Singapore’s only privatised football club, Lion City Sailors, are just one step away from rewriting football history. They take on United Arab Emirates powerhouse Sharjah FC in the inaugural AFC Champions League Two Final, with home advantage and belief firmly on their side.

The Sailors’ incredible run to the final has already turned heads across the continent. Having beaten top-tier opponents from Thailand, China, Japan, and Australia, they are the first Singaporean side ever to reach the final of a major Asian club competition.

Now, at the Bishan Stadium, they face arguably their toughest test yet in Sharjah FC, a team boasting an all-star lineup headlined by former Tottenham Hotspur and QPR star Adel Taarabt, ex-Benfica playmaker Caio Lucas, Tunisian international Firas Ben Larbi, and Brazil U-23 international Guilherme Biro.

Lion City Sailors head coach Aleksandar Ranković is not one to be intimidated. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the coach made it clear his side is embracing the occasion with both pride and composure.

“We already made history several times this season,” says Ranković. “So this is just another game where we want to prove ourselves. Yes, it’s a final, but there’s no pressure on my team. We’re very prepared, very focused, and we want to win.”

Ranković acknowledges the significance of the moment for both himself and the club. “I came here with a special goal, and this final is beyond all the dreams we had. We talked about it quietly, but once we got through the group stage, I felt we could face anyone in this tournament.”

One of the keys to the Sailors’ successful campaign has been the careful management of a squad that has played over 60 matches this season. “We’ve rotated a lot. I don’t think I’ve played the same lineup twice in a row,” Ranković explains. “That shows the adaptability and commitment of this group of players. I’m blessed to work with them.”

Among the local stars leading the charge is club captain Hariss Harun, a seasoned campaigner who already has a continental title to his name, having won the AFC Cup a decade ago.

“It’s a dream come true to fight for this again,” said Hariss. “We’ve been in promising positions before and didn’t make it count. But this team has grown. Mentally, we’re stronger now. We’ve learned the hard lessons from the past. It’s the final. The results from previous matches don’t matter anymore,” he added. “It’s about who wants it more on the day.”

As for the challenge posed by Sharjah FC, Hariss was respectful but unshaken. “They’re a strong side with experienced players, but we’ve also come through tough opponents. We’re ready,” he adds.

Coach Ranković echoed that sentiment, adding that his squad is in top condition. “Even midfielder Bart Ramselaar, who recently returned from injury, is match-ready. Everyone is fit. And as a coach, this is a beautiful situation to be in.”

One of the Sailors’ biggest assets heading into Sunday’s clash will be the home crowd. With up to 10,000 fans expected to pack Bishan Stadium, the Sailors hope to turn their ground into a fortress. “Our fans have been incredible throughout the campaign,” says Hariss. “They’ve followed us overseas, and now they’re packing Bishan. Their support will give us that extra push.”

Backed by international talents such as Maxime Lestienne, Lennart Thy, and Bart Ramselaar, and an elite group of Singaporean stars including Shawal Anuar, Song Ui-young, and Zharfan Rohaizad, the Sailors are no underdogs. Ranković described the clash as a true “50-50 final”, but promised his side would leave it all on the pitch. “We don’t see ourselves as favourites or underdogs,” says Ranković. “It’s one match. We’ll see who wants it more. And I hope it’s us.”

AFC Champions League Two Final 2025 – Lion City Sailors vs Sharjah FC takes place on 18th May 2025, at Bishan Stadium.