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New Paper
a day ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Lion City Sailors retain Singapore Cup to cement domestic dominance
Lion City Sailors completed a clean sweep of domestic titles with a fiercely contested 1-0 victory over BG Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Cup final at Jalan Besar Stadium on May 31. Adding the cup to their Community Shield and Singapore Premier League (SPL) triumphs, Sailors coach Aleksandar Rankovic described the club's first domestic treble as an "unbelievable achievement". "To win everything domestically and to play in the Asian Champions League Two final - winning it would have been a dream. But even without that, I think it's one of the best seasons in Singapore football," the Football Association of Singapore Coach of the Year nominee said. Fielding an unchanged side from their semi-final, second leg against Brunei DPMM, Rankovic opted for stability in what was his side's 58th match, including the 2-0 Community Shield win over Albirex Niigata last May. "I wanted stability in our play, and not to change a lot. We were much better in the first half and, if there was somebody who would score then, it would have been us... But credit to Tampines, they are a very good team, and they had a great season," the Serb said. Tampines coach Gavin Lee, also nominated for the SPL Coach of the Year gong, which will be presented at the SPL Awards Night at Orchard Hotel on June 1, conceded that his side were slow to settle in the game as they struggled to create chances early on. "In the first half, both sides were more cautious. It's something you see a lot in finals. We were overly protective in the first half. And in the second half, it was just reminding everybody that we're a very good team, we have good players. We trusted ourselves a little bit more," Lee said. With some Tampines players left in tears after the final whistle, he added that "we cannot allow one game to define our whole season". "Nights like this will hurt us, it stings us very badly. But the moment we have caught our breath, we get a few nights' sleep and get calmer, we will probably realise that this season we've done a lot of good stuff," Lee said, after leading his side to a runners-up finish in the SPL. Despite kick-off being delayed by 15 minutes due to the activation of the lightning warning system, the 2,766 fans were raring to go, drumming up a din. On the pitch, it was a more cagey affair, with neither side producing any clear-cut chances. The Sailors spent much of the first period camped in the opposition's half as Belgian winger Maxime Lestienne found joy on the right flank, linking up well with wingback Hami Syahin to craft a handful of left-footed efforts. However, those were easy pickings for the Stags' goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari, who was rarely troubled. At the other end, the Stags failed to create any openings, finishing the first half without a single attempt on goal as the teams went into the break deadlocked at 0-0. The Sailors drew first blood in the 49th minute when midfielder Song Ui-young pounced on a defensive error by fullback Milos Zlatkovic and played the ball out wide to Lestienne, who drove a low cross to the feet of attacking midfielder Bart Ramselaar. With his back to goal, the 28-year-old Dutchman swivelled and drilled his shot into the roof of the net for his sixth goal of the tournament, making him the joint-top scorer in the competition with Geylang International striker Tomoyuki Doi and Balestier Khalsa forward Kodai Tanaka. Toasting the goal, Ramselaar said: "It's quite special because I'm not a real striker, and to be in this list with a striker like Doi, it's really nice. But, in the end, it's about winning the trophy, and that was our goal. We made it happen, so we're happy with it." Tampines thought they had equalised in the 57th minute when forward Itsuki Enomoto tapped in a cross from playmaker Seia Kunori, but his effort was struck off for offside. A long ball in the 81st minute sent Ramselaar through on goal, but a heavy touch allowed Syazwan to rush out and smother the danger. With two minutes remaining, Tampines had another chance when a loose ball fell to Kunori, but his effort cannoned off the crossbar, leaving the Japanese to pound the ground in exasperation. "Really unlucky. I should have applied less power. Overall, it was a really tough game. A very short break since the semi-finals, but all of us gave our best," said the 24-year-old, who is in the running for the Young Player of the Year award on June 1. Tempers flared in stoppage time as a foul on Shah Shahiran by Ramselaar resulted in the Tampines midfielder headbutting the Dutchman in a fit of anger. The pair received warnings for their troubles but, after a video assistant referee check, Shah was given his marching orders, to end any hopes of a Stags comeback.
