How a team responds to adversity can shape its season, and for the Lion City Sailors Women, Saturday’s (28 March) Women’s Premier League (WPL) clash against Tiong Bahru at the Bukit Gombak Stadium offers the chance to do just that.
A 2-0 defeat to title rivals Albirex Jurong two weeks ago meant the Sailors suffered defeat for the first time in 2026 and they now trail the White Swans by six points, albeit with a game in hand. It was a result that stung, but with time to reflect, the squad has emerged more determined to put things right.
“The loss hit us hard because we had worked really hard over the past few months for that game. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way we wanted. But that’s the nature of football,” said midfielder Nurhidayu Naszri.
“We learn and move forward. The team has been working even harder in training, and we see this as a small setback for better results in the future.”
Now, the Sailors find themselves at a delicate juncture, where they will have to balance the pursuit of the title with the need to stay grounded, play their own game, and enjoy their football. For Ayu, in particular, maintaining belief within the squad will be essential.
“It’s very important for us to maintain confidence after the loss. As a team, we need to stay united and move forward together. Instead of seeing it as a big challenge, we treat it as motivation to keep pushing and chasing the title.”
That unity has been evident in training this week, with the squad doubling down on their identity and sharpening the chemistry that has underpinned their campaign.
“The team’s mentality is strong. We’re coming together again, improving our chemistry, and training well. Hopefully, this will translate into good results in the upcoming games,” she said.
At the heart of that cohesion is the Sailors’ midfield, where Ayu plays a key role in setting the tempo and linking play, whether from the start or off the bench.
“We focus a lot on understanding each other’s movements and style of play. This helps us control the game better and set the tone for the rest of the team,” explained the 22-year-old.
That control will be vital against a Tiong Bahru side the Sailors are expected to overcome. But beyond securing three points, goal difference could yet prove decisive in the title race.
After struggling to convert clear chances against Albirex, the Sailors are determined to be more clinical in the final third.
“We want to improve on creating more chances and being more clinical in front of goal, as that was something we lacked in the previous game. We’ve been working on this in training, and we hope to show that improvement against Tiong Bahru,” said Ayu.
“We’re also aware that football is unpredictable. Anything can happen, and that’s what makes it special. We take each game one at a time and focus on improving step by step. For the Tiong Bahru match, we see it as a new challenge and aim to stick to the game plan set by our coach.”
A strong performance would not only boost their goal difference, but also restore momentum heading into the decisive stretch of the season.
For Ayu, the objective is clear — lead by example, influence the game, and help the team rediscover their rhythm.
“My personal goal is to contribute more to the team, whether through creating chances or scoring goals. I also want to stay composed, keep possession well, and distribute the ball effectively.”
