Ambitious Sailors Import Japan Talent

Three-time WPL champions boost squad after defeats in maiden Asian campaign

- Kimberly Kwek

Despite heavy defeats by India's Odisha FC (4-1) and Jordan's Etihad Club (5-0) in their maiden Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League campaign in 2024-25, the Lion City Sailors gained crucial insight into the requirements to be competitive at the continental level.

With those lessons in mind, they have strengthened their squad for the 2025-26 AWCL by signing five Japanese players — Ami Takeuchi, Miyu Inayama, Eri Kitagawa, Sakurako Ohashi and Riari Kitaoka — as they aim to advance from the preliminary round to the group stage for the first time.

The three-time Women's Premier League (WPL) champions will kick off their campaign in Melaka on Aug 25 against Etihad, before taking on home side Kelana United (Aug 28) and Kyrgyzstan's Sdyushor SI-Asiagoal (Aug 31). All matches will be played at the Hang Jebat Stadium.

Sailors coach Daniel Ong said that following a review of their previous campaign, they felt that with the right additions, the club could put on an improved showing.

Through their contacts, they identified the Japanese quintet, who will feature only in the continental competition and not the domestic WPL, as the ones who can beef up their squad.