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Safuwan Baharudin

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In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Baharudin is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Safuwan.
Safuwan Baharudin
Safuwan with LionsXII in 2012
Personal information
Full name Muhammad Safuwan bin Baharudin[1]
Date of birth (1991-09-22) 22 September 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back / Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 PDRM FA
Number 21[3]
Youth career
2005–2009 National Football Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Young Lions 57 (9)
2012–2015 LionsXII 48 (10)
2015 → Melbourne City (loan) 6 (2)
2016– PDRM FA 16 (3)
International career‡
2010– Singapore 66 (6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of August 21, 2016
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 November 2016

Muhammad Safuwan bin Baharudin (born 22 September 1991) is a Singapore international footballer who currently plays as a defender or midfielder for PDRM FA in the Malaysia Super League. He is known for being a technical player with good pace, excellent reading of the game well and a ball-playing defender. He also has a knack for scoring goals.

Predominantly a centre-back, his attributes and versatility also allow him to play as a defensive midfielder or as a forward when required.

Club career

Early years

Safuwan started out playing as a striker during his Institute of Technical Education years and subsequently as a midfielder at the National Football Academy (NFA).[4][5] Salim Moin, his NFA Under-17 coach, was credited with switching him to the centre-back position he currently plays in.

Young Lions

Safuwan began his professional football career with S.League club Young Lions in July 2009, after he was promoted from the National Football Academy Under-18s.[6]

Safuwan was one of the Young Lions players that got involved in an on-pitch fight with several Beijing Guoan Talent players in their S.League match on 7 September 2010. He was charged by the FAS for gross misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute, and was fined S$2,000 for his part in the brawl.[7]

LionsXII

In December 2011, the FAS announced that Safuwan will join the newly formed LionsXII in the 2012 Malaysia Super League. The Lions finished runners-up in their debut season.

Safuwan in the starting eleven of LionsXII playing against Kuala Lumpur FA, 17 January 2012

Safuwan formed a strong understanding with Baihakki Khaizan in central defence as LionsXII won the 2013 Malaysia Super League with the competition's best defensive record. He contributed with five goals in 26 matches. Amid interest from Thai, Indonesian and rival Malaysia Super League sides including T-Team, he put pen to paper in a new two-year deal with LionsXII in November 2013.[8][9][10][11]

Safuwan capped off his league performances by becoming the first male recipient of the annual Straits Times Athlete of the Year award in 2013.[12]

Following the departure of regular defensive partner Baihakki in 2014, Safuwan formed a new partnership with new LionsXII recruit Afiq Yunos. He also showed his versatility with lauded displays in advanced midfield and attacking roles.[13][14] Safuwan's performances up front and LionsXII's poor goal scoring form led to head coach Fandi Ahmad having to consider playing him as a forward in more games.[4] Safuwan started in an advanced midfield role behind striker Khairul Amri in a Malaysia Super League match away to Sarawak on 15 March.[15] On 25 March, he scored a late winner over Perak to send LionsXII up to 5th in the league table. He scored his second goal in as many games four days later as LionsXII drew 1–1 with T-Team and followed it up with the opener off a Shahfiq Ghani cross against Sime Darby on 5 April.

Melbourne City

On 29 January 2015, it was announced that Safuwan had signed a 3-month loan contract with A-League team Melbourne City.[16]

Safuwan earned the contract after his standout performance at a MCFC's training camp in Abu Dhabi, which was held from 10 January 2015 to 19 January 2015. He attended the training camp as part of a development opportunity arranged with the FAS. The club substantiated the decision to take Safuwan on loan with his impressive performances during the training camp, both as a centre back and as a full-back during the club's two friendly matches in the UAE. In the friendly matches, he was pitted against several notable players, such as former Juventus striker Mirko Vučinić. He played as a substitute in the side's second friendly match with Ukrainian Premier League outfit FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, with the match concluding in a 1–1 result.

Safuwan made his debut for Melbourne City in the A-League on 7 February 2015 for the Melbourne Derby against Melbourne Victory. Safuwan scored his first goal for the club against Adelaide United on 27 February 2015.[17] He scored his second goal just a couple of weeks later, against Western Sydney Wanderers to hand his side a 1-0 lead although they could not hang on to the lead and crash to a 3–2 defeat in the end.[18]

Following a spine injury that he sustained in a competitive match against Wellington Phoenix, Safuwan's loan contract was allowed to lapse and was not renewed, despite earlier rumours stating that the club was interested in offering him a permanent contract.[19] After his release, Safuwan returned to play for the LionsXII in the 2015 Malaysia Super League season.

