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Irfan Fandi

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In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Fandi is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Irfan.
Irfan Fandi
Irfan playing for Singapore in 2018
Personal information
Full name Irfan bin Fandi Ahmad[1]
Date of birth (1997-08-13) 13 August 1997 (age 26)
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 BG Pathum United
Number 17
Youth career
2012–2013 National Football Academy
2013 Hércules
2014 Barnechea
2014–2015 Universidad Católica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015 Universidad Católica 1 (0)
2015 Young Lions 9 (2)
2016–2017 Home United 25 (6)
2018 Young Lions 18 (2)
2019– BG Pathum United 78 (7)
International career‡
2015–2019 Singapore U22 7 (1)
2014–2019 Singapore U23 32 (8)
2016– Singapore 42 (1)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Singapore
Merlion Cup
Winner 2019 Singapore
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:06, 2 October 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:32, 24 September 2022 (UTC)

Irfan bin Fandi Ahmad (born 13 August 1997), more commonly known as Irfan Fandi or mononymously as Irfan, is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Thai League 1 club BG Pathum United and the Singapore national team.[2] In 2013, he was listed as one of Goal.com's Top 20 Southeast Asian Rising Stars.[3] In 2014, Irfan was also named as one of the top 40 best young talents in world football on The Guardian.[4][5]

Irfan began his footballing career by going through the youth system at the National Football Academy (NFA), with subsequent stints and trials at various clubs before debuting as a professional at the age of 18 at top tier Chilean Primera División side Universidad Católica in 2015.[6] Although Irfan was offered a two-year contract by the club, he rejected it to return to Singapore. For the next three years, Irfan played for local clubs the Young Lions and Home United.[A] Around this time, he went on trials with Dutch Eredivisie side FC Groningen and Portuguese Primeira Liga side S.C. Braga, rejecting a contract offer from the latter.

In 2018, Irfan signed for Thailand's BG Pathum United FC prior to the 2019 Thai League 2 season, where he was instrumental to the club's immediate promotion back to the Thai League 1 and soon after when the club become the Champions of Thailand during the 2021–22 Thai League 1 season – becoming the first Singaporean to win Thailand's top tier league trophy.[7] During their title winning season, Irfan led BG Pathum's defence with the club only losing a single game the entire season, while conceding just 11 goals in 24 matches and keeping 15 clean sheets.[8]

Irfan made his senior international debut for Singapore in 2016, with a single goal as a centre-back coming against Turkmenistan in 2017, and earning 38 caps as of 2022. He has represented his country at various international tournaments, including the 2018 and 2020 AFF Championships, the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification as well as the AFC 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds.

Early life and family

Irfan was born on 13 August 1997 in Singapore. Irfan is the eldest son of Singaporean footballing legend Fandi Ahmad and former model Wendy Jacobs. He has four siblings, younger brothers Ikhsan, a club teammate who plays for BG Pathum United as well as Ilhan, who plays for Young Lions and Iryan, who plays for Hougang United under-17 and the other being his sister Iman.[9]

Irfan attended the Singapore Sports School at Woodlands.[10]

Club career

Youth

Irfan started his career by going through the youth system of the National Football Academy (NFA).

In March 2013, Irfan had an opportunity to secure his first overseas stint, which was supposed to be with Hércules, a second-tier Spanish professional club. However, he failed to secure a contract with the club due to visa issues.[11] He later joined Chilean side A.C. Barnechea, signing a two-year contract with the Chilean Primera División club.[12]

Universidad Católica

Irfan then joined Chilean Primera División club Universidad Católica in 2014 and made his first team debut the following year, appearing from the bench for the club's senior team in the 81st minute, when Universidad Católica were leading 4-0 against San Luis de Quillota.[13] However, Irfan later rejected a two-year contract from the club in order to return to Singapore and fulfil his National Service obligations.[14]

Young Lions

On 5 March 2015, it was announced that Irfan would join S.League side Young Lions for the 2015 S.League season on a six-month contract.[15][16][17] On the same day, he was immediately named in the starting line-up to face Tampines Rovers, due to an injury suffered by Shakir Hamzah.[18]

Home United

In January 2016, it was announced that Irfan signed a two-year contract for Home United for the upcoming 2016 S.League season along with his brother, Ikhsan. He scored a brace against Balestier Khalsa in only his second start of the season after being away for most of the season due to National Service commitments.[19]

