Ambitious big-spending Singaporean side Lion City Sailors received a harsh welcome to the AFC Champions League on Friday as they dropped their Group F opener, losing 4-1 to Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds at the Chang Arena in Buriram.

By virtue of winning the 2021 Singapore Premier League, Lion City Sailors became only the third Singaporean side to play in the AFC Champions League after Warriors FC and Tampines Rovers. In preparation for Asia’s premier club competition, the Sailors had done their homework – ACL-winning head coach Kim Do-hoon and Brazilian midfielder Diego Lopes were retained from last season, while another ACL veteran in striker Kim Shin-wook.