Sailors Dominate Hougang to Continue Relentless SPL Pursuit

The Lion City Sailors showcased their dominance in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title chase by securing a commanding 5-1 victory against Hougang United at Bishan Stadium on January 24. Despite conceding an early goal, the Sailors demonstrated their resilience and class, marking their perfect start to the season.

Sailors’ Strong Comeback

Hougang United initially took the lead in the 11th minute, courtesy of Settawut Wongsai, who headed in from a cross by Jordan Vestering. This early goal ended Ivan Sušak’s streak of three consecutive clean sheets.

However, the setback ignited the Sailors. In the 19th minute, Bart Ramselaar set up Shawal Anuar’s equalizer after his first effort was saved. Just eight minutes later, Diogo Costa’s assist allowed Kyoga Nakamura to score, deflecting off a defender and putting the Sailors ahead.

Controlling the Match

By the 32nd minute, the Sailors extended their lead to 3-1. A well-executed exchange between Diogo and Ramselaar resulted in Lennart Thy scoring with a glancing header. Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković acknowledged the team’s slow start but noted their significant improvement after conceding.

Before halftime, the Sailors faced a minor setback as Hami Syahin left the pitch due to an ankle injury, with captain Hariss Harun stepping in.

Second Half Dominance

The second half continued in favor of the Sailors. Lennart Thy nearly increased the lead after a clever pass from Kyoga, but it was in the 66th minute that the Sailors cemented their control. A corner kick routine led to confusion in the box, allowing Bart Ramselaar to score his first goal of the match.

Just minutes later, Ramselaar scored again, securing his brace and bringing the score to 5-1. “I’m very happy with my performance tonight,” Ramselaar said post-match. “It’s a great team result, especially after going a goal down.”

Looking Ahead

This victory marks the Sailors’ seventh consecutive win in the league, maintaining a seven-point lead over second-placed BG Tampines Rovers. With their next match set against Nam Định FC on January 29 in the ASEAN Club Championship, the Sailors aim to carry their momentum forward.

Coach Ranković emphasized the need to sustain this pace as matches come thick and fast. “It was important to keep this momentum going ahead of Vietnam,” he noted, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead but expressing confidence in his squad.