On 14 March 2017, Puma was revealed to have signed Irfan on a two-year sponsorship deal. Irfan's former club Club Deportivo Universidad Católica was also reportedly interested in re-signing him following the completion of his national service.[14]

Irfan scored his first goal for the 2017 S.League season in a 0–2 victory over Hougang United, later following up with his first at the continental level, scoring in the 24th minute against Yadanarbon F.C. to give his side a 3–0 lead in an eventual 4–1 win.[20] The win saw Home United become the first side to advance to the zonal semi-finals.[21] Irfan was later nominated for the S.League's Young Player of the Season award.[22] His performances also drew the attention of Thailand's BG Pathum United, which he would eventually sign for, and was offered also offered a trial with English side Leeds United in December 2017.[23][24]

Return to Young Lions

Irfan returned to join the Young Lions after his national service for the 2018 Singapore Premier League season.

In February 2018, Irfan, together with his brother, Ikhsan, went on trials at Eredivisie club, Groningen.[25] He also went on another trial with Portuguese top-tier side, S.C. Braga, and was later offered a two-year deal, with the club retaining the option to extend the contract by two additional years. Irfan rejected the offer, citing that he felt lonely and homesick during his brief stint with the club. He also added that the clause of having to fork out a hefty compensation of 15 million euros should he decide to leave the club during the contract was one of the other reasons that he did not accept it.[26] Irfan eventually rejoined the Young Lions and ended the season with 22 appearances with 3 goals.

BG Pathum United

On 11 November 2018, it was confirmed that Irfan would join BG Pathum United to fill up the club's ASEAN slot for the 2019 Thai League 2 season. Irfan agreed to join the Thai side despite their relegation as they had been interested in signing him for two years.[27][28] In his first season, he helped BG Pathum secure promotion back to the Thai League 1.[29] Irfan was sent off in the first half of his first top-flight game in Thailand, when BG Pathum trailed Muangthong United 1–0. The club eventually won the game 2–1.[30]

Irfan became the first Singaporean to win the Thai League 1 title after his club swooped to the title having garnered an unassailable 19-point cushion over second-placed Buriram United, with six games left.[8][31] Irfan was key to their triumph with the defence having only conceded just 11 goals in 24 matches, while keeping 15 clean sheets.[8]

Irfan won his fourth silverware in the form of the 2022 Thailand Champions Cup with BG Pathum in a 3-2 win over Buriram. [32]

International career

Youth

Irfan was part of the Singapore U16 side in the 25th edition of the Canon Lion City Cup held in 2013, impressing against Arsenal U15 and Eintracht Frankfurt U15.[2][3] He made his Singapore U23 debut on 14 February 2015, scoring against the Japan U22s, and was selected by coach Aide Iskandar for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games.[33][34]

Senior

In September 2016, Irfan was called up by national team coach V. Sundramoorthy for the friendlies against Malaysia and Hong Kong on 7 October and 11 October respectively. He made his debut for the senior national team against Hong Kong at the Mongkok Stadium.[35] He earned his second cap in a friendly against Afghanistan before securing his first start against Bahrain in Singapore's first third-round match of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, helping the Lions earn a 0-0 away draw.[36][37]

Irfan was selected as part of the Singapore Selection squad for The Sultan of Selangor's Cup to be held on 6 May 2017.[38] He also made his AFF Championship debut in the 2018 iteration on 9 November, with a 1–0 win over Indonesia.

Irfan received a call up to the national team for a friendly against Afghanistan and the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches held in Riyadh against Palestine, Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia along with brothers, Ikhsan and Ilhan. This was the first time all three brothers of were called up.[39]

On 25 December 2021, in the second leg of the 2020 AFF Championship semi-final match against Indonesia, Irfan was controversially sent off in the 67th minute after tackling down Irfan Jaya for allegedly denying a goalscoring opportunity.[40]

On 26 March 2022, against Malaysia, Irfan played alongside his younger brothers Ikhsan and Ilhan. It was the first time that the three Fandi brothers played in the same match for the national team together. It was also the first time in Singapore's history to have three brothers playing for the national team.[41] The Singapore team won 2–1 thanks to a brace from his younger brother Ikhsan.[42]

