Lion City Sailors All Set for Monumental ACL Two Final Against Sharjah FC at Upgraded Bishan Stadium
- David Joseph
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
After major upgrades including building three stands to raise capacity to 10,000, Bishan Stadium is set for a sold out continental showdown on Sunday—and here's all you need to know
The 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two final will witness a landmark moment in Asian football history as Singapore’s Lion City Sailors (LCS) is set to face off against the United Arab Emirates’ Sharjah FC at Bishan Stadium on Sunday, 18 May 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 8PM local time.
This match marks the first continental final hosted in Singapore and represents a pivotal juncture for both clubs, with LCS aiming to become the first Singaporean team to lift an Asian trophy, while Sharjah seeks to solidify its growing reputation in West Asian football.
Bishan Stadium: From Humble Ground to Continental Stage
Originally a 2,800-seat venue, Bishan Stadium underwent rapid upgrades to meet AFC standards, including temporary stands raising capacity to 10,000. The Sailors’ management collaborated with local authorities to install enhanced lighting, media facilities, and security infrastructure, ensuring the venue’s readiness after Sharjah's initial objection towards playing the final at Jalan Besar Stadium.
All the hard work of over 100 workers will come to fruition, as set to grace Bishan stadium is President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Announced by Lion City Sailors in an Instagram post, President Tharman will be the Guest of Honour on Sunday's highly-anticipated final. Having graced the 2023/24 AFC Champions League opener against Bangkok United in September 2023, President Tharman and The Sailors are set for a full circle moment, as he's now set to meet and watch the team play in the nation's first ever major continental final.
Lion City Sailors’ Historic Campaign
LCS’s journey to the final has been defined by resilience and tactical ingenuity. After finishing third in the 2023 Singapore Premier League (SPL) and winning the 2023 Singapore Cup, they entered the ACL Two group stage as underdogs but topped Group F with 10 points, including a decisive 2-0 victory over China’s Zhejiang and a 3-1 away win against Thailand’s Port FC.
Having cruised into the quarter finals after defeating Muangthong United in both legs of the round of 16, LCS' knockout phase heroics began in the quarter-finals. Despite losing the first leg, they were awarded a 3-0 walkover as Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima were found to have fielded an ineligible player.
A goalless draw in the second leg sealed their semi-final berth, where they stunned Australia’s Sydney FC with a 2-0 home victory courtesy of goals from Bart Ramselaar and in-form striker Lennart Thy. Though they fell to Sydney in the second leg, The Sailors booked their tickets to the finals having won 2-1 on aggregate.
The Sailors’ continental success has paralleled domestic dominance, as they clinched their second SPL title on 10 May with a 1-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United, fueled by Maxime Lestienne’s penalty and a watertight defense. This double pursuit highlights the squad’s depth, with both young and veteran players putting in the shift to create a bond shared widely across the squad. The team also boasts in-form strikers Shawal Anuar and Thy—who has netted 10 goals in his last six matches across competitions.
Sharjah FC’s Dramatic Ascent
Sharjah’s path to the final epitomises late-game theatrics. The Emirati side, currently second in the UAE Pro League, edged past Tajikistan’s Istiklol 1-0 in their group opener before surviving a tough semi-final against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Wehdat. Trailing 1-0 after the first leg, Sharjah produced a stoppage-time masterclass in the return fixture, with Ousmane Camara and Firas Ben Arbi scoring in the 94th and 99th minutes to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory. Their attacking trio of Moussa Marega, Paco Alcácer, and Camara has combined for 15 ACL Two goals, exploiting defensive lapses with ruthless efficiency.
Sailors’ Home Advantage and Momentum
LCS enters the final riding a wave of momentum, having just been crowned domestic champions on Thursday. Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković has instilled a high-pressing style, leveraging the creativity of Lestienne (8 assists in SPL) and Thy’s aerial prowess. The recent SPL triumph allows them to focus solely on continental glory, with Ranković emphasizing “hunger for more trophies” in post-title celebrations.
Sharjah’s Away Resilience
Sharjah has excelled in knockout football, winning four of their five ACL Two away matches. Their 3-4-3 formation, orchestrated by playmaker Khaled Bawazir, prioritizes quick transitions and wide overloads-a strategy that could test LCS’s full-backs Christopher van Huizen and Diogo Costa.
Supporting The Sailors on Sunday
If you're headed to Bishan Stadium, take note of the parking and drop off spots recommended by the club to ensure smooth arrival to the stadium. There will also be a pre-match carnival from 4pm onwards, where there will be complimentary games, match tattoos and snacks.
Tickets sold out within 24 hours, reflecting unprecedented local interest. Fortunately for those who did not get their tickets, LCS has partnered with Mediacorp and various grassroots organisations to bring the AFC Champions League Two Final 2025 to the heartlands via live screenings with free admission at four locations across Singapore — namely Bishan Community Club, Our Tampines Hub, Heartbeat@Bedok and One Punggol.