Fandi Ahmad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "Hatnote". Template:Infobox football biography

Fandi bin Ahmad Template:Post-nominals (born 29 May 1962) is a Singaporean professional football manager/head coach and former player.[1] During his professional career, he played mainly as a striker, but also occasionally as a midfielder. Along with the Singapore FA, he also played for Malaysia Cup state sides Kuala Lumpur FA and Pahang FA, and won titles with all three, including two doubles in 1992 and 1994, as well as the Golden Boot in 1988. Fandi also played for Indonesia's Niac Mitra, Netherlands' Groningen as well as local Singaporean clubs Geylang United and SAFFC.[foot 1]

Internationally with the Singapore national team, Fandi earned 101 caps and scored 55 goals, a record he holds today, as well as winning three Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) silver medals while being captain from 1993 to 1997.[2] After his retirement, he began his managerial career in 2000 by helming his former playing club SAFFC, before moving on to Indonesia's Pelita Raya and Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim, while also serving as the assistant national coach on numerous occasions and running his own Fandi Ahmad Academy.

Fandi has been described as a national legend for Singapore.[foot 2] In 1995, 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.[11] His children, most notably Ikhsan, Ilhan, Iryan, 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.[7] His family was working class; Fandi had to sell nasi lemak to help support the family.[7][12] Fandi's father, Ahmad Wartam, was then a goalkeeper for the national team in the 1960s.[13] 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[14]

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 Garden Secondary School,[15] 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.[16]

By the time he was 15, Fandi had become a regular for the Singapore national youth football team. In 1977, Fandi was a member of the Singapore under-17 national team that won the Lion City Cup youth tournament.[17] In 1978, he was a part of the team again and they retained the Lion City Cup.[18] In August that year, Fandi was called up for a senior national team squad for a training tour in Russia, becoming the youngest footballer to represent Singapore.[19]

Club career

Singapore FA (1979–1983)

Fandi joined Singapore FA in 1979 and became a regular midfield player, scoring four goals in his first Malaysia Cup season. The retirement of Arshad Khamis and Dollah Kassim prompted Jita Singh, the new Singapore FA coach, to play Fandi as a striker. During the 1980 Malaysia Cup season, Fandi scored eight goals, including the winning goal in the final against Selangor FA.[20] He enlisted for National Service in September 1980 and was given light duties, such as collecting the camp garbage, so he could continue playing for Singapore FA. In 1981, Fandi won the FAS Footballer of the Year award for helping Singapore FA reach the Malaysia Cup final.[13] The following year, Singapore FA did not play in the Malaysia Cup for political reasons, and Fandi underwent a shoulder operation; he could not play football for six weeks and was discharged early from the National Service.[21]

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".[22]

Fandi received offers from several Malaysia Cup teams: Indonesian side Niac Mitra, Swiss club Young Boys and Dutch side Ajax. It was Ajax he eventually chose, but after a three-week trial, Fandi rejected Ajax's three-year deal and with it, the opportunity to work with and be honed by the legendary Johan Cruyff and play up front with the likes of a young Marco van Basten and Jan Molby, whom he had been scouted along with. Fandi ended up signing a one-year contract with Niac Mitra instead, earning S$75,000 annually, choosing to ply his trade nearer to home. Fandi was joined by compatriot David Lee in Niac Mitra. Fandi helped Niac Mitra successfully defend their Galatama League title and was the third-highest scorer with 13 goals. In a friendly match between Niac Mitra and Arsenal, Fandi scored a goal in a 2–0 victory; however, he left Niac Mitra due to a sudden Galatama League ban on foreign players.[23]

Overseas clubs (1983–1992)

In 1983, Fandi moved to the Netherlands and signed a two-year contract with Groningen.[24] A thigh injury acquired in a friendly match kept him off the field for ten weeks, but in his first Eredivisie game he scored twice in a 2–0 victory over Go Ahead Eagles. On 19 October 1983, Fandi played in the first leg of a UEFA Cup second-round match against Italian side Internazionale, and scored the second goal in a 2–0 win (the first being from Erwin Koeman), though in the second leg Groningen were defeated 1–5.[25] The Inter team boasted a couple of legendary names such as Giuseppe Baresi, Giuseppe Bergomi, Alessandro Altobelli, Evaristo Beccalossi, Riccardo Ferri, Fulvio Collovati and goalkeeper, Walter Zenga. The Groningen fans voted Fandi the most popular player and the most skilful player that season; he scored 10 goals in 29 games to help the Dutch club rise from ninth to fifth place in the Eredivisie. As an April Fools' Day joke, The Straits Times published a front-page story claiming that Manchester United had signed on Fandi.[26] His second season was marred by a recurrence of his thigh injury and a dispute with his coach. He played only two full games that season and Groningen did not offer him a new contract.[27] During his time in the Netherlands, Fandi scored 11 league goals in 36 league games for Groningen.[28]

