Singapore’s representatives in the 2026/27 ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ experienced a rollercoaster week of continental action, defined by last-gasp heartbreak and frustrating margins.
While Tampines Rovers were denied an opening victory in Malaysia by a 93rd-minute equaliser against Kuching City FC, Lion City Sailors fell to a narrow 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Vietnamese champions Công An Hà Nội FC.
Here is the complete breakdown of how both Singapore Premier League (SPL) outfits fared on the regional stage this week.
Photo: Tampines Rovers FC
Group A: Tampines Rovers Stunned by Late Stoppage-Time Equaliser in Kuching
Kuching City FC 2–2 Tampines Rovers FC
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Venue: Stadium Negeri, Kuching
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Goals: Gabriel Peres (86’, 93’) | Nabel Yoshitaka Furusawa (13’), Kohya Kazama (88’)
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Shopee Star of the Match: Gabriel Peres (Kuching City FC)
Tampines Rovers were minutes away from clinching maximum points away from home before a late brace from Brazilian defender Gabriel Peres rescued a dramatic 2-2 draw for tournament debutants Kuching City FC.
The Stags could not have asked for a better start. In the 13th minute, Japanese forward Nabel Yoshitaka Furusawa marked his competitive debut in style. When Hide Higashikawa’s deep delivery was headed upward by Peres, Furusawa reacted quickest to steer a volley across the line from close range.
Kuching City, coached by former Tampines tactician Aidil Sharin Sahak, pushed hard for a route back into the contest. Goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad was in inspired form for the Singapore side, pulling off crucial stops to deny Safawi Rasid and tipping a point-blank Peres header over the bar in the 65th minute.
The match erupted into pure chaos during the closing stages:
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86th Minute: Peres levelled the score with a speculative 25-yard drive that took a wicked deflection to wrong-foot Zharfan.
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88th Minute: Tampines answered immediately. Home custodian Haziq Nadzli spilled possession, allowing Kohya Kazama to exchange a slick one-two with Higashikawa before slotting the Stags back in front.
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93rd Minute: In the third minute of stoppage time, João Pedro whipped a cross from the right wing, and Peres rose to guide an effort in off the inside post, snatching a share of the spoils for the hosts.
Tampines head coach Nazri Nasir will feel aggrieved to drop two points late on, but his side showed immense tactical discipline away from home in their Group A opener.
Group B: Lion City Sailors Fall to Clinical Công An Hà Nội Counter-Attack
Lion City Sailors FC 0–1 Công An Hà Nội FC
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Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore
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Goal: Léo Artur (45+2’)
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Shopee Star of the Match: Léo Artur (Công An Hà Nội FC)
At Jalan Besar Stadium, Lion City Sailors’ regional campaign got off to a frustrating start as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to V.League 1 champions Công An Hà Nội FC, extending the Sailors’ winless run to three matches across all competitions.
The hosts controlled long stretches of the first half and created several clear-cut openings. Kyoga Nakamura and Diogo Costa tested the visitors early, while forward Matthias Phaëton was denied on a rapid break by an alert Filip Nguyễn. Antonio Mance also caused problems across the front line, fizzing dangerous balls across the six-yard box.
However, Mano Pölking’s side demonstrated the ruthless counter-attacking quality that carried them to the 2024/25 Shopee Cup final.
Photo: Lion City Sailors FC
Two minutes into first-half stoppage time, Colombian forward Brayan Perea collected the ball inside the Sailors’ half, charged past Diogo Costa, and delivered a clever backheel assist into the path of Léo Artur, who tapped home from close range.
Sailors goalkeeper Victor Aznar kept his side in the hunt after the restart with crucial saves against Léo Artur and Jason Quang-Vinh. Mark Jackson introduced attacking reinforcements, but the equaliser proved elusive:
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Bart Ramselaar sent a rising effort over the crossbar.
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Nakamura saw a goal-bound strike deflected out for a corner.
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Deep into second-half added time, Abdul Rasaq Akeem missed an open net from close range to seal the visitors' win.
The result leaves new Sailors boss Mark Jackson still searching for his first competitive victory since taking the reins in September.