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Hassan Sunny

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In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Abdullah Sunny is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Hassan. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Hassan Sunny
Hassan playing for Army United in 2015
Personal information
Full name Hassan bin Abdullah Sunny[1]
Date of birth (1984-04-02) 2 April 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Albirex Niigata (S)
Number 18
Youth career
2000–2002 National Football Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003 Geylang United 31 (0)
2004–2005 Young Lions 43 (0)
2006–2007 Geylang United 52 (0)
2008–2011 Tampines Rovers 92 (0)
2012–2014 Warriors 53 (0)
2015–2016 Army United 54 (0)
2017 Home United 19 (0)
2018–2019 Army United 54 (0)
2020–2022 Lion City Sailors 51 (0)
2023– Albirex Niigata (S) 22 (0)
International career‡
2004– Singapore 115 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Singapore
Sea Games
Bronze medal – third place Nakhon Ratchasima 2007 Football
Asean Football Championship
Winner Tiger Cup 2004 2004
Winner AFF Championship 2007 2007
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 May 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23 March 2023

Hassan bin Abdullah Sunny (born 2 April 1984), better known as Hassan Sunny, is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Singapore Premier League club Albirex Niigata (S) and the Singapore national team.[3] He has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Southeast Asia history.

In 2016, UK based The Daily Telegraph ranked him #18 on its list of the world's top 20 goalkeepers.[4] Hassan admitted to The Straits Times that he originally thought that it was a late April Fools joke.[5][6][7]

Hassan is the first and only player in the Singapore Premier League history to win the four league titles with four different clubs.

Club career

Geylang United

In 2003, Hassan joined Geylang United from the National Football Academy and quickly cemented his spot in the first team, earning the S.League Young Player of the Year nomination for his confident performances and knack for pulling off blinding saves.

Young Lions

In 2004, Hassan joined the newly created team Young Lions alongside Baihakki Khaizan, Shahril Ishak and Khairul Amri, where he is part of the 'NFA Gang of Four', which has played together since their early teenage years.[8]

Geylang United

After completing his compulsory National Services in 2006, Hassan returned to Geylang United where he became the main choice goalkeeper at the club.

Tampines Rovers

In January 2008, Hassan joined Geylang International's bitter rivals, Tampines Rovers. He make his club debut on 1 March 2008 in a 1–1 draw against Balestier Khalsa.

On 10 March 2011, Hassan made his 100th appearances for the club in a league match against Tanjong Pagar United. He helped the club to win the 2011 S.League and the 2011 Singapore Community Shield at the end of the season.

Singapore Armed Forces (also known as Warriors FC)

In December 2011, Hassan joined SAFFC, after four years of service as Tampines Rovers' first-choice goalkeeper.

Hassan would than make his AFC Cup debut against Indonesian club Semen Padang in a 3–1 lost on 5 March 2013. He recorded his first clean sheet in the competition in a 1–0 win over Indian club Churchill Brothers on 10 April 2013.

Hassan brilliant performances in the 2014 S.League season helped Warriors FC win the league title.[9] He also became the first goalkeeper to win the S.League 'Player of the Year' award in 2014.[10]

Army United

Hassan joined Army United. for the 2015 Thai Premier League season. He made his debut in a 1–0 win over Royal Thai Navy.[11] After a series of games in good form Hassan excelled in a surprising 1–0 away win at Suphanburi, handing the latter side their first home defeat of the 2015 season as well as giving Hassan man-of-the-match award. After the game, Suphanburi player Jakkaphan Pornsai said Hassan's performance was the main reason Suphanburi lost the match.[12] In November 2015, Hassan signed a new two-year contract with the club.[13] He excelled so much so that British newspaper The Telegraph placed him 18th in their list of top 20 goalkeepers worldwide in 2016 alongside top goalkeepers such as Petr Čech, Manuel Neuer and David De Gea. He is ranked higher than England’s Jack Butland (#19) and Cameroon’s Carlos Kameni (#20). In December 2016, after the relegation of Army United from Thai League 1, Hassan Sunny was released from the team, ending two years of service at the Thai club.[14]