The next club that Fandi played for was Malaysia Cup side Kuala Lumpur FA, which in 1987 won its first Malaysia Cup title. It was Malaysia Cup champion again the following season; Fandi won the Golden Boot, having scored 21 goals.[29] In his third season at Kuala Lumpur FA, they won a third consecutive Malaysia Cup.[30] Fandi then signed a two-year contract with Greek club OFI in 1990. However, problems with his International Transfer Certificate prevented him from playing for OFI, so he left Greece after two months.[31] Fandi then joined Pahang FA, where he reverted to playing mainly in midfield due to his advancing age.[32] Fandi missed several months of games because of heel and thigh injuries, and scored three goals to help Pahang FA win the Malaysia Cup and Malaysian League Double in 1992.[33] That year, he became the first Singaporean sportsperson to have career earnings exceeding a million Singapore dollars (not adjusted for inflation).[7]

National clubs (1993–1999)

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. Fandi served as a captain and played in 39 of Singapore FA's 41 games in the double-winning season, subsequently becoming the top scorer with 26 goals and being voted Player of the Season;[34][35] he was also awarded a state medal, the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal).[13]

In its inaugural S.League season in 1996, Fandi joined and captained Geylang United where he was the joint top scorer with 11 goals, including the equaliser that confirmed Geylang as league champions. The Asian Football Confederation declared him the Player of the Month of June 1996.[36][37] Geylang was given special dispensation to pay Fandi thrice the S.League salary cap.[12]

Fandi's playing career concluded with three seasons at SAFFC, during which they won two S.League titles and two Singapore Cups. Because of injuries, Fandi was limited to mainly short substitute appearances, but he continued to score crucial goals, notably two against Cambodian side Royal Dolphins in the Asian Club Championship, until his retirement in 1999.[38][39]

International career

From 1979 to 1997, Fandi made 101 appearances for the Singapore national football team,[foot 3] scored 55 goals and earned a place in the Asian Football Confederation Hall of Fame.[8] He started as captain of the national youth team that won the Lion City Cup in 1976 and 1977,[7] then joined the senior national team on a tour of Russia, where he played in two friendly games and scored two goals in the second.[20] His first senior cap came at 17 years, 3 months and 23 days, making him Singapore's youngest-ever full international, until his record was broken by Hariss Harun in 2007.[40] However, in his first international competition, the 1979 SEA Games, Fandi did not score in four matches. He scored against India and North Korea in the Olympic Games qualifiers, but did not score in three FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. In the 1981 Ovaltine Cup, Fandi scored all Singapore goals in the 3–2 aggregate victory over Malaysia.[41] Fandi scored a goal in a 1–2 loss to Thailand in the 1981 King's Cup and a hat-trick against the Philippines at the 1981 SEA Games. In 1992, Fandi scored twice against Nepal and once against Thailand in the King's Cup, then scored when Singapore beat Malaysia 3–1 in the Ovaltine Cup.[42]

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 Brunei and two against Malaysia in the semi-final. Despite suffering an ankle injury in the 1–2 final defeat by Thailand,[43] he played in the 1983 Merlion Cup, and scored in a 1–0 semi-final win against of China.[26] The second SEA Games silver medal came in 1985, when Fandi scored against Malaysia and the Philippines in the group stage, then two goals against Brunei in the semi-final. At the 1989 SEA Games, Fandi scored in the 4–0 victory over Myanmar that took Singapore past the group stages, the last-minute winner in the semi-final against defending champions Indonesia and Singapore's single goal in the 1–3 final defeat by Malaysia. This completed the hat-trick of silver medals, though in 2007, he said that "not winning the SEA Games gold medal" was among "his biggest regrets".[7] Fandi also played at the 1990 Asian Games and scored in the 6–1 win against Pakistan.[42]

During the 1991 SEA Games, Fandi scored both Singapore goals against Myanmar in the group stage, but was substituted in the semi-final match, after Indonesian fullback Herry Setyawan elbowed him in the eye. That match ended goalless and the Lions lost on penalties.[44] Fandi also missed Singapore's failed attempt to qualify for the 1992 Asian Cup, having sustained a heel injury.[45] At the 1993 SEA Games, captain Fandi scored a hat-trick in the 7–0 defeat of the Philippines, followed by the second Singapore goal in the 3–3 semi-final draw with Myanmar, and scored once in the 3–1 win over Indonesia that secured a bronze medal for Singapore. Fandi also played in the inaugural Tiger Cup, and scored an equaliser against Malaysia, a goal against Brunei and two against the Philippines. 1997 was a disappointing year for Fandi, who failed to score in the Dunhill Cup and the World Cup qualifiers. After the 1997 SEA Games, where his goal in the semi-final could not prevent a 1–2 defeat to Indonesia, Fandi retired from international football.[42]

Managerial career

After his retirement from playing, Fandi worked as a coach. He started as the assistant to Singapore's national coach, Vincent Subramaniam, for the 1999 SEA Games, where Singapore finished fourth.[10] In 2011, he founded the Fandi Ahmad Academy, which organises training programmes and overseas opportunities for talented young Singaporean footballers.[3] Fandi is one of seven Singaporean coaches with a professional AFC coaching diploma and is widely considered a likely future coach of the Singapore national football team.[46]

2000–2015

File:Fandi Ahmad, LionsXII match against Kelantan FA during the Malaysian Super League, Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore - 20140308.jpg
Fandi in 2014 as head coach of LionsXII

