March 2025

There’s no real way to compare relative strength of teams, especially if you are comparing across different leagues, and more so if you compare across different years. However, I think a real case can be made that this is the toughest competitive fixture in our Sailors’ young history. Here’s a list of the teams we’ve played continentally so far from leagues bigger than ours, in no particular order. Buriram, Daegu, Jeonbuk, Urawa Red Diamonds, Port FC, Zhejiang FC, Shandong Taishan. You look at that list and maybe you say Urawa Red Diamonds, because they’re from the J League as well, and because they actually went on to win the ACL, defeating Al-Hilal in the final after thrashing us 4-1 and 6-0 in the centralised tournament group stage in Buriram. But it certainly didn’t look as ominous prior to them playing us. Urawa finished in 6th place, some 29 points off the top of the table when they qualified for the ACL that year, by winning the Emperor’s Cup. How did Sanfrecce Hiroshima qualify? By finishing in 2nd place, 4 points off the top, but as top-scorers by some distance. They do pack a threat in front of goal, and certainly look a more impressive team. Such is the quality of the J-League that playing any team would be tough enough, but when you take on the 2nd-best team that are also the top scorers? Oof. Let’s dive right into the preview, and I’ve really let Joseph Chin do the heavy lifting here, as he brings you the lowdown on our opponents, along with all sorts of cool facts. Take it away, Joseph. The Lowdown on Sanfrecce Hiroshima, by Joseph Chin Brief History They were founded as the works team of car-maker Mazda (then known as Toyo Kogyo) in 1938. Their greatest continental success was 3rd place in 1969’s Asian Club Cup, which was a precursor to the modern-day ACL. As a founding member of the modern-day J League in 1992, they adopted their new name of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and through some ups and downs (including relegation), they finally won the league in 2012 and that heralded a golden period of two more titles in 2013 and 2015. Hiroshima is the name of where they come from in Japan, but what is a Sanfrecce? Well, Sanfrecce is a combined word, consisting of San (Japanese for the number three), and Frecce (Italian for arrow). This explains why you see three arrows on the club crest. The “three arrows” story is a significant one in Hiroshima, as there used to be feudal warlord who used the three arrows story to demonstrate unity and strength (three arrows are harder to break than one) – I think the Chinese people have a similar story too. Hmm. Anyway, here’s the official club explanation if you wanna see more. Interesting Singapore Links This is Sanfrecce’s first meeting with a Singapore club, but there is no lack of links to Singapore amongst some of their former personnel – not entirely relevant for tonight, but just interesting to note. Aurelio Vidmar, our former manager used to play there, as did SPL winner Tadanari Lee. The Albirex connection continues with Yojiro Takahagi (recently retired in mid-season) and Keiji Shigetomi (current manager) playing and coaching there respectively in their careers. The Man at the Helm Michael Skibbe. He is a former Schalke player whose brief senior career was cut short by bad cruciate injuries. His managerial career took off at Dortmund, and he also managed Leverkusen, Galatasaray, Al-Ain and the Greek national team. He has been with Sanfrecce since 2021, and this has been his longest spell yet. His previous stints with Bayer Leverkusen and the Greek national team lasted 3 years each. Current Hotshots Iconic Captain – Sho Sasaki: He’s been at Sanfrecce for a decade, and will be looking to commemorate the occasion with delivering the team some silverware. The veteran centreback has been a rock at the back in good times and bad, forming a formidable partnership with Hayato Araki. Super Senior – Tsukasa Shiotani: Captain Sasaki isn’t the oldest in the team, despite being 35 years of age. That honour goes to Tsukasa Shiotani. He is 36 and his claim to fame is scoring a goal for Al-Ain vs Real Madrid in a 4-1 loss in the Club World Cup Final in 2018. He spent 4 years in Abu Dhabi, a spell that was sandwiched between two stints playing for Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Hired Gun – Tolgay Arslan: Would have been one of the more dangerous players on the pitch, but for the fact that he suffered an unfortunate knee injury that looks to rule him out for the better part of this year. A former Turkish-German youth international, he is a journeyman footballer whose career has taken him to Turkey, Australia, Italy, Germany, and now Japan. Hometown Hero – Hayao Kawabe: This man’s career has taken him places. His journey to become a midfield mainstay at his hometown club went through Jubilo Iwata, Grasshoppers (Swiss Super League), and Standard Liege (Belgian Pro League – where he arrived after Maxime left for Singapore). He was also signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022, but never made an appearance for them. He is one of four Hiroshima natives in the squad. Sharpshooter – Ryo Germain: Ryo has been thrust into the Sanfrecce attack after his goals weren’t enough to save Jubilo Iwata from relegation last season, despite being their top-scorer, and the 3rd top-scorer in the league. Now 29, half-American Ryo is a late-bloomer, having also played for Vegalta Sendai and Yokohama FC. Safe Hands – Keisuke Osako: Keisuke has been trusted to keep goal for Sanfrecce Hiroshima since 2018 after breaking through their academy system. He has been a second choice in the National Team setup behind Zion Suzuki. Wildcard – Valere Germain: New signing Valere is likely to be available. He was once a teammate of Kylian Mbappe in AS Monaco, and won Ligue 1 with him