Fandi Ahmad
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Fandi bin Ahmad | ||
Date of birth | 29 May 1962 | ||
Place of birth | State of Singapore | ||
Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Striker, midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Sri Pahang (technical advisor & head coach) | ||
Youth career | |||
–1978 | Kaki Bukit | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1978–1982 | Singapore | 113 | (65) |
1982–1983 |
Niac Mitra | 16 | (4) |
1983–1985 | Groningen | 36 | (11) |
1986–1989 |
Kuala Lumpur | 46 | (30) |
1990 | OFI Crete | 0 | (0) |
1991–1992 |
Pahang | 12 | (7) |
1993–1994 | Singapore | 34 | (17) |
1996 | Geylang United | 17 | (5) |
1997–1999 | Singapore Armed Forces | 60 | (32) |
Total | 332 | (170) | |
International career | |||
1979–1997 | Singapore | 92 | (55) |
Managerial career | |||
2000–2003 | Singapore Armed Forces | ||
2005–2006 |
Young Lions | ||
2006–2010 |
Pelita Jaya | ||
2012–2013 |
Johor Darul Ta'zim | ||
2014–2015 | LionsXII | ||
2017–2019 | Young Lions | ||
2018 | Singapore (Interim) | ||
2023– | Sri Pahang | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Fandi bin Ahmad
Internationally with the
Fandi has been described as a national legend for Singapore.[foot 2] In 1994, he was awarded the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal) for his achievements, which included being the first Singaporean footballer to play in Europe, the first Singaporean millionaire sportsperson and the first Singaporean sportsperson to have a published biography. He has five children with his wife, South African model Wendy Jacobs, and his father is Ahmad Wartam, a former national goalkeeper. Fandi was ranked sixth in a list of Singapore's 50 Greatest Athletes of the Century by The Straits Times in 1999.[12] His children, most notably Ikhsan, Ilhan and Irfan, are also professional footballers.
Early life
As a young child, Fandi was obsessed with football and spent much of his time kicking a ball. His family lived in a two-room public housing flat in Hougang.[8] His family was working class; Fandi had to sell nasi lemak to help support the family.[8][13] Fandi's father, Ahmad Wartam was then a goalkeeper for the national team in the 1960s.[14] Fandi started playing as a goalkeeper, but switched to a midfield position under the advice of his teacher when he studied at Yio Chu Kang Primary[15]
When he was 12, his parents divorced, after which he lived in a kampong at Jalan Eunos with his father and paternal grandparents. At Serangoon Gardens Secondary School,[16] Fandi played for the school football team, but neglected his studies and was held back a year. He then transferred to the Singapore Vocational Institute and obtained a National Trade Certificate 3. He played for Kaki Bukit SC in the amateur National Football League, where he was spotted by Singapore FA coach Sebastian Yap.[17]
By the time he was 15, Fandi had become a regular for the
Club career
Singapore FA
Fandi joined
Playing against Diego Maradona
Selangor FA invited Fandi to play for them against Argentine club Boca Juniors, which featured Diego Maradona, in a friendly game, in which Fandi scored the only goal for Selangor FA; the score was 2–1. Fandi was just 19 while serving national service at the time and after the match, Boca's chief coach Vladislao Cap said he was keen on signing the Singaporean, whom he described as "a superb striker who can fit into any team".
Offers from Europe and final decision
Fandi received offers from several Malaysia Cup teams, Indonesian side
FC Groningen
In 1983, Fandi moved to the Netherlands and signed a two-year contract with
Kuala Lumpur FA
The next club that Fandi played for was Malaysia Cup side
OFI Crete
Fandi signed a two-year contract with Greek club
Pahang FA
Fandi then joined
Return home to Singapore
Fandi rejoined Singapore FA after it was relegated to the second tier of the Malaysian League. Singapore FA was promoted and reached the Malaysia Cup final in 1993, and finished the 1994 season as Malaysia Cup and Malaysian League champions.