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.[47] Under Fandi, SAFFC ended the 2001 season without winning a trophy but the following year, they were the 2002 S.League champions by a 20-point margin.[48] Fandi simultaneously served as assistant national coach,[10] helping Singapore win the Tiger Cup in 2005.[4] In 2005, Fandi became the coach of Young Lions, which rose from the bottom of the S.League in 2003 to two third-place finishes in 2004 and 2006, which was their highest league placing in the club's history.[49] From November 2006 to March 2010, Fandi managed Indonesian side Pelita Raya,[6] where he adopted a youth policy that helped them win promotion from the second division,[46] then guided the club to two mid-table finishes in the Indonesia Super League.[50]

On 3 February 2012, the owner of Malaysian Super League side Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), the Crown Prince of Johor, Tunku Ismail Idris, approached Fandi, after the club's first year of rebranding the whole organisation structure and its footballing activities, to become the club's manager, a role which he accepted.[5] Fandi reportedly earned $S30,000 a month. In his first season, he guided JDT all the way to the 2013 Malaysia FA Cup Final but lost 1–0 to Kelantan FA. Johor finished third in the 2013 Malaysia Super League behind LionsXII and Selangor FA. The side also paraded ex-Spanish international striker Dani Güiza, who won the Euro 2008; former SS Lazio player Simone del Nero; and a host of Malaysian internationals, including Malaysia captain Safiq Rahim and star player Safee Sali, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, and the twins Aidil Zafuan and Zaquan Adha. On 30 July 2013, he was relieved of his duties.[51][52] On 7 December 2013, he became head coach of the Singapore LionsXII, with Nazri Nasir as his assistant.[53] On 23 May 2015, he led LionsXII to clinch the 2015 Malaysia FA Cup, their first trophy of the season.[54][55]

2016–present

Fandi was appointed as the head coach of Young Lions for the newly revamped 2018 Singapore Premier League season, replacing Richard Tardy.[56] In May 2018, he was appointed as the interim head coach of the Singapore national football team until the end of the 2018 AFF Championship.[57][58] Fandi's contract with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) was extended in November 2019, with him in a new role as head of elite youth. He aimed, together with technical director Joseph Palatsides, to enhance the pathways and structure for the development of youth players for the national teams. After leading the Singapore under-22 at the 2019 SEA Games, Fandi's Young Lions and the under-22s were taken over by Nazri Nasir in 2020.[59] Fandi was also a part of the national team's coach Tatsuma Yoshida's backroom staff.[60]

On 21 July 2022, Fandi returned to Sri Pahang as a technical adviser. The appointment came 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 2022 that Fandi had several options from club sides in the region which he had turned down, including offers from sides in Indonesia. He 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.[61][62]

In January 2023, Fandi took over as Sri Pahang coach from Malaysian legend Dollah Salleh who had taken temporary charge after the resignation of Frenchman Christophe Gamel the previous season. This would be Fandi's second stint as head coach of a Malaysia Super League team. His team started off into the season well after 11 games with 7 wins, 4 draws, and 0 lost before losing the undefeated streak to Johor Darul Ta'zim 2–0. On 9 June 2023, when all hope seemed lost with the score favouring to Negeri Sembilan 1–3 in the final 10 minutes of the match, Fandi's team bounced back unexpectedly to win the match with the score being 4–3 at full time.[63]

Fandi brought hopes to Sri Pahang during the 2024–25 Malaysia Cup when he guided the team to defeat Selangor 3–2 on aggregate in the round of 16, defeated Perak 4–3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals and went on to defeat Sabah 3–2 on aggregate in the semi-finals which saw the team advance to the 2025 Malaysia Cup final, where it was Sri Pahang's first final since 2018.[64] In 2025, Sri Pahang was dissolved.[65]

Personal life

Fandi is a Muslim,[12] avoids scandals, does not smoke or drink,[66] and has been described as humble,[9] filial, and compassionate.[6] He married South African model Wendy Jacobs in 1996 and the couple have five children, namely sons Irfan, Ikhsan, Ilhan, Iryan, and a daughter Iman;[67] the four sons are footballers. The eldest three (Irfan, Ikhsan, and Ilhan) play for the Singapore national team.[68][69] Fandi is also a cousin of Hafiz Abu Sujad and the national team's physiotherapist Nurhafizah.[70] He is the first Singaporean sportsperson to be the subject of a written 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.[71]

In 2025, Fandi was honoured with a musical about him by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). ITE's ninth musical, he was portrayed by ITE student Mohammed Irfan bin Mohammed Rizal.[72]

Endorsements

Products Fandi has endorsed include Lotto sportswear,[73] Royal Sporting House sportswear,[12] Uncle Tobys cereal, Carnation milk, and energy drink Isomax.[66] In 1996, he released an album of English and Malay songs and produced Meniti Pelangi, a television programme about disadvantaged Malay Singaporeans.[12] Three years later, he opened a restaurant and a car dealership, but both closed down within two years.[6] He has also served as an ambassador for national anti-smoking and anti-drug campaigns,[9][26] raised funds for victims of the 2004 Indonesian tsunami and participated in a Northeast Community Development Council initiative to organise community service programmes.[74]

