Ikhsan Fandi stars with double strike as Singapore fend off Malaysia 2-1

SINGAPORE — They still have not found their new head coach yet, so the Singapore national football team relied on a tried-and-tested weapon against their traditional rivals Malaysia on Saturday (26 March) - striker Ikhsan Fandi.

The 22-year-old, who has been a mainstay with the senior side since debuting in 2019, scored both goals - the first clinical, the second spectacular - in the Lions’ 2-1 win over the Tigers in the FAS Tri-Nations Series international friendly tournament at National Stadium.

In a gripping encounter under a raucous atmosphere amid the 14,896 fans, Ikhsan’s eye for goal proved to be the edge that the Lions needed to fend off a spirited display by Malaysia, and keep the fans’ morale high after last year’s encouraging AFF Suzuki Cup performances.

“We fought very hard, whatever the score was. Every player I put into the match, they gave 100 per cent effort. I'm very proud of them," said interim head coach Nazri Nasir, leading the Lions as they continue their search to replace Tatsuma Yoshida, who left after the Suzuki Cup to return to his native Japan.

"We knew Malaysia would come out very fast, but we had veterans on the pitch such as Hariss (Harun), Shahdan (Sulaiman) and Zulfahmi (Arifin), so we told them to keep the ball, play at our own tempo and not theirs. Eventually we were able to create the opportunities for Ikhsan to score.

"I'm happy to get the win for the fans."

Malaysia powered out of the blocks, but Singapore pounced first

Both sides have had to contend with the departures of their head coaches following the Suzuki Cup. While the Lions have yet to find a new head coach to succeed Yoshida, Malaysia have already found the replacement for Tan Cheng Hoe in Kim Pan-gon, who was previously the technical director of the South Korea national team.

And within two months of his appointment, Kim has already instilled the unmistakable traits of South Korean football among the Tigers - incessant running and intense pressing.

It has already reaped rewards when Malaysia beat the Philippines 2-0 in the Tri-Nations Series' opening match on Wednesday, as they swamped the Filipinos from the opening whistle and got both their goals early.

They threatened to do the same against the Lions, powering out of the blocks with an immediate shot attempt by midfielder Safiq Rahim which went just wide. Five minutes later, right winger Safawi Rashid had an effort further out from goal that also fizzled wide.

With Safawi and dangerous left winger Akhyar Rashid - who scored both goals against the Philippines - nipping around, Singapore's defenders were given a stern test from the opening whistle, which they just about managed to keep their opponents at bay.

For the first 20 minutes though, the hosts could barely muster an attacking effort, such was the ferocity of Malaysia's offence. Yet after weathering the early storm, the Lions began to pass with more confidence and probe with more menace.

As Malaysia's intensity began to wane around the half-hour mark, Singapore struck, and Kim's game plan was ironically undone by Singapore's Korea-born player, Song Ui-young.

Showing all the traits of a hard-running Korean national player, Song latched onto Ikhsan's pass near the centre circle and rampaged forward, withstanding the attention of two Malaysia defenders. As the Lions fans roared in anticipation, Song made an inch-perfect low cross that found Ikhsan, who raced ahead of his marker to tap home from point-blank range.

Spectacular goal seals match for Lions

The Causeway derby proceeded along in its traditional blood-and-thunder style, with both sides unwilling to cede an inch to each other. Malaysia began the second half as they did in the first, and this time, they were rewarded with a penalty just a minute into the half, when Lions’ veteran defender Safuwan Baharudin tripped Safawi with a trailing leg.

Safawi, however, drew loud groans from the Malaysian fan contingent, when his spot kick crashed against the crossbar.

Still, Malaysia were eventually rewarded for their positive play in the 57th minute. Akhyar, who had been tormenting the Lions' defence all game, threaded a superb through pass for substitute Liridon Krasniqi.

The Kosovo-born midfielder took one touch to steady himself, before launching a stinging low shot which gave goalkeeper Hassan Sunny no chance.

At 1-1, many fans would have thought it was a fair result, and would have settled for it come the final whistle. But Ikhsan had other ideas.

Latching to Nazrul Nazari's pass in the 76th minute, the striker was faced with three defenders just outside the penalty area on the left, seemingly with little option but to pass back to the wing-back.

However, he spotted a gap among the defenders and dribbled through, steadied himself, and fired a low shot that whizzed into the net, to a huge roar at the National Stadium.

A goal worthy of winning any match, it proved to be the difference maker in this highly-competitive friendly, as the Lions safely saw through the final moments of the game.

Ikhsan could even savor his match-winning effort with his brothers - defender Irfan, 24, and substitute forward Ilhan, 19 - the first time the three sons of Singapore great Fandi Ahmad had shared the same pitch as Lions players.

"It's a special moment, the three of us suffering for the cause on the pitch," Ikhsan quipped after the game. "I hope my parents who are watching the match back home are proud of us."

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