Matchweek 13 of the Singapore Premier League saw the top four teams securing victories, as the league table continues to take shape. Here are five talking points from the weekend:
Albirex coast to victory at Jurong East
Tanjong Pagar United 0-2 Albirex Niigata (S) | Jurong East Stadium | 6 March
(Abdul Rasaq 22’, Yang Hyeonju 35’)
A first goal for Abdul Rasaq in Albirex Niigata (S) colours sent them on their way to a routine victory over a dismal Tanjong Pagar United. The Lion City Sailors loanee showcased his hold-up play in the box, turning a few defenders before finishing past Matthew Silva. In-form forward Yang Hyeonju then scored for the second game in a row, finding the far corner after picking up the ball outside the box.
In stark contrast, Tanjong Pagar only managed two attempts – with a solitary shot on target. Albirex rarely had to come out of second gear to secure the victory, and their first half goals were enough for three points on the night.
Tanjong Pagar United: Matthew Silva (C), Azim Akbar, Kim Li Kwan, Zenivio Mota, Faizal Roslan, Raihan Rahman, Naqiuddin Eunos (Syahadat Masnawi 68’), Emilio Estevez, Samuel Pillai (Anaqi Ismit 46’), Lee Chanwoo (Vabio Canavaro 85’), Lougah Junior Djile
Unused subs: Kenji Rusydi, Zaiful Nizam, Fathullah Rahmat, Aiqel Aliman, Aloysius Pang, Danny Ali, Haziq Zulkifli, Hafid Rifa’i Sohan, Erfan Azhar,
Albirex Niigata (S): Takahiro Koga, Kim Taeuk, Komei Iida, Naoki Yoshioka (Ren Nishimura 78’), Zulqarnaen Suzliman (Nicky Melvin Singh 67’), Syed Firdaus Hassan (Jaden Heng 67’), Cho Eunsu, Sim Jun Yen (Delwinder Singh 90+3’), Abdul Rasaq Akeem, Yang Hyeonju, Shingo Nakano (C) (Katsuyuki Ishibashi 67’)
Unused subs: Dylan Pereira, Iskandar Abdul Latiff, Takumi Yokohata, Helmi Shahrol, Syukri Bashir, Shoshi Kadowaki, Danish Qayyum
Sailors rediscover their cutting edge
Lion City Sailors 4-0 Geylang International | Jalan Besar Stadium | 7 March
(Toni Datkovic 27’, 79’, Anderson Lopes 28’, Shawal Anuar 71’)
After consecutive draws, the Lion City Sailors returned to winning ways with an empathic 4-0 victory over Geylang International. Custodian Ivan Susak kept a clean sheet – his eighth of the league campaign – after his goalscoring contribution last weekend. Centreback Toni Datkovic contributed with a brace, with further goals from Anderson Lopes and Shawal Anuar condemning Geylang to yet another defeat.
Head Coach Jesus Casas will be pleased with the first win of his tenure, as the Sailors look to consolidate their grip on the title with a third of the campaign to play. It is less rosy for the Eagles, who have now lost six of their last eight games.
Lion City Sailors: Ivan Susak, Toni Datkovic, Tsiy Ndenge, Lennart Thy (Lucas Agueiro 84’), Bart Ramselaar, Hami Syahin (Hafiz Nor 76’), Anderson Lopes (Shawal Anuar 69’), Nur Adam Abdullah (Diogo Costa 69’), Bailey Wright (C), Akram Azman (Christopher Van Huizen 84’), Kyoga Nakamura
Unused subs: Benjamin Zerak, Adib Nur Hakim, Lionel Tan, Hariss Harun, Luka Adzic
Geylang International: Rudy Khairullah, Shuhei Hoshino (Abuduryim Abdushukur 65’), Gareth Low (Iqram Rifqi 65’), Joshua Pereira (C), Ryoya Taniguchi, Vincent Bezecourt, Shakir Hamzah (Kim Tae Ho 42’), Nikola Ignjatovic, Shahdan Sulaiman (Amy Recha 46’), Shodai Yokoyama (Raiyan Noor 86’), Nazrul Nazari
Unused subs: Yu Kanoshima, Ethan Pinto, Ko Jaehyun, Ryu Hardy, Faisal Shahril
Five-star Stags maintain title charge
Young Lions 0-5 BG Tampines Rovers | Jalan Besar Stadium | 8 March
(Shuya Yamashita 14’, Hide Higashikawa 39’, Glenn Kueh 45+8’ (P), Kohya Kazama 59’, Zikos Chua 68’)
In a crucial week for BG Tampines Rovers’ season, the Stags won comfortably at Jalan Besar, a perfect preparation for their upcoming AFC Champions League Two quarter final second leg. Five players made it onto the scoresheet, including Zikos Chua – who netted his first goal since 2024.