International career statistics

International goalsTemplate:Efn
No Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 26 February 1980 Singapore {{ Template:Yesno alias = India flag alias = Flag of India.svg flag alias-1880 = British Raj Red Ensign.svg flag alias-British = British Raj Red Ensign.svg flag alias-1931 = 1931 Flag of India.svg flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of India.svg flag alias-army = Flag of Indian Army.svg link alias-army = Indian Army flag alias-naval-1879 = Flag of Imperial India.svg flag alias-naval-1884 = Flag of Imperial India.svg flag alias-naval-1928 = Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg flag alias-naval-1947 = Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg flag alias-naval-1950 = Naval Ensign of India (1950–2001).svg flag alias-naval-2001 = Naval Ensign of India (2001–2004).svg flag alias-naval-2004 = Naval Ensign of India (2004–2014).svg flag alias-naval-2014 = Naval Ensign of India (2014–2022).svg flag alias-naval-2022 = Naval Ensign of India (2022).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of India.svg flag alias-air force-1950 = Air Force Ensign of India (1950–2023).svg flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of India.svg flag alias-coast guard = Indian Coast Guard flag.svg link alias-coast guard = Indian Coast Guard link alias-naval = Indian Navy link alias-air force = Indian Air Force flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of India.svg link alias-navy = Indian Navy flag alias-military = Flag of Indian Armed Forces.svg link alias-military = Indian Armed Forces size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 1–0 || 1980 Olympic Games qualification

2 4 March 1980 Singapore {{ Template:Yesno alias = North Korea flag alias = Flag of North Korea.svg flag alias-1948 = Flag of North Korea (1948–1992).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of North Korea.svg link alias-naval = Korean People's Navy flag alias-army = Flag of the Korean People's Army Ground Force (2023-).svg link alias-army = Korean People's Army Ground Force flag alias-navy = Flag of the Korean People's Army Navy (Obverse).svg link alias-navy = Korean People's Navy flag alias-military = Flag of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army (Normal).svg link alias-military = Korean People's Army flag alias-air force = Flag of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force (Obverse).svg link alias-air force = Korean People's Army Air Force flag alias-strategic force = Flag of the Korean People's Army Strategic Force.svg link alias-strategic force = Korean People's Army Strategic Force flag alias-special forces = Flag of the Korean People's Army Special Operation Force.svg link alias-special forces = Korean People's Army Special Operation Force flag alias-special bureau = Flag of the Missile General Bureau (North Korea).svg link alias-special bureau = Missile General Bureau size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}} || 3–1 || 1980 Olympic Games qualification

3 5 April 1981 Singapore {{ Template:Yesno alias = Malaysia flag alias = Flag of Malaysia.svg flag alias-1895 = Flag of the Federated Malay States (1895 - 1946).svg flag alias-1948 = Flag of Malaya (1950–1963).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Malaysia.svg link alias-naval = Royal Malaysian Navy flag alias-air force = Royal Malaysian Air Force Flag.svg link alias-air force = Royal Malaysian Air Force flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Malaysia.svg link alias-civil = Malaysia flag alias-army = Flag of the Malaysian Army.svg link alias-army = Malaysian Army flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Malaysia.svg link alias-navy = Royal Malaysian Navy flag alias-military = Flag of the Malaysian Armed Forces.svg link alias-military = Malaysian Armed Forces flag alias-coast guard = Flag of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.svg link alias-coast guard = Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency flag alias-23px = Flag of Malaysia 23px.svg size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 1–1 || 1981 Ovaltine Cup

4 19 April 1981 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Template:Flagicon Malaysia 2–1 1981 Ovaltine Cup replay
5 19 April 1981 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Template:Flagicon Malaysia 2–1 1981 Ovaltine Cup replay
6 9 November 1981 Bangkok, Thailand {{ Template:Yesno alias = Thailand shortname alias = Thailand flag alias = Flag of Thailand.svg flag alias-1767 = Flag of Thailand (Ayutthaya period).svg flag alias-1782 = Flag of Thailand (1782).svg flag alias-1817 = Flag of Thailand (1817).svg flag alias-1855 = Flag of Thailand 1855.svg flag alias-1893 = State Flag of Thailand (1916).svg flag alias-1916 = Flag of Siam (1916).svg flag alias-marines=Flag of the Royal Thai Marine Corps.svg link alias-marines=Royal Thai Marine Corps border-marines= flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Thailand.svg link alias-naval = Royal Thai Navy flag alias-navy = Flag of the Royal Thai Navy.svg link alias-navy = Royal Thai Navy flag alias-military=Flag of the Royal Thai Armed Forces HQ.svg link alias-military=Royal Thai Armed Forces flag alias-air force = Flag of the Royal Thai Air Force.svg link alias-air force = Royal Thai Air Force flag alias-army= Flag of the Royal Thai Army.svg link alias-army=Royal Thai Army flag alias-sanctionedFB = THA AFF 2020.png size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}} || 1–2 || 1981 King's Cup

