Doi's brace slows Sailors' SPL title voyage

Table-toppers Lion City Sailors' 16-game unbeaten run in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) was ended by record goalscorer Tomoyuki Doi, as the Geylang International forward netted twice to mastermind a 3-2 upset at Our Tampines Hub.

- Jeremiah Ong

The loss on May 4 marked the Sailors' first SPL defeat since they fell to Albirex Niigata 3-1 last August.

Having taken a 2-0 lead through Lennart Thy and Shawal Anuar, the Sailors then fell to a stunning comeback, with Ryoya Taniguchi and Doi helping the Eagles flip the script to steal the victory.

The Sailors, with a far superior goal difference, will need at least four points in their remaining three games to edge out second-placed BG Tampines Rovers, who have a game in hand, in the title chase.

The leaders are due to face bottom side Tanjong Pagar United (May 10), Balestier Khalsa (May 14) and Tampines (May 24). They will also meet Sharjah FC of the United Arab Emirates in the Asian Champions League Two final on May 18.

The May 4 loss took Sailors' coach Aleksandar Rankovic by surprise.

"It was a tough defeat. It's not something we are used to, especially in our league. (With the loss) coming at this moment, it definitely doesn't help," he said.

"We still have everything in our hands, and we still are in control of everything."