The Lion City Sailors’ seven-game winning streak in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) came to an end as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a disciplined Hougang United side at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday (9 March).
Despite dominating proceedings and creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities, the Sailors were left frustrated by a resolute Hougang defence and a series of outstanding saves from goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam.
The draw meant the Sailors missed out on securing an eighth consecutive league victory — which would have set a new club record for their longest winning streak in a single season.
“We were the ones controlling the game and pushing for the win,” Sailors head coach Aleksandar Ranković said post-match. “I can’t fault my players as they gave their all, but it was just one of those days where every shot seemed to stay out.”
“We were unlucky to concede from their only shot on target, but credit to them — especially their goalkeeper — who defended with everything they had.”
Facing a Hougang side that had lost just once in their last ten home league games, the Sailors encountered a cagey start, with both sides struggling to carve out clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges.
However, the visitors struck first in the 21st minute with a well-crafted move. Song Uiyoung and Bart Ramselaar combined cleverly to set up Maxime Lestienne, who expertly curled a shot into the far corner beyond Zaiful to hand the Sailors the lead.
That opener sparked Hougang into life, and they responded just seven minutes later. Winger Shodai Yokoyama evaded a couple of challenges before rifling a shot from the edge of the area beyond the despairing dive of Izwan Mahbud to bring the hosts level.
The Sailors almost hit back immediately. In the 32nd minute, Toni Datković met Hami Syahin’s cross with a looping header that seemed destined for the top corner, only for Zaiful to produce a stunning full-stretch save. From the resulting corner, Maxime tested Zaiful again, but the Hougang goalkeeper was equal to it once more.
Centre-back Bailey Wright nearly restored the Sailors’ lead in the 36th minute, but his point-blank header was somehow kept out by another remarkable save from Zaiful. The Hougang shot-stopper continued his heroics, denying a goal-bound effort from his own defender Jordan Vestering and keeping out a Lennart Thy header in the dying moments of the first half, as the Sailors piled on the pressure.
Having not dropped points in the league since a 2-2 draw with BG Tampines Rovers in September 2024, the Sailors pushed relentlessly for a winner. They came agonisingly close in the 81st minute, when Song delivered a pinpoint cross into the Hougang box, but it was just inches away from Shawal Anuar’s reach.
Hougang’s resistance appeared to have finally crumbled in the 86th minute when Ali Alrina – making history as the first-ever Syrian player to start in the SPL – reacted quickest to slam home a loose ball after Shawal’s header was saved by Zaiful. However, the Sailors’ joy quickly turned to frustration as the goal was ruled out for offside.
Hougang winger Stjepan Plazonja — who had been kept quiet for most of the game by the impressive Akram Azman — had a late chance to snatch victory for his side in the 94th minute. However, he was unable to make a clean connection with Farhan Zulkifli’s cross, as both sides had to settle for a point apiece.
Although the draw, coupled with BG Tampines Rovers’ 4-0 win over Albirex Niigata (S), saw the Stags close the gap at the top to seven points, Ranko remained unfazed and quickly shifted his focus to a bigger challenge — their crucial midweek clash in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two (ACL) Two quarter-finals.
“We’re still at the top of the SPL table, so now the most important thing is recovery, as the next big game is just around the corner,” Ranko stated. “We have to keep moving forward and focus on things game by game.”
The Sailors were awarded a 3-0 first-leg victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima, following an AFC ruling that deemed that the Japanese side had fielded an ineligible player.
This result sets the stage for a decisive second leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday (12 March) as the Sailors look to secure a historic place in the competition’s final four.