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Lion City Sailors complete domestic double with second consecutive Singapore Cup
SINGAPORE: The Lion City Sailors completed a domestic double on Saturday (May 31) with a 1-0 win against Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Cup final. After a goalless first half, Sailors attacker Bart Ramselaar scored the only goal of the game in the 49th minute to secure his side's second consecutive Singapore Cup. Ramselaar received the ball in Tampines' penalty box before giving the Sailors the lead with a deflected shot. The Sailors clinched the Singapore Premier League title earlier this month, ultimately finishing eight points clear of Tampines at the top of the table. It was their second league title under owner Forrest Li, the billionaire founder of tech giant Sea and recently elected Football Association of Singapore president. Saturday's victory could have rounded out a historic treble, but the Sailors were unable to cap off a fairytale run in the AFC Champions League Two. They fell to Emirati club Sharjah in the final of the tournament after conceding an injury-time goal.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Bart Ramselaar's lone effort helps Lion City Sailors retain Singapore Cup
Unbeaten throughout the tournament, the defending champions proved to be the better side in front of a crowd of 2,766. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR SINGAPORE – Singapore Premier League champions Lion City Sailors completed their first domestic double with a 1-0 victory over BG Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Cup final on May 31 at Jalan Besar Stadium. Unbeaten throughout the tournament, the defending champions proved to be the better side in front of a crowd of 2,766. The Sailors sealed the win in the tight contest with a lone second-half goal from Bart Ramselaar. A late red card for a headbutt by midfielder Shah Shahiran on Ramselaar all but ended any hopes of a Tampines comeback. Full report to follow. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Lion City Sailors seek ‘cherry on top' in Singapore Cup final against resurgent BG Tampines Rovers
Having won the Singapore Premier League, the Lion City Sailors are aiming to retain the Singapore Cup. PHOTO: AFP SINGAPORE – A staggering 392 days after last May's Community Shield curtain-raiser, two teams who have proven to be the best in this long domestic campaign will get another shot at glory when they meet in the Singapore Cup final at Jalan Besar Stadium on May 31. Retaining the Cup will be a 'cherry on top' for Singapore Premier League champions Lion City Sailors after a landmark season, while BG Tampines Rovers will be seeking to lift their first major piece of silverware since they last won the knockout tournament in 2019, during Gavin Lee's debut season as coach. Lee will be hoping that his men can reprise their high-octane display from the semi-final, second leg on May 27, when they prevailed 3-2 in extra time over a BG Pathum United side featuring the likes of Thai veteran Chanathip Songkrasin and Singapore internationals Ikhsan and Ilhan Fandi, to seal a 4-3 aggregate victory. Describing that showing – in which they registered 16 goal attempts to Pathum's eight – as being 'close to our best', Lee believes that ending their silverware drought will come down to 'maintaining our principles and finding the best solution'. 'It's really about us and our ambition,' added the 34-year-old. 'The final will be against the most consistent team in the league, so we relish the challenge and are looking forward.' Japanese playmaker Seia Kunori, who pulled the strings in the Stags' attack and chipped in with two goals in the second-leg win, said they will not be complacent. The SPL Young Player of the Year nominee, 24, added: 'We'll just keep playing our football, the way we always do. We'll enjoy playing football together as a team.' In their four SPL encounters this season, the Sailors and Tampines drew twice and notched a win apiece. BG Tampines Rovers' Seia Kunori says they won't be complacent in the final. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO The Sailors had also booked their spot in the showpiece finale by defeating foreign opposition, having overcome Malaysia Super League-bound Brunei DPMM 3-2 and 2-0 over both legs. Like his counterpart, Sailors coach Aleksandar Rankovic also tasted Cup success in his debut campaign in 2023 and has described a successful title defence as 'a cherry on top'. 'We've done amazing things this season,' said the 46-year-old Serb. 'We won the league, we won the Community Shield, we played the AFC Champions League Two final, and now if you win the Singapore Cup – (we'll be) one of the best teams in recent history in Singapore, so that's what we aim for.' Sailors goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad, who was named Man of the Match in their 0-0 league draw with the Stags on May 24, has been a constant presence in their Cup run, playing every minute of all six matches en route to the final and looks set to keep his place. Rankovic said: 'He will probably play (on Saturday) because he played all the matches in the Singapore Cup. Similar to Izwan (Mahbud) last season, who came off the bench to play (in the Cup run). 'I have two good goalkeepers, and I think Zharfan's getting a little bit of that confidence in the last couple of games, so I think he will play.' Going into the final with back-to-back clean sheets will be a vital confidence booster for the substitute goalkeeper, who has made just 10 out of 32 possible league starts this season. 'Given the fact that I've not had many minutes throughout the season, I told myself that if I'm fielded, I will do my best. And so far it has been a good run-out, and I am looking forward to the final,' said the 28-year-old. 'The previous two games have given me really good momentum... So we are pretty confident since we got a clean sheet again (against DPMM).' For teammate and attacking midfielder Bart Ramselaar, there is an added incentive. The Dutchman, who scored five goals in five Cup games, is just one strike behind Geylang International's Tomoyuki Doi and Balestier Khalsa's Kodai Tanaka, the joint top scorers in the knockout competition. However, the former PSV Eindhoven player insists team glory comes first. 'For me, (being the Cup's top scorer) is not important. I just want to win the cup. It doesn't matter if I score or not. I want to win,' said the 28-year-old. 'To be able to win trophies, that's why you become a footballer. And to potentially win three in my first season would be amazing. I'm really looking forward to it. ' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Forum: Lion City Sailors championed inclusivity at historic football match
As a football fan living with muscular dystrophy, I was almost unable to attend the recent AFC Champions League Two final at Bishan Stadium, due to initial ticketing restrictions that prevented caregivers from accompanying wheelchair users. Following my earlier Forum letter which highlighted these issues (Make it easier for fans with disabilities to enjoy historic sporting moments, May 9), the Lion City Sailors quickly stepped up. Their sporting director, Mr Badri Ghent, reached out to me personally and arranged seating that accommodated both me and my companions, ensuring a seamless and dignified experience. Ms Carolyn Chia, the Sailors' head of operations, handled the logistics, including arranging for my ticket purchase and informing her colleagues in advance to provide chairs for my caregiver and father. These actions made a significant difference in my experience. Experiencing this historic sporting event first-hand, among fellow supporters, reaffirmed the crucial importance and power of inclusivity in sports. Their actions not only made the event accessible, but also made me feel truly included. Although the Sailors narrowly and heartbreakingly lost to Sharjah FC, their compassionate hospitality left an indelible mark on me. I'll be rooting for them to retain their Singapore Cup title this Saturday evening at the Jalan Besar Stadium. I commend the Sailors for their compassionate and proactive response. Their actions exemplify how sports organisations can effectively champion inclusivity, making significant differences in the lives of fans with disabilities. I am deeply grateful for their efforts and hope they continue to lead by example. I also hope that other institutions will follow suit and create truly inclusive spaces for all fans. Shalom Lim Ern Rong More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
