspective – not in a negative way but more of letting them realise where the gaps are and what needs to be done for them to be closer to that level.
“Their goalkeeper coach was actually really satisfied with Issac’s performance and said that he is technically really good. Overall, the feedback was that our boys didn’t look out of place alongside the BVB boys so that’s a good sign that they’re progressing and on the right track,” said Daan.
Daan was quick to point out that an opportunity to train with the BVB Academy does not come by everyday.
“It’s insane to have this opportunity and it remains a big dream to many. Some of these boys may not realise it at this moment, but I’m sure they will at some point later.”
Being away from the comforts of home and the safety net provided by family has helped the Sailors trainees toughen up.
“The boys are learning so much that they’re telling me they would like to come back again someday or train again in Europe in the future. This trip serves as an extra bit of motivation for them to push harder and set new goals when they’re back in Singapore,” added Daan.
“Also, one thing we’ve realised is that all the things we did over at Dortmund are not too different from the things we’re doing at the Sailors. That shows that we’re on the right path – from having the best coaches, the best training facility for our training programs – and we have to continue to strive to be better.”
I remember jumping out of my seat and looking around. What I saw has been seared into memory: everyone around me – players, staff and fans who had travelled up to Buriram – had done exactly the same and it was only a split second later when I realised that just like them, I had shot my fists up into the Thai sky.
Song Ui-young had leapt above the defenders around him and looped a stunning header into goal. Our Lion City Sailors had taken the lead against Korean side Daegu FC at the Buriram City Stadium.
The team would go on to beat the K League 1 side 3-0 and record the best-ever performance by a Singapore team at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) – seven points – and come within one match of qualifying for the ACL Round of 16.
Our Sailors wrote the club into the annals of Singapore football in that sensational three-week Thai sojourn.
Especially after those highs, to say that 2022 has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions is an understatement. We learnt several lessons this season, lessons that we have taken onboard as we bring our year to a close.
A glance in the rearview mirror
The club made eye-catching signings in pre-season, won the AIA Community Shield by beating Albirex Niigata (S) 2-1, with Kim Shin-wook netting a double.
We then quickly set the pace in the Singapore Premier League, on track to defend the title we won the year before, leading by as many as seven points after returning from our maiden ACL campaign.
But that was marred by some unsportsmanlike moments in the match against Tampines Rovers and further muddied by on-field inconsistency culminating in the ultimate surrender of the SPL title to a more consistent – and deserving – Albirex side.
The dark clouds of injuries, illnesses, and even traffic accidents rained down on any hope of redemption at our maiden Singapore Cup campaign.
We must be honest with ourselves – and we have – this is nowhere near good enough.
We must demand more of ourselves
This year posed multifaceted problems largely centred on the key issue that we did not hit the standards we are capable of consistently enough across the season.
We were somewhat unfortunate in terms of injuries, incidents, and illness, but that brings us back to the first point – we were just not good enough, consistently enough.
There are several examples from the region and across the globe that clearly illustrate that even if you assemble the best staff and squad – even personnel who are perhaps just beyond the realm of reality for your club at that point – there is no guarantee of immediate and consistent success.
We had to endure several storms in 2022, but we took in our stride as best we could – a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.
Indeed, the year has been a great teacher: that our internal processes must ladder up to our broad strategy and vision – and this goes across the various verticals in the club from the first team squad to the backroom and boardroom.
It would be easy to finger the coaching situation at the club, even individual performances, or a phase of poor results, but when I start to pen that list of what would be most obviously construed as the key reasons behind our failure to retain the SPL title – and make no mistake about it, it is a failure – the list starts to lengthen the more I think about it.
And I must bear some responsibility.
Our long hard look in the mirror has brought us back to fundamentals – of systems, processes, and mindset – and the clear understanding that to build a culture of winning takes more than just bringing the best together, it requires the best to adopt the same spirit and the same way of getting things done.
A reset for Sailors’ long-term future
It is clear to me that we need a strategic reset, a directional change that will get the club back on track. The move back to Bishan Stadium is in the offing, and alongside that there are several wheels already in motion that will help us along that path.
While we did not manage to achieve results we should have been able to attain, there has been growth in several facets of football that I am proud we have built – moves I believe will prove to be more and more important in the years ahead: infrastructure, the setting up of clear youth development pathways, and an ever-improving Women’s programme. This has also been matched in non-football facets of the club in branding as well as fan and community engagement.
The Lion City Sailors Training Centre went from concept to groundbreaking and official opening in just two years, giving Singapore our first integrated football training facility. The Training Centre will provide a fantastic platform to take the club’s football development strategy to the next level. And indeed, the state of the art facility has already received plaudits from Edin Terzic and his Borussia Dortmund (BVB) team.
