Whirlwind Return to Women's Football

2023 WPL Champions / Photo credit: Lion City Sailors

While the world celebrates International Women’s Day on Mar 8, the focus of the local women’s football fraternity will be cast firmly on the Choa Chu Kang Stadium as the 23rd season of the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) returns a day later on Mar 9.

Nine teams will lock horns across 18 matchdays for the coveted WPL trophy. This follows the withdrawal of the Police Sports Association (PSA), who finished fifth in the 2023 WPL.

Defending champions Lion City Sailors face a new era under goalkeeping coach Daniel Ong, who takes over from two-time WPL Coach of the Year Yeong Sheau Shyan. Ong, who has been with the Sailors since their inaugural WPL campaign in 2022, is also part of the Singapore National Women’s Team backroom staff.

Yet, Ong will be well aware that retaining the title will not be easy. Last season’s first runner-up, Albirex Niigata (S), boasts a new head coach in 2023 WPL Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner Kana Kitahara. The former Japanese international, now assuming a dual player-coach role, replaces Nahar Daud in the dugout. She will be assisted by former Singapore women’s team head coach Melisa Ye and ex-Singapore men’s Under-17 assistant coach Toni Teo.

Image of Kitahara / Photo credit: albriex.com.g

Kitahara will be joined on the pitch by new teammates, with notable transfers reshaping team dynamics. Significantly, Singapore internationals Lila Tan and Ernie Sontaril have switched allegiances from the Lion City Sailors. To add depth to their roster, 2023 WPL Young Player of the Year Dhaniyah Qasimah has joined compatriot Rosnani Azman in switching the red of Tanjong Pagar United for the orange of Albirex Niigata (S).

The Sailors, undeterred, have made notable additions of their own, securing the services of German midfielder Laura Ganser. Ganser comes with a wealth of experience, having featured prominently in the lower divisions of German football. The 2023 WPL champions have also signed teenagers Qarissa Putri Ramadhani from Tanjong Pagar United and Nur Sarah Zu’risqha from Albirex Niigata (S). In addition, to ensure the infusion of fresh energy, the Sailors have promoted seven players from their developmental Women’s National League Mattar Sailors team to the WPL side. Following a painful 2023 campaign in which she sat out after an anterior cruciate ligament injury, midfielder Dorcas Chu will also look to make a comeback.

Image of Ganse / Photo credit: Lion CIty Sailors

While the focus will undoubtedly be on last year’s top two sides, other clubs in the WPL will look to throw their hat into the championship mix. Still Aerion, who finished seventh last time out, has added a Thai flair to their squad, signing Thai internationals Sunisa Srangthaisong and Uraiphon Yongkul. In particular, Srangthaisong will be looking to quickly make an impression in the WPL, having scored goals at the international level for the Thailand national team. Balestier Khalsa, meanwhile, has refreshed their roster, bringing in players such as Nurul Fatin from Tanjong Pagar and Eva Rushdina from BG Tampines Rovers.

The opening weekend will see all teams but Balestier Khalsa feature. The league will observe breaks during FIFA International Windows to accommodate international commitments.

Fans can anticipate an exhilarating season ahead with free admission to all WPL matches, which will be played at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

The full schedule of WPL fixtures can be found here.