Sailors mark SPL return to Bishan with five-star victory over Young Lions

The Lion City Sailors extended their perfect start to the 2025/26 Singapore Premier League (SPL) campaign with a dominant 5-1 win against Young Lions at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday (October 18).

It was the Sailors’ first league match at Bishan this season, having last played there more than a fortnight ago in a 4-2 triumph over Malaysia’s Selangor FC in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two.

Five different scorers — Maxime Lestienne, Bailey Wright, Lennart Thy, Bart Ramselaar and Shawal Anuar — found the net as Aleksandar Ranković’s men made it four wins from four in their SPL title defence.

“It’s not easy to play these kinds of games. We’re the stronger side and that’s fine, but it can be difficult to penetrate opponents who sit deep. I’m very happy with the three points,” said Ranko.

The Sailors made several changes to their starting line-up, with Ranko resting players who had featured in Singapore’s memorable 2-1 away win against India in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers earlier in the week. That opened the door for some fresh faces, including Nur Adam Abdullah, who made his first start for the club since rejoining in September. 

The 24-year-old last pulled on the Sailors jersey in August 2023 before he began his mandatory two-year National Service, during which he represented Young Lions. 

Despite the squad rotation, the Sailors quickly took control of the game, and in the 17th minute, a sharp team move involving Tsiy Ndenge, Lennart Thy and Bailey Wright ended with Lennart’s effort blocked by Aqil Yazid. 

Four minutes later, the German striker’s fierce shot was parried into the path of Maxime, who tucked home from close range to open the scoring — his 68th goal in 125 appearances for the club.

But the Sailors’ lead did not last long, with the Young Lions hitting back through Lucas Agueiro’s long-range effort in the 30th minute. The parity was short-lived, however, as just four minutes later, Maxime’s corner was met by Bailey’s thumping downward header to restore the Sailors’ lead.

Lennart then almost added another goal for the home side when his looping cross kissed the top of the bar, while Young Lions’ Nathan Mao — on loan from the Sailors and just 17 — impressed with a mazy run but failed to get his shot on target.

That was about as good as it got for the visitors as the Sailors found their rhythm and pulled away after the break. 

It started when substitute Song Uiyoung picked out Lennart with a lofted pass, and the German forward unleashed a thunderous half-volley to make it 3-1 in what was arguably the pick of the goals.

“We knew it would be difficult as the Young Lions set up in a low block. But we played faster, especially in the second half, and that helped us create more chances and score more goals,” said Lennart, who was named Man of the Match.

“After 17 days without a game, it was important to start this intense week with a strong performance.”

The Sailors continued their relentless assault and came close to extending their lead even further through Tsiy’s dipping strike, which drew a fine save from Young Lion’s Slovenian goalkeeper Benjamin Zerak.

The Sailors’ pressure eventually paid off in the 76th minute when Lennart’s clever cutback found Bart, who slotted home from the edge of the box. 

There was still time for another in the closing stages, as Akram Azman delivered a pinpoint first-time cross for fellow substitute Shawal to head home his first SPL goal of the season and complete the 5-1 rout.

For Nur Adam, his return to the Sailors’ first team was more than just another appearance — it was a homecoming.

“It feels great to be back. I love this club a lot, it’s like home to me,” said the full-back. “It was a strong team performance from the start and I really enjoyed myself out there today. I hope to keep this level and maintain healthy competition within the squad.”

Ranko was pleased with his team’s overall display and also offered encouragement to the Young Lions, which features several Sailors loanees under former Sailors Under-21 coach Firdaus Kassim.

“If they continue playing like this, they’ll get many more points,” said Ranko. “For us, it was also good that we have players like Nur Adam, Hami (Syahin) and Lionel (Tan) putting up good performances and showing their level.”

With the win, the Sailors have now stretched their unbeaten SPL run at Bishan to 10 matches. Next up: a midweek trip to Thailand to face Bangkok United in the ACL Two.

While the Thai League 1 side beat the Sailors twice two seasons ago, Ranko’s men will be eager to show how far they’ve come since then, especially now that they have been bolstered by the attacking partnership of Lennart and Anderson Lopes, who started together for the first time in this win.

“Every game, every goal and every win builds confidence ahead of tough continental tests,” said Lennart. “We want to keep the rhythm going and carry this momentum into Thailand.”