On the evening of December 9, the Jalan Besar Stadium witnessed the Lion City Sailors securing their first Singapore Cup title with a 3-1 victory over Hougang United. The Lion City Sailors, reigning champions of the 2021 Singapore Premier League (SPL), demonstrated a commendable performance, asserting their dominance despite not hitting peak form.
Controlled Performance
The Lion City Sailors, led by coach Aleksandar Rankovic, maintained control throughout the match, steering to a comfortable win over a depleted Hougang United. Despite not reaching their best, the Lion City Sailors strategic play and collective effort were evident, with key players like Bailey Wright, Maxime Lestienne, Richairo Zivkovic, and Diego Lopes contributing to the team’s success.
Skipper Hariss Harun acknowledged the team’s overall contribution, stating, The team stepped up when it mattered, even the younger players like Nathan (Mao). I’m very happy and proud to win my first Singapore Cup title in my first final, but what we also want is to win the league again.
Key Moments
The breakthrough for the Sailors came in the 27th minute when Zivkovic converted a penalty after a handball by Hougang’s Naoki Kuriyama. Kuriyama unfortunate own goal in the 42nd minute further extended the Sailors lead, putting them in a commanding position.
Hougang United, already facing challenges due to injuries to key players such as Kristijan Krajcek, Shahdan Sulaiman, and Gabriel Quak, struggled to mount a comeback. Coach Marko Kraljevic acknowledged the difficulties faced by his team, citing the first penalty decision as a significant setback.
Lion City Sailors Squad Depth
The Sailors showcased their depth by bringing on national striker Shawal Anuar, who added to the scoreline with a goal in the 81st minute. Despite Kazuma Takayama added-time consolation goal for Hougang, the Sailors celebrated their victory.
Reflections and Third-Place Play-Off
Kraljevic expressed disappointment with the challenges his team faced and the decisions that didn’t go their way. In the earlier third-place play-off, Tampines Rovers secured a 2-0 victory against 10-man Brunei DPMM, with goals from Boris Kopitovic and Faris Ramli.
AFC Competitions Outlook
Looking ahead, the Lion City Sailors will have a direct slot in the second-tier AFC Champions League 2 for the 2024-25 season, a result of being the best local finisher in the SPL. Tampines Rovers secured a play-off spot as the next-best team.
Conclusion
the Lion City Sailors victory in the Singapore Cup underscores their position as a formidable team in Singaporean football. As they set their sights on future competitions, the Sailors performance will continue to be closely observed.
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