The Lion City Sailors’ remarkable Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two campaign continues on Wednesday (5 March), as they face J1 League powerhouse and pre-tournament favourites, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, in the first leg of the Quarter-Finals at the Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima.
The Sailors’ stiffest test yet
Make no mistake — this will be the Sailors’ toughest test yet in ACL Two. After all, Sanfrecce are one of Japan’s most successful clubs, boasting three J1 League titles and finishing in the top three for the past three seasons. Last year, they were part of a thrilling three-way title race, only falling short on the final day to Vissel Kobe.
Despite that heartbreak, Sanfrecce were the J1 League’s top-scoring team last season, netting 72 goals in 38 matches. Their second-place finish also means they have already secured a spot in next season’s ACL Elite.
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A good gauge of the challenge ahead comes from the Opta Power Rankings, a global team ranking system that assigns an ability score to over 13,000 men’s domestic teams. At the time of writing, Sanfrecce are ranked 132nd — the highest among the eight remaining teams in ACL Two — while the Sailors are at 1,302nd.
Sanfrecce have lived up to their billing, emerging as one of only two unbeaten teams in ACL Two, alongside Iran’s Tractor SC.
With seven wins in eight matches, they have been ruthless, notching up impressive results including a 3-0 home win against reigning Philippines champions Kaya FC–Iloilo, and comprehensive 3-0 and 4-0 victories over Vietnam’s Nam Định FC in the Round of 16.
“We are very happy to have reached the quarter-finals,” said Sanfrecce head coach Michael Skibbe at the pre-match press conference. “It is an honour to compete in this tournament, and so far, it has been a very interesting journey. From this stage onward, I believe it will be incredibly challenging for all eight remaining teams, as each of them is capable of winning the title.
“Because of this, we are truly honoured to be here. Of course, we want to put in a strong performance tomorrow and hopefully secure a good result to take into the second leg next week. But above all, we are proud and excited to play at this stage of the competition.”
Sanfrecce counting on their 12th man
Sanfrecce are among the most well-supported clubs in Japan, with attendance figures soaring since their move to the majestic 28,520-seater Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima at the start of 2024. They sold out 15 of 19 matches in their debut season there, as well as their first two domestic home games of the 2025 season.
While midweek ACL Two fixtures naturally draw smaller crowds, they have still averaged 9,545 spectators across their four continental home matches so far.
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Skibbe’s side have hit the ground running in 2025, defeating reigning champions Vissel Kobe 2-0 to lift the Japanese Super Cup. They are also joint-top of the league – level with Kashiwa Reysol and Shonan Bellmare – after an unbeaten start featuring three wins and a draw from their opening four matches.
Their squad depth has been further bolstered by the recent signing of Valère Germain, who joins an already impressive roster that includes former Brazil U-20 midfielder Marcos Júnior and new recruit Ryo Germain — who was the third-highest scorer in last season’s J1 League with 19 goals for Júbilo Iwata.
However, Sanfrecce will be without playmaker Tolgay Arslan, as the former Udinese star faces up to six months on the sidelines due to an injury he sustained during their game against Yokohama FC on 2 March.
“It’s very unfortunate for Tolgay to suffer such a serious injury and be sidelined for four to six months,” said Skibbe, a two-time J.League Manager of the Year (2022, 2024). “But I believe Valère has the experience to step in and fill the role as best as possible.
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“He’s an excellent player with a strong international career. He spent many years playing at a high level in France, delivering consistently good performances, before moving to Australia, where he remained a key player both for his team and in the league. So we’re very happy to have him with us now for our ACL Two campaign and the league matches.”
Sailors undeterred by testing conditions
The road ahead is filled with challenges for the Sailors. This match marks the first of six games during the March Ramadan period, a time when the Muslim players in the squad will be fasting from dawn to dusk.
They will also have to contend with bitterly cold conditions, with temperatures expected to hover between 10°C and 4°C as Japan transitions from late winter to early spring.
Nonetheless, having already overcome top clubs from China and Thailand to become the only Southeast Asian club to reach the competition’s last eight, the Sailors remain undeterred, and are determined to extend their dream run.
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“Reaching this stage and competing against teams of this calibre means a lot to us,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković. “We want to showcase our best against a strong opponent like Sanfreece.
“I’m very confident because this team has a great mentality. Being the first team in Singapore football history to reach this stage — and facing an opponent of this level — says a lot about the character of these players. They deserve full credit for what they’ve achieved.”
While Ranko acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead for the Sailors against a high-quality Sanfrecce side, he remains confident that his team has what it takes to put up a strong fight against another big name in the competition.
“We are playing against a top-class team in Asia,” said Ranko. “If you look at where they stand — not just in Asia, but on the global football stage — it speaks for itself. They are performing well both in their league and in the Champions League.
“But this is a chance for us to test ourselves against the best. We’ve already faced similar teams, not just this season but also last season. It’s a fantastic opportunity for my boys to step up and showcase their abilities in this game.”
The Sailors will remain without Song Uiyoung due to suspension, but the rest of the squad are fit and ready to take on one of Asia’s giants — even with many players fasting during Ramadan.
Midfielder Hami Syahin, who has started seven of the Sailors’ eight continental matches across the ACL Two and ACC Shopee Cup campaigns this season, said, “We’ve been through this before, playing during Ramadan. Our game is also after we break our fast, so I don’t think it will be a problem for us. We are professionals — we have to adapt quickly and give our best on the pitch.”
Hami also revealed that everyone in the team is embracing the occasion and eager to rise to the challenge.
“It’s an honour to play at this stage, in this competition, going up against a strong team, in a beautiful stadium, and in great weather,” said Hami. “We’re all looking forward to giving our best in tomorrow’s game.
“For Singapore football, this is history, and it’s truly a privilege to represent our country through the Sailors. We are also the only Southeast Asian club left in the competition, so we’re determined to make our mark and give it our all.”
