The Lion City Sailors stretched their unbeaten start to the 2025/26 Singapore Premier League (SPL) campaign to 11 games after a 1-1 draw with title rivals BG Tampines Rovers at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday (22 February) night.
Having won their opening 10 league fixtures, this was the first time the Sailors dropped points this season. Nonetheless, they remain seven points clear at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more than their closest challengers.
Labelled the “Interim Derby” by local media, with both sides led by interim head coaches, the match lived up to its billing as Lennart Thy’s opener was cancelled by Koya Kazama in an absorbing and closely fought contest.
“I think we can consider this as a good result for us,” said Sailors’ interim head coach Varo Moreno.
“Of course, we wanted to win. We created a lot of chances over the 90 minutes, but sometimes you have to accept a draw.”
The opening exchanges resembled a tactical chess match, with both sides probing cautiously before the Sailors struck first.
BG Tampines had not trailed in any of their league matches this season, but that record ended in the 21st minute when Bart Ramselaar’s beautiful cross was expertly guided home with a deft flicked header by Lennart.
It was Bart’s eighth SPL assist this season, while Lennart moved on to nine league goals. The German now sits level with the Stags’ Hide Higashikawa, and is just one behind Albirex Niigata (S) forward Shingo Nakano in a fierce three-way race for the Golden Boot.
The Sailors nearly doubled their advantage a minute later. Lennart found space again, but 16-year-old BG Tampines goalkeeper Kasey Rogers, making his SPL debut, produced a sharp save at close range.
But Robert Eziakor’s men gradually grew into the game, as Seiga Sumi fired wide from distance in the 36th minute before Kazama restored parity on the stroke of half-time with a well-taken free-kick.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with both teams battling for control. But the Sailors came close to taking the lead again following the introduction of Shawal Anuar in the 64th minute. Kyoga Nakamura released Lennart, whose low cross flashed across goal and was turned behind by Shuya Yamashita just before Shawal could apply the finishing touch.
The Sailors continued to press against a tiring BG Tampines side and in the 71st minute, they came agonisingly close to reclaiming the lead when Bart’s powerful effort from range crashed off the crossbar.
At the other end, Higashikawa tested Ivan Sušak at the near post, but it proved to be the Stags’ best opportunity of the second half as the Sailors’ defence held firm.
Both sides introduced fresh legs in the closing stages, with Christopher van Huizen and Dylan Fox entering the fray. Substitute Anderson Lopes nearly had the final say, but his late attempt sailed over as the points were shared.
“It was a very good game for the fans,” added Varo. “I had confidence in my players and they carried out most of what we worked on during the week.”
The Sailors now turn their attention to another stern assignment as they travel to the Jurong East Stadium on Saturday (28 February) to face third-placed Albirex Niigata (S). The Sailors recorded a 3-0 victory over the White Swans earlier in the campaign and remain confident of maintaining their momentum in the title race.
“Of course, there are still many matches to play,” said Varo. “But we believe we are in a strong position and we want to keep pushing all the way.”
