A historic moment in Singapore football unfolded on March 26 at the National Stadium, as a record crowd of 14,896 spectators cheered on the Lions to a 2-1 victory over Malaysia in the Football Association of Singapore Tri-Nations Series friendly match. The win was highlighted by Ikhsan Fandi’s brace, which saw him score the decisive goal in the 76th minute.
This match was especially significant for the Fandi family, with Ikhsan, Irfan, and Ilhan all sharing the pitch together for the first time in a professional match. Ikhsan’s 30th-minute opener came following a swift counter-attack, where he capitalized on a cross from Song Ui-young, after Irfan’s headed clearance at the other end.
The Malaysians equalized in the 57th minute after a lapse in Singapore’s defense, with Liridon Krasniqi slotting home following a sloppy pass from Shahdan Sulaiman. However, it was Ikhsan’s brilliant individual effort in the 76th minute, where he dribbled past three defenders before unleashing a powerful shot, that sealed the win for Singapore.
Despite Malaysia’s strong performance under coach Kim Pan-gon, who expressed pride in his team’s efforts, the Lions held firm, with interim coach Nazri Nasir praising the squad for giving their all. The match also marked a memorable moment for Ilhan, who made his debut alongside his brothers, further solidifying the significance of the family’s contribution to Singapore football.
Ikhsan’s brace brought his tally to 13 goals in 26 appearances for the Lions, with the win marking the Lions’ fourth victory against Malaysia in their last 10 encounters. This was also interim coach Nazri’s second win against Malaysia, having previously led the Lions to victory in 2019.
The Lions will next face the Philippines on March 29, looking to continue their strong performance under interim leadership.