Personal life

Irfan, along with his brother Ikhsan, served their National Service (NS) obligations for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) from 2016 to 2018. During their stint, they had continued to play and train professional football under the SAF Sportsmen Scheme by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) that gives special dispensation for local athletes with flexible timetables for sports events – including representing Singapore at international competitions.[43][44]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 2 October 2022.[45]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Asia Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Young Lions 2015 S.League 9 2 0 0 0 0 — 9 2
Total 9 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 2
Home United 2016 S.League 8 2 0 0 0 0 — 8 2
2017 S.League 17 4 2 0 0 0 7[a] 1 26 5
Total 25 6 2 0 0 0 7 1 34 7
Young Lions 2018 Singapore Premier League 18 2 0 0 0 0 — 18 2
Total 18 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 2
BG Pathum United 2019 Thai League 2 27 4 1 0 4 2 0 0 32 6
2020–21 Thai League 1 19 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 1
2021–22 Thai League 1 25 1 3 0 1 0 5[b] 0 34 1
2022–23 Thai League 1 6 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 8 1
Total 77 7 4 0 6 2 6 0 93 9
Career total 129 17 6 0 6 2 13 1 144 20
  1. ^ Appearances in the AFC Cup
  2. ^ 1 appreance in the 2021 AFC Champions League and 4 appearances in the 2022 AFC Champions League

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Singapore 2016 1 0
2017 10 1
2018 10 0
2019 5 0
2021 10 0
2022 6 0
Total 42 1

International caps

No Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
5 5 December 2021 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore  Myanmar 3–0 2020 AFF Championship
6 8 December 2021 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore  Philippines 2–1 2020 AFF Championship
7 14 December 2021 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore  East Timor 2–0 2020 AFF Championship
8 18 December 2021 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore  Thailand 0–2 2020 AFF Championship
9 22 December 2021 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore  Indonesia 1–1 2020 AFF Championship
10 25 December 2021 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore  Indonesia 4–2 2020 AFF Championship

International goals

Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.[46]
No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 10 October 2017 Köpetdag Stadium, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan  Turkmenistan 1–1 1–2 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification

International U23 goals

No Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 21 February 2015 Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore  Syria 1–2 U23 International Friendly
2 14 February 2015 Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore  Japan 1–8 U23 International Friendly
3 31 March 2015 New Laos National Stadium, Laos  Mongolia 2–2 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
4 31 March 2015 New Laos National Stadium, Laos  Mongolia 2–2 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
5 23 May 2015 Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore  Laos 5–1 U23 International Friendly
6 29 May 2015 Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore  East Timor 2–0 U23 International Friendly
7 20 June 2018 National Stadium, Singapore  Myanmar 0–2 Friendly
8 26 March 2019 MFF Football Centre, Mongolia  Mongolia 3–1 2020 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
9 5 December 2019 Rizal Memorial Stadium, Philippines  Brunei 7-0 2019 Southeast Asian Games

Honours

BG Pathum United

Singapore U-22

Notes

  1. ^ Home United has been known as the Lion City Sailors since 2019.