It was fantastic to see so many of our fans also embracing our Women’s team, coming out in force to back Yeong Sheau Shyan’s women as they charged to the Deloitte Women’s Premier League title at the Yishun Stadium.
It was also encouraging to see some of our youth players combine well with our seniors in the 7-2 loss to BVB at the Jalan Besar Stadium just a few days ago (24 November). It was a satisfying manifestation of how we can effectively leverage our partnerships to excite fans and drive the club towards our long-term vision.
Indeed, the support of our fans has been a consistent beacon of light for us in 2022, a bright light that continued to shine even at our last SPL matchday when there was nothing left to play for. More than showing up for the big games, that for me was a clear indication of dedication from the Sailors faithful.
I am humbled by the heart-on-sleeves support from our fans, and the Sailors are indebted to them.
We have moved for deeper engagement with our fans and also to sink deep roots into the MacPherson community in which our Training Facility sits, and I am delighted that Ms Tin Pei Ling and her grassroots leaders have embraced our efforts.
Eyes still firmly fixed on the horizon
But even as we reset and sharpen our focus for the 2023 season, our raison d’etre – to drive progress in football here and to reignite Singaporean passion for the local game – remains the same, and indeed has sunk even deeper into the Sailors’ psyche.
There will always be highs and lows in football, and even as we celebrate our highs, we must learn to acknowledge the issues that lead to the lows – and work on them.
We must do this for our fans who consistently support us whatever our results.
We are going back to the same fundamentals that we believe will drive our next phase of growth in 2023 and beyond.
At the Sailors we continue to drive towards our vision of flying the Singapore flag at Asia’s top club competition, and to become one of the best clubs on the continent.
We already are the most successful Singapore club at the ACL, a record sparked by that magnificent header from our Singaporean Song that ignited spirited celebrations from every Sailor on the Buriram City Stadium pitch.
I am certain that if we can call on that same dedication and fire we saw from our Sailors that day – and consistently so – we can chart a path through much smoother seas and go full steam ahead towards our vision in 2023 and the years that follow.
It is exactly one month away from the highly anticipated Lion City Sailors-Borussia Dortmund (BVB) clash on 24 November and there is palpable excitement amongst the Sailors ranks, perhaps most among the younger members of the squad.
Two rising Sailors stars, Nur Adam Abdullah and Bill Mamadou, are already looking forward to the enticing prospect of jostling with some of Europe’s best – and impressing.
The Sailors-BVB friendly match is the crown jewel of the first leg of BVB’s Southeast Asia Tour that kicks off in Singapore (22-26 Nov).
“Of course, every player would feel nervous and at the same time excited at this type of opportunity to play against one of the most prestigious clubs from Europe – it doesn’t come every day.
“It’s going to be challenging for sure, but what better way to improve ourselves than by playing against an elite team? On a whole, this experience is going to help the team and challenge us individually as well,” said 21-year-old Nur Adam.
Bill, also 21, was in complete agreement with his teammate.
He said: “We’re going to play against proper world-class players and everyone knows how good they are. But as much as we respect them, we have to approach the game like any other game and not be afraid.
“At the end of the day, we are out to gain more experience out of these 90 minutes, and test ourselves.”
The Sailors have swiftly broken new ground since their 2020 inception. The club won their first domestic Singapore Premier League (SPL) title in 2021 before chalking up the best-ever points and goals tally – seven and eight respectively – by a Singaporean club at an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) campaign, on their April 2022 debut at the tournament.
Borne from the two-and-a-half-year partnership penned between the Sailors and BVB in July 2021, the BVB Southeast Asia Tour 2022 – The Singapore Leg will also see a series of off-the-field professional activities that will further underscore the deep relationship and drive further improvements at the Sailors.
To Nur Adam, the BVB fixture is a natural next step for the Sailors: to go up against teams that have an established culture of professionalism and success at a high level – and learn from the experience.
“As a new club, we’re always learning and improving, while being ambitious and aiming high. Take for example at the ACL, we played against Urawa Red Diamonds and Daegu FC – top teams in the region – and we really loved the experience,” said the young full-back, who has already made more than 50 domestic appearances.
“Going up against bigger teams, we’re bound to face defeats but it’s not just about the result in this type of match. The experience and what we can learn on and off the pitch is perhaps much more valuable and that benefits us on our journey towards our target of becoming one of Asia’s biggest clubs.”
Early Bird tickets are fast being snapped up by football fans on online ticketing platform SISTIC and Bill is relishing the opportunity to put on a good show in front of a packed Jalan Besar.
“We all know that there will be attention on this game and how excited our fans are. It’ll be something new for me personally, but I will just focus on my game and do what I can for the team,” said the centre-back, who has broken into the Sailors first team and impressed in recent weeks.
