In a thrilling first leg of the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals, the Lion City Sailors pulled off a remarkable upset, defeating Australia's Sydney FC 2-0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday night. Bart Ramselaar sparked the celebration with a spectacular goal, followed by a powerful strike from Lennart Thy, as the Sailors positioned themselves for a potential spot in the finals.

Right from the kickoff, Sydney FC appeared dominant, controlling the ball and tempo. They had just come off an impressive 5-2 aggregate win over South Korea's Jeonbuk in the quarter-finals, so expectations were high. Nonetheless, the Sailors showcased their resilience, and after a near miss in the 16th minute, Ramselaar unleashed a phenomenal shot two minutes later, sending the ball crashing off the crossbar and into the net.

As the match progressed, the Sailors became increasingly dangerous. Full-back Diogo Costa was particularly menacing, using his speed and agility to create chances on the left flank. On the other hand, Sydney struggled to capitalize on their possession, with their best chance coming from a Douglas Costa free kick that sailed over the goal.

Post-match, Sydney coach Ufuk Talay expressed frustration about his team's inability to penetrate the Sailors' defense, noting the importance of converting key opportunities. Despite boasting more ball control, the away team failed to make meaningful impact.

The second half saw the Sailors maintain their momentum. In the 53rd minute, a pinpoint pass from Diogo Costa reached Thy, who scored from a narrow angle, inciting wild cheers from the home crowd. Thy nearly added another goal in the closing stages, but Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares was quick to block his attempt.

Reflecting on the match, Thy stated, "We performed well at home. Our counter-attacks were effective, and while a 2-0 lead is positive, we know there's still a challenge ahead in Sydney."

The Sailors' journey to the semi-finals was not without its challenges. After being beaten 6-1 by Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the first leg of the quarter-finals, the match was later annulled due to a suspension rule violation on Sanfrecce's part, awarding the Sailors a 3-0 victory.

Previously known as the AFC Cup, AFC Champions League Two represents the second tier of Asian club football. The last time a team from Singapore made it to the knockout stages was in 2018, when Home United—now the Lion City Sailors—competed.

Having topped their Group F earlier in the tournament, the Sailors defeated Muangthong United 7-2 on aggregate in the round of 16, showcasing their competitive edge.

With the away leg set for next Wednesday, Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic is aware of the challenge ahead but remains confident. "We executed our plan well today, but it’s only the first half, and we anticipate a different game in Sydney," he said.