SINGAPORE: The Lion City Sailors made history on March 12, 2025, as they reached the semi-finals of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two (ACL2) after securing a 1-1 draw against Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Jalan Besar Stadium. This aggregate victory of 4-1 highlights a remarkable turnaround for the Singapore Premier League side, who just days earlier had looked on the verge of elimination.
The Sailors had faced Sanfrecce Hiroshima last week and lost the first leg 6-1, but were awarded the match result as 3-0 due to the fielding of an ineligible player by their opponents. French forward Valere Germain's appearance, scoring Sanfrecce's fifth goal, led to the decision by the Asian football governing body, providing the Sailors with newfound hope.
Coach Aleksandar Rankovic expressed his pride, stating, "I'm very proud of my boys, the way they played, playing against this kind of opponent. It's not only our club; we represent the country." The Sailors are now poised to face either Sydney FC or South Korean side Jeonbuk FC, with Sydney leading their matchup 2-0 going for the second leg.
The match at Jalan Besar began with tension as the Sailors suffered an early setback when their star player, Maxime Lestienne, had to be stretchered off after just 14 minutes following a collision. Nevertheless, the home side remained unfazed and struck first when Lennart Thy scored the opener in the 20th minute. Thy's goal was set up by Shawal Anuar, showcasing the team's resilience and attacking prowess.
"It's good to have players like Thy who can perform under pressure," Rankovic remarked about his team’s performance. But the visitors soon responded, with Yotaro Nakajima leveling the score at 1-1 just before halftime with a superbly executed freekick, leaving goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud with no chance.
The second half saw early excitement as Satoshi Tanaka's shot hit the post and seemed to signal Sanfrecce's determination to take control of the match. Yet, the tides shifted dramatically when Ryo Germain was sent off just six minutes after the restart due to violent conduct, giving the Sailors the upper hand. The home team managed to maintain their composure, fend off the remaining threats, and seal their progression to the semifinals with the crowd of 4,193 celebrating the historic moment.
Reflecting on the victory, Sailors’ coach Rankovic noted, "We have to learn to crawl before we learn to walk, and then we learn to run. Don't jump so far ahead; we go step by step." The team is set to meet its next opponent on March 16, continuing their pursuit for glory.
This incredible milestone marks the best performance by any Singaporean club since both Home United and Geylang International reached the semis of the inaugural AFC Cup back in 2004. The Sailors had topped Group F earlier this season, finishing ahead of teams such as Thailand's Port FC, China's Zhejiang FC, and Indonesia's Persib Bandung, and then convincingly defeating Thailand’s Muangthong United 7-2 on aggregate during the round of 16.
Meanwhile, Sanfrecce head coach Michael Skibbe expressed disappointment over the outcomes from both matches, linking the failure to the club's management. He stated, "It is very difficult after going down to 10 men because the opponent had very strong defenders and were standing very deep inside their own half." His side will lament the missed opportunity to progress following their administrative error.
The Sailors’ historic entry to the semi-finals is not just significant on the field, but it marks the perseverance and potential of football development within Singapore. With their rising stature, the Lion City Sailors are now eyeing future successes, perhaps even leading to dreams of greater feats within Asian football.
With the passionate support of their fans and the determined resolve of their players, the Lion City Sailors have captured the hearts of many and shown what Singapore football can achieve on the continental stage. They now look forward to the challenges and opportunities lying ahead as they aim for continental glory.