Latest news with #LionCitySailors'
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Forum: Sailors' valiant run should spark lasting revival in local football
The Lion City Sailors' narrow 2-1 loss to Sharjah FC in the AFC Champions League Two final was heartbreaking, but their historic run is something Singapore can be proud of . As the first local club to reach a continental final, the Sailors have shown that with belief, discipline and teamwork, Singapore teams can stand toe to toe with some of Asia's best. Their campaign, marked by victories over regional powerhouses and a dramatic semi-final win, is a testament to their resilience and hunger. The final was a roller coaster of emotions. Still, the electrifying atmosphere was a rare and heartening sight for the local football scene. Let us not allow this momentum to fade. The Sailors' inspiring journey has rekindled belief in the potential of Singapore football. I hope this level of support continues and spills over into our domestic league. With stronger promotion and sustained investment in local talent, we can build a solid foundation for the future. Perhaps one day, a Singapore team will go all the way and lift a continental trophy. Gabriel Chia More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Lion City Sailors denied at final hurdle as Sharjah FC clinch AFC Champions League Two title at Bishan
Lion City Sailors' Bart Ramselaar has his shot closed down by Sharjah FC's Shahin Abdulrahman and Khaled Ibrahim in the ACL2 final. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Lion City Sailors denied at final hurdle as Sharjah FC clinch AFC Champions League Two title at Bishan SINGAPORE – The Lion City Sailors' bid to become the first club from Singapore to win a continental title came to an agonising end on May 18. Despite fervent support from a capacity crowd of 9,737 at the Bishan Stadium, the Sailors were edged out 2-1 by Emirati heavyweights Sharjah FC in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two final. The tight encounter saw the Sailors enjoy most of the chances, but it was Sharjah who made the breakthrough in the 74th minute. Brazil-born attacker Caio Lucas was afforded enough space and time to pick out the overlapping Khaled Ibrahim at the far post who then pulled it back for Tunisian international Firas Ben Larbi to finish past Izwan Mahbud. Belgian winger Maxime Lestienne looked to have sent the game into extra time when he stepped up in the second of 11 minutes of added time with a strike from just outside the box. But Sharjah restored their advantage with Marcus Meloni dribbling past Sailors' defenders and finding the far corner of Izwan's net in the seventh minute of added time, as their 500 travelling fans erupted in sheer delirium. The Sailors, who became Singapore's first privatised football team in 2020, had already made history by being the first team from the Republic to ever feature in a continental final. Their journey to the final started with them topping Group F ahead of 2023 Chinese Super League second runners-up Zhejiang Professional, Thai League 1's third-placed Port FC and Indonesia Liga 1 champions Persib Bandung. In the knockout rounds, there was a convincing aggregate win over Muangthong United from Thailand in the round of 16 before lady luck shone on them, as they were able 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. They then held the Japanese side to a brave 1-1 draw at home. In the semi-finals, the Sailors came through with a 2-1 aggregate win over Australia's Sydney FC. Having clinched the 2024-25 Singapore Premier League title on May 10, they are still on course for a double, though. They will face DPMM in a two-legged Singapore Cup semi-final on May 21 and May 27. Full match report to follow. Deepanraj Ganesan is a sports journalist at The Straits Times focusing on football, athletics, combat sports and policy-related news. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Forum: 10,000-seat stadium plan for Toa Payoh
We thank Mr Edwin Pang for his letter 'Old Turf City can feature mid-tier football stadium' (April 22). Singapore is proud of the Lion City Sailors' historic qualification for the AFC Champions League Two final. The Sailors have been working with various partners to explore viable homeground venues. Together with Sport Singapore, the Football Association of Singapore and sports industry partners, the Sailors are working on preparation works at Bishan Stadium to ensure it is ready for the upcoming final. We share Mr Pang's views on developing multi-use spaces that cater to various segments of our community. In land-scarce Singapore, this has to be our approach in the development and rejuvenation of our sports facilities. One of our ongoing projects under our Sports Facilities Master Plan is the Toa Payoh Integrated Development, which has plans to include a 10,000-seater stadium, making it the second-largest football facility in Singapore, slated for completion by 2030. As for Bukit Timah Turf City, the area has been planned for a new housing estate featuring multiple new amenities that are sensitively integrated with heritage and nature to serve current and future residents. This will include recreational spaces that are suitable for sporting activities, to support an active and healthy community. We thank Mr Pang once again for his suggestions and his support for Singapore's sports ecosystem. Lim Hong Khiang Chief, Sport Infrastructure Group Sport Singapore More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Forum: Make it easier for fans with disabilities to enjoy historic sporting moments
Forum: Make it easier for fans with disabilities to enjoy historic sporting moments As a lifelong Singapore football fan, I was proud to follow the Lion City Sailors' progression to the final of a prestigious continental competition (Lion City Sailors reach historic Asian Champions League Two final despite 1-0 defeat by Sydney FC, April 16). On learning Singapore would host the final, I eagerly anticipated attending the match at Jalan Besar Stadium. However, Sharjah FC's concerns over the artificial turf prompted a venue shift to Bishan Stadium, regularly used by Lion City Sailors for home matches in the Singapore Premier League. I checked that there was wheelchair access at Bishan Stadium, and requested wheelchair-accessible seating when ticket sales started on May 6. The ticketing agent confirmed that there was a wheelchair bay, but companions are not allowed with wheelchair-users. Instead, they have to buy separate tickets. Because tickets are sold out, I'm unable to attend this historic final. My condition – Duchenne muscular dystrophy – necessitates constant breathing support and round-the-clock caregiving. The agent kindly offered to appeal for an exception to be made for me, but to no avail. I share my experience not to gain sympathy, but in the hope that future sporting events in Singapore can better accommodate fans with medical disabilities like mine. Inclusive seating and allowing companions to sit beside wheelchair-users significantly improve accessibility, empowering all fans to fully participate in national sporting moments. Accessibility must remain vital to Singapore's commitment to fostering an inclusive society. 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.
Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Bishan Stadium's capacity to be expanded to 10,000 for Lion City Sailors' Asian Champs League 2 final
There will be three new stands on the north, east and south sides of Bishan Stadium, bringing the capacity up to 10,000 for the Asian Champions League Two final. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Bishan Stadium's capacity to be expanded to 10,000 for Lion City Sailors' Asian Champs League 2 final SINGAPORE – Preparations are underway to expand Bishan Stadium's capacity to 10,000 for the Lion City Sailors' historic Asian Champions League Two final against Sharjah FC of the United Arab Emirates on May 18. In a media statement on May 5, the club said that stands are being erected on three sides of the pitch so that the stadium can accommodate over three times more spectators for the continental showpiece. The main stand's capacity is only 2,800. Work being done to construct the north stand at the Bishan Stadium on May 5 ahead of the Asian Champions League Two final on May 18. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY When The Straits Times visited the stadium on the same day, workers were seen constructing the north stand and putting finishing touches to the east stand, with the help of a lorry crane. The south stand seemed to be completed. Bishan Stadium was a designated rally site during the recent general election, but the pitch looked fine after protective boards, which were used to cover the field during the campaigning period, were removed on May 2. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which had earlier granted provisional approval for the Sailors to host the final at Bishan, is expected to conduct a final inspection this week. 'The significant effort to prepare the venue for the final reflects the Sailors' commitment to ensure that this historic occasion can be enjoyed by as many fans as possible,' added the club statement. 'It is also the Sailors' desire to create an immersive atmosphere worthy of a continental cup final as the team chases glory on home soil.' Sailors chairman Forrest Li added in the statement: 'This final is not just a milestone for the Sailors – it's a celebration of Singapore football. 'We can't wait to see the stands packed and the nation rallying behind the team.' Tickets will go on sale via Sistic on May 6 at noon, with prices ranging from $26 (students and seniors) for all stands to $50 for a main-stand seat. Those who are part of The Deck, the club's official membership programme, will enjoy a 50 per cent discount on all ticket prices. Around five per cent of the total seats will be allocated to away fans. The Sailors had reached the ACL 2 final, which is contested by the top teams from East and West Asia, after a 2-1 aggregate win over A-League side Sydney FC in their two-legged semi-finals. Sharjah advanced also with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Saudi Arabia's Al-Taawoun in their last-four tie. The venue of the final alternates between both regions yearly, with this being the East region's turn. The Sailors had played their six ACL 2 home matches at the Jalan Besar Stadium this season, winning four times, drawing once and losing once. However, after both sides qualified for the showpiece, Sharjah requested via an open letter on social media that the final not be played at Jalan Besar, citing its artificial pitch and 6,000-seater capacity. The 55,000-seater National Stadium will be unavailable, as the first of Lady Gaga's four concerts will take place there on the day of the final. Workers adding in the seats to the newly erected east stand at the Bishan Stadium on May 5. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Following inspections by AFC officials, Bishan Stadium – also the home ground of the SPL-leading Sailors and Balestier Khalsa in the domestic league – was on April 23 given provisional approval to stage the final. The Sailors added that they 'are working closely with Sport Singapore, the Football Association of Singapore and sport industry partners to ensure that the venue is match-ready and deliver a true spectacle – one that showcases the nation's ability to stage world-class football events'. Fans can also look forward to an 'enhanced matchday experience', with mobile food trucks, carnival games and photo booths set to build the buzz ahead of the 8pm kick-off. Besides increasing the capacity, other preparations include improvements to the natural grass pitch and enhancements to the floodlights to meet TV broadcast requirements. According to the 2021 edition of the AFC Stadium Regulations, a horizontal illuminance – the amount of light that falls on a horizontal surface – of 1,800 lux is required for the final of the AFC Cup, the ACL 2's predecessor, while 1,400 lux is sufficient for the competition's earlier stages. Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