With their title rivals also securing victories this weekend, Tampines responded with a comprehensive result that keeps them firmly in the title race. Meanwhile, it was another abject performance from the Young Lions, and they will have to look elsewhere to pick up more points.
Young Lions: Izwan Mahbud, Joilson Lucas Souza (Marcus Mosses 46’), Ajay Robson (Danial Ukail 75’), Abner Vinicius (Joshua Little 55’), Andrew Aw Yong (Garv Sahoo 69’), Henry Spence, Fairuz Fazli, Kieran Teo (C), Nathan Mao, Nicholas Beninger (Amir Syafiz 55’), Andy Reefqy
Unused subs: Aizil Yazid, Ashman Saravanan, Enrico Silveira, Iryan Fandi, Luth Harith, Yazid Rizal Rais
BG Tampines Rovers: Syazwan Buhari (C), Raoul Suhaimi, Shuya Yamashita, Seiga Sumi, Glenn Kueh (Zikos Chua 66’), Dylan Fox (Jacob Mahler 46’), Amirul Haikal, Hide Higashikawa (Trent Buhagiar 59’), Takeshi Yoshimoto, Yuki Kobayashi (Shah Shahiran 46’), Kohya Kazama (Joel Chew 84’)
Unused subs: Kasey Rogers, Ong Yu En, Iman Hakim, Irfan Najeeb, Kegan Phang
Cheetahs fall further behind the pack
Hougang United 1-2 Balestier Khalsa | Bishan Stadium | 9 March
(Hafiz Ahmad O.G. 21’ | Tin Matic 55’, Jakov Katusa 67’)
An own goal from Balestier Khalsa’s Hafiz Ahmad was as good as it got for Hougang United, who went down to 10 men for the second game in a row after seeing their captain Ryann Sanizal sent off for a last man challenge just before the break. It proved to be costly as they surrendered their lead despite having an equal share of possession.
The Cheetahs are sixth in the nine-team standings, on 12 points, and they have the opportunity to pick themselves up in their next fixture, going up against seventh-placed Geylang International who are two points ahead. A positive result will be crucial to restore the momentum they have built in recent months.
Tigers extend winning streak
Balestier Khalsa continued their impressive form, coming from behind at Bishan Stadium for their fourth consecutive victory. Jokov Katusa scored yet again, his finish into the far corner now a familiar sight for Balestier fans. Tin Matic’s equaliser also ended a goal drought in the league, with the Croatian finding goals easier to come by in the Singapore Cup.
The Tigers are now fourth in the table on 20 points, just six behind third-placed Albirex Niigata (S), reflecting their recent ascendancy. They face the Lion City Sailors next week, giving them an opportunity to get a statement result.
Hougang United: Zharfan Rohaizad (Ridhuan Barudin 5’), Jordan Vestering, Chonlawit Kanuengkid (Saharat Panmarchya 59’), Huzaifah Aziz (Anders Aplin 82’), Saifullah Akbar, Farhan Zulkifli, Washington Ayovi, Ryaan Sanizal (C), Nabilai Kibunguchy, Yuma Suwa, Victor Blasco Llorens (Jaushua Sotirio 82’)
Unused subs: Kanok Kongsimma, Rauf Sanizal, Wong Ngang Haang, Callanta Neil Charles, Syady Sufwan, Woo Chun Wei, Algirdas Karlonas, Ganesan Silloren
Balestier Khalsa: Hafiz Ahmad, Darren Teh, Mario Subaric, Madhu Mohana (C), Lazar Vujanic, Bogdan Mandic (Elijah Lim 90’), Harith Kanadi, Tin Matic, Masahiro Sugita, Jakov Katusa, Ignatius Ang (Daniel Goh 73’)
Unused subs: Martyn Mun, Dany Irfan, Fudhil I’Yadh, Ilyasin Zayan, Yanir Ben Eliezer, Syafi Nur Hilman, Karthigaya Varmaan, Ifat Sha’aban
Red Card – Ryann Sanizal (Hougang United 44’)
