All aboard for the Lion City Sailors in their quest for Asian glory
The Lion City Sailors are aiming for more after winning the Singapore Premier League title on May 14. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
All aboard for the Lion City Sailors in their quest for Asian glory
SINGAPORE – Explorer and navigator Christopher Columbus, who kickstarted Europe's exploration of the Americas in the 15th century, once said: 'You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.'
Across the continents and centuries, the Lion City Sailors have adopted the same mentality in football, as the Singapore Premier League (SPL) club stand on the cusp of history. They will become the first Singaporean team to win an Asian club competition should they beat Emirati side Sharjah FC in the AFC Champions League Two final at Bishan Stadium on May 18.
Founded in 1945, the Police Sports Association evolved into Police FC in 1996 and Home United in 1997 to play in the local professional league. They won two S-League titles and six Singapore Cups, and were credited with developing many national players. They also reached the 2004 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup semi-final and the inter-zone play-off semi-finals in 2018.
Underachievement followed for years after, before local billionaire Forrest Li stepped in to chart a new course by taking over the club in 2020 and transforming them into the Lion City Sailors, Singapore's first privatised football team.
The winds, however, were not always in their favour. They won the Singapore Premier League title in 2021 and the Singapore Cup in 2023, breaking local records by spending millions on transfer fees and salaries to attract players from top European and Asian leagues. Though they lost the SPL to Albirex Niigata's Japanese youngsters in 2020, 2022, 2023, and had to offload expensive misfits.
But the Sailors have stayed the course.
Despite spending big, they steered clear of ageing superstars like Cesc Fabregas, choosing players with plenty of mileage who have established themselves in top European leagues.
They also established a strong, data-driven backroom and built their own training centre and football academy, giving young footballers a pathway to professional football and overseas opportunities.
In this season's ACL Two, they wobbled and threw away two-goal leads, riding their luck to turn a 6-1 quarter-final, first-leg loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima into a 3-0 win after the Japanese side fielded an ineligible player.
But they drew 1-1 in the second leg on merit before rising to the occasion to beat teams from China, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia to reach the final.
And the Sailors have since reached uncharted waters – they have won the 2024-25 SPL and are one victory away from unprecedented ACL Two success. A historic treble is on the cards at the ongoing Singapore Cup.
Standing in their way are a Sharjah FC side worth €43.63 million (S$63.8 million), over seven times the Sailors' €6 million, according to football website Transfermarkt.
Their rivals boast not just oil money, but also future United Arab Emirates national coach Cosmin Olaroiu, Brazil-born Emirati players, and former English Premier League and Serie A star Adel Taarabt.
The odds look stacked against the Sailors, but the club and their fans have belief.
A local football scene plagued by issues such as dwindling league attendances and the fraternity's complaints about stadium co-sharing facilities and use of artificial turf has been revitalised for a moment.
Just this season, the Sailors have defied the trend by selling out Jalan Besar and now Bishan Stadium for the ACL Two semi-final and final.
The community has already reaped rewards in a revamped Bishan Stadium, which now has a spruced-up natural pitch, larger capacity – from about 2,800 to 10,000 seats – improved lighting, and renovated away dressing room after a $1 million makeover.
The revamped Bishan Stadium has a spruced-up natural pitch, larger capacity, improved lighting, and renovated away dressing room.
PHOTO: ST FILE
This ACL Two final is more than just a match.
This battle could spark a belief in fans and Singaporeans that there is a future in the SPL, and also that local football is worth their time and attention.
This is about having the authorities understand the importance of top-notch infrastructure, facilities and natural pitches, the preferred playing surface for most elite football teams.
This is about setting new standards to inspire future generations, showing what Singapore football can do if everyone plays as a team.
Columbus said: 'By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.'
Are we all aboard?
David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis.
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