Irfan Fandi

Irfan Fandi
Personal information
Full name Irfan Fandi Ahmad
Date of birth (1997-08-13) 13 August 1997
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Playing position Defender / Attacking midfielder / Striker
Club information
Current team
 Young Lions
Number 17
Youth career
2012–2013 National Football Academy
2013 Hércules CF
2014 A.C. 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 20 (5)
2018– Young Lions 22 (3)
National team‡
2015– Singapore U22 4 (0)
2014– Singapore U23 29 (1)
2016– Singapore 16 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 July 2017
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2018

Irfan Fandi Ahmad (born August 13, 1997) is a Singaporean professional footballer[1] who can play as a defender, midfielder or forward for S.League club Young Lions and the Singapore national team.

Personal life

Irfan is the son of Singaporean footballing legend Fandi Ahmad and South African model Wendy Jacobs. He has four siblings, three being younger brothers Ikhsan, Ilhan and Iryan, and the other being his sister Iman. He is currently serving National Service with the Singapore Police Forces.[1]

Early career

Irfan started his career at the National Football Academy (Singapore). In 2013, Irfan was named as one of Goal.com's Top 20 Southeast Asian Rising Stars.[2] In 2014, he was named as one of The Guardian's 40 best young talents in world football.[3][4]

Hércules CF

In March 2013, Irfan and younger brother Ikhsan Fandi had an opportunity to secure their first overseas stint, which was supposed to be with Hércules, a professional club playing in the Spanish second division. However, the pair ultimately failed to secure contracts with the club due to issues relating with visas. Irfan and Ikhsan left the club after contracts could not be secured.[5]

A.C. Barnechea

Later in 2013, Irfan and Ikhsan managed to sign for Chilean side A.C. Barnechea, having secured two-year contracts with the Chilean Primera División club.[6]

Universidad Católica

Irfan and Ikhsan then joined Chilean Primera División club Universidad Católica.[7] Their stay in Chile was sponsored by CIMB Bank, which marked the banking institution’s first foray into cultivating sports talents in football.[8] He made his first team debut by appearing from the bench for the club's senior team, in the 81th minute, when Universidad Católica were leading 4-0 against San Luis de Quillota. He is, thus, the first Singaporean and also one of the youngest player to play in the Chilean football league.

Club career

Universidad Católica

Irfan signed for Universidad Católica in 2014 becoming the first Singaporean to play in South America however he only made a single appearance for the club. He rejected a two-year contract from the club in order to return to Singapore to fulfill his National Service obligations in Singapore.[9]

Young Lions

On 5 June 2015, it was announced that Irfan was signed by S.League side Young Lions for the 2015 S.League season.[10] Irfan agreed to sign for the Young Lions on a 6 months contract.[11][12] On the same day Irfan's signing was announced, he was immediately named in the starting line-up that was to face Tampines Rovers, albeit in the more unfamiliar role of centre-back due to an injury suffered by captain Shakir Hamzah.[13] He scored 2 goals in 9 appearances for his club.

Home United FC

In January 2016, it was announced that Irfan would sign a two-year contract for Home United for the upcoming 2016 S.League season along with his brother, Ikhsan Fandi. In that same season he got an opponent, Madhu Mohana sent off after an altercation with the player. 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. He finished the season with 2 goals in 8 appearances for the club.[14]

On 14 March 2017, it had been revealed that Puma will be signing him on a two years sponsorship deal. Also, it was revealed on 17 March 2017 that his former club Club Deportivo Universidad Católica is interested in re-signing Irfan after he finishes his national service obligations.[9]

He scored his first goal of the 2017 S.League season, in a 0-2 victory over Hougang United, helping his club top the table after 4 matches played.[15] Irfan followed up his first goal of the season 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, a win that saw Home United become the first side to reach the zonal semi-finals.[16] In total, Irfan played 42 games for the protectors, earning a nomination for the S.League's Young player of the Season award.[17] His performances drew the attention of Thai League side Bangkok Glass, although Irfan would prefer to try his luck in Europe.[18] Irfan and his brother, Ikhsan, is set for a trial with English Championship side Leeds United in March 2018, after their National Service stint.[19]

International career

Youth

Lion City Cup with the Singapore U16 side and impressed against Arsenal U15 and Eintracht Frankfurt U15 during the 25th edition of the Canon Lion City Cup in 2013 in Singapore.[1][2]

In July 2014, Irfan and Ikhsan were not included in the Singapore U23 squad that traveled with the senior national team for a three-week training tour in Salzburg, Austria.[20]

Irfan made his Singapore U23 debut and scored against Japan U22 on 14 February 2015.[21][22]

Irfan was selected by coach Aide Iskandar for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games. In the competition, Irfan scored against Cambodia and assisted another goal. Notably, he had an acrobatic shot on goal where he headed the ball into the net, however the goal was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.[23] Singapore were knocked out of the group stages following subsequent defeats to Indonesia and Myanmar.

