Bart Ramselaar in action against Sharjah FC (photo courtesy of Lion City Sailors).
SINGAPORE, 19 MAY 2025 – A steady downpour from mid-afternoon cast a grey veil over Bishan Stadium, but not even the weather could dampen the sense of occasion. As fans streamed into the newly upgraded venue — 9,737 of them braving the rain — a palpable buzz filled the air. For the first time in history, Singapore was hosting a continental club final, and the occasion was not lost on Singaporeans.
The Republic’s Lion City Sailors were up against United Arab Emirates’ Sharjah FC in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) Final, and while the Sailors’ valiant effort came in vain – they lost 2-1 to a goal that came late into added time – the match demonstrated just what Singapore football can do when all stakeholders come together.
While the stands at Bishan Stadium came alive despite the rain, out on the pitch, the Sailors put on a spirited performance befitting the occasion. The first half saw both teams probing cautiously, with Sharjah having a goal ruled out for offside and Diogo Costa’s low drive for the Sailors bouncing agonisingly off the base of the post.
Sharjah eventually broke the deadlock in the 74th minute when Caio Lucas picked out Khaled Ibrahim at the far post, who squared the ball across the face of goal for Ben Larbi to tap home from close range.
Refusing to yield, the Sailors pushed forward with urgency and were rewarded in the first minute of stoppage time — Costa this time turning provider with a low cross that was swept in by Maxime Lestienne to draw level.
Maxime Lestienne celebrating his equaliser against Sharjah FC (photo courtesy of Lion City Sailors).
It seemed like the Sailors had the wind back in their sails and would push on to grab a winner — but it was not meant to be. In the seventh minute of injury time, Marcus Meloni cut inside of Lionel Tan and rifled a shot past Izwan Mahbud to restore Sharjah’s lead — a crushing blow that broke Sailors’ hearts and ultimately sealed a 2-1 victory for the Emirati side.
In front of a sold-out Singapore crowd, the Sailors delivered a performance full of heart and belief — and in doing so, etched their names into the history books as the first Singaporean side to reach an Asian final. Speaking to media in the post-match interview, Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković summed it up best:
“Our guys did a tremendous job, especially after going 1-0 down. It was a shame that we (conceded) a very late 2-1 goal, but I have nothing to say except that I am very, very proud of my boys,” he said.
“The No. 1 lesson (from our campaign), is that you should never stop dreaming and believing. Every game we played in this campaign, we were the underdog and rightfully so because we come from Singapore,” added Ranković.
“This year showed me that if you believe it… if you have a group of players that I have, you can go so far.”
A stadium rises
The unity and belief extended beyond the pitch, and indeed, far beyond the club’s Mattar Road headquarters. In the lead-up to the final, there were concerns over Singapore’s ability to meet AFC requirements to host the Final, a situation that sparked an unprecedented effort — a swift, multi-stakeholder push – to prepare Bishan Stadium as the new host venue.
Originally a 2,800-seat ground nestled in the heartlands, Bishan underwent rapid upgrades to meet AFC standards. Stadium capacity was boosted to 10,000, to accommodate not just fans, but also VIPs, AFC officials, and members of the media — setting the stage for a sold-out crowd on Singapore’s biggest night in club football history.
Bishan Stadium underwent rapid upgrades to meet AFC requirements to host the final (photo courtesy of Lion City Sailors).
Beyond the expanded seating, significant operational enhancements were made. Facilities including a press conference room, media centre, and tribune were installed to host more than 50 working media personnel. Dedicated rooms for AFC technical officials, the organising committee, and an on-site medical facility were also established.
Broadcast requirements were met with upgraded floodlights — now achieving a horizontal illuminance of 1,800 lux — ensuring international TV standards were met for the global audience. To accommodate players and staff, the dugout benches from the National Stadium were transported in, and the away dressing room received a full refurbishment.
The scale and speed of transformation reflected not just infrastructural ambition, but a collective desire to elevate Singapore football to the continental stage. The Sailors, with the football fraternity alongside it, and support from government agencies, quickly made Bishan ready to welcome the Asian football fraternity in the ACL2 Final.
Rousing a nation
Beyond the silverware, the stakes were high. The winner of the AFC Champions League Two would earn a coveted spot in the preliminary rounds of next season’s AFC Champions League Elite — Asia’s top-tier club competition. For the Sailors and for Singapore, it was a shot at rejoining the continent’s elite, but perhaps more importantly send a statement that Singapore football has earned its spot at the top table on the Asian stage.
Lion City Sailors fans cheering their team on despite the loss (photo courtesy of Lion City Sailors).
However, on a rain-slicked night in Bishan, the Sailors unfortunately fell narrowly short. But even in heartbreak, they stirred something deeper. Hariss Harun and company shattered expectations, carried the hopes of a nation, and proved that Singaporean clubs can go toe-to-toe with the best in Asia. As brave ACL2 runners-up, this team has reignited pride and reminded the region — and Singapore football fans — just how much can be achieved with belief and unity.
