Ikhsan Fandi


Ikhsan Fandi Ahmad is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Norwegian First Division club Raufoss IL.

Club career

Youth

In March 2013, Ikhsan and older brother Irfan Fandi had an opportunity to secure their first overseas trial, with Hércules, a professional club playing in the Spanish second division. However, the pair ultimately failed to secure contracts with the club due to issues relating with visas. Irfan and Ikhsan left the club after contracts could not be secured.
Later in 2013, the pair managed to sign for Chilean side A.C. Barnechea, having secured two-year contracts with the Chilean Primera División club.
Ikhsan and Irfan then joined Chilean Primera División club Universidad Católica.

Home United

Ikhsan returned to Singapore and signed for Home United together with his brother Irfan ahead of the 2016 S.League season. He made his debut in a 2–2 draw against Warriors FC, coming on as a substitute for Khairul Nizam in the 85th minute. However, he was away for National Service together with Irfan so he only managed to end the season with 4 appearances and 0 goals.

Young Lions

In 2017, it was announced that Ikhsan would sign for the under-23 football team, Young Lions FC ahead of the 2017 S.League season. It was revealed on 17 March 2017 that, although Ikhsan has yet to make an appearance for his new club, his former club, Club Deportivo Universidad Católica, is interested in re-signing Ikhsan and his brother Irfan after they finish their national service obligations. 5 games into the season and with the club still pointless, Ikhsan has still to make an appearance. On 23 April 2017, Ikhsan made his debut for the Young Lions against Tampines Rovers. In total, Ikhsan played 10 league games for the Young Lions while serving his national service as an infantry trooper. Following the conclusion of the season, it was reported that Ikhsan, along with brother Irfan, is set for a trial with English Championship side Leeds United in March, after the end of his national service.
Ikhsan scored his professional goal in game week 7 against Hougang United. He also assisted with another goal. He stayed on with the Young Lions for the 2018 Singapore Premier League season and has scored 7 goals as of September 2018.

Raufoss IL

In 2019, Ikhsan travelled to Norway for trials for the clubs there. After impressing in his stint there, Ikhsan was offered a 2-year contract with the newly promoted Norwegian First Division club Raufoss IL, making him the first Singaporean to play in Europe in 30 years. Ikhsan played his first match for the club in a friendly against Mjondalen IF on 12 January. He came on as a substitute in the 64th minute in the 3–1 loss. He scored his first goal for the club in a friendly match on 25 January 2019 in a 6-1 demolition of Elverum FC; smashing in a rebound off a save from the goalkeeper to score Raufoss’ third goal.
Ikhsan made his league debut on 8 April 2019, against Sandefjord Fotball, replacing Anton Henningsson. Ikhsan ended his first season with Raufoss with 6 goals and 1 assist in 28 matches.

IK Start trial

On March 1, 2020, Eliteserien club IK Start invited Ikhsan for a three-day trial followed by a training camp from March 5 to 13 in Marbella, Spain, where they were scheduled to play three friendlies. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Start played only one match - a 2–0 win over fellow Norwegian side Grorud IL - and Ikhsan scored during his 75-minute outing against the newly promoted second-tier outfit. Start coach Jóhannes Harðarson was impressed with his performance and cited a possible transfer. However, with the league being delayed, The Norwegian Football Federation imposing a training ban on clubs until the end of the month and the transfer window closing on April 1, the move to the top flight club was held up.

International career

Youth

Ikhsan was part of the Singapore U16 which won third placed in the 26th edition of the Lion City Cup in 2015. He scored a brace against Liverpool U15. The Singapore side were 3-0 down at half time but Ikhsan came on and scored a hat trick which resulted the game to end 3-3. Both teams went on to penalties and Singapore lost to the English team by 5–3 on penalties to clinch third.
He was called up to the Singapore under-22 team ahead of the 2017 SEA Games and broke his duck by converting a penalty against India before hitting two scorchers from distance in a 4-1 thumping of Brunei in the AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers in July. He played all 4 of the team's games at the 2017 SEA Games, scoring one goal.

Senior

Ikhsan was called up to the national team for the friendly against Hong Kong and the 2019 Asian Cup Qualifiers against Turkmenistan on 31 August and 5 September respectively. He made his debut against Hong Kong after coming on for Khairul Amri in the 71st minute. He scored his first international goal while winning his 5th cap on 7 September 2018 in an international friendly against Mauritius. He scored his second goal in the following game, helping Singapore to a 2–0 win over Fiji in a friendly match. He notched his third goal in his 8th cap against Cambodia.
Ikhsan made his AFF Championship debut in the 2018 campaign on 9 November, with a 1–0 win over Indonesia. He scored his first competitive goals for Singapore in a 6-1 demolition of Timor-Leste in the 2018 AFF Championship, getting on the score sheet twice. He notched his eighth goal for Singapore in only his eighteenth cap when he scored in a 2–1 win over Yemen in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match.

Personal life

Ikhsan is the second eldest son of Singaporean footballing legend Fandi Ahmad and South African model Wendy Jacobs. He has four siblings, one older brother, Irfan Fandi who plays for BG Pathum United and two younger brothers, Ilhan, who plays for Young Lions and Iryan, and the other being his sister Iman.

Career statistics

Club

. Caps and goals may not be correct.

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.7 September 2018Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore1–11–1Friendly
2.11 September 2018Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore2–02–0Friendly
3.16 October 2018Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia2–12–1Friendly
4.21 November 2018National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore3–16–12018 AFF Championship
5.21 November 2018National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore4–16–12018 AFF Championship
6.5 September 2019National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore1–02–22022 FIFA World Cup qualification
7.15 October 2019National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore1–11–32022 FIFA World Cup qualification
8.19 November 2019Shaikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa Stadium, Muharraq, Bahrain1–02–12022 FIFA World Cup qaulification

As of match played 8 September 2019. Appearances and goals by national team and year

U22/23 International caps

U23 International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
112 February 2017Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Choa Chu Kang, Singapore1–01–0Friendly
218 August 2017Shah Alam Stadium, Selangor, Malaysia2–02–02017 Southeast Asian Games
324 March 2019MFF Football Centre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia1–01–12020 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
47 June 2019Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore2–03–0Merlion Cup
59 June 2019Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore1–01–0Merlion Cup
65 December 2019Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines2–07–02019 Southeast Asian Games
75 December 2019Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines6–07–02019 Southeast Asian Games
85 December 2019Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines7–07–02019 Southeast Asian Games

U19 International caps