Lion City Sailors’ Maxime Lestienne says goodbye with cheeky missed Panenka

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Departing Lion City Sailors winger Maxime Lestienne is cheered on by fans and players as he makes his way off the pitch after being substituted during the 1-0 Singapore Cup win over Balestier Khalsa at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Dec 20.

ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

Jeremiah Ong

SINGAPORE – Maxime Lestienne’s 131st and final appearance for the Lion City Sailors, in the Singapore Cup semi-final, second leg clash against Balestier Khalsa on Dec 20, was an uncharacteristically subdued one.

But the departing winger was not forgotten in the stands, where fans showed their adulation throughout the match and gave him a standing ovation when he came off in the 88th minute.

Lestienne, the club’s top scorer (70 goals) since their privatisation in 2020, had a glorious chance to sign off in style when he stepped up to the spot in the 73rd minute, after Anderson Lopes’ effort was handled by defender Mario Subaric at Jalan Besar Stadium.

But in typical Lestienne fashion, he went for the spectacular. His failed Panenka was followed by a cheeky smile and a high-five exchange with Balestier goalkeeper Mario Mustapic, who had read his intentions.

“I have scored many penalties in my career but never a Panenka, so I said for the last game if I get a penalty, I wanted to try a Panenka,” Lestienne said.

The defending champions would go on to notch a 1-0 win (5-1 on aggregate) courtesy of an early Shawal Anuar goal.

Despite losing 3-1 to Albirex