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Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

  • <p>Irfan Fandi is none other than Fandi Ahmad's oldest son. "He's better technically. He likes to take the ball and hold it with him," said Irfan, when asked what was the main difference between him and his dad.</p>
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    Irfan Fandi is none other than Fandi Ahmad's oldest son. "He's better technically. He likes to take the ball and hold it with him," said Irfan, when asked what was the main difference between him and his dad.

    25th Canon Lion City Cup
  • Irfan added: "I'm more of a runner. I go more to space and I like to run with the ball."
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    Irfan added: "I'm more of a runner. I go more to space and I like to run with the ball."
    25th Canon Lion City Cup
  • What is the one thing Irfan inherited from his legendary father? "Jumping," he immediately replied. He then promised to score at the Lion City Cup by hanging "five seconds in the air".
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    What is the one thing Irfan inherited from his legendary father? "Jumping," he immediately replied. He then promised to score at the Lion City Cup by hanging "five seconds in the air".
  • The lessons that Fandi imparts to Irfan "always work", according to the 1.8m tall striker.
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    The lessons that Fandi imparts to Irfan "always work", according to the 1.8m tall striker.
  • Adam Hakeem's father is ex-national team captain Nazri Nasir. The 1.92m defender thinks he's inherited his dad's "aggressive style of play".
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    Adam Hakeem's father is ex-national team captain Nazri Nasir. The 1.92m defender thinks he's inherited his dad's "aggressive style of play".
    25th Canon Lion City Cup
  • <p>Where do father and (older) son differ? "Height?" laughed Adam. "He's left-footed, I'm right. He plays as a defensive midfielder, I play centre-back."</p>
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    Where do father and (older) son differ? "Height?" laughed Adam. "He's left-footed, I'm right. He plays as a defensive midfielder, I play centre-back."

    25th Canon Lion City Cup
  • <p>But Adam also has bags of respect for his decorated father. "From his experience, I trust and I follow him and (his advice) is always right. After every game he talks to me and helps me a lot if coach is not around."</p>
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    But Adam also has bags of respect for his decorated father. "From his experience, I trust and I follow him and (his advice) is always right. After every game he talks to me and helps me a lot if coach is not around."

  • Amer Hakeem is Adam's younger brother and the vice-captain of the Singapore Under-15 squad that his father Nazri coaches. Evidently, leadership is the one outstanding trait shared by both Amer and his father.
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    Amer Hakeem is Adam's younger brother and the vice-captain of the Singapore Under-15 squad that his father Nazri coaches. Evidently, leadership is the one outstanding trait shared by both Amer and his father.
    25th Canon Lion City Cup
  • Amer also believes he's more than the spitting image of his father. "I don’t see much difference between us. I think I'm really following how he plays."
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    Amer also believes he's more than the spitting image of his father. "I don’t see much difference between us. I think I'm really following how he plays."
  • <p>Nazri doesn’t talk much about football at home, according to Adam and Amer. Still, their father revealed to Yahoo! Singapore that he sees his "never-say-die attitude" in both sons: "They won't give up. They will just commit themselves to the field, give 110% and fight for every ball." </p><p>Where do father and son(s) differ? "Maybe Amer is not as skillful as me," he chuckled.</p>
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    Nazri doesn’t talk much about football at home, according to Adam and Amer. Still, their father revealed to Yahoo! Singapore that he sees his "never-say-die attitude" in both sons: "They won't give up. They will just commit themselves to the field, give 110% and fight for every ball."

    Where do father and son(s) differ? "Maybe Amer is not as skillful as me," he chuckled.

    25th Canon Lion City Cup
  • Amiruldin Asraf occupies the same position as his father, ex-Singapore striker Nordin Khalil. He says he's inherited his dad's skillset: "ball control, running style, diving headers and bicycle kicks".
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    Amiruldin Asraf occupies the same position as his father, ex-Singapore striker Nordin Khalil. He says he's inherited his dad's skillset: "ball control, running style, diving headers and bicycle kicks".
  • But Amiruldin (pictured here with Irfan) admitted that his finishing touch and communication skills with teammates fall short of the old man. Also, he's still trying to perfect that bicycle kick.<br><br>
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    But Amiruldin (pictured here with Irfan) admitted that his finishing touch and communication skills with teammates fall short of the old man. Also, he's still trying to perfect that bicycle kick.

