Irfan Fandi becomes first Singaporean footballer to lift Thai League 1 title

Irfan Fandi became the first Singaporean footballer to clinch the Thai League 1 title after his side BG Pathum United beat Sukhothai 2-0 on Thursday (Mar 4) night. 

The result meant the Rabbits sealed their status as champions with six games to spare, and came just a year after they were promoted to the top-tier in Thai football.

En route to their championship, Pathum conceded only 11 goals in 24 games and kept 15 clean sheets in the process. 

One man who has been instrumental in their success is 23-year-old Irfan, the eldest son of Singapore footballing legend Fandi Ahmad. 

Irfan, a regular in the Pathum team, expressed his delight at winning back-to-back titles for his side.   

“I was so focused on winning the game, I forgot we won the title,” Irfan told The New Paper.

“But the way my teammates, the fans were celebrating, then it hit me that we won the title.

“It really is a great feeling… we have given 110 per cent in a campaign disrupted by COVID-19 and this title is immense.” 

Irfan hopes this will pave the way for more Singaporean footballers to play overseas and prove their mettle. 

He said, “It is a pathway for Singaporean players to look at my example and follow suit,” he added. 

“If I can do it, anyone else can do it too.”