7 9 December 1981 Manila, Philippines {{ Template:Yesno alias = Philippines flag alias = Flag of the Philippines.svg flag alias-1535 = Flag_of_Cross_of_Burgundy.svg flag alias-1821 = Flag of Spain (1785-1873 and 1875-1931).svg flag alias-1873 = Flag of the First Spanish Republic.svg flag alias-1875 = Flag of Spain (1785-1873 and 1875-1931).svg flag alias-aguinaldo = Flag of the Philippines (1898–1901).svg flag alias-1898 = Flag of the United States (1896-1908).svg flag alias-1908 = US flag 46 stars.svg flag alias-1912 = US flag 48 stars.svg flag alias-1919 = Flag of the Philippines (1919-1936).svg flag alias-1936 = Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg flag alias-1985 = Flag of the Philippines (light blue).svg flag alias-1986 = Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg flag alias-air force = Flag of the Philippine Air Force.svg link alias-air force = Philippine Air Force flag alias-army=Flag of the Philippine Army.svg flag alias-marines=Flag of the Philippine Marine Corps.svg link alias-marines=Philippine Marine Corps flag alias-military=Flag of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.svg link alias-military=Philippine Armed Forces flag alias-navy=Flag of the Philippine Navy.svg link alias-navy=Philippine Navy link alias-army = Philippine Army link alias-naval = Philippine Navy size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}} || 4–0 || 1981 Southeast Asian Games

8 9 December 1981 Manila, Philippines Template:Flagicon Philippines 4–0 1981 Southeast Asian Games
9 9 December 1981 Manila, Philippines Template:Flagicon Philippines 4–0 1981 Southeast Asian Games
10 7 January 1982 Singapore {{ Template:Yesno alias = Bahrain flag alias = Flag of Bahrain.svg flag alias-old = Flag of Bahrain (before 1820).svg flag alias-1820 = Flag of Bahrain (1820-1932).svg flag alias-1932 = Flag of Bahrain (1932 to 1972).svg flag alias-1972 = Flag of Bahrain (1972-2002).svg link alias-naval = Royal Bahraini Naval Force flag alias-military = Flag of the Bahrain Defence Force.svg link alias-military = Bahrain Defence Force flag alias-army = Flag of the Royal Bahraini Army.svg link alias-army = Royal Bahraini Army flag alias-air force = Flag of the Royal Bahraini Air Force.svg link alias-air force = Royal Bahraini Air Force flag alias-navy = Flag of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force.svg link alias-navy = Royal Bahraini Naval Force size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 2–0 || Friendly

11 5 May 1982 Bangkok, Thailand {{ Template:Yesno alias = Nepal flag alias = Flag of Nepal.svg flag alias-old = Flag of Nepal (1775–1962).svg flag alias-1930 = Flag of Nepal (1775–1962).svg flag alias-1768 = Flag of Nepal (19th century).svg flag alias-1856 = Flag of Nepal (1856-c.1930).svg link alias-army = Nepali Army border = size = size flag alias = 24x20px size flag alias-old = 24x20px size flag alias-1930 = 24x20px size flag alias-1768 = 24px size flag alias-1856 = 24x20px sizebig flag alias = x27px sizebig flag alias-old = x27px sizebig flag alias-1930 = x27px sizebig flag alias-1768 = x30px sizebig flag alias-1856 = x27px name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 2–0 || 1982 King's Cup

12 5 May 1982 Bangkok, Thailand Template:Flagicon Nepal 2–0 1982 King's Cup
13 15 May 1982 Bangkok, Thailand Template:Flagicon Thailand 2–2 1982 King's Cup
14 15 May 1982 Bangkok, Thailand Template:Flagicon Thailand 2–2 1982 King's Cup
15 8 August 1982 Penang, Malaysia Template:Flagicon India 3–0 1982 Merdeka Tournament
16 10 November 1982 Singapore Template:Flagicon Malaysia 3–1 1982 Ovaltine Cup
17 28 May 1983 Singapore Template:Flagicon Malaysia 2–1 1983 Southeast Asian Games
18 1 June 1983 Singapore Template:Flagicon Philippines 5–0 1983 Southeast Asian Games
19 4 June 1983 Singapore {{ Template:Yesno alias = Brunei flag alias = Flag of Brunei.svg flag alias-old = Old Flag of Brunei.svg flag alias-1906 = Flag of Brunei 1906-1959.svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Brunei.svg link alias-naval = Royal Brunei Navy flag alias-army = Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) - Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei (TDDB) ensign.svg link alias-army = Royal Brunei Land Force flag alias-air force = Ensign of the Royal Brunei Air Force.svg link alias-air force = Royal Brunei Air Force flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Brunei.svg link alias-navy = Royal Brunei Navy size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 4–0 || 1983 Southeast Asian Games

