Lion City Sailors Clinch 2023 Singapore Cup Victory

History was made at Jalan Besar Stadium as Lion City Sailors claimed their first-ever Singapore Cup title by defeating defending champions Hougang United 3-1 in a thrilling final. The Sailors delighted the 2,296 spectators with an impressive performance, highlighted by Richairo Živković’s early penalty and Maxime Lestienne’s goal before halftime. Despite a late consolation by Hougang, Shawal Anuar’s strike sealed the victory for the Sailors.

Head coach Aleksandar Rankovic praised his team’s resilience, acknowledging the challenges they faced throughout the season, including coaching changes and multiple competitions. The victory was a fitting reward for their hard work and dedication, according to Rankovic. Lion City Sailors’ captain Hariss Harun, honored as the Man of the Match, expressed his joy at adding the Singapore Cup to the team’s accomplishments, attributing the success to the players’ collective effort and the unwavering support of the fans.

Meanwhile, Hougang United fell short in their quest for back-to-back titles, with coach Marko Kraljevic expressing disappointment at the outcome but optimism for the future. Tampines Rovers secured third place earlier in the day by defeating Brunei DPMM 2-0, with goals from Boris Kopitovic and Faris Ramli.

During the post-match ceremony, Lion City Sailors received the championship trophy and a prize of S$50,000, while Hougang United settled for the runner-up spot and a S$30,000 prize. Tampines Rovers and Brunei DPMM were awarded S$20,000 and S$10,000 respectively for finishing in third and fourth place.

The conclusion of the 2023 Singapore Cup final marks the end of the domestic football season, following Albirex Niigata (S)’s triumph in the Singapore Premier League. Lion City Sailors’ victory cements their place in Singaporean football history, solidifying their status among the country’s footballing elite.

Author

Recent Posts

Zora Əhmədov

Zora Əhmədov, our dedicated statistician and lover of small leagues, is the analytical mind behind Asia.futbol's in-depth statistical analyses. Hailing from Azerbaijan, Zora's expertise lies in uncovering the hidden gems and untold stories within the lesser-known football leagues across Asia. With a sharp focus on numbers and an encyclopedic knowledge of the game, Zora's articles provide readers with a fresh perspective on the statistical side of Asian football.

Latest posts by Zora Əhmədov (see all)