The Lion City Sailors have become the first Singaporean side to advance out of the group stages of an AFC club competition since 2018
Jalan Besar Stadium erupted on Thursday evening as Lion City Sailors emerged victorious in a hard-fought 5-2 win over Port FC, becoming the first Singaporean side to ever reach the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two Round of 16.
The Sailors needed a win to secure their spot in the knockouts, as a draw would have placed their fate in the hands of fellow Group F contenders Persib Bandung to beat Zhejiang Professional.
It was hat-trick hero Song Ui-Yong, Shawal Anuar and Lennart Thy who bagged the five goals that booked the home team's side a date with history.
It didn't take a long at all for The Sailors to set sail. Just 42 seconds after the first whistle blew, Song pounced on a loose ball lost amidst chaos in the penalty box for his first goal of the night.
The first 45 minutes belonged to the home side who, for the most part, were the puppeteers of the game, controlling its direction.
It all came to fruition in the 36th minute, when Maxime Lestienne's perfectly weighted cross found an onrushing Song. Needing no touches, the 31-year-old's right foot connected with the ball to make it 2-0.
Despite a two-goal lead, an air of uncertainty lingered. After all, The Sailors and their fans had been here before, haunted by the memory of back-to-back ACL matches where 2-0 leads crumbled into heartbreaking defeats.
And just like before, it all fell for The Sailors after Port FC's introduction of Teerasak Poeiphimai at half time. Just five minutes into the second half, Teerasak's one-touch pass into the path of Felipe Amorin set the latter off into space, before releasing a rocket too powerful for Izwan Mahbud.
Two minutes later, Teerasak found Frans Putros lurking at the edge of the box. Putros' low-driven shot nestled into the bottom right corner, igniting jubilant celebrations from the Thai side and their visiting fans.
Stunned, The Sailors had to find an answer.
In the 67th minute, in a way footballers could only dream of, The Sailors found their much-needed redemption. Refusing to allow a three-peat of defeats after initially leading the game, Song completed his hat-trick with a bicycle kick helped on by Lestienne's cross once more.
The crowd had been buzzing with energy all night, but in that moment, the sea of white and blue amongst the 2,357-strong crowd exploded like never before. As the screens repeatedly showcased Song's remarkable agility, the chorus of cheers for the Sailors' star of the night grew louder with every replay.
And then, it happened. The Sailors' spark and confidence from the first half had returned, unmistakably evident for all to see.
Shawal extended the lead four minutes later, as he tapped it into an empty net after going around an oncoming Port City custodian Chanin Sae-Ear.
In similar fashion, substitute Lennart finished the game off with Sailors' fifth and final goal in the ninth minute of added time.
With tickets to the knockout rounds now punched, The Sailors ended off the night in ecstatic celebrations shared with the home crowd after what was their last fixture of the year.
The ACL Two Round of 16 is set to kick off in February 2025, where The Sailors could potentially face Sydney FC, Muangthong United or Nam Định FC, a fate they will only know of after 12th December's fixture draw.
Here are more highlights of the 5-2 victory.
After completing his hat-trick with a stunner and reinstating the team's lead, Song and his teammates celebrated with the bench, staff and fans – who had all but erupted at the sight of Song's bicycle kick goal.
Singaporean Defender Irfan Fandi returned to home soil to take on The Sailors at Jalan Besar Stadium. The eldest Fandi brother could be heard on the pitch giving out commands to his backline, showcasing his experience and leadership as a center-back.
He is set to miss the highly-anticipated ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup along with the other overseas-based Singaporeans, including his two younger brothers.
Shawal contests for the ball with Asnawi Mangkualam, who was forced to take a chorus of boos from the home crowd every single time he touched the ball.
Asnawi became Singapore's villain of the hour in 2021 after the nation's defeat to Indonesia in the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup semi finals, where he infamously ran up to a devastated Faris Ramli to thank him for missing a penalty which would have won an eight-men Singapore side the game in added time.
Clearly, it was not forgotten nor forgiven.
Lennart rounding in added time before clinically netting the ball from a tight angle.
It was Sailors' fifth and final goal.
Song and Lestienne often paired up in attacking plays, directing off the ball movement of not only their teammates, but Port FC's as well.
The Crew, equipped with snare and bass drums, made their voices loud and clear for a full 90 minutes. The atmosphere generated by the home fans was electric, and set the tone of the game's significance.