Sailors' Significant Moment

They are 1st Singaporean team to reach AFC Women's Champions League group stage

- Deepanraj Ganesan

The Lion City Sailors made history on Aug 28 by becoming the first team from Singapore to qualify for the group stage of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League.

Needing just a victory against home side Kelana United to seal top spot in the preliminary round's Group C, the Sailors recorded an impressive 3-1 win at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka, courtesy of goals from Japanese imports Ami Takeuchi and Miyu Inayama and Singaporean teenage sensation Nur Ain Salleh.

Sailors coach Daniel Ong said "there were no words" to describe his feelings after the win.

He added: "We are a young team and definitely there's a lot of things that need to be addressed but the players and backroom staff are always very supportive.

"We showed that we are able to link up well, especially in the attacking third."

On Aug 25, the Sailors clinched a shock 2-0 victory over Jordan's Etihad Club in their opener to secure their first win in the continental event and put themselves in the driving seat for a place in the group stage.