References

  1. ^ "IRFAN FANDI AHMAD". Singapore Sports Council. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Football: Five things to know about Fandi Ahmad's eldest son Irfan". The Straits Times.
  3. ^ a b "Goal's Top 20 Southeast Asian Rising Stars - 3. Irfan Fandi Ahmad - Singapore". Goal.com. 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  4. ^ Blight, Garry (14 October 2014). "Next Generation 2014: 40 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  5. ^ Singh, Bryna. "Fandi's son, Irfan, named one of 40 best young talents in world football". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  6. ^ Sari, Haiqal (15 March 2015). "Giving back: Irfan and Ikhsan Fandi turn mentor to young kids". The New Paper. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  7. ^ Lee, David (6 March 2021). "Football: Irfan Fandi becomes first Singaporean to win Thai top tier, eyes move to bigger leagues". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Karnageran, Narendaren (2021-03-05). "Irfan Fandi is first Singaporean to win Thai League 1 title". The New Paper. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  9. ^ Toh, Ziyi (16 October 2021). "Fandi Ahmad's Wife Wendy Jacobs Laments How Fast Her 5 Gorgeous Kids Have Grown Up; Here's What They've Been Up To". 8 Days. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Major Games Representation". www.sportsschool.edu.sg. Singapore Sports School. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  11. ^ "Irfan and Ikhsan wanted by Spain's Hercules | The New Paper". Tng.sg. 2013-01-23. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  12. ^ Guen, Dan (2013-10-03). "Fandi's sons to train in Chile for two years | TODAYonline". Tablet.todayonline.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  13. ^ Guen, Dan (2014-10-17). "Irfan on verge of becoming a pro". TODAYonline.com. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  14. ^ a b "Irfan, Ikhsan Fandi wanted in Chile". Todayonline. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
  15. ^ "Courts Young Lions Sign Irfan Fandi". S.League.com. 2015-03-05. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  16. ^ Siang, Chua. "Football: Irfan Fandi joins Courts Young Lions till June 30 - Football News & Top Stories". Straitstimes.com. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  17. ^ "IRFAN FANDI SIGNS FOR COURTS YOUNG LIONS | The Football Association of Singapore". Fas.org.sg. 2015-03-05. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  18. ^ Kiat, Teng (2015-03-06). "Fandi Ahmad's eldest son Irfan makes S.League debut at 17 | Fit To Post Sports - Yahoo Sports Singapore". Sg.sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  19. ^ Sazali, Abdul Aziz (2016-10-20). "HOME'S AIDIL HAS A STRIKER DILEMMA". The New Paper. Retrieved 2016-10-30.
  20. ^ "S.League's 2017 Good and Bad: Surprises, surprises, surprises". FourFourTwo. 2017-04-10. Archived from the original on 2018-10-20. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
  21. ^ "Home United into AFC knockout stages after beating eight-man Yadanarbon". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  22. ^ "Home United coach Aidil unfazed despite losing star players". The New Paper. 2017-12-18. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  23. ^ "Irfan wants to try his luck in Europe as Bangkok Glass make offer". The New Paper. 2017-11-28. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  24. ^ Coombs, Dan. "Report: Leeds United offer trials to Irfan Fandi and Iskshan Fandi". Here Is The City. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  25. ^ Muhammad Sazali. "Football: Fandi Ahmad's sons Irfan and Ikhsan set for Holland stint next month". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  26. ^ Ahmad, Khan. "'I just felt really alone': Irfan Fandi rejects contract offer from Portuguese side Braga". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  27. ^ Lee, David. "Football: Irfan Fandi joins Bangkok Glass for next season but still keen on moving to Europe". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  28. ^ "Singapore's Irfan Fandi confirms Bangkok Glass move to play in T2 | FOX Sports Asia". FOX Sports Asia. 2018-11-11. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  29. ^ "Fandi's 3rd son scores on professional debut at 16 years & 331 days". Mothership.sg. Retrieved 2019-09-17.
  30. ^ Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Bangkok Utd win as other giants falter". www.bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  31. ^ hermes (2021-03-07). "Irfan eyes new step". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  32. ^ "BG won the Thailand Champions Cup for 2 years in a row. Slash Buriram 10 people dizzy – Siamsport". Thailand Posts English. 2022-08-06. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  33. ^ Sports, Red (2015-02-16). "Singapore U23 go down 1–8 to Japan U22 in international football friendly". Redsports.sg. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  34. ^ "Football: Singapore's U23 lose 2-1 to Syria U23 in friendly". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  35. ^ Jonathan Wong (11 October 2016). "Irfan Fandi makes debut for S'pore in 2-0 loss away at Hong Kong". The Straits Times. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  36. ^ "Irfan wants to make a name for himself in national team". The New Paper. 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  37. ^ paulam@st (2017-03-29). "Football: Disciplined Singapore earn a goalless away draw against Bahrain". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  38. ^ "SINGAPORE SELECTION SQUAD FOR THE SULTAN OF SELANGOR'S CUP REVEALED - The Football Association of Singapore". www.fas.org.sg. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  39. ^ Auto, Hermes (2021-05-17). "Football: Ilhan Fandi one of three uncapped players called up for June's World Cup qualifiers | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  40. ^ "Singapore eliminated from AFF Suzuki Cup after 3 red cards, penalty miss in extra-time loss to Indonesia in semis". TODAY. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  41. ^ "Football: Ikhsan Fandi brace gives Lions win over Malaysia in front of record crowd". The Straits Times. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  42. ^ "S'pore beats M'sia 2-1 in FAS Tri-Nations Series, Ikhsan Fandi scores both goals". Morhership. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  43. ^ "Fandi's Sons Prove That National Service Is No Obstacle For Footballers". mustsharenews.com. MustShareNews. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  44. ^ Ong, Justin (9 March 2021). "National athletes and NS: Not 'game over' for all". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  45. ^ Irfan Fandi at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  46. ^ "Fandi, Irfan". National Football Teams. Retrieved 15 October 2017.

External links

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