SHAWAL'S FORM POSES ATTACKING DILEMMA

Pacey forward shines in Sailors’ 4-1 win over Hougang, as new striker gets ready to join

- Deepanraj Ganesan

The Lion City Sailors are close to securing their latest foreign marquee forward for added firepower to wrest the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title from Albirex Niigata, but Singapore striker Shawal Anuar proved on May 10 that he can bring game-winning qualities to the party.

In the opening match of the 2024-25 SPL season, a goal, an assist and a Man-of-the-Match performance from Shawal propelled the Sailors to a 4-1 victory over Hougang United at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

The 33-year-old pacey frontman picked up where he left off in the Sailors' 2-0 win over Albirex Niigata in the Community Shield at the same venue on May 4.

While The Straits Times understands the Sailors are putting the final touches on adding a European forward to fill the boots of Richairo Zivkovic, Shawal said: "I will be happy if we have a new striker but if the coach wants me for every match, I will always be ready. If there is a new striker, the team and I will help him and give our best.