Geylang United
In its inaugural
Singapore Armed Forces
Fandi playing career concluded with three seasons at
International career
From 1979 to 1997, Fandi made 101 appearances for the
The following year, Fandi helped Singapore win the first of three SEA Games silver medals, with two goals in a 3–0 group stage win over
During the
Coaching career
After his retirement from playing, Fandi worked as a coach. He started as the assistant to Singapore's national coach,
Singapore Armed Forces
In 2000, Fandi became coach of SAFFC and guided them to the 2000 S.League title, and he won the S.League Coach of the Year Award.[43] Under Fandi, SAFFC ended the 2001 season without winning a trophy and the following year, were the 2002 S.League champions by a 20-point margin.[44] Fandi then simultaneously served as assistant national coach,[11] helping Singapore win the Tiger Cup in 2005.[5]
Young Lions
In 2005, Fandi become the coach of
Pelita Raya
From November 2006 to March 2010, Fandi managed Indonesian side
Scout for Vicenza Calcio
Since then, he has been a scout for Italian club
Johor Darul Ta'zim
On 3 February 2012,
LionsXII
On 7 December 2013, he became head coach of the Singapore LionsXII, with Nazri Nasir as his assistant.[47] On 23 May 2015, he led LionsXII to clinch the 2015 Malaysia FA Cup, their first trophy of the season.[48][49]
2nd stint at Young Lions and interim coach of Singapore
Fandi was appointed as the head coach of Young Lions for the newly revamp
Sri Pahang
On 21 July 2022, Fandi returned to Sri Pahang as a technical adviser. The appointment comes three weeks after he left the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) following a seven-year stint. His contract as head of elite youth ended on 30 June 2022. It was reported in May that Fandi had several options from club sides in the region which he had turned down offers from sides in Indonesia, and was also linked to Malaysian teams due to his vast connections across the Causeway, such as his good relationship with Sri Pahang president, Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah.
In January 2023, Fandi takes over as Sri Pahang coach from Malaysian legend
Personal life
Fandi is a devout humble Muslim,
Fandi is also cousins with Hafiz Abu Sujad and the national team's physiotherapist Nurhafizah.[60]
In 2023 after the match between Selangor & Sri Pahang, during the interview on Astro Arena, Malaysian legend, Azman Adnan is confirmed to be his cousin.
He is the first Singaporean sportsperson to be the subject of a biography, which was released in 1993 and called The Fandi Ahmad Story. It sold 17,000 copies in two months and was also translated into Malay.[61]
Endorsement
Products Fandi has endorsed include
Career statistics
No | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 26 February 1980 | Singapore | India | 1–0 | 1980 Olympic Games qualification |
2 | 4 March 1980 | Singapore | North Korea | 3–1 | 1980 Olympic Games qualification |
3 | 5 April 1981 | Singapore | Malaysia | 1–1 | 1981 Ovaltine Cup |
4 | 19 April 1981 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Malaysia | 2–1 | 1981 Ovaltine Cup replay |
5 | 19 April 1981 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Malaysia | 2–1 | 1981 Ovaltine Cup replay |
6 | 9 November 1981 | Bangkok, Thailand | Thailand | 1–2 | 1981 King's Cup |
7 | 9 December 1981 | Manila, Philippines | Philippines | 4–0 | 1981 Southeast Asian Games
|
8 | 9 December 1981 | Manila, Philippines | Philippines | 4–0 | 1981 Southeast Asian Games |
9 | 9 December 1981 | Manila, Philippines | Philippines | 4–0 | 1981 Southeast Asian Games |
10 | 7 January 1982 | Singapore | Bahrain | 2–0 | Friendly |
11 | 5 May 1982 | Bangkok, Thailand | Nepal | 2–0 | 1982 King's Cup |
12 | 5 May 1982 | Bangkok, Thailand | Nepal | 2–0 | 1982 King's Cup |
13 | 15 May 1982 | Bangkok, Thailand | Thailand | 2–2 | 1982 King's Cup |
14 | 15 May 1982 | Bangkok, Thailand | Thailand | 2–2 | 1982 King's Cup |
15 | 8 August 1982 | Penang, Malaysia | India | 3–0 | 1982 Merdeka Tournament |
16 | 10 November 1982 | Singapore | Malaysia | 3–1 | 1982 Ovaltine Cup |
17 | 28 May 1983 | Singapore | Malaysia | 2–1 | 1983 Southeast Asian Games
|
18 | 1 June 1983 | Singapore | Philippines | 5–0 | 1983 Southeast Asian Games |
19 | 4 June 1983 | Singapore | Brunei | 4–0 | 1983 Southeast Asian Games |
20 | 4 June 1983 | Singapore | Brunei | 4–0 | 1983 Southeast Asian Games |
