SINGAPORE: In a stunning upset that will go down in the annals of Singapore football, the Lion City Sailors have clinched a spot in the AFC Champions League Two final, marking a monumental achievement for the underdogs. Despite suffering a narrow 0-1 defeat against Australia’s Sydney FC on April 16, their commanding 2-0 victory in the first leg propelled them forward.

This victory makes the Sailors the first football team from Singapore to reach the final of a continental competition, a feat that is sure to inspire a new generation of players and fans alike.

The Sailors will now face the formidable Sharjah FC from the United Arab Emirates in the final set to take place on May 18, with Singapore as the chosen host, pending official confirmation of the venue.

Match Recap: Tense Battle at Allianz Stadium

The match opened with Sydney FC dominating early on, creating pressure that saw Anthony Caceres test Sailors’ goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud with a close-range shot just eight minutes in. Sydney had a goal called off for offside shortly after, intensifying the atmosphere at Allianz Stadium.

The Sailors, however, showed resilience and nearly struck first with a cross-field pass to Maxime Lestienne, who couldn’t quite find his footing. Just before halftime, they had another close call as a header from Rhyan Grant was also ruled offside.

As the second half commenced, both teams exchanged opportunities; Izwan was especially impressive, pulling off several critical saves to keep the Sailors in the game.

Ultimately, Sydney's Joe Lolley broke through with a well-aimed strike in the 85th minute, sending the message that the home side was not giving up easily.

Coaching Philosophy and Team Spirit

Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic acknowledged the pressure during the final moments of the match but commended his players for their defensive effort: "Till the goal, we knew that we would suffer a lot of pressure... When the goal fell in the 85th minute, we just had to defend those last 10 minutes, and I think the guys did a tremendous job." He described their journey as an "unbelievable achievement for the club."

A Journey of Trials and Triumphs

The Sailors' path to the final was anything but straightforward. After a crushing 6-1 loss in the first leg against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, they experienced a miraculous turn of events when the result was overturned due to the opposing team fielding an ineligible player, awarding the Sailors a 3-0 win.

Before this final, the last time any Singapore team made it to the knockout stages of an AFC club competition was Home United in 2018, highlighting the significance of this triumph.

Looking Ahead: Dreams of Glory

"I said yesterday that I'm still waiting for somebody to wake me up," Rankovic remarked with disbelief at their achievement. "But now honestly, I don’t want to be awake; I want to keep dreaming, and let’s hope we can win all the way!" With their tenacity on display and a historic opportunity ahead, the Lion City Sailors are on the brink of something extraordinary.