The Lion City Sailors reignited their 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two qualification hopes with a spirited 3-2 comeback victory over Group G leaders Persib Bandung at the Bishan Stadium on Wednesday (26 November).
Having suffered a heartbreaking late defeat in the corresponding fixture last year, the Sailors showed tremendous character to overturn a one-goal deficit through strikes from Lennart Thy, Shawal Anuar, and Anderson Lopes.
Crucially, the win keeps the Sailors firmly in the hunt for a spot in the Round of 16.
Speaking after the game, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković acknowledged that missing key personnel had complicated preparations, but paid tribute to his side’s grit and togetherness.
“This victory feels a little more special. We had trouble setting up the team with many key players missing, but my players gave everything they had and did an amazing job,” said Ranko, whose team became the first to put three goals past Persib this season.
“We knew it was going to be tough, and although the win wasn’t pretty, today was about getting the three points. Our hopes of qualifying are still alive, so full credit to the boys.”
In front of a 2,578-strong home crowd, the Sailors got off to a blistering start, taking just eight minutes to open the scoring through Lennart, who latched onto a long pass from Lionel Tan and lifted the ball over Teja Paku Alam for his third ACL Two goal of the campaign.
Persib, however, hit back almost immediately. Two minutes later, a short-corner routine ended with Frans Putros firing from the edge of the area; his scuffed effort struck the post and trickled over the line.
Song Uiyoung came close to restoring the lead in the 38th minute when his ferocious drive from range skimmed just wide, but the sides eventually went into the break level.
Persib emerged with greater intent after the interval, and took the lead in the 56th minute when Thom Haye found space down the right and crossed for Andrew Jung, who steered a precise header beyond Ivan Sušak.
With the Sailors staring at defeat, Ranko turned to his bench, introducing both Hami Syahin and Maxime Lestienne into the fray.
And their impact was immediate.
Barely a minute after coming on, Maxime whipped in a sumptuous cross for Shawal, who nipped in front of Putros and fired home the equaliser.
Persib almost hit back again, with Haye dragging a shot wide moments later. They went even closer on 67 minutes, but Ivan produced a superb reflex stop to deny Ramon Tanque from point-blank range.
From the resulting corner, Hami was perfectly placed on the line to nod away Júlio César’s goal-bound header.
The midfielder then turned creator in the 71st minute, showing real composure under pressure in his own box before lifting a pinpoint long ball into the path of Anderson, who coolly slotted past Alam for what proved to be the winner.
“I’m happy with the result, but this win was a team effort,” said Anderson, who was named Man of the match. “Everybody gave their all. You could see how much we wanted the three points, and that says a lot about our character.”
Despite missing stalwarts Bailey Wright, Hariss Harun, and Safuwan Baharudin at the back, the Sailors’ defence held firm under late Persib pressure. Ivan then capped a standout performance with another crucial save in the 75th minute, spreading himself brilliantly to block Uilliam Barros’ effort.
The win leaves the Sailors third in Group G, three points behind Persib, but with a superior head-to-head record.
With Bangkok United sealing qualification after drawing 1–1 with Selangor earlier in the evening, the Sailors know they must beat the Malaysian side on the final matchday, and hope Persib fall to Bangkok, to qualify as runners-up.
Even so, Ranko emphasised that the focus must remain on matters within the team’s control, as they now turn their attention to two pivotal away fixtures: a meeting with Bangkok United in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup on 4 December, followed by the decisive ACL Two clash against Selangor six days later.
“Just like today, every game is a must-win, so nothing changes,” said Ranko. “Selangor will be at home, it’s their last game and they’ll have a point to prove, so it won’t be easy.
“But instead of thinking about what happens elsewhere, our full energy and focus will be on Bangkok United next week, and then getting that win away at Selangor.”