21 | 14 December 1983 | Singapore | China | 1–0 | 1983 Merlion Cup |
22 | 13 December 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | Brunei | 3–0 | 1985 Southeast Asian Games
|
23 | 13 December 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | Brunei | 3–0 | 1985 Southeast Asian Games |
24 | 14 December 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | Malaysia | 2–2 | 1985 Southeast Asian Games |
25 | 14 December 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | Malaysia | 2–2 | 1985 Southeast Asian Games |
26 | 4 April 1987 | Singapore | Indonesia | 2–0 | 1988 Olympic Games qualification |
27 | 26 April 1987 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Indonesia | 1–2 | 1988 Olympic Games qualification |
28 | 26 August 1989 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Myanmar | 4–0 | 1989 Southeast Asian Games
|
29 | 28 August 1989 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Indonesia | 1–0 | 1989 Southeast Asian Games |
30 | 31 August 1989 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Myanmar | 1–3 | 1989 Southeast Asian Games |
31 | 27 September 1990 | Beijing, China | Pakistan | 6–1 | 1990 Asian Games |
32 | 29 November 1991 | Manila, Philippines | Myanmar | 2–1 | 1991 Southeast Asian Games
|
33 | 29 November 1991 | Manila, Philippines | Myanmar | 2–1 | 1991 Southeast Asian Games |
34 | 25 November 1992 | Yangon, Myanmar | Myanmar | 1–0 | Friendly |
35 | 8 December 1992 | Singapore | Malaysia | 3–0 | 1992 Merlion Cup |
36 | 13 April 1993 | Doha, Qatar | Vietnam | 3–2 | 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification |
37 | 16 April 1993 | Doha, Qatar | Qatar | 1–4 | 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification |
38 | 30 April 1993 | Singapore | Qatar | 1–0 | 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification |
39 | 2 May 1993 | Singapore | Indonesia | 2–1 | 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification |
40 | 9 June 1993 | Singapore | Philippines | 7–0 | 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification |
41 | 9 June 1993 | Singapore | Philippines | 7–0 | 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification |
42 | 9 June 1993 | Singapore | Philippines | 7–0 | 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification |
43 | 17 June 1993 | Singapore | Myanmar | 3–3 | 1993 Southeast Asian Games
|
44 | 19 June 1993 | Singapore | Indonesia | 3–1 | 1993 Southeast Asian Games |
45 | 17 July 1995 | Singapore | Myanmar | 3–3 | 1995 Tiger Beer Quadrangular |
46 | 4 December 1995 | Lamphun, Thailand | Brunei | 2–2 | 1995 Southeast Asian Games
|
47 | 6 December 1995 | Lamphun, Thailand | Myanmar | 4–2 | 1995 Southeast Asian Games |
48 | 6 December 1995 | Lamphun, Thailand | Myanmar | 4–2 | 1995 Southeast Asian Games |
49 | 8 December 1995 | Chiang Mai, Thailand | Philippines | 4–0 | 1995 Southeast Asian Games |
50 | 16 December 1995 | Singapore | Myanmar | 1–0 | 1995 Southeast Asian Games |
51 | 1 September 1996 | Singapore | Malaysia | 1–1 | 1996 AFF Championship |
52 | 4 September 1996 | Singapore | Brunei | 3–0 | 1996 AFF Championship |
53 | 6 September 1996 | Singapore | Philippines | 3–0 | 1996 AFF Championship |
54 | 6 September 1996 | Singapore | Philippines | 3–0 | 1996 AFF Championship |
55 | 16 October 1997 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Indonesia | 1–2 | 1997 Southeast Asian Games
|
- ^ International goals recognised by the Football Association of Singapore and the Asian Football Confederation.[64]
Honours
PlayerNiac Mitra Kuala Lumpur
Pahang Singapore FA Geylang United Singapore Armed Forces
Singapore
|
Head coachSingapore Armed Forces LionsXII Individual
|
Notes
- ^ A club representing the Singapore Armed Forces. Formerly known as SAFFC, they were renamed to Warriors F.C. in 2013.
- ^ Reliable sources have described Fandi as a "Singapore football legend",[4] "Singapore's favourite footballing son",[5] a "national football icon",[6] "Singapore's most celebrated footballer",[7] "the country's golden boy of football",[8] "the most well known face of Singapore sport",[9] "the best of his generation",[10] "one of Singapore's greatest footballers ever" and "one of Asia's best players".[11]
- ^ Football Association of Singapore records from this period were not accepted by FIFA, so Fandi is not listed in the FIFA Century Club.
