The sailors have been given provisional approval from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). They’ll be playing their next AFC Champions League Two final on home turf at Bishan Stadium in Singapore. At 5 p.m. on May 18, the Sailors will take on Sharjah FC from the United Arab Emirates. This historic event is sure to be exciting—come and get inspired! We’re celebrating a huge victory with this match! This incredible achievement has made the Lion City Sailors the first football club in Singapore’s history to qualify for the final of a continental competition.
On April 16, the Sailors completed a historic upset by beating Sanfrecce Hiroshima. They continued that form with a magnificent upset of perennial contenders Sydney FC, advancing with a 2-1 aggregate victory. Their journey to the final showcases the club’s resilience and talent, raising the bar for Singapore football.
Venue Controversy
The Lion City Sailors have indicated a preference for Jalan Besar Stadium to host the final. Their rivals in the final, Sharjah FC, have successfully opposed such a change. The UAE club has raised concerns about Jalan Besar Stadium’s appropriateness for the match, citing concerns over capacity and facilities.
Sharjah FC stated, “It does not meet the aspirations of the fans and stakeholders,” emphasizing their concerns about the venue’s ability to accommodate spectators and provide an adequate match experience. They further noted that hosting the final in a more suitable venue would reflect “the manner befitting the importance of the competition.”
Despite these objections, the Lion City Sailors maintain that Jalan Besar Stadium is a certified AFC Champions League Two venue. They stressed that the competition has complied with all regulations. On top of that, they pulled off a generally trouble-free slate of six home matches this season.
“Jalan Besar Stadium has more than proven itself as a capable and reliable venue,” said a spokesperson for the Lion City Sailors.
National Stadium Unavailability
The National Stadium is another possible venue for the final. It won’t be happening, as Lady Gaga is set to perform in concert on that very date. The scheduling conflict on the island has led Bishan Stadium to emerge as the most realistic venue for this sexiest of historic matchups. Here’s hoping the Sailors get the match on home soil, because they are confident about their abilities to host their match.
“Hosting the final in Singapore would not only be a just conclusion to our Champions League Two campaign, but a proud moment for Singapore football on the continental stage,” a representative from the Lion City Sailors remarked.
The AFC Champions League Two is the AFC’s second-tier Asian club football tournament. This year, it was restructured to enhance its competitive framework. The soon to be realized final will provide both clubs a stage to display their quality on one of the world’s biggest platforms.
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