In July 2015, it was reported that there was interest from J.League club Yokohama F Marinos to sign Safuwan on-loan for the rest of the season.[20] Despite Safuwan stating he was open to a second move overseas, even if it was on a short-term contract, the move ultimately did not materialise, and Safuwan remained with the LionsXII.

PDRM FA

Upon the dismissal of LionsXII from the Malaysia Super League following the end of the 2015 season, Safuwan was linked with multiple Malaysian and Thai football clubs upon noting his potential availability.[21] On 18 December 2015, initial reports state that Safuwan was close to signing a one-year contract with PDRM FA for the 2016 Malaysia Super League season.[22] The move was officially confirmed on 22 December 2015, with the transfer fee estimated to be approximately S$45,000.[23]

International career

Youth

Safuwan was part of the Singapore national under-23 football team that won the bronze medal at the 2009 and 2013 Southeast Asian Games.

Senior

Safuwan keeping the ball off Sebastian Giovinco of Juventus in a pre-season friendly on 16 August 2014

Safuwan made his international debut for Singapore at the age of 18 in a King's Cup match against Thailand on 17 January 2010.[5][24]

Safuwan contributed with impressive displays as the senior team won the 2012 ASEAN Football Championship in a record fourth title. He found himself increasingly paired with Baihakki Khaizan with regular centre-back Daniel Bennett gradually phased out of the national team set-up.

National team coach Bernd Stange believes that Safuwan's best position will eventually be as a defensive midfielder. He stated, "With hard work, he can become a great defensive midfielder. By sitting in front of the defence, he can utilise all of his qualities – namely stamina, speed, football intelligence, finishing and brilliant heading ability."[25]

Apart from national team commitments, Safuwan was also part of the Singapore Selection XI squad on several occasions. The selected squad are made up of current Singapore international footballers, as well as players currently participating in the S.League. Safuwan has appeared in all four matches that the Singapore Selection XI has played thus far, such as in the Peter Lim Charity Cup match against 2013–14 La Liga champions Atlético Madrid,[26] a pre-season friendly match against Juventus,[27] as well as in the 2015 Barclays Asia Trophy held in Singapore at the National Stadium.[28]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 21 May 2016[29][30][31][32][33]
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Singapore
League Cup 		Asia Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Young Lions 2009 15 1 0 0 0 0 — 15 1
2010 26 4 5 0 0 0 — 31 4
2011 16 4 — — — 16 4
Total 57 9 5 0 0 0 0 0 62 9
Club Season Malaysia
Super League 		Malaysia
FA Cup 		Malaysia Cup Asia Total
LionsXII 2012[34] 13 3 2 0 4 1 — 19 4
2013[35] 18 3 1 0 7 2 — 26 5
2014[36] 17 4 2 1 0 0 — 19 5
2015[37] TBC — TBC TBC
Total 48 10 5 1 11 3 0 0 64 14
Club Season A-League FFA Cup Asia Total
Melbourne City (loan) 2014–15[38] 6 2 — — 6 2
Total 6 2 — — 6 2
Club Season Malaysia
Super League 		Malaysia
FA Cup 		Malaysia Cup Asia Total
PDRM FA 2016 11 2 4 1 1 1 — 16 4
Career total 122 23 14 2 11 3 0 0 147 28
  • Young Lions and LionsXII are ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in their respective leagues.

International

International goals

No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 1 Feb 2013 Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa  Bahrain 2-1 3-1 Friendly
2[39] 7 June 2013 New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos  Laos 0–3 2–5 Friendly
3 17 November 2014 Yishun Stadium, Yishun, Singapore  Cambodia
4–2
4–2
 Friendly
4 11 June 2015 Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh  Cambodia 0–2 0–4 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round
5 11 June 2015 Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh  Cambodia 0–3 0–4 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round
6 17 November 2015 National Stadium, Singapore  Syria 1–1 1–2 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round