See also
References
- ^ S Gulam (18 May 1996). "Old? Who says?". The New Paper. p. 53.
- ^ "A new beginning for our Young Lions". The Straits Times. 3 January 2018.
- ^ "FAS launches FAS Captains' Advisory Panel". FAS. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ^ a b "Fandi Ahmad Academy hopes to send youth abroad to turn professional", Channel NewsAsia, 18 May 2011.
- ^ a b Wang Meng Meng, "Singapore soccer through Fandi's eyes", The New Paper, 24 January 2005.
- ^ a b Sanjay Nair, "Fandi unlikely to coach Singapore Lions", The Straits Times, 5 August 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Fandi is too nice for his own good", The Sunday Times, 12 November 2006.
- ^ a b c d e f Jose Raymond, "A superstar's sacred ground", TODAY, 27 June 2007.
- ^ a b Santokh Singh, "Ball starts rolling to honour 4 players", The Straits Times, 29 April 1999.
- ^ a b c Nick Edwards, "Top Singapore soccer star espouses humility", Reuters, 17 May 1998.
- ^ a b c G Sivakkumaran, "Fandi named as Sivaji's assistant", The Straits Times, 7 January 2003.
- ^ "Here's the full list". The Straits Times. 19 December 1999.
- ^ a b c d e Murray Hiebert, "Singapore's soccer star takes a shine to business", Far Eastern Economic Review, 17 April 1997.
- ^ a b c "Fandi Ahmad's milestones", The Sunday Times, 12 November 2006.
- ^ Yeo, pp. 9–16
- ^ "Fandi Ahmad".
- ^ Yeo, pp. 17–22
- ^ a b Yeo, pp. 23–27
- ^ Yeo, pp. 31–34
- ^ Yeo, pp. 46–49
- ^ "Fandi goes Dutch". Retrieved 18 July 2019.
- ^ Yeo, pp. 54–57
- ^ a b c Yeo, pp. 58–61
- ^ Yeo, pp. 64–67
- ^ "Player profile" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
- ^ Yeo, pp. 82–86
- ^ Yeo, pp. 106–108
- ^ Peter Khoo, "Fandi hits full throttle in striker's role", The Straits Times, 16 December 1992.
- ^ "Fading star Fandi up against rising star Farid", The Straits Times, 12 November 1992.
- ^ Peter Khoo, "The perfect end to Singapore's 14-year drought", The Sunday Times, 18 December 1994.
- ^ Peter Khoo, "Fandi the popular choice", The Straits Times, 20 December 1994.
- ^ Dan Guen Chin, "Fandi helps Geylang to inaugural title", The New Straits Times, 15 June 1996.
- ^ "Singapore's Fandi Ahmad is AFC's player of the month", Agence France-Presse, 3 July 1996.
- ^ "No medal, but Fandi will still keep on kicking", The Straits Times, 12 October 1999.
- ^ Godfrey Robert, "I want to play", The Straits Times, 3 December 1999.
- ^ Leonard Lim, "Lions off to winning start in Invitational opener", The Straits Times, 25 June 2007.
- ^ Yeo, pp. 35–41
- ^ Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation, 3 January 2012.
- ^ Yeo, pp. 50–53
- ^ Peter Khoo, "Penalty shoot-out agony for Lions", The Straits Times, 3 December 1991.
- ^ Joe Dorai, "Lions let down by strikers, lack of fitness", The Straits Times, 28 April 1992.
- ^ a b David Lee, "Fandi's ready to help", The New Paper, 23 January 2011.
- ^ "Fandi wins Coach of the Year Award", Channel NewsAsia, 7 October 2000.
- ^ Jeffrey Low, "You C, this is how the Warriors did it this year", The Sunday Times, 3 November 2002.
- ^ Sharani Khamis, "This one's for you, Fandi", TODAY, 8 November 2006.
- ^ Wang Meng Meng, "Fandi back in Singapore to take care of wife", The Straits Times, 19 March 2010.
- ^ Fabius Chen, "Nazri Nasir gets nod as assistant to Fandi Ahmad", The Straits Times, 16 December 2013.
