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CNA
a day ago
- General
- CNA
Singapore pushes ahead with goal of 2027 Asian Cup qualification with Ikhsan Fandi's return
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Asian Cup qualifying campaign is getting a boost with the return of striker Ikhsan Fandi to the national football team. The 26-year-old player from Thai League 1 side BG Pathum United, who was absent from the Lions for about a year because of injuries and club commitments, said he is eager to make up for lost time. Ikhsan, who has scored 18 goals in 38 appearances for the national team, told CNA he is happy to lead the attack in the absence of fellow striker Shawal Anuar. "I haven't been here for a while, so I hope the chemistry is still there with the team, but I'm very excited, and I'm going to give everything I've got, because I think I've been missing the feeling of getting my name on the score sheet for Singapore,' he said. Ikhsan added that he is looking forward to playing alongside his brother Ilhan again, who he described as a more creative and expressive player. '(Ilhan) has a good eye for the final pass, so I hope he can provide me with some assists,' he said, ahead of a sold-out friendly match against the Maldives that will be held on Thursday (Jun 5). The game at Bishan Stadium is part of preparations for the team's Asian Cup qualifying match against Bangladesh next Tuesday. COACH CALLS FOR IMPROVEMENT The Lions are in Group C of the qualifiers, along with Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and India. All four teams are tied on one point with five matches to go. Only the top team will qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup that will be held in Saudi Arabia. Singapore, currently ranked 161st in the FIFA rankings, has never qualified for the Asian Cup on merit, with the Lions' only appearance coming as hosts in 1984. National football team coach Tsutomu Ogura said he is demanding better concentration and work rate from his team as they prepare for their 'must-win' match against Bangladesh. He added that the match against the Maldives will be useful in analysing the players' conditioning, teamwork and fitness levels ahead of the Bangladesh match. The team has not won for the past six games and drew 0-0 with Hong Kong in March in the first match of the Group C qualifiers. When asked about the return of key attackers like Ikhsan and midfielder Song Ui-young, who are also known for their work rate, Ogura said he hopes both players will help the Lions win matches. "We need more creative chances. Like, big chances. Now we create chances, but chances are not enough, because we need more big chances to help us score a goal. We need to improve more on this,' said Ogura. Ikhsan also said that the team must remain focused and ready for any challenge, adding they cannot underestimate both the Maldives and Bangladesh, which are respectively ranked 164th and 183rd in the FIFA rankings. Ikhsan added he is confident of winning the game against Bangladesh, but noted that the team must remain composed and stick to the coach's instructions while playing away in front of massive crowds. He said that while away games can be tough, the players can draw on the support of fans back home. Ogura added that the support from Singapore fans encourages the players wherever they play.
Malay Mail
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Lion City Sailors miss out on continental glory after last-gasp defeat to UAE's Sharjah in Bishan final
SINGAPORE, May 18 – The Lion City Sailors fell just short of making history yesterday after losing 2-1 to United Arab Emirates side Sharjah in the AFC Champions League Two final at Bishan Stadium. Marcus Meloni's dramatic goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time clinched the win for Sharjah, denying the Sailors a chance to become the first Singapore club to win a continental title. 'Our guys did a tremendous job, especially after going 1-0 down. It was a shame that we [conceded] a very late 2-1 goal, but I have nothing to say except that I am very, very proud of my boys,' Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic was quoted telling CNA. The Sailors had reached the final after defeating Sydney FC 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals and overcoming Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarter-finals, thanks to a ruling that overturned their first-leg loss. Firas Ben Larbi gave the visitors the lead in the 74th minute before Maxime Lestienne equalised in stoppage time, sending the home crowd of 9,737 into raptures. Despite dominating possession, Sharjah had two early goals ruled out for offside, while the Sailors came close through Diogo Costa, who struck the post in the first half. Sharjah, who are currently second in the UAE Pro League, secured their spot in the final after edging Saudi Arabia's Al-Taawoun 2-1 on aggregate. Originally slated for Jalan Besar Stadium, the final was moved to Bishan Stadium after Sharjah raised concerns about the venue, prompting capacity upgrades to accommodate around 10,000 fans. The prestigious match could not be hosted in the National Stadium, as it was already booked for Lady Gaga's Asian exclusive tour. The Sailors' run marked the furthest any Singaporean club has progressed since 2018, when Home United, their predecessor, reached the inter-zone semi-finals of the AFC Cup.
