Lion City Sailors get provisional approval to host Asian Champions League 2 final at Bishan Stadium
SINGAPORE – The Lion City Sailors have been granted provisional approval to host the Asian Champions League Two final against Sharjah FC of the United Arab Emirates at the Bishan Stadium. This is subject to a final inspection and formal approval by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in early May ahead of the showpiece on May 18 (8pm).
In a media statement on April 23, the Sailors announced the decision, adding: 'Over the next few weeks, the club will be working closely with Sport Singapore, the Football Association of Singapore and sports industry experts to make the necessary upgrades and preparations to ensure the venue is match-ready for the big night on May 18.'
Ticket details will be announced soon.
This comes after several days of uncertainty over the venue for the ACL2 final, which is contested by the top teams from East and West Asia, with the venue alternating between both regions yearly.
For the 2024-25 edition, the host team will come from East Asia, which means the Sailors, who beat A-League side Sydney FC 2-1 on aggregate over the two-legged semi-finals, have the hosting rights.
The Sailors had been scheduled to host Sharjah at the Jalan Besar Stadium, where the Singapore side had played their six ACL2 home matches this season, winning four times, drawing once and losing once.
However, the Emirati club had requested that the final not be played at Jalan Besar, citing its artificial pitch and 6,000-seater capacity.
AFC officials, who met SportSG and FAS representatives to discuss venue options for the showpiece last week, also carried out an inspection of the Bishan Stadium, which has a natural grass pitch and can hold approximately 6,000 spectators as well.
It is also the homeground of both the Sailors and Balestier Khalsa in the Singapore Premier League.
The Sailors have won 14 of the 17 domestic games, including Singapore Cup fixtures, played at the Bishan Stadium so far this season, drawing twice and losing only once.
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Straits Times
Wiegman echoes Southgate as England take back-door route to final
LONDON - An unprecedented third successive major final appearance engineered by a series of extraordinary comebacks and a manager similarly lauded and hammered at the same time - there is a familiar feel about England at the Women's Euros. Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Italy, secured via a last-gasp equaliser in normal time then a winner two minutes from the end of extra time, propelled the defending champions into a final against either Germany, who they beat to lift the title in 2022, or Spain, who they lost to in the World Cup final two years ago. Under the guidance of the extraordinarily successful coach Sarina Wiegman, England have reached an unprecedented level of consistency, yet, far from lauding the Dutchwoman's influence, there is an undercurrent of feeling that they have somehow made it this far this time despite, not because, of her decisions. Wiegman has been steadfast - some say stubborn - in her selection approach during the tournament despite England's starting team often failing to spark. They trailed Sweden 2-0 in the quarter-finals, looking toothless, until finally she turned to the bench and substitute Michelle Agyemang rescued the match, which England eventually won via a crazy 14-shot penalty shootout. After making only one change to the starting lineup - and that perhaps more due to the racist abuse swirling around Jess Carter than her shaky performance - Wiegman watched in her usual motionless style as hot favourites England were outrun and outplayed by Italy for an hour on Tuesday. Eventually she turned to her bench, throwing on strikers Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones with five minutes to go, having introduced 2022 hero Chloe Kelly after 77 minutes. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore's domestic recycling rate drops to all-time low of 11% Singapore Sota parent portal taken down for urgent patching following global cyberattack alerts Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Five teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt Singapore Local buyers are key to recovery of prime district condo market Singapore Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer charged with assault after Singapore Premier League match in Feb Singapore COE prices for cars mostly unchanged; premium for commercial vehicles up 2.9% Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him Agyemang, 19, was the saviour again as she equalised deep into stoppage time and, with a penalty shootout that England would definitely not have wanted after missing four of their seven attempts in the quarter-final, Kelly then won it with two minutes to spare. Wiegman said her overwhelming emotion was relief and praised the quality and energy of her substitutes - which of course begged the question of why she took so long to bring them on. FAMILIAR FEEL It all had a very familiar feel after Gareth Southgate was both lauded and vilified during England men's run to the Euro 2024 final having also reached the 2020 final and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. Southgate was widely criticised for his failure to react to changes made by Italy and Croatia in those earlier defeats, but, like Wiegman, the louder the outside noise, the more he dug his feet in. He reached a nadir in the Euro 2024 last 16 game against Slovakia, when, trailing 1-0 having barely managed a shot on goal all night, he waited until the fourth minute of stoppage time to introduce striker Ivan Toney, before Jude Bellingham eventually equalised and England won in extra-time. It was a similar story in the semi-finals before