When Lion City Sailors playmaker Bart Ramselaar’s stunning curling effort cannoned off the crossbar and into the back of the Sydney FC net, the Jalan Besar Stadium erupted, with the majority of the 4,213-strong crowd leaping to their feet in sheer jubilation.
The eruption spilled over to the home bench, where the Sailors substitutes burst forward to mob the Dutchman, who had sprinted over to celebrate with them. It was a powerful moment that encapsulated the unity and spirit fuelling the Sailors’ fairytale run in Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two – a campaign that has seen them defy the odds time and again.
Among those on the bench was midfielder Hami Syahin, who kicked every ball from the sidelines as he watched his teammates go toe-to-toe with one of the most decorated sides in Australian football.
“Watching from the side was certainly very nervy for me – we didn’t get much of the ball in the first six minutes,” Hami recalled. “But when Bart scored that screamer and ran toward us, the entire bench just exploded. We were all jumping and shouting – it was an indescribable feeling. The atmosphere was absolutely electric, and we were just so happy to see the team get that first goal.”
As Sydney ramped up the pressure in the second half, Sailors head coach Aleksandar Ranković turned to his bench, and called upon Hami to help protect the two-goal cushion.
The 26-year-old slotted seamlessly into midfield, bringing composure and control to a tense encounter. His ability to dictate the tempo proved crucial, helping the Sailors navigate the storm and secure yet another famous win on the continental stage.
“When Coach Ranko sent me on, I knew my job was to keep the midfield compact and make sure there were always bodies in there,” said Hami. “Even though I didn’t start the game, I was fully ready to give my best when called upon. We’ve got a packed schedule across all competitions, so every single player has to be prepared to step up.”
While it was two moments of brilliance – a Bart belter and a composed finish from Lennart Thy – that ultimately made the difference, Hami was quick to highlight the collective spirit that carried the Sailors through.
“We have plenty of quality individuals like Maxime (Lestienne) and Bart, but the real strength of this Sailors side lies in our unity,” he emphasised. “This is a squad that’s willing to run, cover, and fight for one another – and that was clear yesterday, from our goalkeeper all the way to our striker. Everyone dug deep to get the result we needed.”
That collective spirit is exactly what Hami and the Sailors will be counting on next Wednesday (16 April), when they head to Sydney for the decisive second leg – with a first-ever spot in the final of an Asian club competition hanging in the balance.
Having already battled through tough away fixtures in Japan, China, and Indonesia during this spectacular ACL Two campaign, Hami knows the job is far from done.
“Yes, this win is a huge boost – not just for the club, but for Singapore football,” said Hami. “But it’s only half-time in the tie. Playing away is never easy, but we’ve learned our lessons – especially from the tough away game against (Sanfrecce) Hiroshima.
“The bond within this squad can take us to another level. As long as we stay united and play as one, we believe we can get the result we need.”
Before that all-important clash in Sydney, though, the Sailors return to domestic action in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) this Saturday (12 April), as they host seventh-placed Brunei DPMM at the Bishan Stadium.
Despite a short turnaround of under 72 hours from their intense midweek victory, Hami insists there will be no let-up in focus as the Sailors look to strengthen their grip on the league title.
“DPMM will definitely make things tough for us – players like Farshad Noor and Dāvis Ikaunieks can hurt any team,” he acknowledged. “But the mentality we’ve built this season drives us to treat every game with the same hunger.
“Nothing will stop us from giving everything. We’re determined to take all three points and move one step closer to the title.”
Beyond the tight-knit bond shared among the players on the pitch, Hami believes it is the Sailors’ special connection with their loyal supporters in the stands that continues to drive the team forward.
“As a team, we couldn’t be more grateful for our 12th man,” he shared. “The atmosphere they create – especially in big games – gives us that extra push to keep going.
“The turnout against Sydney was incredible, and it’s not something we see often in Singapore football. We’re truly blessed to have such passionate and unwavering support from our fans.”