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 against Hong Kong at the Mongkok Stadium, starting the game in a 2-0 loss for Singapore.[24] He collected his second cap in a friendly against Afghanistan before earning his first start in a Singapore shirt against Bahrain in Singapore's first match of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round, helping the Lions to a 0-0 away draw against the highest ranked team in the group.[25][26]

Others

Singapore Selection Squad

He was selected as part of the Singapore Selection squad for The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup to be held on 6 May 2017.[27]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 22 April 2017. Caps and goals may not be correct.
Irfan Fandi Season S.League Singapore Cup League Cup ACL AFC Cup Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Young Lions 2015 920000—92
Total 920000000092
Home United 2016 820000—82
2017 410000-5192
Total 12300000051174
Career Total 21500000051266

International

As of match played 7 April 2017 Appearances and goals by national team and year

Singapore National Team
YearAppsGoals
201610
201781
201861
Total151

International goals

Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.[28]
NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.10 October 2017Köpetdag Stadium, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Turkmenistan1–11–22019 AFC Asian Cup qualification

U23 International goals

NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
121 February 2015Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore Syria1-21-2U23 International Friendly
214 February 2015Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore Japan1-81-8U23 International Friendly
331 March 2015New Laos National Stadium, Laos Mongolia1-12-22016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
431 March 2015New Laos National Stadium, Laos Mongolia2-22-22016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
514 May 2015Shizuoka Ashitaka Athletic Stadium, JapanJapan Azul Claro Numazu1-21-2U23 International Friendly
623 May 2015Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore Laos1-15-1U23 International Friendly
729 May 2015Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore Timor-Leste2-02-0U23 International Friendly

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Football: Five things to know about Fandi Ahmad's eldest son Irfan". The Straits Times.
  2. 1 2 "Goal's Top 20 Southeast Asian Rising Stars - 3. Irfan Fandi Ahmad - Singapore". Goal.com. 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  3. ↑ "Next Generation 2014: 40 of the best young talents in world football | Football". Theguardian.com. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  4. ↑ Singh, Bryna. "Fandi's son, Irfan, named one of 40 best young talents in world football - Football News & Top Stories". Straitstimes.com. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  5. ↑ "Irfan and Ikhsan wanted by Spain's Hercules | The New Paper". Tng.sg. 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Guen, Dan (2014-10-17). "Irfan on verge of becoming a pro". TODAYonline.com. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  8. ↑ "Fandi Ahmad's prodigal sons seal lucrative sponsorships". Goal.com. 2014-07-31. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  9. 1 2 "Irfan, Ikhsan Fandi wanted in Chile". Todayonline. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
  10. ↑ "Courts Young Lions Sign Irfan Fandi". S.League.com. 2015-03-05. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  11. ↑ Siang, Chua. "Football: Irfan Fandi joins Courts Young Lions till June 30 - Football News & Top Stories". Straitstimes.com. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  12. ↑ "IRFAN FANDI SIGNS FOR COURTS YOUNG LIONS | The Football Association of Singapore". Fas.org.sg. 2015-03-05. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Sazali, Abdul Aziz (2016-10-20). "HOME'S AIDIL HAS A STRIKER DILEMMA". The New Paper. Retrieved 2016-10-30.
  15. ↑ "S.League's 2017 Good and Bad: Surprises, surprises, surprises". FourFourTwo. 2017-04-10. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
  16. ↑ "Home United into AFC knockout stages after beating eight-man Yadanarbon". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  17. ↑ "Home United coach Aidil unfazed despite losing star players". The New Paper. 2017-12-18. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  18. ↑ "Irfan wants to try his luck in Europe as Bangkok Glass make offer". The New Paper. 2017-11-28. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  19. ↑ Coombs, Dan. "Report: Leeds United offer trials to Irfan Fandi and Iskshan Fandi". Here Is The City. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  20. ↑ Nigel Chin (2014-07-17). "Fandi brothers: "Being in U23 has already been a good experience"". FourFourTwo.com. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  21. ↑ Sports, Red (2015-02-16). "Singapore U23 go down 1–8 to Japan U22 in international football friendly". Redsports.sg. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  22. ↑ "Football: Singapore's U23 lose 2-1 to Syria U23 in friendly". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  23. ↑ Kelvin Leong (4 June 2015). "Singapore SEA Games gold quest halted in shock loss to Myanmar". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ "Irfan wants to make a name for himself in national team". The New Paper. 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  26. ↑ paulam@st (2017-03-29). "Football: Disciplined Singapore earn a goalless away draw against Bahrain". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  27. ↑ "SINGAPORE SELECTION SQUAD FOR THE SULTAN OF SELANGOR'S CUP REVEALED - The Football Association of Singapore". www.fas.org.sg. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  28. ↑ "Fandi, Irfan". National Football Teams. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
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