Top of the Class: Lion City Sailors Make History as First Singaporean Team to Qualify for AFC Women's Champions League
- SportPlus News
- Aug 29
- 4 min read
Goals from Ami Takeuchi, Miyu Inayama, and Nur Ain Salleh secured The Sailors’ top spot in Group C, earning them a historic place in the AWCL group stage
MELAKA, MALAYSIA - At the final whistle, once again, history had been made.
After last night's 3-1 victory over hosts and Malaysian champions Kelana United in the AFC Women's Champions League (AWCL) preliminary group stages, The Lion City Sailors Women's Team have become the first ever Singaporean team to qualify for the AWCL group stage proper.
With one match still to play, The Sailors sealed their spot by winning both opening fixtures against Etihad Club and Kelana United.
To clinch top spot in Group C, the Sailors first needed Sdyushor SI-Asiagoal to be denied by Etihad Club in the earlier fixture. Etihad obliged with a 3-1 win, leaving qualification firmly in the Sailors’ hands—and they delivered.
"She's happy with the team performance. We got the three goals which is really good. Overall results could have been better as we let in a goal so she hopes to improve in the future," said Dorcas Chu, speaking for Japanese teammate and defender Sakurako Ohashi.
"As a team, we won the last two games so going into the last game, we're confident that we want to get the win."
Head-to-head records serve as the tiebreaker instead of goal difference in the preliminary rounds. As such, should The Sailors lose in their final match on Sunday against SI-Asiagoal, Etihad Club cannot overtake The Sailors in the Group C standings, even if both sides finish level on points—courtesy of The Sailors' shock 2-0 victory over Etihad in the campaign opener.
With the group stage draw set to be held on September 11th, The Sailors won't have to wait long before finding out their fate at the AWCL group stage—which will take place from 9-23 November.
"It's a significant moment for women's football in Singapore. We're very proud and honoured to represent Singapore positively on the continental stage and to have done what we have so far. Coming into the competition, we were probably seen as the underdogs but we never stopped believing in ourselves and pulled it off. We'll continue to back each other up and press on," shared forward Raeka Ee.
The Singaporean side dominated the proceedings last night, earning themselves a comfortable win at the Hang Jebat Stadium with the help of goals from Japanese signings Ami Takeuchi, Miyu Inayama and Singapore's very own Nur Ain Salleh.
It took just 11 minutes for Inayama to break the deadlock. After Kelana’s Nurdiana Syafiqah managed to parry Takeuchi’s initial effort, Inayama reacted quickest, pouncing on the rebound to fire her side ahead.
12 minutes later, The Sailors' Izairida Shakira denied Kelana an equaliser, blocking an attempt from range expertly. The Sailors then had several chances to double the advantage in the first half, including an attempt from Riari Kaitaoka that struck the post.
Nur Ain entered the fray in the second half, immediately unsettling the Malaysian defence with her nimble footwork and constant threat.
It was in the 61st minute, when the 15-year-old latched onto a through ball after a slick exchange between Eri Kitagawa and Inayama. Showing composure and flair to beat her marker, Ain cut the ball back into the middle for Inayama, whose effort was cleared off the line. Amid the ensuing scramble, it was Ain herself in the end, who kept her cool and buried the rebound to score.
"I feel very honoured being one of the youngest goalscorers in AWCL history. I think this will be a memorable one for me. I'm really happy I scored," shared the teenager who plays with the Madrid CFF youth side and is back with The Sailors on a summer break from academics—which she currently pursues in Spain under the Unleash The Roar! Scholarship.
The result was sealed just six minutes later by 19-year-old Takeuchi, who latched onto Ain’s precise through ball. The teenage duo combined once again to make it three.
"I saw the ball and honestly panicked but knew I had to think fast. I played it into space for Ami and of course, she finished it brilliantly," gushed Ain.
Kelana, however, pulled one back in stoppage time—and in some style. Spotting Sailors' goalkeeper Shakira off her line, Viny Silfianus unleashed an audacious effort from the halfway line that sailed over the 18-year-old custodian and into the net.
"We have been doing well in the past few games leading up to this. The momentum has been good and we showed that we are able to link up well especially in the attacking 3rd," shared Sailors Head Coach Daniel Ong.
"In the second half, we made a few changes and that really made a difference in the attacking play. They followed the game plan but as always, there's always things to improve on.
"Thank you to the fans, there are some here in Melaka. I'm really appreciative of their support," smiled Daniel Ong.
The Sailors now turn their attention to their final match against SI-Asiagoal on 31st August—which will be broadcasted live on FAMTV Malaysia's YouTube channel—before returning to Women's Premier League action at home on 7th September.
Comments