Lion City Sailors to represent Singapore at inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League

SINGAPORE – Having dominated the local Women’s Premier League in recent seasons, the Lion City Sailors will get their chance for a maiden Asian expedition soon.

The two-time champions, who were unbeaten in both title-winning seasons, are among 22 sides who will take part in the inaugural Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League which kicks off on Aug 25, the AFC announced on June 14.

Sailors coach Daniel Ong, 35, called it an honour to be part of the revamped continental competition, adding: “We’re excited by the opportunity to test ourselves against high-calibre opposition and see how we match up against our counterparts from Asia.”

They will first have to navigate past the preliminary stage, in which 14 clubs from the lower-ranked nations will compete in four pools – to be hosted by Jordan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Thailand – from Aug 25 to 31.

The other clubs in this stage include the likes of Sabah (Malaysia), Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) and Etihad (Jordan).

The four pool winners will then advance to the group stage, where they will join the eight clubs from higher-ranked nations such as Japan (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies), North Korea (Naegohyang Women’s) and Australia (Melbourne City).

China, Vietnam and one unannounced nation will host the three groups, with the top two from each group and two best third-placed finishers advancing to the quarter-finals. The draw for the preliminary and group stages will take place in Kuala Lumpur on July 18.

Urawa won the 2023 AFC Women’s Club Championship, the Champions League’s predecessor, which was only an eight-team competition.

As part of the revamp, the 12 teams in the group stage will each receive US$100,000 (S$135,400), with additional monetary rewards depending on placings. The champions will take home at least US$1.3 million, the biggest payout for women’s club football on the continent.

In a 2023 media statement announcing the revamped tournament, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said that the league is a “major step” towards showcasing the talent of women’s football on a continental stage.

Sailors’ team captain Umairah Hamdan is looking forward to the challenge.

The 22-year-old defender said: “It’ll be challenging for sure, but these matches will bring out the best in us. We have many young players here, and our participation in this tournament will help us improve both individually and as a team.”

Ong added: “More importantly, we want the players to have this huge goal to aspire to as they continually elevate themselves. I’m confident they’ll be able to give a good account of themselves in this competition.”