The Sailors face a pivotal moment as they prepare to clash with Kuala Lumpur City in the ASEAN Club Championship on Thursday. After suffering consecutive defeats against Borneo Samarinda and Cong An Hanoi, where they conceded eight goals without scoring, the team is determined to secure three crucial points to avoid elimination. This match not only holds significance for their championship aspirations but also reignites the fierce Singapore-Malaysia rivalry on the regional stage.
The Sailors recently bounced back with a resounding 5-2 victory over Port, advancing to the knockout round of the ACL Two for the first time in their history. This achievement has boosted the team's confidence, as coach Aleksandar Ranković believes that their performance in the Champions League proves they can compete with any team.
"I think we proved in the Champions League that we can compete with everybody," stated Ranković.
Despite their recent continental success, the Sailors have faced a domestic drought, having not clinched the Singapore Premier League title in the past three years. The upcoming match against KL City not only offers an opportunity to progress in the ASEAN Club Championship but also provides regional bragging rights, adding an extra layer of motivation.
The rivalry between Singapore and Malaysia adds further intensity to Thursday's encounter. The two teams last met at the ASEAN Championship, where Singapore narrowly edged Malaysia to secure a semifinal berth after a 0-0 draw. Rui Pires acknowledged the significance of this rivalry, noting its impact on the players.
"Some players have already spoke about that [the rivalry between Singapore and Malaysia]," said Rui Pires.
The Sailors' squad will be tested with a packed schedule ahead, including 13 games in January and February, as they prepare for the Singapore Cup starting in February. Coach Ranković emphasizes the importance of squad depth during this challenging period.
"It's definitely going to be the same in the next two months because, I think we have something like 13 games in January and February," remarked Ranković. "It's going to be very challenging. I'm going to need everybody."
Ranković also highlighted the importance of fan support in their upcoming match against KL City.
"When the stadium is full, it helps us. We need to win these three points because, if we don't, we go out of this competition," he asserted.
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