England won on penalties and in the final he waited until the 70th minute to bring on Cole Palmer, the team's most dangerous player whenever he got on the pitch, who immediately equalised before England eventually lost 2-1. Southgate had turned a desperately poor England team into a brilliantly consistent one, but rather than celebrate that "success", there were plenty of critics ready to claim that his cautiousness robbed the country of the chance of glory. Wiegman already has the Euro 2022 trophy in the cabinet - as well as the 2017 title with the Netherlands - and there are of course many other coaches now watching from home who would give their right arm to be in her place heading into the final. Yet, just as with Southgate and even with her vast experience and glittering CV, should England be trailing again on Sunday, she surely needs to find it in herself to loosen the stays and not rely on another last-minute rescue act. REUTERS
Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Straits Times
Stokes looks to break Old Trafford curse and puts India in to bat
MANCHESTER, England - England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and put India in to bat as the fourth test of a thrilling series against India gets under way in Manchester on Wednesday. The hosts lead 2-1 and can wrap up a series victory with success at Old Trafford over the next five days, but risk-taker Stokes has gambled again -- no team who has won the toss and put the opposition to bat has ever won a test match on this ground. "There's pretty decent overhead conditions for bowling so that's what we're going to do," Stokes said. "We've had a good break in between. "It's been a good chance for everyone to go back home and rest, put their feet up then come back here." The fourth test follows a feisty third match at Lord's. India captain Shubman Gill insisted England's conduct went against the "spirit of the game", while Stokes was adamant his team will not go looking for trouble this time around. India make three changes, two of them forced, handing a test debut to seam bowler Anshul Kamboj. Sai Sudharsan replaces Karun Nair at number three after he failed to pass 40 in the first three tests, while Shardul Thakur and Kamboj come in for Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep. England's only change from Lord's is also forced, as spinner Liam Dawson returns to the test team for the first time in eight years, replacing the injured Shoaib Bashir. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore's domestic recycling rate drops to all-time low of 11% Singapore Sota parent portal taken down for urgent patching following global cyberattack alerts Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Local buyers are key to recovery of prime district condo market Singapore New online channel for public to report illegal ride-hailing services Singapore Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer charged with assault after Singapore Premier League match in Feb Singapore COE prices for cars mostly unchanged; premium for commercial vehicles up 2.9% Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him
Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Straits Times
Springboks leave out experienced trio for Australia tests
South Africa have named their squad for the two Rugby Championship tests at home to Australia next month as they begin the defence of their title, with no place for double World Cup winners Lukhanyo Am, Faf de Klerk and Makazola Mapimpi. The experienced trio are on a stand-by list in case of injury as coach Rassie Erasmus named a 37-player group on Wednesday to meet the Wallabies in Johannesburg on August 16 and in Cape Town a week later. Recent new caps Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Cobus Wiese (utility forward) have all been included. Bath prop Thomas du Toit has been granted a compulsory two-week rest as agreed with the English Premiership, while number eight Jasper Wiese, the brother of Cobus, is serving a four-week suspension. Erasmus has already used almost 50 players in three tests this year as he looks to add depth to the squad with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in mind. "It's always challenging to reduce the squad, especially given how the expanded group of players put up their hands (in wins over Italy and Georgia this month), but we always said we would select a smaller, more manageable squad during the Rugby Championship," Erasmus said. "We probably have three players who can cover each position. One of our key pillars as a team is to build squad depth, and there is no better way to see what some of the younger players are capable of than to expose them to some of the top teams in the world." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore's domestic recycling rate drops to all-time low of 11% Singapore Sota parent portal taken down for urgent patching following global cyberattack alerts Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Local buyers are key to recovery of prime district condo market Singapore New online channel for public to report illegal ride-hailing services Singapore Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer charged with assault after Singapore Premier League match in Feb Singapore COE prices for cars mostly unchanged; premium for commercial vehicles up 2.9% Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him The Springboks have also invited three players from South Africa's victorious side at the recent Under-20 World Cup to train with the team to gain experience. They are loose-forward Bathobele Hlekani, wing Cheswill Jooste and scrumhalf Haashim Pead, the stand-out performer in the tournament. South Africa squad: Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese. Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse. REUTERS