20 4 June 1983 Singapore Template:Flagicon Brunei 4–0 1983 Southeast Asian Games
21 14 December 1983 Singapore {{ Template:Yesno alias = China flag alias = Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg flag alias-1862 = Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1862-1889).svg border-1862 = flag alias-1889 = Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1889-1912).svg flag alias-Qing = Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1889-1912).svg flag alias-1912 = Flag of China (1912–1928).svg flag alias-1928 = Flag of the Republic of China.svg flag alias-army-1949 = Flag of the People's Liberation Army.svg flag alias-marines-1949 = Flag of the People's Liberation Army.svg flag alias-navy-1949 = Flag of the People's Liberation Army.svg flag alias-naval-1949 = Flag of the People's Liberation Army.svg flag alias-air force-1949 = Flag of the People's Liberation Army.svg flag alias-military = People's Liberation Army Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg link alias-military = People's Liberation Army flag alias-coast guard=Flag of China.svg link alias-coast guard=China Coast Guard flag alias-army = Ground Force Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg link alias-army = People's Liberation Army Ground Force flag alias-marines=Naval ensign of China.svg link alias-marines=People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps flag alias-navy = Naval ensign of China.svg link alias-navy = People's Liberation Army Navy flag alias-naval = Naval ensign of China.svg link alias-naval = People's Liberation Army Navy flag alias-air force = Air Force Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg link alias-air force = People's Liberation Army Air Force size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}} || 1–0 || 1983 Merlion Cup

22 13 December 1985 Bangkok, Thailand Template:Flagicon Brunei 3–0 1985 Southeast Asian Games
23 13 December 1985 Bangkok, Thailand Template:Flagicon Brunei 3–0 1985 Southeast Asian Games
24 14 December 1985 Bangkok, Thailand Template:Flagicon Malaysia 2–2 1985 Southeast Asian Games
25 14 December 1985 Bangkok, Thailand Template:Flagicon Malaysia 2–2 1985 Southeast Asian Games
26 4 April 1987 Singapore {{ Template:Yesno alias = Indonesia flag alias = Flag of Indonesia.svg link alias-naval = Indonesian Navy flag alias-naval = Flag of Indonesia.svg link alias-navy = Indonesian Navy flag alias-navy = Flag of the Indonesian Navy.svg link alias-marines= Indonesian Marine Corps flag alias-marines = Flag of the Indonesian Marine Corps.png link alias-air force = Indonesian Air Force flag alias-air force = Flag of the Indonesian Air Force.svg link alias-army = Indonesian Army flag alias-army = Flag of the Indonesian Army.svg flag alias-military = Flag of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.svg link alias-military = Indonesian National Armed Forces flag alias-sanctionedFB = Indonesia coat of arms with name.svg size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 2–0 || 1988 Olympic Games qualification

27 26 April 1987 Jakarta, Indonesia Template:Flagicon Indonesia 1–2 1988 Olympic Games qualification
28 26 August 1989 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia {{ Template:Yesno alias = Myanmar shortname alias = Myanmar flag alias = Flag of Myanmar.svg flag alias-1937 = British Burma 1937 flag.svg flag alias-1943 = Flag of Burma 1943.svg flag alias-1948 = Flag of Burma (1948–1974).svg flag alias-1974 = Flag of Myanmar (1974–2010).svg flag alias-military = Flag of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar.svg link alias-military = Tatmadaw flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Myanmar.svg link alias-air force = Myanmar Air Force flag alias-army = Army Flag of Myanmar.svg flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Myanmar.svg link alias-army = Myanmar Army link alias-naval = Myanmar Navy flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Myanmar.svg link alias-navy = Myanmar Navy flag alias-coast guard = Myanmar Coast Guard Ensign.svg link alias-coast guard = Myanmar Coast Guard flag alias-army 1948 = Former army flag of Myanmar.png link alias-army 1948 = Myanmar Army flag alias-navy 1948 = Naval Ensign of Burma (1948-1974).svg link alias-navy 1948 = Myanmar Navy flag alias-navy 1974 = Naval Ensign of Burma (1974–1994).svg link alias-navy 1974 = Myanmar Navy flag alias-air force 1948 = Air Force Ensign of Burma (1948-1974).svg link alias-air force 1948 = Myanmar Air Force flag alias-air force 1974 = Former Ensign of Myanmar Air Force.png link alias-air force 1974 = Myanmar Air Firce size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant = 1974

}} || 4–0 || 1989 Southeast Asian Games

29 28 August 1989 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Template:Flagicon Indonesia 1–0 1989 Southeast Asian Games
30 31 August 1989 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Template:Flagicon Myanmar 1–3 1989 Southeast Asian Games
31 27 September 1990 Beijing, China {{ Template:Yesno alias = Pakistan flag alias = Flag of Pakistan.svg flag alias-army = Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Pakistan.svg flag alias-navy=Naval Standard of Pakistan.svg flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Pakistan.svg flag alias-military = Armed Forces of Pakistan Flag.svg link alias-military = Pakistan Armed Forces flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Pakistan.svg size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 6–1 || 1990 Asian Games