Home United

Following his release from the Thai League side, Hassan signed for S.League side Home United on 6 January 2017 where he was named as the club captain for the 2017 season.[9]

Gainare Tottori trials

On 10 February 2017, Hassan linked up with Japanese third-tier (J3) club, Gainare Tottori, to get a taste of professional football in Japan. He played for Gainare in two friendlies during the brief stint. A snowstorm delayed the team's arrival at Osaka from their Gainare base some 200 km away by several hours, however, despite minimal preparation, Hassan did not appear affected and he played about 70 minutes of the Tottori 3–3 draw with top-tier South Korean side Incheon United at the J-Green Sakai training facility. Hassan added he was encouraged by the positive feedback he received from head coach Ryuzo Morioka and the club's goalkeeper coaches.[15][16]

Return to Army United

After the end of 2017 S.League season, Hassan re-signed for Army United in December 2017 and will play for them in the 2018 Thai League 2 season. He made his second debut for the club in the club's season opener against Nongbua Pitchaya on 10 February 2018, facing off against another Singaporean goalkeeper, Izwan Mahbud, who was also making his debut.[17] On 30 June 2019, Hassan made his 100th appearances for the club in a 2–1 win over Kasetsart.[18]

Lion City Sailors

After 2 seasons with Army United, Hassan penned a 2-year deal with the new privatised club, Lion City Sailors in January 2020. In his first season, he kept 5 clean sheet in 11 matches before the league got halted with the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a match against Balestier Khalsa on 8 August 2021, Hassan was substituted after suffering an injury from a collision with teammate Jorge Fellipe. The collision ultimately led to Šime Žužul opening the score for Balestier Khalsa though the Sailors were able to salvage a point through Stipe Plazibat. Hassan went on to win the 2021 Singapore Premier League title with the club.

On 19 February 2022, Hassan helped the Sailors win the 2022 Singapore Community Shield. During the club 2022 AFC Champions League group stage campaign, He kept 3 clean sheets in 6 matches where he made his AFC Champions League debut on 15 April 2022 against J1 League club Urawa Red Diamonds. At the end of the season, He left Lion City Sailors after 3 season at the club.

Albirex Niigata Singapore

On 16 December 2022, Albirex Niigata Singapore announced the signing of Hassan on a 2-years contract until 2024. Its his 6th club in the Singapore Premier League. On 8 June 2023, Hassan signed a 1-year contract extension until the end of the 2024–25 season. In his first season at the club, he won the 2023 Singapore Premier League title thus becoming the first and only player in the league history to win the league titles with 4 different clubs which also leads him to win the Golden Gloves with 9 clean sheets in the league.

International career

Youth

A graduate of the National Football Academy, in February 2004, two months shy of turning 20, Hassan made his international debut for Singapore against India after a superb debut season with Geylang United in 2003.

He kept goal for the Singapore U23 team that participated in the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam, before joining the Young Lions for the 2004 S.League season.

Hassan first appearance for Singapore came in August 2003 when the young keeper replaced Rezal Hassan at half-time in a friendly against the Japan Olympics team.

Hassan fine display at the 2007 SEA Games helped the Singapore U23 squad win the bronze medal – their first SEA Games medal since 1995.

Senior

Hassan had to wait until 18 February 2004 for his first cap for Singapore national team though, which came against India in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He has been a regular fixture in the national team, though only as a substitute for Lionel Lewis. However, due to his poor performances in the 2007 Merdeka Tournament with the U23 team, he was dropped for the friendly against UAE and Jasper Chan was called up in his place.

On 14 June 2008, Hassan performed extremely well in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Saudi Arabia, but Singapore lost the match 3–0. On 28 July 2008, Hassan played the first half as part of a Singapore Selection side in a friendly match against the Brazil Olympics Team and made outstanding saves against Diego and Alexandre Pato's shots, letting in only three goals.

