Lion City Sailors counting on Maxime Lestienne, Diego Lopes to overcome Albirex Niigata

SINGAPORE – As a Belgian, Maxime Lestienne’s main languages are Dutch and French. His Lion City Sailors teammate Diego Lopes, a Brazilian, speaks mainly Portuguese.

But the language barrier has hardly affected their telepathy on the pitch.

Last week, they clicked into gear in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) match against Brunei DPMM, combining for all three goals in a pulsating 3-3 draw. Lestienne is the SPL’s top scorer with 10 goals and top assist-maker with nine, while Lopes has three goals and eight assists.

That understanding on the pitch comes from a healthy bond they have developed off it.

Amid regular meals at a Brazilian restaurant in Chinatown, they communicate in a “rojak” language comprising a mix of English, Spanish, Portuguese and sign language.

Lopes, 29, said via a translator: “We are good friends on and off the pitch. We go for dinner together at restaurants, we joke and we have a lot of fun.

“He (Lestienne) is a fun guy to be around with.”

Their spontaneity is evident from the decision to dye their hair blond before the 2-1 win over Geylang International two weeks ago.

“He wants to be like me,” said Lestienne, 30, with a chuckle.

To which Lopes admitted: “It was my idea to do this. We were here in the changing room and I said let’s cut our hair and let’s do blond.

“We just decided like that and it wasn’t something planned.”

The Sailors will be hoping that the duo’s chemistry will give them an edge on Sunday when they meet champions Albirex Niigata, opponents they have not beaten in the SPL in 10 attempts.

Lestienne, who played in five of those encounters, is determined to end that run, saying: “We know Albirex are always difficult but we have enough quality to beat them.

“We cannot be scared of them.

“If we work together to pressure them, I believe they can be beaten.”

Sailors coach Risto Vidakovic said: “For us, the game against Albirex is practically a final.

“They have a very serious, professional team and in every position, they have good players.

“But we have to try to play our style no matter who we’re facing to prove we can compete.”

A win for Vidakovic’s third-placed Sailors will reduce their gap on Albirex to just one point, although the Japanese side still have a game in hand.

If things go their way, both Lestienne and Lopes will hope to play prominent roles in the Sailors’ title challenge beyond this term.

Both their contracts expire after this season.

Lestienne said: “My agent already spoke to the club, so now I can say nothing, but I feel really good in terms of my physical condition, even though I’m 30.

“I feel very happy here and my goal is to help the Sailors win some silverware.

“If the club want me to stay, I can stay a few more years. Why not?”

The Straits Times understands negotiations with the club are set to begin in June.

Lopes, who is also into the final year of his three-year deal, added: “My first option is to stay here and continue with the club.

“I like the city, country and the climate is good.

“I hope that Max has the same idea as me, so we can continue to grow together.”

In Saturday’s matches, Tampines Rovers went top of the SPL after a 1-0 win over the Young Lions, thanks to Boris Kopitovic’s second-minute goal at Our Tampines Hub.

The Stags have a two-point cushion over Albirex but have also played two games more.

Meanwhile, Balestier Khalsa tightened their grip on fourth spot after a 3-2 win over DPMM at Bishan Stadium.

Geylang v Tanjong Pagar (Sunday, 6pm, Our Tampines Hub)

Tanjong Pagar United are in abject form after four straight defeats and will face a tough test in Geylang International, who will be fired up to bounce back from narrow defeats by both Sailors and Hougang United.

The fifth-placed Eagles should have the upper hand at home.