“I’m lucky that I’m learning from the best local players like Hariss (Harun) and (Amirul) Adli everyday in training. Also, my dad (former Singapore international Bah Mamadou) is always giving me advice on how to perform and excel, so I’m just absorbing as much as I can so that I can be an important player for the first team in the years to come.”
Before turning their gaze to the gala friendly, the key priority for the Sailors is to excel in the upcoming Singapore Cup – Luka Lalić’s men begin their campaign against Balestier Khalsa next Thursday (27 October) – which will round off their 2022 campaign.
It is a fact not lost on Nur Adam and the rest of the Sailors.
“We failed to retain the SPL title and that’s a big disappointment for the club all round, no doubt. We’re out for redemption in the Cup and we’re out to win it for our fans and families who have been supporting us,” he declared.
“Once we’re done with that, then we’ll properly look towards BVB and I know the only way I can be in the starting lineup for that is to put up consistent performances in the Cup.”
Tickets for the Balestier Cup fixture are already available on SISTIC, while Early Bird tickets for the Sailors-BVB game can still be purchased, also on SISTIC, here.
Armed with a talented squad that includes a number of Singapore internationals, promising foreign players and young talents, the Lion City Sailors Women set an ambitious goal for themselves in their maiden Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign – they did not just want to win the league, they wanted to do it in style, with an entertaining brand of attacking football.
And they delivered, in emphatic fashion, passing and moving to the WPL title in their maiden season.
The road to being crowned champions of the first post-pandemic WPL season was paved with various pitfalls: from players leaving the country and the club to pursue work and academic goals, injuries, and challenging conditions at the Yishun Stadium, to inspired performances from stubborn opposition.
But the Sailors women were rooted in their united belief that hard work, a firm commitment to the playing philosophy and sheer doggedness would get them to the finish line in what turned out to be a memorable voyage to the WPL title.
Hitting the ground with a sprint
Head Coach Yeong Sheau Shyan and her charges stayed true to their word, getting their season off to a flyer as they dispatched Albirex Niigata (S) 4-1 on 5 June with Nur Izzati Rosni grabbing a brace, before thrashing Hougang United 6-0 courtesy of a couple of goals each from Lila Tan and Dorcas Chu to make it two wins out of two.
A one-month hiatus due to Singapore’s involvement in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship failed to halt their momentum as they swept aside Still Aerion FC 4-0 on their return to league action through braces from Izzati and Danelle Tan. They then edged Tiong Bahru 2-1 through another Danelle double to keep their 100% record intact after four matches.
There was no doubt that the Sailors laid down a serious marker from the start, firmly establishing themselves as the team to beat in the early days of the season.
First setback before rediscovering the groove
The Sailors Women hit a snag in their fifth WPL outing, failing to break down a compact defensive block set up by Tanjong Pagar United and had to be content with a 0-0 draw.
There was clear frustration from Sheau Shyan and the players after the result, but they channelled that into positive energy, defeating Balestier Khalsa 4-0 in their next fixture – with Danelle netting in her final Sailors outing before returning to the United Kingdom to resume her studies – and got back to winning ways.
Next up was a tricky task against Albirex – bolstered by a few mid-season arrivals including former Japan international Kana Kitahara – but the Sailors delivered one of their most convincing displays in 2022 to smash the White Swans 4-0 with Izzati starring with her first-ever WPL hat-trick.
The league leaders then overcame Balestier 3-0 before tearing Hougang apart 6-0 – with Canadian teenager Madison Telmer netting a treble – as the Sailors registered four straight wins to remain five points clear at the top with a game in hand on closest rivals Tanjong Pagar.
More importantly, they were at that point, just one win away from sealing the title.
Sealing the crown as Invincibles
The title triumph was then confirmed two weeks later on 10 September as Sheau Shyan’s women recovered from a sluggish first-half display to demolish Still Aerion 4-0 – a result that saw raucous celebrations at the final whistle as players celebrated in unison with fans who made the trip up north to Yishun.
The title was sewn up with two games left to play, but the women were not fully done. They had set their sights on finishing the season unbeaten, and the job still required work.
Their five-match winning run would come to an end against a resolute Tiong Bahru side as they were held to a goalless draw and failed to win for just the second time in 2022.
The final match of the season would not come any easier as they came up against a determined Tanjong Pagar side, who were gunning for a win to seal second spot. Yuki Monden drew first blood for the Jaguars as the Sailors’ goal was breached for the first time in eight matches, but the champions rallied and levelled through Lila before netting a dramatic injury-time winner through Fatin Aqillah to end the season on a high note.
As the Sailors lifted the WPL trophy and were presented with the S$25,000 winners’ cheque after the game, there was little doubt that it was a thoroughly deserved triumph.