  • Ribiyanda Saswadimata is the son of former national squad member Saswadimata Dasuki. "Ribi", as he's known by, thinks they have the same passion for football.
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    Ribiyanda Saswadimata is the son of former national squad member Saswadimata Dasuki. "Ribi", as he's known by, thinks they have the same passion for football.
  • While Ribi plays as a winger, his father was famed for his versatility as a utility player. "He was once a winger too, then he played full-back, then defensive midfield..."
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    Football in their blood: sons of Singapore stars

    While Ribi plays as a winger, his father was famed for his versatility as a utility player. "He was once a winger too, then he played full-back, then defensive midfield..."
<p>Irfan Fandi is none other than Fandi Ahmad's oldest son. "He's better technically. He likes to take the ball and hold it with him," said Irfan, when asked what was the main difference between him and his dad.</p>
Irfan added: "I'm more of a runner. I go more to space and I like to run with the ball."
What is the one thing Irfan inherited from his legendary father? "Jumping," he immediately replied. He then promised to score at the Lion City Cup by hanging "five seconds in the air".
The lessons that Fandi imparts to Irfan "always work", according to the 1.8m tall striker.
Adam Hakeem's father is ex-national team captain Nazri Nasir. The 1.92m defender thinks he's inherited his dad's "aggressive style of play".
<p>Where do father and (older) son differ? "Height?" laughed Adam. "He's left-footed, I'm right. He plays as a defensive midfielder, I play centre-back."</p>
<p>But Adam also has bags of respect for his decorated father. "From his experience, I trust and I follow him and (his advice) is always right. After every game he talks to me and helps me a lot if coach is not around."</p>
Amer Hakeem is Adam's younger brother and the vice-captain of the Singapore Under-15 squad that his father Nazri coaches. Evidently, leadership is the one outstanding trait shared by both Amer and his father.
Amer also believes he's more than the spitting image of his father. "I don’t see much difference between us. I think I'm really following how he plays."
<p>Nazri doesn’t talk much about football at home, according to Adam and Amer. Still, their father revealed to Yahoo! Singapore that he sees his "never-say-die attitude" in both sons: "They won't give up. They will just commit themselves to the field, give 110% and fight for every ball." </p><p>Where do father and son(s) differ? "Maybe Amer is not as skillful as me," he chuckled.</p>
Amiruldin Asraf occupies the same position as his father, ex-Singapore striker Nordin Khalil. He says he's inherited his dad's skillset: "ball control, running style, diving headers and bicycle kicks".
But Amiruldin (pictured here with Irfan) admitted that his finishing touch and communication skills with teammates fall short of the old man. Also, he's still trying to perfect that bicycle kick.<br><br>
Ribiyanda Saswadimata is the son of former national squad member Saswadimata Dasuki. "Ribi", as he's known by, thinks they have the same passion for football.
While Ribi plays as a winger, his father was famed for his versatility as a utility player. "He was once a winger too, then he played full-back, then defensive midfield..."
Updated

The next generation of Singapore football takes centrestage at the 25th Canon Lion City Cup, happening from 8 to 16 June.

Watch out for Irfan Fandi, Adam and Amer Hakeem, Ribiyanda Saswadimata and Amiruldin Asraf at Jalan Besar Stadium.You may not know them yet, but these sons of ex-national stars will be looking to make their mark at the pioneering youth tournament. Click on to read more about their relationships with their famous fathers.

Tickets are on sale now at all AXS machines island-wide, the Ticketbooth website, as well as at all Ticketbooth outlets. Tickets start from $7 for youths and senior citizens and $20 for Grandstand. Also catch all the matches live on StarHub SuperSports Arena Ch 112/201 and on TV Anywhere.