32 29 November 1991 Manila, Philippines Template:Flagicon Myanmar 2–1 1991 Southeast Asian Games
33 29 November 1991 Manila, Philippines Template:Flagicon Myanmar 2–1 1991 Southeast Asian Games
34 25 November 1992 Yangon, Myanmar Template:Flagicon Myanmar 1–0 Friendly
35 8 December 1992 Singapore Template:Flagicon Malaysia 3–0 1992 Merlion Cup
36 13 April 1993 Doha, Qatar {{ Template:Yesno alias = Vietnam flag alias = Flag of Vietnam.svg flag alias-1863 = Royal Flag of Vietnam (1802–1885).svg flag alias-1885 = Flag of Central Vietnam (1885-1890).svg flag alias-1890 = Standard of the Nguyen Dynasty (1890 - 1920).svg flag alias-1920 = First flag of the Nguyen Dynasty.svg flag alias-1945 = Flag of the Empire of Vietnam (1945).svg flag alias-1945a = Flag of North Vietnam (1945-1955).svg flag alias-naval = Ensign of Vietnam People's Navy.svg link alias-naval = Vietnam People's Navy flag alias-navy = Vietnam People's Navy flag.svg link alias-navy = Vietnam People's Navy flag alias-army = Flag of the People's Army of Vietnam.svg link alias-army = Vietnam People's Ground Force flag alias-military = Flag of the People's Army of Vietnam.svg link alias-military = People's Army of Vietnam flag alias-air force = Flag of the Vietnam People's Air Force.svg link alias-air force = Vietnam People's Air Force flag alias-coast guard = Vietnam Coast Guard flag.svg link alias-coast guard = Vietnam Coast Guard size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 3–2 || 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification

37 16 April 1993 Doha, Qatar {{ Template:Yesno alias = Qatar flag alias = Flag of Qatar.svg flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Qatar.svg link alias-air force = Qatar Emiri Air Force link alias-naval = Qatari Emiri Navy link alias-military = Qatar Armed Forces link alias-army = Qatari Emiri Land Force link alias-navy = Qatari Emiri Navy flag alias-1860 = Flag of Qatar (1860–1916, 1916–1932).svg flag alias-1916 = Flag of Qatar (1916).svg flag alias-1932 = Flag of Qatar (1932–1936).svg flag alias-1936 = Flag of Qatar (1936–1949).svg flag alias-1949 = Flag of Qatar (1949–1971).svg variant = size = name = altlink = national football team

}} || 1–4 || 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification

38 30 April 1993 Singapore Template:Flagicon Qatar 1–0 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
39 2 May 1993 Singapore Template:Flagicon Indonesia 2–1 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
40 9 June 1993 Singapore Template:Flagicon Philippines 7–0 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
41 9 June 1993 Singapore Template:Flagicon Philippines 7–0 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
42 9 June 1993 Singapore Template:Flagicon Philippines 7–0 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
43 17 June 1993 Singapore Template:Flagicon Myanmar 3–3 1993 Southeast Asian Games
44 19 June 1993 Singapore Template:Flagicon Indonesia 3–1 1993 Southeast Asian Games
45 17 July 1995 Singapore Template:Flagicon Myanmar 3–3 1995 Tiger Beer Quadrangular
46 4 December 1995 Lamphun, Thailand Template:Flagicon Brunei 2–2 1995 Southeast Asian Games
47 6 December 1995 Lamphun, Thailand Template:Flagicon Myanmar 4–2 1995 Southeast Asian Games
48 6 December 1995 Lamphun, Thailand Template:Flagicon Myanmar 4–2 1995 Southeast Asian Games
49 8 December 1995 Chiang Mai, Thailand Template:Flagicon Philippines 4–0 1995 Southeast Asian Games
50 16 December 1995 Singapore Template:Flagicon Myanmar 1–0 1995 Southeast Asian Games
51 1 September 1996 Singapore Template:Flagicon Malaysia 1–1 1996 AFF Championship
52 4 September 1996 Singapore Template:Flagicon Brunei 3–0 1996 AFF Championship
53 6 September 1996 Singapore Template:Flagicon Philippines 3–0 1996 AFF Championship
54 6 September 1996 Singapore Template:Flagicon Philippines 3–0 1996 AFF Championship
55 16 October 1997 Jakarta, Indonesia Template:Flagicon Indonesia 1–2 1997 Southeast Asian Games

Template:Notelist

Managerial statistics

As of match played 26 April 2025Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record Ref.
<templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />GScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />WScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />DScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />LScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Win %Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Young Lions Template:Flagicon 1 January 2005 31 December 2006

Template:WDL

[75]
Pelita Jaya Template:Flagicon 1 January 2007 30 November 2009

Template:WDL

[76]
Johor Darul Ta'zim Template:Flagicon 3 February 2012 30 July 2013

Template:WDL

[77]
LionsXII Template:Flagicon 7 December 2013 30 November 2015

Template:WDL

[78][79]
Young Lions Template:Flagicon 14 December 2017 31 December 2019

Template:WDL

[80][81]
Singapore (Caretaker) Template:Flagicon 16 May 2018 16 December 2018

Template:WDL

[82]
Singapore U23 Template:Flagicon 1 July 2019 31 December 2019

Template:WDL

[83]
Sri Pahang Template:Flagicon 17 January 2023 30 June 2025

Template:WDL

[84][85]
Career Total

Template:WDLtot

Honours

<templatestyles src="Col-begin/styles.css"/>

Notes

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. A club representing the Singapore Armed Forces. Formerly known as SAFFC, they were renamed to Warriors F.C. in 2013.
  2. Reliable sources have described Fandi as a "Singapore football legend",[3] "Singapore's favourite footballing son",[4] a "national football icon",[5] "Singapore's most celebrated footballer",[6] "the country's golden boy of football",[7] "the most well known face of Singapore sport",[8] "the best of his generation",[9] "one of Singapore's greatest footballers ever" and "one of Asia's best players".[10]
  3. Football Association of Singapore records from this period were not accepted by FIFA, so Fandi is not listed in the FIFA Century Club.

