SINGAPORE – The same venue, the same award but this time, a different outcome.
It was 380 days ago at the year-end Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) annual awards in November 2022.
Then, Lion City Sailors’ Maxime Lestienne was snubbed for the Singapore Premier League’s (SPL) Player of the Year award despite a league-high 23 assists and 12 goals.
He sat unmoved and looked on as Japanese forward Kodai Tanaka received the top gong.
This time, there was no stopping Lestienne, just as SPL defenders have found out this season.
The Belgium winger was on stage at the Orchard Hotel at the FAS Awards Night with the coveted Player of the Year trophy in his arm, on the back of an impressive 25 goals and 21 assists in 24 league matches.
Lestienne, who has two sons and a daughter, said the secret to his sustained success has been his family and him feeling settled here.
He said: “I didn’t think I would like Singapore this much. I love Singapore now.
“Not just the club and the football here, but outside football, the life here. And there is so much to do here and my family is really happy.
“When I was playing in Russia, my family was not happy there. I can feel it and I was not really happy. When my family is happy, then I can be happy on the pitch.”
While Lestienne – who also won the Golden Boot award and was selected for the Team of the Year – now has his first individual trophies, his aim is to add a team prize in the Singapore Cup.
The Sailors top Group B and need just a draw against Hougang United on Nov 25 to confirm a semi-final spot.
They are also still in contention for the next round of the Asian Champions League, after six points from four matches.
Lestienne, 31, said: “It’s been a long season and I will give the best I can for the remaining matches... the objective is to win the Cup.”
The former PSV Eindhoven and Belgian youth international has mesmerised fans since moving to Sailors on a free transfer from Belgian top-tier side Standard Liege in 2022 on a two-year deal.
He is set to add stardust to SPL matches beyond 2023, as The Straits Times understands that he has signed an extension with the Sailors.
SPL champions Albirex Niigata were rewarded in the other individual categories. Kazuaki Yoshinaga winning his fourth Coach award, while forward Seia Kunori clinched the Young Player gong after notching 21 goals and 10 assists in the league.
In the Women’s Premier League (WPL) category, Albirex Niigata midfielder Kitahara Kana was voted Player of the Year.
Kana, 34, who represented Japan as they finished second at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, leads the WPL scoring charts with 17 goals, with one match remaining.
While pleased with the individual award, Kana said she would have been happier with her side winning the league.
Albirex are guaranteed second in the 10-team WPL and Kana hopes to inspire others with her success.
She said: “My aim to come here was to share my experience with the local players and I want to show them the way.
“As a player, I am always looking to do better. This season I was able to do well because I know the surroundings and teammates better, and my teammates know me better as well.
“Next season, I want to contribute more to Singapore football and win the league.”
The WPL Young Player award went to Tanjong Pagar midfielder Dhaniyah Qasimah, 19, while Yeong Sheau Shyan won the Coach gong for a second straight year after leading the Sailors to their second successive WPL title in 2023.
HONOUR ROLL
SPL player of the year: Maxime Lestienne (Sailors)
Young player of the year: Seia Kunori (Albirex)
Coach of the year: Kazuaki Yoshinaga (Albirex)
Goal of the year: Khairul Amri (Tanjong Pagar) vs Hougang United
Golden boot: Lestienne (25)
Golden glove: Syazwan Buhari (Tampines Rovers)
WPL player of the year: Kitahara Kana (Albirex)
Young player of the year : Dhaniyah Qasimah (Tanjong Pagar)
Coach of the year: Yeong Sheau Shyan (Sailors)