In January 2010, Hassan was selected to participate in the 2010 King's Cup where he played in all three matches against Thailand, Denmark and Poland.

On 9 August 2014, Hassan captained Singapore which is surprisingly the national day of the country in a goalless draw against Hong Kong. On 14 October, he captained Singapore against in a 2–2 draw against Macau.

On 13 June 2016, Hassan was chosen as the starting goalkeeper against two times FIFA World Cup winners Argentina in a friendly match where he conceded two goals before being subbed out for Izwan Mahbud in the 50th minute.

Hassan won his 75th cap for the Lions in early September 2018 against Mauritius.[19]

Media headlines in Indonesia and Singapore for his renowned performances

Hassan was selected for the 2020 AFF Championship that took place in December 2021, featuring in all of Singapore's games and making 20 saves throughout the entire tournament. On 25 December 2021, Hassan made 11 saves for the Lions against Indonesia but got sent off in the 118th minute of extra time after a last man tackle of Irfan Jaya. The Lions lost 4–2 in the end but Hassan received applause from both home and away fans for his heroic duties where he ended the rivalry between both Indonesia and Singapore. He was voted in the "Team of the Tournament" for his superb performance in the entire tournament.

On 24 September 2022, 18 years and 218 days on from that World Cup qualifier against India in Goa on his International debut, he came full circle by earning his 100th cap against the same opponents in the 2022 VFF Tri-Nations Series.

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against China at the Singapore National Stadium, As Singapore was down by two goals where they conceded a penalty, Hassan made a heroic penalty save denying Wu Lei scoring from the spot. Singapore went on to complete a 2–2 comeback at the end.

Media headlines in China

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Thailand where the opponents were one goal short from qualifying to the next round, Hassan performed 11 saves; although Singapore lost to Thailand 3–1, the result meant that Thailand was denied from progressing to the next round, allowing China to go through as runners-up in the group. These performances gave significant headlines on Chinese social media, with many football fans in the country praising and donating money to him in a show of support;[20][21][22][23] he would subsequently be mobbed by fans on a family trip to Shanghai following the game.[24]

Others

Singapore Selection squad

Hassan was selected as part of the Singapore Selection squad for The Sultan of Selangor's Cup held on 6 May 2017.[25]

Style of play

During his time with Army United in Thailand, Hassan earned a reputation as a talented goalkeeper, who possessed significant athleticism, as well as strong reflexes, shot-stopping abilities, distribution and as well as his foot-work, positioning between the posts. He has also stood out for his penalty-saving abilities. In spite of his reserved character, he has been highly regarded for his strong personality, calm composure under pressure, ability to organise his defence and leadership from the back throughout his career, as well as his reading of the game.

Sponsorship and media

Hassan has a sponsorship deal with sportswear and equipment supplier Puma.

"I am happy to receive such recognition, but I was simply doing my job [at the game between Singapore and Thailand]. In terms of results, the game was not something to be proud of. However, for me, it feels great to receive such recognition from another country."

– Hassan being grateful from the support he received from Chinese football fans[26]

Following Hassan's performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers allowing China's national football team to qualify for the next round of the qualifiers, Hassan went viral on numerous Chinese social media platforms, with his nasi padang stall being visited by numerous Chinese fans and tourists in a show of support. Numerous monetary donations were also made to the stall by Chinese fans.[27][28][29][30] Singapore president Tharman Shanmugaratnam also praised Hassan for his performances and recognition on social media.

Following a scam attempt involving the QR code at his nasi padang stall, Hassan wrote in a social media post to request his fans to cease donations to the QR code.[31] Hassan said he would be donating the money to charity as it does not belong to him, stating he is "doing his part for the community".[32][33][34]

Hassan fans from China also went to watch the 2024–25 Singapore Premier League match between both Albirex Niigata (S) and Young Lions on 16 June 2024, in which he participated. After the game, Hassan flew to Shanghai at the invitation of real estate firm CapitaLand, where he and his family were mobbed by Chinese football fans. Hassan made unscheduled appearances at three CapitaLand malls in Shanghai and also visited children's football club HiKicker Youth FC. [35] According to Lianhe Zaobao, one of the malls had to deploy additional security guards to maintain order due to an overcrowding of fans.[36][37]

On 15 June 2024, Chinese cryptocurrency exchange company HTX announced that it had appointed Hassan as their "chief safeguarding officer".