Honours

Club

LionsXII

International

Singapore

Individual

  • 2014 Singapore Sports Awards: Meritorious Award
  • 2013 Goal Singapore Football Awards: Singapore Player of the Year
  • The Straits Times Athlete of the Year: 2013
  • Goal.com-Nike 2012 ASEAN Football Championship Under-23 Player of the Tournament
  • Goal.com 2012 ASEAN Football Championship Best XI
  • 2011 S.League People's Choice Award
  • 2015 Melbourne City Man of the Match vs Adelaide United

References

  1. ^ "FAS names 2014 LionsXII squad list". LionsXII. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Safuwan Baharudin". lionsxii.sg. LionsXII. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Safuwan completes season long loan move to PDRM". Yahoo Sports Singapore. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  4. ^ a b Dan Guen Chin (11 February 2014). "Fandi may play Safuwan as forward". Today.
  5. ^ a b Lim Say Heng (27 December 2011). "Gritty Safuwan wants to repay father's sacrifices". The New Paper.
  6. ^ David Lee (3 January 2013). "Safuwan has little rest for four years". The New Paper.
  7. ^ "Young Lions, Beijing Guoan players banned, fined". AsiaOne. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  8. ^ Shamir Osman (30 August 2013). "Safuwan set to leave". The New Paper.
  9. ^ "LionsXII Defender Safuwan Baharudin Tilting Towards Malaysia Switch". VoxSports. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  10. ^ David Lee (10 November 2013). "Safuwan wants to help LionsXII retain MSL title". The New Paper.
  11. ^ Dan Guen Chin (24 October 2013). "Safuwan turns down T-Team offer". Today.
  12. ^ Wang Meng Meng (28 February 2014). "Footballer Safuwan Baharudin is the new Straits Times Athlete of the Year". The Straits Times.
  13. ^ Ali Kasim (29 January 2014). "Safuwan shows versatility with classy midfield show". The New Paper.
  14. ^ "Stunning second-half fightback salvages draw at Larkin". LionsXII. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  15. ^ David Lee (15 March 2014). "Safuwan the striker". The New Paper.
  16. ^ "Football: Safuwan Baharudin signs for Melbourne City FC on loan". Channel News Asia. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  17. ^ Channel News Asia (28 February 2015). "Safuwan wins Melbourne City FC Man of the Match award". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  18. ^ Shanjayan Muniappan (11 March 2015). "Safuwan scores again, but Melbourne City lose". Today. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  19. ^ Melbourne City (24 April 2015). "Injured Safuwan Baharudin returns to Singapore". Melbourne City. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  20. ^ Abdul Aziz, Sazali (15 July 2015). "Safuwan offered J.League move, AsiaOne News". AsiaOne. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  21. ^ Tan, Kenneth (29 November 2015). "Safuwan mulling over Malaysia and Thailand moves | FourFourTwo". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  22. ^ Vick, Vijhay (18 December 2015). "Safuwan makes the switch to Malaysia with PDRM | FourFourTwo". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  23. ^ Ong, Justin (22 December 2015). "Football: Singapore star Safuwan Baharudin signs for Malaysian club PDRM - Channel NewsAsia". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  24. ^ Fabius Chen (20 December 2012). "Fitting farewell for Raddy". The Straits Times.
  25. ^ Chua Siang Yee (4 March 2014). "Safuwan positioned for success". The Straits Times.
  26. ^ Tan, Kenneth. "Singapore Selection falls to valiant defeat against Atletico Madrid | The Football Association of Singapore". The Football Association of Singapore. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  27. ^ Siang Yee, Chua. "Football: Juventus beat Singapore Selection 5-0 in friendly at new National Stadium, Football News & Top Stories - The Straits Times". The Straits Times. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  28. ^ "Singapore Select Barclays Asia Trophy Everton Arsenal Stoke City | Barclays Premier League". Barclays Premier League. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  29. ^ "Safuwan Baharudin". National Football Teams. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  30. ^ "S.League – fixtures & scores". sleague.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  31. ^ "Singapore Cup – fixtures & scores". sleague.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  32. ^ "League Cup – fixtures & scores". sleague.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  33. ^ "A-League Fixtures and Results". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  34. ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2012 season". LionsXII. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  35. ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2013 season". LionsXII. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  36. ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2014 season". LionsXII. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  37. ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2015 season". LionsXII. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  38. ^ "Melbourne City Fixtures and Results for 2014–15 season". Melbourne City. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  39. ^ "Stange's Lions go on rampage against Laos". Goal.com. Retrieved 12 March 2014.

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