- ^ "LionsXII clinch Malaysia FA Cup with stunning 3-1 win". Channel NewsAsia. 23 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "SUPERSUB SAHIL PROPELS LIONSXII TO HISTORIC FA CUP GLORY". LionsXII. 23 May 2015. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Football: Fandi Ahmad takes charge of Young Lions as FAS releases SEA Games coach Richard Tardy". The Straits Times. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ "Fandi Ahmad appointed Singapore coach for 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup". Fox Sports Asia. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ "Football: Fandi Ahmad named interim national coach, will lead Lions at AFF Suzuki Cup". The Straits Times. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "Fandi to stay with FAS in developmental role, Nazri to take over Young Lions". The New Paper. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "Football: FAS extends Fandi Ahmad's contract, with new role as head of elite youth". The Straits Times. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ a b Yeo, pp. 146–149.
- ^ Jamie Ee, "Wendy Jacobs may leave hospital this week", The Sunday Times, 1 March 2009.
- ^ S Murali, "I am going to Europe", The New Paper, 14 October 2010.
- ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Nerves no longer freeze rising son". AsiaOne. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Tuminah Sapawi, "Fandi's story translated into Malay", The Straits Times, 28 October 1993.
- ^ Peter Khoo, "Fandi strikes record deal", The Straits Times, 3 January 1995.
- ^ Li Xueying, "Well-known figures engaged by CDC to galvanise youth", The Straits Times, 29 January 2005.
- ^ Morrison, Neil. "Fandi Ahmad - Century of International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ "Double delight". The Straits Times. 12 July 1983. p. 31.
- ^ S. Gulam (5 October 1988). "On with the Pro League!". The New Paper. p. 35.
- ^ Dorai, Joe (18 October 1987). "Kannan steals a slim win for Kuala Lumpur". The Straits Times. p. 28.
- ^ Yeo, Wilfred (7 November 1988). "Classy KL make it a Grand Slam". The Straits Times. p. 39.
- ^ Dorai, Joe (25 August 1992). "Pahang will not grant S'pore any favours". The Straits Times. p. 30.
- ^ Khoo, Peter (15 November 1992). "Zul the hero as Pahang reigns again". The Straits Times. p. 32.
- ^ Tay, Cheng Khoon (24 August 1994). "Mission accomplished: Champions at last". The Straits Times. p. 29.
- ^ Dorai, Joe (29 June 1980). "Fandi turns on magic". The Straits Times. p. 38.
- ^ Khoo, Peter (18 December 1994). "The perfect end to Singapore's 14-year drought". The Straits Times. p. 40.
- ^ Singh, Santokh (10 November 1996). "Geylang it is as Iranian Estili nets winning goal". The Straits Times. p. 44.
- ^ "It's official: Warriors are CHAMPIONS". The New Paper. 9 July 1997. p. 49.
- ^ Siow, Peter (3 August 1998). "Three cheers for Fandi, Chitrakar". The Straits Times. p. 42.
- ^ Koh, Thomas (3 November 1997). "Fandi lifts SAFFC to grand treble". The Straits Times. p. 40.
- ^ Koh, Thomas (28 November 1999). "And the winner is... Singapore soccer". The Straits Times. p. 50.
- ^ Singh, Santokh (7 September 1997). "Target achieved – Warriors clinch the double". The Straits Times. p. 44.
- ^ Miller, Brian (7 June 1983). "So near, yet so far". The Straits Times. p. 1.
- ^ Siow, Peter (18 December 1985). "Thais home and dry". The Straits Times. p. 44.
- ^ Yeo, Wilfred (1 September 1989). "Host team put icing on birthday cake". The Straits Times. p. 35.
- ^ Siow, Peter (5 December 1991). "Lions bares its fangs in Fandi's absence". The Straits Times. p. 29.
- ^ Yeo, Wilfred (20 June 1993). "Hurt Lions roar back for bronze". The Straits Times. p. 31.
- ^ Rai, Hakikat (17 December 1995). "Fandi's goal good enough for a bronze". The Straits Times. p. 44.
- ^ "Champions once again". The Straits Times. 29 July 2000. p. 1.
- ^ Lim, Marc (1 September 2002). "The crown is SAFFC's, as Home fails to win". The Straits Times. p. 46.
- ^ "Roll of honour". The Straits Times. 7 October 2000. p. 77.
Bibliography
- Yeo, Wilfred (1993) "The Fandi Ahmad Story", Brit Aspen Publishing, ISBN 978-981-00-4843-3