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The Lion City Sailors’ fairytale run to continental glory ended in late heartbreak as they fell to a 2-1 loss to UAE giants Sharjah in the AFC Champions League 2 final on Sunday night (May 18).
Despite snatching a 91st minute equaliser to make it 1-1, the hosts could not force extra time as they were sunk by a Marcus Meloni stoppage-time sucker-punch.
Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic had “mixed feelings” after the loss.
“We are very disappointed and sad that we couldn’t win but we feel very proud the way we represented ourselves.”
“I am very, very proud of my boys the way they played throughout the tournament, the way they represented and what they brought to Singapore,” the Serb said.
A Fitting Send-Off for Olaroiu
Meanwhile, Sharjah head coach Cosmin Olarouiu got his dream farewell, as the incoming UAE national team boss was doused in ice water by his jubilant players before facing the media at the post-match press conference.
“I think (the players) deserve (this trophy). It is a new era for Sharjah. From here they have to start to become a strong team with a strong mentality… Now I have to leave, (but) for them this is the beginning. I hope they will continue to become bigger and bigger.”
Player of the tournament Caio Lucas expressed gratitude to the Romanian tactician, saying: “I learned a lot from him. It would be very hard for us without him. But like I said, it starts from now. We’re going to try to do our best in (every) game. I just want to say thank you to him for everything he did for this club. Because I’m sure without him, Sharjah would not be here.”
Speaking also on their knack for scoring late goals, having won their semi final second leg against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Taawoun with two injury time goals, Caio said: “When you play in this kind of competition, you have to be ready for everything.”
Caio added that the wet and rainy conditions stifled his play during the final, despite getting his fourth assist when he set up his team’s winning goal.
“The condition is a bit hard. You try to learn. You will see that some players, they get tired. And also during the second half, when I shoot, I don’t see anything.”
Soaking In The Atmosphere
Sheets of rain hammered down relentlessly on the newly-furbished Bishan Stadium from start to finish, but the 9,737-strong crowd braved the elements, roaring in full voice to support their respective teams.
The away contingent were in fine voice early on swinging red scarves and waving flags as their team took to the pitch to warm up.
The hosts endured a shaky start, struggling to string passes together and looking sloppy in possession.
The first real chance of the final fell to opposition dangerman Caio, the club’s joint-top scorer in the competition with five goals. The forward slotted home in a one-on-one situation, only for a late offside flag to cue a collective sigh of relief from the home fans.
But the Sailors soon found a semblance of rhythm, with stand-in fullback Hami Syahin tucking into an undermanned midfield anchored by Rui Pires.
In the 35th minute, wingback Diogo Costa pounced on a poor defensive clearance, unleashing a thunderous volley that cannoned off the post, drawing a roar of encouragement from the home crowd.
Tempers flared as the tense encounter finally boiled over, with a scuffle between Song Ui-Young and Caio culminating in a slap on Song’s arm, in full view of the referee. But fortunately for him, the incident went unpunished.
Just before the half-time whistle, Sharjah had a golden opportunity when a whipped cross from versatile Serbian defender David Petrovic found the head of Brazilian-born Emirati winger Luanzinho. His effort looked destined for the far corner but sailed just over.
The start of the second period was marked by a bizarre moment, as only the Sailors returned to the pitch on time and were left waiting for their opponents while boos rang out around the stadium.
But once Sharjah were on, they wasted no time creating chances, as playmaker Meloni’s corner found forward Ousmane Camara, who peeled away from Song to meet it with a header but he couldn’t direct it on target.
Late Drama
The visitors were caught out by the offside trap once again when attacking midfielder Firas Ben Larbi strayed too early, resulting in his goal being ruled out.
But the Emirati side finally found the breakthrough when Caio found right back Khaled Aldhanhani in acres of space on the flank as he cut back for a simple finish by Ben Larbi.
The Sailors rang in the changes in search of an equaliser, bringing on their campaign’s top scorer Shawal Anuar (8 goals) and youngster Abdul Rasaq.
Defender Lionel Tan, known for delivering clutch goals with both club and country, also entered the fray in the 90th minute for Hami as the Sailors’ final roll of the dice.
“We made three changes. They were all offensive… We should have reorganised, we had five or six attacking players. I had to put Song at the right back. We had to push for the last couple of minutes,” Rankovic said of his late substitutions.
With a staggering 11 minutes of stoppage time added, the Sailors made sure to capitalise.
An incisive pass from Costa found winger Maxime Lestienne making a late run into the box, and he rifled his shot into the bottom left corner, reigniting a crowd that had nearly lost all hope.
The Next Voyage
But hope still flickers in the Sailors’ ranks.
Reflecting on a lengthy but momentous campaign in the continental tournament, Rankovic said: “The number one lesson is that you should never stop dreaming and believing. Every game we played in this campaign we were the underdog and rightfully so because we come from Singapore.”
“This year showed me that if you believe it, and of course if you have the group of the players that I have, you can go so far. If that’s going to be the case next year, I don’t know. But if we can repeat at least half of what we repeat this season, especially in the Champions League, I will be very satisfied.”
Though the Sailors will undoubtedly be smarting from the narrow defeat to their West Asian counterparts, but they would do well to take a page from their gaffer’s book.
With little time to dwell, a crucial two-legged Singapore Cup semifinal against Brunei DPMM awaits them at Jalan Besar Stadium this Wednesday (May 21).
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