[Post-Match Thoughts] Draw with the Draw Specialists (Geylang 1 Sailors 1)

To add more variety to the SailorFanTalk website, there will be more and more articles written by guest writers. Please give a big online welcome to Calum, who writes his first piece for SailorFanTalk! (You may applaud by your PC or phone if you want)

It was a humid Friday evening at a packed Jalan Besar Stadium, setting the stage for a clash between the two highest-scoring sides in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) this season (so far). Expectations were high for an exciting encounter, but the match unfolded in an unexpected manner.

Let’s be frank: this was perhaps the most lacklustre display by our Sailors so far, resulting in their first dropped points of the season and ending a record-breaking run of nine straight SPL victories since July 2023. On the other hand, despite playing fantastic football, Geylang secured their fourth draw in just the first round of the 2024/25 season (hence the picture for this Post-Match Review… teehee). The competitiveness of the league certainly deserves credit, even if it leaves us scratching our heads a little.

Despite Geylang’s recent form, many fans still expected the Sailors to claim all three points. Out of 47 predictions in the SailorFanTalk Telegram chat, 46 predicted a Sailors victory, with several expecting a substantial margin. Given past performances, who could blame us for anticipating a goalfest, especially considering Geylang’s defensive record? It didn’t take long for the Eagles’ game plan to become apparent from the stands. Now, let’s delve into my post-match thoughts.

Eagles’ Tactical Masterclass

I have to admit, Geylang outplayed us in the first half. Credit to Noor Ali for doing his homework. Out of possession, our midfield trio of Hariss, Hami, and Ramselaar were completely negated, with Geylang’s high press applying relentless pressure every time they tried to receive the ball. The Geylang front line sat deeper when we played out from the back, making it difficult for Bart to find space and offer a passing option. Noor Ali confirmed this strategy in his post-match interview.

The lead-up to the goal we conceded actually looked promising for us. Obren Kljajic’s strength in winning possession from Tomoyuki Doi at the edge of our area almost initiated a promising counter-attack with some intelligent link-up play with Shawal.

However, when the pass was played into the middle, Vincent Bezecourt read Hariss Harun like a book, intercepting deep in our half and finding plenty of space to fire a stinging shot into the bottom corner.

It’s a “what if” moment – with so many Geylang players committed to the press, had we been able to play out from that position, we would likely be able to find free players elsewhere on the pitch for a numerical overload.

If you thought conceding to Geylang early in the game like that looked familiar, I instantly got flashbacks to Sime Zuzul’s low drive that earned the Eagles a 1-0 victory against us a couple seasons back.

Geylang were proving to be a very tough opponent in possession as well. On the ball, the composure and movement on display was exceptional and it certainly gave the Sailors a hard time. To be fair, we were able to string some nice passes around the pitch and had the ball in their box on some occasions, but overall in the first half, they were the more patient and organized team I felt.

Adjusting the Sails

Just as a sailor weathers a storm at sea, it was time for Coach Ranko to make his move against Geylang’s high press. After a series of promising buildups by the Sailors, it seemed we were keeping the pressure on, and the equalizer was getting closer. However, it also felt like one of those days when El Sicario sent a flicked header just wide.

Coach Ranko made a double substitution, bringing on Anu and Adam Swandi for Hariss, who had a bad day at the office, and Hami, who picked up an early yellow card. Additionally, moving Ramselaar up to the left injected a different dynamic into the game.

As noted in the commentary, these changes had an immediate impact. Kljajic found Ramselaar on the left wing, who cut it back for our Belgian magician, Maxime Lestienne, to take it first time and beat Hairul Syirhan with a tidy finish in the bottom corner. Game on!

Game of 2 Halves

The Sailors were looking increasingly threatening as the 2nd half went on. The Crew were treated to some wonderful bits of play up close, and Adam Swandi had a couple of decent chances to make something happen for us. The game was definitely opening up now.

But of course, it wasn’t smooth sailing (no pun intended), as Ramselaar—who, as I’m writing this, has just celebrated his 28th birthday. Fijne verjaardag, Bart!—unfortunately appeared to pick up what seems to be a hamstring injury and indicated that he had to come off. We managed to have a brief chat with him after the game and are hopeful it’s nothing serious!

Thankfully, we’ve got the squad depth of a clown car. Every time you think we’re done, another player pops out ready to perform. Christopher van Huizen came on against his former club to support the backline as Kljajic moved up to the wings.

Obren, Obren. How on Earth have we scored ourselves such a versatile tank of a player?

The story of the 2nd half was largely the same: good defending by our colossal central defenders, important saves by Zharfan, and the Sailors frontline always looking dangerous in the final third. But it really is the hope that kills. Hairul Syirhan delivered a point-winning save, denying Bailey Wright’s header from a delectable ball into the box by Hafiz Nor in stoppage time. Lennart Thy followed up with an effort on goal which deflected off the defender, and in heartbreaking fashion, the ball was just missed by Lestienne, who could not read its direction. That would have gotten us all three points.