CNA
18-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Lion City Sailors lose 2-1 to UAE's Sharjah in nail-biting AFC Champions League Two final
Singapore's Lion City Sailors lost 2-1 to Sharjah FC in the Asian Champions League Two final at the Bishan Stadium on Sunday (May 18), with the UAE side taking home a coveted continental trophy and a US$2.5 million (S$3.25 million) paycheck. Aslam Shah reports from the Bishan Stadium.
CNA
18-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Lion City Sailors lose 2-1 to UAE's Sharjah in nail-biting Asian Champions League Two final
Singapore's Lion City Sailors lost 2-1 to Sharjah FC in the Asian Champions League Two final at the Bishan Stadium on Sunday (May 18), with the UAE side taking home a coveted continental trophy and a US$2.5 million (S$3.25 million) paycheck. Aslam Shah reports from the Bishan Stadium.
Arab News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Sharjah FC win first Asian title with dramatic victory in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Sharjah beat Lion City Sailors 2-1 on Sunday to win the AFC Champions League Two title in dramatic fashion. A second half goal from Firas Ben Larbi looked to have been enough to give the team from the UAE a first continental title at the Singapore home of their opponents. Yet Maxime Lestienne's injury time equaliser appeared likely to send the game into extra-time before the impressive Marcus Meloni won it in the 97th minute. Never stop dreaming. Never stop striving. Sharjah engrave their legacy as the 2024/25 #ACLTwo champions! — #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) May 18, 2025 It was the end of a long run to the final for Cosmin Olaroiu, who now leaves the club to take charge of the UAE national team with a 22nd title as a coach, and his men and it was a hard-fought victory in front of 10,000 fans at the Bishan Stadium. Lion City had the best chances of the first half and the home fans thought that the deadlock had been broken after 35 minutes. Rui Pires found Diego Costa on the left corner of the area and the Portuguese star controlled the ball and then, in the same motion, fired a low shot that came back off the post. One of the visitors' best moments came in added time at the end of the first half. David Petrovic curled a dangerous cross into the area from the left but Luanzinho's header was just a little too high and a little too wide. Midway through the second half Sharjah should have taken the lead. Ousmane Camara rose high at the near post to meet a corner from Meloni but headed just wide with the goal at his mercy. Seconds later, Luanzinho fired into the side-netting. Soon after that, Ben Larbi had the ball in the net, although the Tunisian was clearly offside. Then with 16 minutes remaining Sharjah took the lead to the delight of a sizeable contingent of fans in red and white. Khaled Ibrahim timed his run on the right side of the area perfectly to put the ball across the face of goal for Ben Larbi to tap home from close range. Ten minutes later, Sharjah almost extended their lead. Meloni's clever free kick from the right was blocked by Izwan Mahbud and Cho Yu-min, quick to the rebound, headed over from close range. The hosts pushed forward in search of an equaliser and while they had chances, Sharjah looked fairly comfortable. Then just after 11 minutes added time had been signalled, it was all square. Costa's pass found its way to Lestienne in space in the area, and the Belgian fired home. As all prepared themselves for extra time, Sharjah won it in the 97th minute through a piece of Meloni magic. The Brazilian-born midfielder had possession on the left of a crowded area, made room for himself and then curled a perfect shot from a tight angle into the opposite corner. It was a goal worthy of winning any final. There were some scary moments as the Sailors threw everything forward but this time, Sharjah held on and celebrated in front of their delirious travelling fans. 'It means a lot for us, the country and the fans and we worked so hard for this,' Meloni said. 'The final was like the rest of the competition. I am happy to score the winning goal but this was for the team and the coach, who deserves it.'
