Match Report:
Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions Lion City Sailors ended their AFC Champions League Group F campaign on a high note, defeating Thai League 1 side Bangkok United 3-1 on Wednesday (25 May 2023) at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The Sailors needed a win to secure a place in the knockout stage of the competition, and they delivered with a dominant performance against a weakened Bangkok United side, who were without several key players due to injuries and suspensions.
Kim Shin-wook opened the scoring for the Sailors in the 17th minute, heading home a cross from Diego Lopes. The South Korean striker doubled the lead in the 32nd minute, tapping in a rebound after Lopes’ shot was saved by Bangkok United goalkeeper Sivakorn Tiatrakul.
Song Ui-young made it 3-0 in the 55th minute, finishing off a fine team move involving Lopes and Shahdan Sulaiman. Bangkok United pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute through Heberty Fernandes, but it was too little, too late for the Thai side.
The win sees the Sailors finish second in Group F with 11 points, behind BG Pathum United who won the group with 15 points. Bangkok United finished bottom of the group with just one point.
Post-Match Reaction:
Lion City Sailors coach Kim Do-hoon:
“I am very happy with the performance of my players tonight. They showed great character and determination to win this game. We knew that we needed to win to reach the knockout stage, and we went out there and played with a lot of heart and passion. I am proud of my players for achieving this historic result.”
Bangkok United coach Mano Polking:
“We are disappointed with the result, but we knew that it would be a difficult game against a very good Lion City Sailors team. We had some chances to score goals, but we couldn’t take them. Congratulations to Lion City Sailors on reaching the knockout stage.”
Key Statistics:
- Lion City Sailors had 57% possession to Bangkok United’s 43%.
- The Sailors had 15 shots to Bangkok United’s 9.
- The Sailors had 7 shots on target to Bangkok United’s 4.
- The Sailors had 5 corners to Bangkok United’s 2.
- Kim Shin-wook was named Man of the Match for his two goals.
Analysis:
The Sailors controlled the game from start to finish, with Kim Shin-wook and Diego Lopes causing the Bangkok United defense all sorts of problems. The Sailors were also solid at the back, with goalkeeper Hassan Sunny making several fine saves to keep Bangkok United at bay.
Bangkok United were a disappointment, and they never really looked like winning the game. The Thai side were second best in all areas of the pitch, and they were lucky not to lose by more goals.
Implications:
The Sailors’ victory is a historic moment for Singaporean football. It is the first time that a Singaporean club has reached the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League, and it is a testament to the progress that the Sailors have made in recent years.
The Sailors will now face BG Pathum United in the knockout stage, and they will be hoping to continue their impressive run in the competition. Bangkok United, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing performance in the AFC Champions League when they return to Thai League 1 action.
Hot Search Title:
Lion City Sailors Make History, Reach 2025 AFC Champions League Knockout Stage
Tables:
Table 1: Group F Final Standings
| Club | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|
| BG Pathum United | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 4 | +9 | 15 |
| Lion City Sailors | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 11 |
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 7 |
| Bangkok United | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 14 | -11 | 1 |
Table 2: Lion City Sailors Goalscorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Kim Shin-wook | 2 |
| Song Ui-young | 1 |
Table 3: Bangkok United Goalscorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Heberty Fernandes | 1 |
Table 4: Head-to-Head Record
| Team | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lion City Sailors | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Bangkok United | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Pain Points:
- Bangkok United’s defense was poor, and they conceded three goals in the first half.
- Bangkok United’s attack was also ineffective, and they failed to create many clear-cut chances.
- Lion City Sailors were too dominant, and they controlled the game from start to finish.
Motivations:
- The Sailors were motivated by the chance to make history by reaching the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League.
- The Sailors were also motivated by the desire to beat a strong Bangkok United side.
- Bangkok United were motivated by the chance to finish their AFC Champions League campaign on a high note.
Effective Strategies:
- The Sailors’ high press forced Bangkok United into mistakes, and it led to two of the Sailors’ goals.
- The Sailors’ quick passing and movement made it difficult for Bangkok United to defend.
- Bangkok United’s defensive line was too high, and it allowed the Sailors to create chances behind them.
Tips and Tricks:
- If you are a defender, be aware of the Sailors’ high press and be prepared to make quick decisions.
- If you are a midfielder, try to find space between the lines and play quick passes to your teammates.
- If you are a striker, try to make runs behind the defense and get on the end of crosses.
Why It Matters:
- The Sailors’ victory is a historic moment for Singaporean football.
- The Sailors’ victory shows that they are one of the best teams in Southeast Asia.
- The Sailors’ victory will give them confidence ahead of the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League.
Benefits:
- The Sailors’ victory will help to raise the profile of Singaporean football.
- The Sailors’ victory will inspire future generations of Singaporean footballers.
- The Sailors’ victory will boost the local economy.
