SAILORS STAY GROUNDED

No over-the-top celebrations for SPL champs as they maintain focus on target of treble

- Jeremiah Ong

Boisterous cheers filled the air at the Jurong East Stadium on May 10, as the Lion City Sailors celebrated their capture of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title with two games to spare, after a 1-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United.

Victory, which came courtesy of Maxime Lestienne's 21st-minute penalty, helped them attain an unassailable tally of 71 points—eight more than second-placed BG Tampines Rovers.

With arms wrapped around one another, the Sailors doused themselves in water and joined their fans in belting out "Campeones, campeones". Yet, with a treble in sight, they made sure the celebrations did not get over-exuberant.

A historic Asian Champions League Two final against Sharjah FC of the United Arab Emirates awaits them at Bishan Stadium on May 18, followed by a two-legged Singapore Cup semi-final against Brunei DPMM.

Defensive stalwart Toni Datkovic, a colossal figure in the SPL's best defence, said: "We didn't lose ourselves (during the celebrations) because we know we cannot lose an inch of our concentration now... We need to fight for two more trophies and make history because we can get all of it."

Victory had seemed like a foregone conclusion against the SPL's bottom club. However, they were made to work hard for the win.

When the final whistle blew, Sailors coach Aleksandar Rankovic described it as a "big, big weight off all of our shoulders".