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

See also

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. a b "Fandi Ahmad Academy hopes to send youth abroad to turn professional", Channel NewsAsia, 18 May 2011.
  4. a b Wang Meng Meng, "Singapore soccer through Fandi's eyes", The New Paper, 24 January 2005.
  5. a b Sanjay Nair, "Fandi unlikely to coach Singapore Lions", The Straits Times, 5 August 2011.
  6. a b c d "Fandi is too nice for his own good", The Sunday Times, 12 November 2006.
  7. a b c d e f Jose Raymond, "A superstar's sacred ground", TODAY, 27 June 2007.
  8. a b Santokh Singh, "Ball starts rolling to honour 4 players", The Straits Times, 29 April 1999.
  9. a b c Nick Edwards, "Top Singapore soccer star espouses humility", Reuters, 17 May 1998.
  10. a b c G Sivakkumaran, "Fandi named as Sivaji's assistant", The Straits Times, 7 January 2003.
  11. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. a b c d e Murray Hiebert, "Singapore's soccer star takes a shine to business", Far Eastern Economic Review, 17 April 1997.
  13. a b c "Fandi Ahmad's milestones", The Sunday Times, 12 November 2006.
  14. Yeo, pp. 9–16
  15. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. Yeo, pp. 17–22
  17. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. a b Yeo, pp. 23–27
  21. Yeo, pp. 31–34
  22. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. Yeo, pp. 46–49
  24. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. Yeo, pp. 54–57
  26. a b c Yeo, pp. 58–61
  27. Yeo, pp. 64–67
  28. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. Yeo, pp. 82–86
  30. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. Yeo, pp. 106–108
  32. Peter Khoo, "Fandi hits full throttle in striker's role", The Straits Times, 16 December 1992.
  33. "Fading star Fandi up against rising star Farid", The Straits Times, 12 November 1992.
  34. Peter Khoo, "The perfect end to Singapore's 14-year drought", The Sunday Times, 18 December 1994.
  35. Dan Guen Chin, "Fandi helps Geylang to inaugural title", The New Straits Times, 15 June 1996.
  36. "Singapore's Fandi Ahmad is AFC's player of the month", Agence France-Presse, 3 July 1996.
  37. "No medal, but Fandi will still keep on kicking", The Straits Times, 12 October 1999.
  38. Godfrey Robert, "I want to play", The Straits Times, 3 December 1999.
  39. Leonard Lim, "Lions off to winning start in Invitational opener", The Straits Times, 25 June 2007.
  40. Yeo, pp. 35–41
  41. a b c Neil Morrison, "Fandi Ahmad – Century of International Appearances", Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation, 3 January 2012.
  42. Yeo, pp. 50–53
  43. Peter Khoo, "Penalty shoot-out agony for Lions", The Straits Times, 3 December 1991.
  44. Joe Dorai, "Lions let down by strikers, lack of fitness", The Straits Times, 28 April 1992.
  45. a b David Lee, "Fandi's ready to help", The New Paper, 23 January 2011.
  46. "Fandi wins Coach of the Year Award", Channel NewsAsia, 7 October 2000.
  47. Jeffrey Low, "You C, this is how the Warriors did it this year", The Sunday Times, 3 November 2002.
  48. Sharani Khamis, "This one's for you, Fandi", TODAY, 8 November 2006.
  49. Wang Meng Meng, "Fandi back in Singapore to take care of wife", The Straits Times, 19 March 2010.
  50. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. Fabius Chen, "Nazri Nasir gets nod as assistant to Fandi Ahmad", The Straits Times, 16 December 2013.
  53. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  58. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  59. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  60. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  61. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  62. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  63. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  64. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  65. a b Yeo, pp. 146–149.
  66. Jamie Ee, "Wendy Jacobs may leave hospital this week", The Sunday Times, 1 March 2009.
  67. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  68. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  69. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  70. Tuminah Sapawi, "Fandi's story translated into Malay", The Straits Times, 28 October 1993.
  71. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  72. Peter Khoo, "Fandi strikes record deal", The Straits Times, 3 January 1995.
  73. Li Xueying, "Well-known figures engaged by CDC to galvanise youth", The Straits Times, 29 January 2005.
  74. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  75. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  76. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  77. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  78. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  79. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  80. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  81. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  82. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  83. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  84. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  85. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  86. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  87. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  88. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  89. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  90. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  91. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  92. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  93. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  94. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  95. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  96. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  97. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  98. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  99. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  100. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  101. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  102. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  103. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  104. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  105. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  106. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  107. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  108. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  109. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Bibliography

  • Yeo, Wilfred (1993). The Fandi Ahmad Story. Brit Aspen Publishing. Template:ISBN.

Template:Good article

Sporting positions
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Singapore national team captain
1993–1997 Template:S-ttl/check
Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

Template:Portal bar Template:S.League managers Template:Warriors F.C. managers Template:Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. managers Script error: No such module "Football manager history". Template:Sri Pahang FC head coaches Template:Sri Pahang FC squad Template:Authority control