The Sailors were the only team to beat every other team in the league, they ended the campaign with the best attacking and defensive record, scoring 39 and conceding just three, they finished seven points clear of eventual runners-up Albirex and Izzati picked up the top scorers’ award with 10 goals to top it all off.
Over the course of the season, the players showed their ability to break down stubborn defences and display the brand of progressive football that they set out to achieve from the get-go.
While plans are still being firmed up for the 2023 WPL season, one thing is for certain: the Sailors women will return for the new campaign with the same desire and increased motivation to retain their spot as the Queens of Singapore football.
There was no letting up for the Lion City Sailors after their Asian Football Confederation Champions League (AFC) sojourn, with three Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches lined up in the month of May.
The champions edged Hougang United 4-3 and Geylang International 1-0, before trouncing Tampines Rovers 4-0 to equal the club record of six successive SPL wins – first achieved between April to May 2021.
As the team goes off for a much-needed break before their next SPL match on 19th June, we look back on the three major talking points from their three successful outings this month.
Head Coach’s focus has had a tangible Kim-pact on the Sailors
Ever since the Sailors returned from the ACL, Head Coach Kim Do-hoon has emphasised that the team must show further improvement in their game-play and maintain the same level of intensity even in the SPL. The 2020 ACL winner remains adamant that his charges cannot afford to be complacent despite having already demonstrated that they can be competitive against Asia’s big boys.
The Sailors showed up in their first post-ACL match against Hougang with an enterprising attacking performance that cut the Cheetahs’ defence up at will, but proceeded to put in a flat display against Geylang and were perhaps lucky to get the three points against the Eagles.
That prompted Coach Kim to dish out some harsh words – words that stung – and the players responded and reaffirmed their commitment to the cause with a wonderful all-round display against Tampines. It was a tough task against one of the league’s most in-form sides, but the Sailors applied whatever they worked on in training to tear the Stags apart with some well-constructed, slick moves.
His words and focus on continual development have certainly had a tangible impact on the team, and fans can be assured the Sailors will continue in the same relentless manner when they return to the SPL.
Maxime’s proving he’s the real deal
His quality was never in doubt from the day he signed, and the scary thing is, Maxime seems like he’s just getting started.
There were some quizzical looks from the fraternity when Maxime was sparingly used in the first SPL round, but Coach Kim and the coaching setup clearly knew what they were doing – slowly bedding him in and allowing him time to acclimatise to the weather and football in Singapore. The former PSV Eindhoven man has not looked back since returning from the ACL, starting and making a goal contribution in all three games.
After a Man-of-the-Match display against Hougang in which he produced one goal and one assist, he then laid on Diego Lopes’s matchwinner against Geylang before yet another goal and assist to destroy Tampines. Stats and thrilling displays aside, his European experience has also been integral to the team’s development with the likes of Haiqal Pashia learning from Maxime as he grows into a more accomplished player.
Maxime’s rise mirrors that of Diego, who has now firmly established himself in the first eleven and appears to be at the heart of every good Sailors’ move. With the two dovetailing well and showing an uncanny chemistry on the pitch, there is surely more for Sailors fans to savour in months ahead.
A solid core making the difference
The numbers tell a story: the Sailors kept one clean sheet in Kim’s first 10 SPL matches in charge in 2021, but this season they have five shutouts to their name in the same number of games.
It all appears to stem from a solid core that makes the team so difficult to break down. Having played in midfield for virtually his whole career, Hariss Harun has now grown into his new role and is clearly a first-choice centre-back option for both club and country. Having played every minute for the Sailors in both the SPL and ACL, the indefatigable skipper is often exactly where the team needs him, either putting his body on the line or sweeping up the danger as the last line of defence.
The blossoming partnership between Hariss and Pedro Henrique is, of course, another reason why the Sailors are thriving, with the latter now showing exactly why the club went all out to secure a left-footed centre-back who is both strong in the challenge and comfortable on the ball.
Behind the dominant pair is Hassan Sunny who seems to age like fine wine. His superb command of the penalty area has seen him chalk up four consecutive clean sheets for the first time since a six-match streak in August 2010.
With a solid defensive core in place and in form, the Sailors have a sturdy platform from which to launch a charge for the SPL title when the league resumes in June.
In their first-ever Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) campaign, the Lion City Sailors gave a good account of themselves as they fell just short of a historic qualification for the competition’s last 16.
The Sailors quickly bounced back from an opening 4-1 defeat to J League powerhouse Urawa Red Diamonds with a stunning 3-0 thrashing of K League side Daegu FC, before a 0-0 draw and 3-2 win over Chinese Super League champions Shandong Taishan.
A 6-0 loss to Urawa thereafter was followed by a narrow 2-1 defeat to Daegu as they eventually finished third in Group F, but there were plenty of positives to take away for the Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions as they set a few records along the way.
