Latest news with #SingaporeCup
CNA
4 hours 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
5 hours 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
a day 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
2 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.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Balestier Khalsa footballer under police investigation after alleged nightclub incident
SINGAPORE – A foreign player from Balestier Khalsa is assisting the police with investigations after an incident at a nightclub, the Singapore Premier League side confirmed on May 28. The Straits Times understands that the footballer was accused of molestation during a night out with his teammates at Zouk in mid-May. He was taken to the police station and later released on bail. He would go on to play in the club's final SPL game of the season, a 3-2 win over Albirex Niigata at the Bishan Stadium on May 25. A spokesman from Balestier Khalsa confirmed that one of their players is under police investigation but declined further comment. The Tigers finished fourth out of nine teams in the recently concluded season, and achieved back-to-back fourth-place finishes for the first time since the late 1990s. However, they are headed for a transition with the departures of vice-chairman Darwin Jalil and coach Peter de Roo. ST understands that former Balestier player and coach Marko Kraljevic – who is Hougang United's head of youth development – is set to take over as their head coach. The 59-year-old German-Croat played for the club when they finished third in 1996 and fourth in 1997 and 1998, and had two spells as their head coach from 2014 to 2019 and from 2019 to 2021. He helped the Tigers win the Singapore Cup in 2014, when he was named the Coach of the Year. David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