Personal life

According to an interview he gave in November 2007, Hassan only started playing football competitively when he was 11, captaining his school, May Primary School. He later went on to represent Braddell Secondary School football team as well. Hassan started playing football as a midfielder, only switching to playing as a goalkeeper due to an asthma attack he suffered when he was 12. He also quipped that his happiest football memory was that, back in 1999, he scored the winning goal from the halfway line in a game that ended 2–1.[38][39]

Hassan has stated that his favorite goalkeepers are Manuel Neuer and Joe Hart.

Hassan owns two nasi padang stalls, both named Dapur Hassan, in Tampines, Singapore; he opened his first stall with his family in October 2021.[40] On 22 August 2023, he opened his second stall outlet at 144 Tampines Street 12 while his flagship stall presently sits at 872C Tampines Street 86.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played on 16 June 2024
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Singapore

Community Shield

Asia Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Geylang International 2003 31 0 - - - - — 31 0
Total 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 0
Young Lions 2004 ?? 0 - - - - — ?? 0
2005 ?? 0 - - - - — ?? 0
Total 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 0
Geylang United 2006 29 0 1 - - - — 30 0
2007 23 0 - - - - — 23 0
Total 52 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 53 0
Tampines Rovers 2008 18 0 5 - - - - - 23 0
2009 31 0 - - - - — 31 0
2010 30 0 6 0 - - — 36 0
2011 13 0 0 0 - - 7 0 20 0
Total 92 0 11 0 0 0 7 0 110 0
Warriors 2012 4 0 0 0 - - — 4 0
2013 24 0 1 0 1 0 6 0 32 0
2014 25 0 1 0 - - — 26 0
Total 53 0 2 0 1 0 6 0 61 0
Club Season Thai League T1 Thai FA Cup Thai League Cup Asia Total
Army United 2015 26 0 - - - - — 26 0
2016 28 0 - - - - — 28 0
Total 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 0
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Singapore
League Cup 		Asia Total
Home United 2017 19 0 4 0 2 0 9 0 34 0
Total 19 0 4 0 2 0 9 0 34 0
Club Season Thai League T2 Thai FA Cup Thai League Cup Asia Total
Army United 2018 0 0 1 - - - — 1 0
2019 26 0 - - - - — 26 0
Total 26 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 27 0
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Singapore
League Cup 		Asia Total
Lion City Sailors 2020 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
2021 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
2022 20 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 27 0
Total 51 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 58 0
Albirex Niigata (S) 2023 19 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 24 0
2024–25 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0
Total 22 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 28 0
Career Total 442 0 23 0 6 0 28 0 498 0
  • Young Lions is ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in their respective leagues.


Honours

Club

Tampines Rovers

Warriors

Lion City Sailors

Albirex Niigata (S)