Geylang weren’t quite as threatening as they were in the first 45, and the run of play definitely turned in our favour.

In the post-match interview, Noor Ali was asked if they played for the draw, which, fair play to him, he did not deny, alluding to not being able to match up to the depth and fitness that we had to offer.

Although, to quote Eagles Captain Joshua Pereira: “We came out to win as we do for every game,” but I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions as to how Geylang set up for the 2nd half. No matter. At the end of the day, it’s a good result for Geylang and 2 points dropped for the Sailors, who had the better chances to win it.

Good Result for the League

You have to say though, this match was a fantastic watch for the neutrals. The competitiveness we saw on Friday night is a very good advert for the Singapore Premier League. It showcased the excitement and unpredictability that make football such a beloved sport.

Overall, I don’t think you can necessarily say either side played poorly. Both teams showed determination, skill, and resilience, making it a captivating contest from start to finish. Looking at the match statistics, it’s clear that it was a hard-fought point for both teams. The Sailors displayed their depth and versatility, while Geylang showcased their ability to compete with the best, particularly in the first half.

Performance a Cause for Concern?

Should we be worried after that performance? I would say no. It’s still early days, and 13/15 points is by no means unsatisfactory. So let’s not hit the panic button just yet. It is clear that the team, particularly the frontline, is not clicking just yet.

But this is not new from our perspective! Just like in previous seasons, the team has usually needed a full round in the SPL to find their rhythm together. Whether it’s the JBS turf or adapting to the weather for our new signings, time will tell. Don’t forget that even 2023 SPL Player of the Year Maxime Lestienne needed a few weeks to really find his feet in the league, as surprising as that sounds.

Let’s be patient, and the goals will start flowing. The 7-1 victory over the White Swans has already shown us what this team can do in full flow.

Unrelated to performance, but a cause of frustration on the night has to be the referee. It was a highly physical encounter between both teams, but maybe 11 fouls to their 4 suggests Mr. Taufik Thana was pretty whistle-happy whenever a player in blue displayed their strength. I also counted 2 occasions where he was physically cutting off channels for a pass for us. Much room for improvement considering this is a professional league.  

Despite these frustrations, it’s important to keep perspective. Once the players gel and adapt to their surroundings, we can expect to see more consistent and dominating performances. The season is a marathon, not a sprint, and the foundations being laid now will pay dividends as the campaign progresses. So, let’s stay positive, support the team, and trust that the results will come.

Lively Atmosphere

Friday night fixtures don’t always attract the best crowds, but the fans knew they couldn’t miss this one, and it showed. The stadium was packed, with both The Crew and Ultras Eagles filling Jalan Besar Stadium with their voices. You truly love to see (or hear) it!

Unfortunately, it’s worth noting that some fans need to be more sporting— there was a couple of people seated at or near the Ultras Eagles bunch, who were non-stop with their vulgar gestures directed at the Crew the whole game. Every fanbase has its black sheep. Absolutely no need for such behaviour, especially with children in attendance.

Coach Ranko, speaking to Eddy after the game, mentioned that he has observed an improvement in stadium atmosphere and attendance. He hopes that growing support from fanbases will elevate our league to even greater heights. We share that hope and are always looking for ways to improve ourselves. So, the next time you’re at a Sailors game, come on down and cheer along with The Crew!

Conclusion

At the end of Matchweek 6, the Sailors remain unbeaten and top of the table, level on points with BG Tampines Rovers but ahead by a +2 goal difference following the Stags’ 5-1 thumping of Hougang United on Sunday at Jalan Besar Stadium.

Looking ahead, the Sailors return home to host Tanjong Pagar United, who will be full of confidence after clinching their first victory of the season against Brunei DPMM. The Sailors aim to continue their near-perfect start to the season and return to winning ways. While Tanjong Pagar United still have plenty to work on, so do we, and we certainly won’t be taking anything for granted.

Hopefully, Bart Ramselaar will be fit to join the squad on Sunday, but we should avoid rushing him back if he needs rest. This could be an opportunity to see more of Obren Kljajic playing higher up the pitch and a chance for Sergio Carmona to get some minutes, along with our younger local talents who have plenty yet to offer. It’s an exciting time to be a Sailors fan this season!

We’ve got a huge month ahead of us in the league with 3 fixtures at home, and we’ll be looking to make the most out of them after this setback.

This is my first article on SFT, so if you’ve read up to this point, thank you very much! I’ll see you at the next game.

Photo Credits: Lion City Sailors FC, Singapore Premier League

Written by Calum Lim

Edited by Eddy Hirono

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