Coming off a blistering 2024/25 campaign, Shawal Anuar has picked up where he left off this season.
With nine goals to his name already, the 34-year-old has carried his rich vein of form into the new year, scoring in four of his last five domestic outings, including the recent 7-0 demolition of Tanjong Pagar United.
“The team did well overall and we are happy to come away with the win. We followed what the coaching team had planned and were efficient at both ends of the pitch,” said Shawal.
“My target is to score or assist in every game, as that is my job. I want to contribute and make an impact in every game, so I always give everything on the field.”
That comprehensive victory saw the Sailors equal a club record of 10 consecutive league wins, and they now sit seven points clear of second-placed BG Tampines Rovers — albeit having played a game more.
“All of us are very clear on what we want to achieve. After how things have gone for us in other competitions, we are out to extend this winning streak in the league as much as we can and make more history for the club,” Shawal added.
However, the Sailors will face what is arguably their sternest test of the campaign when they meet BG Tampines in a top-of-the-table clash at the Jalan Besar Stadium this Sunday (22 February).
The Stags are unbeaten in nine Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches this season, including winning their last six.
“I think this is the game of the season for us,” said Shawal. “Tampines have quality foreign players and play good attacking football, but we have been preparing well.”
BG Tampines are blessed with plenty of firepower at the other end of the pitch, with forward Hide Higashikawa leading the scoring charts with nine goals — one more than Lennart Thy, while playmaker Koya Kazama is joint-top of the assist standings along with Bart Ramselaar with seven.
“It will be a game that comes down to fine margins, so we need to stay focused right from the first whistle,” said Shawal, whose stunning halfway-line strike against the Stags last season was named Goal of the Year.
“Winning this game will put us in a strong position, and we are ready and driven to go for the three points.”
The tenure of interim Sailors Head Coach Varo Moreno, who took charge of the team following the departure of head coach Aleksandar Ranković earlier this month, has begun brightly, with the Sailors scoring nine goals and conceding none in his first two matches.
Shawal believes that Varo’s familiarity with the team has played a key role in ensuring continuity on the pitch.
“We achieved a lot with Coach Ranko, and we were all sad to see him go. But Coach Varo is a familiar face and knows many of the players, so it was easy for us to adapt to his methods,” explained Shawal.
“All of us are professionals, so it does not matter who is in charge. We just have to keep giving our best for the coach and the club.”
With the reigning SPL champions intent on protecting their lead at the summit, Shawal has called on the Sailors faithful to turn out in full force.
“We’re very grateful to the love shown by our fans throughout our highs and lows, and we need their presence in the stands again for this big game,” he said.
“Their support gives us extra motivation to push on in the pitch, and we’re looking forward to seeing them again on Sunday.”