Here we look back on the five major talking points from a memorable maiden voyage.
Singaporean clubs can compete at this level
Most points, most wins, most clean sheets and most goals scored by a Singapore club in a single ACL campaign – the Sailors showed that with the right investment and strategy, an outfit from this tiny island can be competitive against Asia’s big boys.
To go into the final group game with qualification hopes within reach, the Sailors demonstrated that Singapore clubs are not as far off from a historic last-16 finish in the ACL as it was initially believed. And it is a journey that has hopefully inspired – and galvanised – the Singapore football community. The mindset now has to shift from participating in this competition for experience to going in and driving to get beyond the group stages.
The Sailors’ good run this year serves as a catalyst for the club to double down on its efforts to drive further improvements in the local game – be it fine-tuning structures or investing in the up-and-coming generation of young footballers so that the Singapore flag can continue to be flown high on the continent.
The team’s ability to adjust to tactical demands
Eyebrows were raised when Kim Do-hoon tinkered and experimented with the team a little in the first round of SPL fixtures, but the South Korean tactician knew what he was doing as he geared his charges up for the ACL.
Against the cream of the crop in the continent, the Sailors showed that they can mix it up and switch to differing modes against varying opponents. In the two matches against Daegu, the team excelled with five at the back with the solidity of the structure giving the attackers the licence to roam forwards in counter-attacks utilising the pace of Maxime Lestienne and Faris Ramli alongside Song Ui-young. Against Shandong, they lined up in their more accustomed 4-2-3-1 where they displayed their dominance in possession and controlling the tempo of the game.
Coach Kim’s tactical know-how and the players’ ability to adapt truly came to the fore as they put up several creditable performances.
Song showing that he can elevate his game
There were a few impressive performers for the Sailors in this campaign – Hassan Sunny was his usual steady self in goal, Pedro Henrique was a rock in defence, Shahdan Sulaiman showed his class in midfield, but Song was undeniably the Sailors’ star pupil in the Class of 2022.
The 28-year-old did not even start the first game against Urawa, but never looked back once he was handed the chance against Daegu in Matchday 2 with his majestic header leading the Sailors to that sensational 3-0 win over Daegu.
Finishing the campaign off with a long-range scorcher against the same opposition meant he became the all-time Singaporean top scorer in the ACL with three goals. But beyond getting on the scoresheet, Song led the line superbly with his infectious energy that meant the Sailors always posed a threat on the counter-attack.
With the same desire and work ethic that saw him battle back from being on the periphery to a key member of the 2021 title-winning squad, Song gave everything in Buriram and proved his worth to not just the team – but also to the continent that he truly belonged on this stage.
On the right track, but patience needed
The Sailors showed glimpses of what they are capable of, backing up that 3-0 triumph over Daegu with another creditable display in the unlucky final-day loss against the same opponents – proving that the previous victory was no fluke.
However, there were games and instances that also showed the inexperience or gulf in class that still exists between them and Asia’s big guns – and there is no hiding from that. This was the Sailors’ maiden ACL voyage and it will take more games for Singaporean footballers to get properly accustomed to the intensity and concentration required to consistently compete at this level.
Looking not far beyond Singapore shores, Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta’zim have bossed their domestic league for the past decade but it was on their fourth try when they managed to qualify for the ACL’s last 16 for the first time.
Focus is now on earning the ticket back into ACL
After jostling with Asia’s best on the continent’s top table, the Sailors must quickly recalibrate and focus on the club’s bread and butter – the SPL – starting from this Friday’s (6 May) clash against Hougang United.
Kim’s men are four points clear of the rest, but there should be no letting up with still three rounds of fixtures (21 more games) left to be played.
Kim has already told his charges that the focus must be retaining the levels of intensity they have demonstrated they can attain, and consistently achieving results to get their hands on the SPL title again.
Only the top Singapore side gains entry into the ACL and the Sailors have to go out there to earn the right to compete at the highest level again in 2023 as well as the subsequent years to come.
Winning the SPL is a milestone on the Sailors’ lofty target of becoming one of Asia’s elite clubs, and the club must continue to consistently prove that it deserves the spot at Asia’s top table.
His driving runs and insatiable energy down the left flank have been a constant feature domestically, culminating in team and personal triumphs in 2021 – the Lion City Sailors’ first-ever Singapore Premier League (SPL) title and a Young Player of the Year (YPOTY) gong.
But Nur Adam Abdullah is not satisfied – he is out to test his ability against Asia’s cream of the crop as the Sailors embark on their maiden Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) campaign this week.
Ever since the team confirmed qualification to the 2022 ACL at the end of last season, his mind has never strayed away from making his mark on the continent’s biggest club competition. Even an unfortunate pre-season medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury in February did nothing to quell his ambitions.
