Capturing Lion City Sailors' Landmark AFC Champions League Two Journey Through a Lens: Ashok Kumar and Eric Teo
- Hana Basir
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Meet Ashok Kumar and Eric Teo, the two unsung heroes behind the camera making sure to capture everlasting memories for The Sailors and their historical ACL Two campaign
You never know how two opposing emotions can be felt so intensely at the same time until you’re living in the very moment. For the Lion City Sailors and the club’s staff, it was utter disbelief and childlike joy when they triumphed over Sydney FC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two, becoming the first Singaporean side in history to reach the finals of a major continental tournament.
That night, it was impossible to be unaware of the feat achieved by the team as the celebrations circulated all over social media. There were two staff members, however, who were absent from all the photos— and for the most part, they’ll rarely appear in team pictures shared with the world. That’s because they’re the ones behind the lens, entrusted with capturing those moments for everyone else.
Ashok Kumar and Eric Teo began their ACL Two journey with the team in September 2024, when The Sailors kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win against Zhejiang Professional at Jalan Besar Stadium. Back then, nobody thought that it would all culminate with a historic sold out grand final for The Sailors at home—set to be played on 18th May at 7.45pm.
“It’s still surreal and emotional. I’m still pinching myself knowing that we are the first Singaporean team to have made it this far. I've seen firsthand how hard the team worked for this, and to witness that journey through my lens all the way to the final is something I'll never forget. I felt pride not just as a photographer, but as part of the team,” shared Ashok, who is behind the photos taken for the ACL Two campaign.
“Looking back, surely none of us expected to go all the way to the finals. I cant speak for the team but to me, qualifying for the knockouts is already an accomplishment but we did far more than that,” added Eric, The Sailors’ videographer responsible for the reels reshared time and time again during the tournament.
“It’s been a really interesting journey, with a string of eventual defeats despite being 2-0 up in the group stages and of course the Sanfrecce Hiroshima walkover in the quarter finals. It’s really mad because I wasn't expecting to go for more and more away days but wow, what a privilege it has been.”
The duo, along with the rest of the communications and marketing team, traveled with the squad both home and away—creating memories and forging a bond that could only be truly understood by those fortunate enough to witness it firsthand.
For Eric and Ashok, that privilege has become a driving force to ensure they’re not only taking pictures, but capturing all the raw emotions that come with football and stamping a mark on the game that will be remembered forever.
“We document more than just the matches —it’s about the emotions, the bonds, and the behind-the-scenes moments that people don't always get to see. These images become part of the club's history,” said Ashok.
Sharing the same sentiments, Eric added: “Not many people get to do what we do and it’s really about making sure we capture the big moments. Ashok and I are the only ones who get to do it so we have to do it justice. These are visuals that the Singaporeans will see and it's important in drumming up interest and support. It’ll help engage current and hopefully, new fans as well, getting people interested in not only The Sailors but local football, and how well we’ve done on the continental stage.”
Between battling the adrenaline of trying to capture a high-stakes game of football and the fatigue that comes with travelling—not forgetting the intensity of quick deliverable turnarounds, it’s easy for members of the media to become desensitised to the thrill of it all. Suddenly, trying to be present becomes hard. It was the words of The Sailors’ Head Coach, Aleksandar Ranković that led to an epiphany for Ashok.
“Coach Ranko mentioned to me after the semi final game against Sydney that I was capturing history in the making. It hit me then—the significance I brought to the team and the moment. They're more than just pictures. They're memories frozen in time. Each one reminds me of a moment we lived together, whether it was triumph, struggle, or even quiet reflection. These photos carry the spirit of the team, and being trusted to capture that means everything to me,” gushed the experienced photographer.
“Every moment matters. From pre-match prep to post-match emotions, every frame tells a story. The unity of the squad on and off the pitch was something special. It reminded me that storytelling is most powerful when it's honest and human. Not forgetting the team is just not those playing on the pitch, but those who make it happen outside as well.”
For Eric, it’s during the editing process where he relives every single moment. Scrolling through and stitching together the footage at the end of the day—when the world has gone just a little quieter—is when he finally finds time to process it all for himself.
“At the game, everything’s a blur as you’re trying to capture as much as you can. During editing, you’re looking at the footage and digesting the moment for the first time properly. I still get goosebumps,” he laughed.
“A good example is when I was editing the semi finals against Sydney and we qualified for the finals. I looked back at the footage of when the full time whistle blew and the fans went crazy and the noise—that gave me goosebumps.”
Having travelled from city to city across Asia, the two landed on the same one when picking a favourite—Hiroshima.
And it was none other than the atmosphere and culture created by fans once again, which propelled the Japanese city to the top of the duo's ranks. For Ashok, the cold rain enveloping Sanfrecce’s home ground, Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, added a depth and atmosphere to his photos that he couldn’t overlook.
“The stadium had a raw intensity, and the fans' passion added another layer of emotion to the shots. I also loved capturing the team experiencing a new environment, which was the cold! It wasn't the first time that we were experiencing the cold weather as we had been to China but being in Japan was a whole new ball game due to the added rain as well,” he shared.
“Out of all the cities, this one felt the most like an away day. It’s a football crazy city and you could see Hiroshima jerseys at most stores. There were fans coming up to The Sailors' staff and fans and wishing us luck. The culture and fascination around Japan and the history behind the city is what made it my favourite,” added Eric.
Having lived and breathed every emotion along the journey, Eric and Ashok hope others, too, will share the feeling of this life-changing experience.
“Find your style and own it. Don't be afraid to look at what others are doing but find your own spin, of course. Most importantly, enjoy it. There’s no point being in football if you’re not enjoying it, this is the best thing in the world,” shared Eric.
Adding on to the sentiments, Ashok had this to say to fellow club photographers: “Be present. Don't just shoot what's in front of you. Feel it. Get to know the team, understand the journey, and shoot with intention. You're not just capturing a game, you're preserving history.”
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