The year was 2004, and the stage was set for the inaugural AFC Cup. Singaporean sides Geylang United and Home United impressed by reaching the semifinals, but their dreams were dashed by Syrian powerhouses Al-Wahda and Al-Jaish. Fast forward two decades, and another Singaporean team stands on the brink of history—this time, with an even stronger chance of reaching the final of an AFC club competition.
Much has changed in the years between that heartbreaking 2004 campaign and today. The AFC Cup has since evolved into the AFC Champions League Two, reflecting the region’s growing football ambitions. And while Home United fell short two decades ago, the club itself has undergone a transformation. In 2020, it was acquired by tech and e-commerce magnate Forrest Li and his company Sea Limited, reemerging as Lion City Sailors—the first privatized football club in Singapore.
Since their transformation, the LCS have established themselves as the gold standard of Singaporean football—regularly finishing in the league’s top three and making frequent appearances on the continental stage. However, their 2024/25 AFC Champions League Two campaign may well be their most impressive yet, potentially rivaling the historic run made by Singaporean clubs two decades ago.
Drawn into Group F, Lion City Sailors found themselves up against Chinese side Zhejiang FC, Thai contenders Port FC, and Indonesian champions Persib Bandung. With Zhejiang widely seen as the strongest team on paper, it appeared LCS would be battling Port and Persib for the runner-up spot.
But the Sailors defied expectations. They stunned Zhejiang with a memorable home victory and completed a double over Port FC—most notably delivering a 5-2 thrashing in Singapore, powered by a hat-trick from talisman Song Ui-young. Persib remained the only team LCS couldn’t conquer, with the Sailors managing just a draw and a loss against the Maung Bandung. Yet even those setbacks couldn’t derail their momentum, as LCS topped the group and advanced in style.
In the round of 16, Lion City Sailors were drawn against Thai giants Muangthong United, with the Twin Qilins entering the tie as clear favorites. But once again, the Sailors rose to the occasion and defied the odds. They edged out a gritty 3-2 victory in Bangkok, then returned home to deliver a dominant 4-0 performance in Singapore—sealing a stunning 7-2 aggregate triumph and booking their place in the quarterfinals in emphatic fashion.
The quarterfinals presented Lion City Sailors with their toughest challenge yet—J.League 1 heavyweights Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The Japanese side wasted no time asserting their dominance, dismantling the Sailors 6-1 in the first leg and seemingly booking their place in the semifinals.
Or so they thought.
In a shocking twist, it was discovered that Sanfrecce had fielded ineligible new signing Valère Germain, who was supposed to be serving the first of a three-match suspension for his role in a post-match brawl with former club Macarthur FC in last season’s AFC Cup. The Frenchman not only played—but scored—in the rout.
The AFC responded swiftly, nullifying Sanfrecce’s commanding win and awarding a 3-0 forfeit victory to Lion City Sailors, turning the tie on its head.
Handed a lifeline by the AFC, Lion City Sailors seized the opportunity with both hands. In the return leg at Singapore’s Jalan Besar Stadium, the Sailors delivered a disciplined and resolute defensive performance, frustrating Sanfrecce and conceding just once. The match ended in a gritty 1-1 draw—securing LCS a stunning 4-1 aggregate victory and a historic place in the semifinals, matching the milestone set by both Geylang United and the former Home United two decades earlier.
Awaiting the Sailors in the semifinals is none other than Australian powerhouse Sydney FC, led by their marquee signing and former Juventus star, Douglas Costa. With continental pedigree and top-tier talent in their ranks, Sydney presents the toughest challenge yet—but if this campaign has shown anything, it’s that LCS are more than ready to defy the odds once again.
While Sydney boast the star power of Douglas, the Sailors are not short on European pedigree themselves. Their lineup features experienced names like Lennart Thy, Bart Ramselaar, Rui Pires, Diogo Costa, and Maxime Lestienne. Among them, it’s Maxime, Bart, and Lennart whose resumes come closest to matching Douglas’ illustrious career.
And while Maxime sat out the first leg on April 9th, it was Lennart and Bart who rose to the occasion. The German and Dutchman each found the back of the net, delivering a clinical performance to power LCS to a stunning 2-0 victory over Sydney at the Jalan Besar Stadium—putting one foot firmly in the final.
There’s still the decisive second leg to come on April 16th in Sydney, but for now, LCS are daring to dream. A maiden continental final for a Singaporean club is suddenly within reach—a feat few, if any, predicted at the start of the season. Against the odds and with history beckoning, the Sailors are just 90 minutes away from rewriting Singapore football’s place on the Asian stage.
No matter what happens in the return leg, Lion City Sailors have already reignited belief in Singapore football—reminding a new generation of what’s possible when ambition meets resilience. But make no mistake: this team isn’t content with just making history—they’re chasing it. One final push in Sydney could turn a season of surprises into a legacy for the ages.