“I wasn’t too worried after Kak-Fizah (Sailors’ Head of Physiotherapy, Nurhafizah Abu Sujad) briefed me about the duration of recovery, and the thought of playing in the ACL was a big driving force for me to come back stronger. The key was just to get some playing time and match fitness back before the competition,” said the defender who turns 21 today (13 April).
Nur Adam has since recovered quickly with the help of the Sailors’ medical department, getting a couple of SPL games under his belt, and is set to make a splash on the continental stage where the Sailors are placed in Group F with powerhouses from Japan, Korea and China.
The young full-back is most looking forward to the matches against Urawa Red Diamonds, and possibly a duel against seasoned Japanese international, Hiroki Sakai, down the Sailors’ left flank.
“Sakai’s a top player who has played in Europe and at World Cups. I know he was out injured (at end March), but I really hope he can come back in time so that I can test myself by playing against such top players to see the level I’m at and improve,” he said.
Nur Adam has already had a taste of Japanese football, having gone on training stints with J-League clubs Matsumoto Yamaga and Omiya Ardija in 2015 and 2017 respectively, and he was left impressed by the strong work ethic and technical ability.
A constant in Singapore’s national age-group squads, the 2018 Dollah Kassim Award winner’s career has gone from strength to strength, and he capped off an amazing 2021 by making his competitive debut for the Lions at the AFF Suzuki Cup.
The tenacious Nur Adam has always set his sights high – he holds ambitions of becoming one of Southeast Asia’s top full-backs and knows the ACL is the perfect platform to propel his football, and his career, to the next level.
“I want to be the best in my position, just like any other player. People are starting to notice me after the Suzuki Cup and I know there will be even more eyeballs on me – and us – at the ACL. It’s an opportunity for me to show that although I’m still young, I have the ability to compete and perform at this level,” said a deadpan Nur Adam.
But he is acutely aware that the ACL is a whole different ball game.
He has done a bit of homework, getting advice from his good friend Ryaan Sanizal, who played in last season’s competition with Tampines Rovers, as well as Sailors teammate Diego Lopes, who played in the UEFA Europa League with Portuguese club Rio Ave.
“I watched most of Tampines’ ACL games – honestly they played some beautiful football, but were punished by some small mistakes. In SPL, we can still get away with those, but against high-quality opponents in the ACL, boom and it’s gone! Ryaan and I spoke and agreed – it’s definitely a game of concentration and trying to minimise mistakes.” analyzed Nur Adam.
“Coach Kim Do-hoon has also emphasised the small details – not to do this or that because we will bring these mistakes or habits into the ACL, and will be punished.
“Diego also shared with us that at this level, we have to play smart. It’s not so much about running up and down, instead we should play one or two touches, get some quick passes and combination plays going, to break through opposition defences.”
Six games played over 15 days in the Ramadan period will be a real test of resolve of the Muslim players in the Sailors’ ranks, but Nur Adam believes it is not an excuse for the Sailors not to perform at the ACL.
“If top players like Paul Pogba and Mo Salah can fast and still perform, there should be no excuses for us. It’s all in the mind and I believe we can cope with it,” he said.
Nur Adam knows the bigger issue of national pride intertwined with the Sailors’ performances in the ACL and has already set a personal goal for himself.
“We’re representing Singapore, so our results in the competition matters to the image of our country’s football. So we have to go out there and give a good account of ourselves to show why we deserve that spot in the ACL,” he elaborated.
“I’ve been working very hard to improve my all-round game, and I’m aiming for at least one assist, hopefully for (Kim) Shin-wook to score!”
It has been a meteoric rise for the Lion City Sailors since their official inception in 2020.
From making history as the first privatised football club in Singapore, to smashing the Singapore Premier League (SPL) transfer record with the purchase of Diego Lopes, then winning the SPL title in 2021, the Sailors have gone from strength to strength over the last two years.
The Sailors, however, will have their mettle well and truly tested later this month, when they take on their biggest challenge to date at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL). They will line up in Group F, alongside Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds, South Korean outfit Daegu FC, and Shandong Taishan from China.
This will be the first time that the club will be taking part in the ACL, where only Asia’s top clubs play.
Club captain Hariss Harun is acutely aware of the significance of this milestone in the Sailors’ ongoing quest to become a dominant team of the region.
Hariss, who has experienced success on the continental stage with his 2015 AFC Cup triumph in Johor Darul Ta’zim colours, said: “This is the premier club competition in Asia, featuring top players from Asian footballing powerhouses like Japan, Korea, and Australia, so it’s a great honour for us to be involved as a club and representing Singapore.
“I’ve always believed that it’s important for us to play in the ACL if we want to grow the club as a whole. Only by playing in such a prestigious competition can you make a name for yourself on the continent.
“This is also a good chance to find out where we stand against the best teams in the region.”
