Making a name for himself, carrying on the family legacy: 19-year-old Ilhan Fandi a revelation for Albirex

Both Irfan and Ikhsan established themselves as important players for golf club and country.  

The particular brothers, 25 plus 23 respectively, exactly who both play regarding top-tier Thai side BG Pathum United, most recently became the first Singaporeans to reach the particular Asian Champions League quarter-finals.

“(I want to) just continue to bring the family members name up. Ikhsan, Irfan have been carrying it out well, so I would like to continue to do that too. ”

Plus Ikhsan, who is a striker, is one of the individuals Ilhan turns in order to for advice. “He tries to watch me or he timepieces the highlights plus things like that. I am going to say: ‘Ix, just how was my running today… how can I improve? ‘” Ilhan explained.

In an global friendly against Malaysia in March, Irfan and Ikhsan began for Singapore, with all the latter scoring twice. Later in the game, Ilhan came off the bench to play up front along with Ikhsan.

Having the ability to don the Lions’ jersey together has been something the two used to discuss as kids, Ilhan said.

“Even before I got to the national team, (Ikhsan would say): ‘Ilhan if you are able to the national team, imagine I joined you and things like that’, ” he explained.

For now, Ilhan has set his sights on getting more minutes plus starting consistently for that Lions.

“My goal is to enjoy for the national team obviously, maybe companion Ikhsan up best, we don’t understand. I know it will be a tough challenge to battle along with him for the striker’s position. But I realize brothers are siblings, but on the presentation, we have to fight for our own spots, ” mentioned Ilhan.

OUT OF HIS COMFORT ZONE

The move to Albirex has been one that Ilhan thought long and hard about. But all in all, it was the “best option”, he explained.

“I wished to try to test myself and get out of the comfort zone because I simply felt I was a bit too comfortable at Young Lions. So I needed a new challenge. And am thought Albirex, the eye they showed within me and what they wanted to do and how they wanted to help me, matched what I wanted to do, ” he or she explained.

Given that he hopes to 1 day play abroad, learning how to adapt to a new environment was important for Ilhan.  

“If I visit Europe or all over the world, it will be sort of comparable because I’m not familiar with the surroundings and things like that, ” he explained.

But despite the new surrounds, Ilhan continues to be embraced with open arms during their time with the Whitened Swans.

“I’ve been enjoying our time here, could not ask for more. And the players… since 1, they’ve been so welcoming and welcomed me like I’m part of the family. Since then, I’ve been clicking with everybody, ” he mentioned.

“I believe what you do off the frequency also affects what you are on the pitch. ”

Ilhan believes that he has grown being a footballer and as a professional during his limited time with the club so far.

“(Being here) has helped me with adding some locations which I didn’t believe I had – like the running in behind. I used to be too stagnant, simply wanting the golf ball to my feet but now I’m changing up a bit, things like that will. Knowing the striker’s part a bit more, ” he said.

“I’ve been working on these curved runs. I’m not used to that will… Nowadays I’m mixing it up a bit : runs in at the rear of and dropping deep. Those types of issues. And I think it’s been working really well for me, but nonetheless a lot to go. ”

While scoring goals is important, Ilhan is focused on turning in good performances.

Take his masterful hat-trick against Balestier Khalsa earlier this season – which included a good acrobatic bicycle conquer. Most would have been satisfied with the suit ball, but not Ilhan.

“I has been just really happy to get my hat-trick and things like that will, but at the same time I just felt that sport – yes We scored a hat-trick, but my performance wasn’t up to (the) mark – I can have got a bit more plus things like that, ’ he explained.