'Unbelievable' Domestic Treble

Coach Rankovic hails Sailors' historic haul after 1-0 S'pore Cup win over Tampines

- Jeremiah Ong

Lion City Sailors completed a clean sweep of domestic titles with a fiercely contested 1-0 victory over BG Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Cup final at Jalan Besar Stadium on May 31.

Adding the cup to their Community Shield and Singapore Premier League (SPL) triumphs, Sailors coach Aleksandar Rankovic described the club's first domestic treble as an "unbelievable achievement".

"To win everything domestically and to play in the Asian Champions League Two final - winning it would have been a dream. But even without that, I think it's one of the best seasons in Singapore football," the Football Association of Singapore Coach of the Year nominee said.

Fielding an unchanged side from their semi-final, second leg against Brunei DPMM, Rankovic opted for stability in what was his side's 58th match, including the 2-0 Community Shield win over Albirex Niigata last May.

"I wanted stability in our play, and not to change a lot. We were much better in the first half and, if there was somebody who would score then, it would have been us. But credit to Tampines, they are a very good team, and they had a great season," the Serb said.