Fit-again Irfan Fandi hopes for career boost after Asean All-Stars call-up to play against Man United
SINGAPORE – After having to deal with a hip flexor strain and a torn calf muscle this season, Singapore defender Irfan Fandi is happy just to be fit and back on the pitch playing again.
Hence, the 27-year-old was taken aback when he received a call from national team manager Eric Ong last week to notify him that he had been selected for the Asean All-Stars who will take on Manchester United at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on May 28.
The Arsenal fan told The Sunday Times: 'I was quite surprised because I haven't been playing that much this season. So, to know that I'm wanted for the team is nice.
'I'm looking forward to it because it will be a good experience and exposure for the players to put ourselves out there against a top European side and show that Asean football is on the rise and we have quality players here.'
In February, it was reported that the Red Devils will play in Malaysia for the first time in 16 years.
The Asean Football Federation (AFF) then announced that Vietnam coach Kim Sang-sik will lead an Asean All-Stars side against the 20-time English champions three days after they wrap up their underwhelming Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on May 25.
Ruben Amorim's team, who could visit Asia as Europa League champions as they hold a 3-0 first-leg lead against Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, will then play in Hong Kong on May 30.
Kim, who won the 2024 Asean Championship with Vietnam, said: 'To be selected to lead a team composed of the finest players in South-east Asia for a grand match like this is a great honour for me.
'We are not only representing our countries, but together we will show the world the pride, spirit and strength of our region.'
Other than Irfan, the Asean All-Stars will feature a selection of top players from all 12 AFF member associations. These include his Port FC teammates – Indonesia's Asnawi Mangkualam and Thailand's Worachit Kanitsribampen – as well as Malaysia's Dominic Tan, and Vietnam's Nguyen Quang Hai. The squad are yet to be finalised.
Striker-turned-defender Irfan hopes the unexpected call-up will be the start of better things to come following a couple of injury-hit seasons.
In the 2023-24 campaign, he played just 19 games in all competitions for BG Pathum due to a leg injury and was released after winning five trophies in five seasons with the club and piquing the interest of South Korean giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2021.
In June 2024, he joined Port FC, where he again mustered just 19 matches across the season after having to cope with injuries.
On the international front, he has not played for the Lions since a 4-1 away loss to China in March 2024.
Irfan, who has 48 caps and two international goals, said: 'Injuries are part and parcel of football and while it was tough when I was out, I'm back to 100 per cent now.
'I'm quite happy at Port, but hopefully I can do well enough to get a chance to play against the best in the region in the AFC Champions League Elite again. I also hope my injury problems are behind me and I can play regularly for Singapore and Port again.'
David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis.
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