In preparation for the ACL this year, the Sailors invested in strengthening their squad with top-quality players, including foreign stars Maxime Lestienne, Pedro Henrique, Kim Shin-Wook, and Singapore internationals, M. Anumanthan and Izwan Mahbud.
The former three have experience playing at the highest level – Maxime has played in the UEFA Champions League, and, like Pedro, has also featured in the Europa League, while Shin-wook is a two-time ACL winner.
Hariss believes these new signings will go a long way in helping the Sailors cope with the demands of the competition.
In particular, the 31-year-old hailed Shin-wook as the key to the Sailors’ ACL campaign, saying: “Shin-wook is a natural goal-scorer. As you can see from the first few games, if you give him the ball where he wants it, he’s going to finish it off.
“He’s captained the South Korea National Team, played in World Cups, played and won in ACL finals, so he comes with a lot of experience at a very high level. I have no doubt he’s going to be instrumental for us in the ACL.”
While acknowledging the enormity of the task ahead, Hariss is quietly optimistic that the Sailors can spring a surprise or two in the competition.
At the very least, the Lions’ skipper wants the Sailors to prove themselves worthy of their spot alongside Asia’s best.
He said: “Personally, the best gauge of success is when people watch our games, they recognise that we belong at this level. So we have to go out there to compete, and not be cowed by the opposition.
“All the players are excited to test ourselves against some of the best in the region, and we’re going to try to play our game. We’ve worked hard in pre-season specifically with the ACL in mind, and I think we’re ready for what’s to come.”
When asked how many points he was hoping the Sailors could garner in the group stage, Hariss joked: “The target is 18 points, of course! But really, it’s about going out there to be competitive, and most importantly, enjoy our football, because that’s when we’ll tend to play at our best.”
The Lion City Sailors will be making their first-ever appearance in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) this year, but there are some among their number who are no strangers to the region’s top-tier club competition – including a pair who have not only amassed experience playing and managing in the ACL, but have also won the competition itself: Sailors Head Coach Kim Do-Hoon and 33-year-old striker Kim Shin-wook.
The older Kim – whose name is already carved into the annals of ACL history as the first player to ever score a hat-trick in the competition in 2003 – coached South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai to the ACL title barely two years ago.
Shin-wook’s achievements in the ACL are equally, if not more impressive. The deadly poacher has played 52 games in the competition so far, with 20 goals and 10 assists to his name, and crucially, has won the ACL title twice, with Ulsan Hyundai in 2012 and again in 2016, as part of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
It is no surprise, then, that all eyes will be on the two Kims when the Sailors make their long-awaited appearance in the ACL later this month.
Despite their familiarity with the ACL, however, both Do-hoon and Shin-wook are expecting a vastly different experience in the tournament this time around.
Shin-wook said: “Each ACL campaign is already unique, but this year, playing for a new club, it’s going to be completely different to what I’ve experienced in the competition with my previous teams.”
Do-hoon is relishing the experience of being the man in charge of the Sailors for their first-ever ACL tournament, as he said: “I’m privileged and honoured to be able to lead this club in the ACL. It is the most prestigious tournament in the region, and we are proud that we’re not just representing the Sailors, but also Singapore.
“I’ve played in the ACL as a player and led teams as a coach, so it is a tournament I’m familiar with. But each tournament, with different teams taking part, is a different experience, so I’m not taking anything for granted.”
While there is a buzz around the club ahead of their ACL debut, Do-hoon emphasised the importance of staying grounded, and warned his players to brace themselves for difficult battles ahead.
“It’s going to be tough,” Do-hoon declared. “I want to be realistic, I don’t want to be building any false hopes.
“For starters, we want to score our first goal of the tournament. Then, we’ll look to win our first points. More importantly, we want to play the Sailors way, and give our all until the final whistle.
“So I need to create the atmosphere, the environment for the players to help us stay focused and be ready for whatever challenges come our way.”
Agreeing, Shin-wook urged his team-mates to seize the moment, and go into every game ready to fight for every ball.
“We have to toughen up, and bring a strong will and aggression to every game,” said the man who captained South Korea just last year. “Our opponents in the group have quality, so we will need to do our best to nullify their strengths. That is something that really made the difference when I was with Jeonbuk, and that is how we won the tournament.
“Every player will need to go into each match as if it’s their last, and be prepared to give more than their 100 per cent. That is the key to success in the ACL.”
Ultimately, though, Do-hoon hopes his charges will be able to emerge from their maiden ACL campaign with their heads held high.
The 51-year-old mused: “There’s every chance that some of our results might be difficult to take, but we’ll just have to stay humble, keep working hard in training, and put out the best performance we can.
“We have to try and play our football, show who we are, and do the club, as well as Singapore football as a whole, proud.
