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The Lion City Sailors came into the 2024/25 SPL season as clear favourites for the title. Boasting the most expensive squad ever assembled in SPL history, it was unclear if any team could stand up to the mighty Sailors in their bid to regain the crown. Although seven matches have passed, we might only get the strongest clue yet this Thursday.
LCS play host to BG Tampines Rovers in Matchweek 9, a traditionally fiery matchup spiced up even further by the fact that both sides are joint-top of the table, separated only by goal difference. Despite adding marquee signings Bart Ramselaar and Lennart Thy to a squad headlined by Maxime Lestienne, the Sailors have put in some laboured performances so far, although results have been positive.
Thy, in particular, has looked off-colour as the German striker acclimatises to his new surroundings.
Max magic
Last time out, the Sailors needed a late penalty to edge past Balestier Khalsa for the three points. But the story could have been very different. While BGTR eased past DPMM at Jalan Besar, an Ismail Sassi brace meant that LCS fell to 2nd in the table, and it briefly looked enough to pry the blue Bishan team off the summit. It took a stoppage-time brace from Lestienne, including a penalty, to finally put away the Tigers.
After the match, head coach Aleksandar Rankovic expressed his disappointment at the performance, highlighting a lack of tempo even in the previous game against Tanjong Pagar. Balestier can feel very hard done by indeed, after a good showing against the title favourites.
A bitter swansong
At the other end of the table, Albirex Niigata (S) has announced the departure of head coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga. The four-time SPL Coach of the Year has presided over a disastrous start to the season, with the Japanese side rooted to the bottom after several trouncings.
Not even China’s favourite goalkeeper Hassan Sunny could save the sorry Swans, who will see ex-title winning coach Keiji Shigetomi take the hot seat next time out against Balestier Khalsa.
Singapore Premier League
Lion City Sailors vs BG Tampines Rovers
Bishan Stadium
18 July 2024, Kickoff at 7.45PM
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