A reshuffled Lion City Sailors side showed grit and composure to clinch top spot in Group B of the 2024/25 Singapore Cup, following a 1-1 draw with Thailand’s BG Pathum United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday (30 March) night.
Despite being reduced to 10 men as early as the fifth minute – with Song Uiyoung handed a contentious red card – the reigning cup champions put in a disciplined and mature display.
Abdul Rasaq Akeem opened the scoring with a sensational first-half strike – a goal that looked set to hand the Sailors all three points. But BG Pathum salvaged a share of the spoils deep into stoppage time, as Thanet Suknate’s last-gasp header levelled the match.
Nonetheless, the result was enough for the Sailors to top Group B with three wins and a draw, as they finished two points clear of BG Pathum in second.
The Sailors will next face Group A runners-up Brunei DPMM in a two-legged semi-final.
This draw also extended the Sailors’ unbeaten record against Thai opposition this season to six matches in all competitions, with four wins and two draws.
“Although it’s never easy to play almost an entire match a man down, the boys gave everything and showed tremendous character,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković. “We’ve faced a number of setbacks this season – it hasn’t been easy – but this performance shows how mentally strong we are as a group. I’m proud of my boys.”
With this being the Sailors’ second Singapore Cup assignment in just 72 hours, Ranko opted to ring the changes and named a significantly rotated side, with several key players given a well-earned rest.
Even so, the early numerical disadvantage did little to blunt the Sailors’ momentum, as they carved out the first opportunity of the game in the 8th minute. A delightful ball from Rui Pires picked out Hafiz Nor’s run into the box, but BG Pathum goalkeeper Jung Hyeon-ho was equal to the effort, smothering the shot from a tight angle.
At the other end, Sailors custodian Zharfan Rohaizad was called into action in the 19th minute, reacting sharply to parry away a fierce drive from Seydine N’Diaye inside the area.
Making his first start for the club since a 2-2 league draw against BG Tampines last September, winger Obren Kljajić was then presented with a golden chance after a slick through ball from Sergio Carmona Pérez landed at his feet, but his low effort was gathered comfortably by Hyeon-ho.
With BG Pathum offering little attacking threat, the Sailors continued to push forward and eventually broke the deadlock in the 34th minute courtesy of a moment of individual brilliance from Rasaq.
Refusing to give up on a loose ball, the 23-year-old showed sharp instincts to dispossess the imposing N’Diaye, before unleashing an unstoppable long-range effort that sailed past the despairing dive of Hyeon-ho to hand the Sailors a deserved lead.
The away side saw much more of the ball after the break, but the Sailors remained composed and largely untroubled by their opponents’ increased possession. In fact, they came close to doubling their advantage in the 71st minute, when Toni Datković rose highest to meet Hafiz’s whipped corner – only to see his thumping header crash off the crossbar.
While he had little to do for much of the second half, Zharfan remained alert and reacted smartly in the 73rd minute to claw away a goal-bound cross from substitute Thanakon Papaphe.
However, there was little he could do deep into stoppage time, when Suknate flicked home a header from Kanokpon Puspakom’s corner to snatch what had looked an unlikely point for the visitors.
Reflecting on the match, Sailors skipper Hariss Harun – who was named Man of the Match – said, “It’s great to finish top of the group, and I’m very proud of the team and the effort everyone has put in.
“But now, our focus shifts to recovery, especially with the games coming thick and fast in the second half of the season. We need to stay united, keep doing what we’ve been doing, and continue striving to improve as a group.”
The Sailors return to Singapore Premier League (SPL) action on 6 April, when they face the Young Lions at the same venue. They will then turn their attention to a mammoth Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two semi-final first leg showdown against Sydney FC at the Jalan Besar Stadium three days later.