“If we just stay focused and take things step-by-step, I’m sure we can pull off a surprise or two.”
It is the duty of every Singaporean son, and a vital facet of the nation and our nationhood.
Embracing the importance of National Service (NS), both to the country and its citizens, the Lion City Sailors Football Academy have taken a somewhat unusual approach to ensure that the national cause and football dreams continue to burn brightly, side-by-side – its Early Enlistment Bond.
The bond that was launched in December 2020 will see trainees enlist after completing secondary education, under Singapore’s Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme.
The aim: for young footballers in the Academy’s scholarship programme to fully immerse themselves in the rite of passage for Singaporean males before turning their full attention towards pursuing lofty football dreams.
It is an approach that aspiring professionals Yasir Nizamudin, Marcus Mosses and Uvayn Kumar have embraced, as they enlisted as full-time National Servicemen (NSF) on Monday (28 March).
The trio who were all born in 2005, have taken up the Academy’s Early Enlistment Bond and have moved to enlist immediately after completing secondary school to commit to their duty as Singaporeans for the next two years.
The Academy has put in place personal training programmes aimed at ensuring their enlisted trainees maintain a level of physical conditioning that will ease their eventual return to the elite level of the sport, while staying engaged with the various NS units to monitor the progress of these NSF-athletes.
When they return to football, they are assured two-year professional contracts with the club, and will train for and compete in competitions stipulated by the club, including the Singapore Football League, as they knock on the door of the Sailors’ first team – all this while they continue tertiary studies sponsored by the Sailors.
These trainees may also be sent abroad for training stints and professional trials.
The trio are the second batch of the Academy’s elite trainees to do so under the programme, and they took time out to discuss their big decision before they enlisted on 28 March.
“Actually my mum would have preferred me to go to a junior college (JC) first because she’s worried I would lose interest in studies after NS, but I convinced her that I will continue to pursue academics after my ORD (operationally-ready date),” said Yasir, who graduated from Victoria School with an L1R5 (first language and five relevant subjects) score of 12 in his O-levels, a score that would qualify him for a local JC.
“No matter which pathway I take, I’m certain I’ll eventually still study and get a degree because it’s clear how important qualifications are in our country.
“Coach (and Academy Technical Director) Luka Lalić spoke to my parents and me, and that’s when we realised that if I opt for early enlistment, I will have more time and focus to grab football opportunities that come my way later,” he added.
In a similar vein, Marcus and Uvayn chose early enlistment instead of entering the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) after completing their N-levels as originally planned.
“The main goal of doing this is so that I can fully focus on my football from when I’m 19 years old onwards. My parents were initially reluctant, to be honest, but when I explained how it would help me, they readily gave me their fullest support,” explained Uvayn.
“At age 21 or 22 where people are starting to enlist, we’ve already done our duty to the nation. It frees us to take overseas opportunities with both hands and fully commit to football,” added Marcus.
But taking the road less travelled comes with its own challenges – and fears.
“Coach (and Academy General Manager) Tan Li Yu spoke with us and shared how the previous batch of boys are managing things. There will always be that element of fear going into a new environment, but we’re also excited and keeping an open mind to learn new things while we’re in NS,” said Yasir, a central midfielder.
“There is a common gripe that NS hampers the development of a professional sportsman. But we believe there can be several positive effects too. For example, these two years of NS can help the boys mature, go from boys to men as it were, as well as instil more discipline in them,” said Academy General Manager, Li Yu.
Yasir, Marcus and Uvayn have grown as young footballers at the Academy, and are determined to make sure that all the hard work put into football will continue – even if NS takes prime spot in the next two years.
“Every Singaporean male will have to go through NS, and I don’t think it should be an excuse for our football development to stop. With the support of the club – along with our own discipline and motivation – we can use the time we have outside of our duties to practice and maintain our levels – and maybe even improve,” said Yasir.
“The coaches at the Academy have cultivated the mindset of continuous improvement in us, and I intend to lean on this while I’m doing my duty to Singapore.”
Marcus, a left-footed centre-back, scouted from the ActiveSG academy, agreed. He said: “I’ve been at the Academy for only slightly more than a year (since February 2021), but the support that we’ve received in terms of training, development, and even allowances, has been tremendous.
“We don’t take things for granted. I give it my all every single day in training and put on my best performance because I want to benefit and learn from our coaches who come from the best academies in Europe.
“This is the same approach I believe Yasir, Uvayn and I will take with us when we enlist.”
Said Li Yu: “We have taken this approach, in alignment with the existing National Service system, to give the Academy’s best talents the best possible chance of pursuing a career in football abroad.”
“We are very clear to these players: during these two years of full time NS, they are soldiers first and footballers second. It’s a duty to our nation they must fulfil, before going full steam ahead in football when they are done.”