International

Individual

See also

References

  1. ^ "Announcement of squad for AFF Suzuki Cup 2014". Football Association of Singapore. 22 November 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  2. ^ "ハッサン サニー". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website | アルビレックス新潟シンガポール オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Hassan Sunny, Latest News & Player Profile | Goal.com". Goal. 2 April 1984. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  4. ^ "The top 20 best goalkeepers in the world". The Telegraph. 12 April 2016. Archived from the original on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  5. ^ "The top 20 best goalkeepers in the world". The Telegraph. 19 October 2016. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  6. ^ hermesauto (13 April 2016). "Football: Hassan Sunny thought Telegraph accolade was belated April Fool's joke". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 May 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Singapore's Hassan Sunny named one of world's top 20 goalkeepers". TODAY. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Interview With Baihakki Khaizan". FAS. Archived from the original on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny comes Home". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  10. ^ a b "Awards night signals end of 2014 S.League season". S.League. 7 November 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  11. ^ Paul Murphy (16 February 2015). "Singapore keeper Sunny's Thailand debut quietens the doubters". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  12. ^ Paul Murphy (27 July 2015). "Sunny heroics as Army hand first TPL home loss to Suphanburi". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 31 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  13. ^ "Hassan extends Army United stay with new two-year deal". Football Channel Asia. 10 November 2015. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  14. ^ Paul Murphy (1 December 2016). "Singapore's Hassan Sunny released by Thailand club Army United FC". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 4 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  15. ^ "Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny relishes unexpected Japan opportunity". TODAY. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  16. ^ Aziz, Sazali Abdul (13 February 2017). "Hassan encouraged by positive feedback from Japan game". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  17. ^ "Singapore footballers make their debuts in Thai league". The New Paper. 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  18. ^ "Hassan Sunny reaches 100 matches for Army United | Goal.com Singapore". www.goal.com. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  19. ^ "75-cap Hassan Sunny ready for Singapore No.1 battle with Izwan Mahbud". FourFourTwo. 9 September 2018. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  20. ^ "Veteran Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny the toast of China after World Cup heroics". CNA. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  21. ^ "S'pore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny celebrated by Chinese fans after match against Thailand". TODAY. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  22. ^ Dhar, Sudeshna (12 June 2024). "S'porean GK Hassan Sunny's stall receives donations from Chinese fans after he pulls off vital saves against Thailand". Must Share News - Independent News For Singaporeans. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  23. ^ "China social media lauds Singapore's Thai heroics; holiday searches to island soar". South China Morning Post. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  24. ^ Tan, Dawn Wei (17 June 2024). "Hailed as a hero by Chinese football fans, Lions goalkeeper Hassan Sunny gets star treatment in Shanghai". The Straits Times. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  25. ^ "SINGAPORE SELECTION SQUAD FOR THE SULTAN OF SELANGOR'S CUP REVEALED – The Football Association of Singapore". fas.org.sg. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  26. ^ Li, Winnie (16 June 2024). "S'pore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny to donate money transferred by Chinese football fans". Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  27. ^ Li, Winnie. "Chinese football fans transfer money to S'pore keeper Hassan Sunny's nasi padang stall for 'helping' China advance in World Cup". mothership.sg. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  28. ^ Oh, Maximilian (12 June 2024). "Hassan Sunny's nasi padang stall in Tampines draws China fans after his heroics against Thailand". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  29. ^ Wong, Bryan. "S'pore Goalkeeper Hassan Sunny Celebrated By Chinese Fans After Match Against Thailand, His Nasi Padang Stall Gets Over 70 5-Star Reviews From Them In The Past 12 Hours". 8days. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Hassan Sunny: Singapore goalkeeper says China fans have sent him money after his 11 saves against Thailand". BBC Sport. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  31. ^ Associated Press (14 June 2024). Chinese fans show overwhelming support for Hassan Sunny's food business. Retrieved 17 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ Rawat, Bhavya (14 June 2024). "Lions goalie Hassan Sunny asks Chinese fans to stop sending him money, dispels rumours he received $5.8 million". AsiaOne. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  33. ^ Cite error: The named reference donate was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  34. ^ Tan, Dawn Wei (17 June 2024). "Hailed as a hero by Chinese football fans, Lions goalkeeper Hassan Sunny gets star treatment in Shanghai". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  35. ^ Yee, Julia. "S'pore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny swarmed by China football fans while on holiday there". mothership.sg. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  36. ^ "China fans send Singapore goalkeeper money as thank-you". BBC Sport. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  37. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  38. ^ ""At first, i didn't like football..."". Archived from the original on 27 May 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  39. ^ "Hassan named S.League Player of the Year". ESPN.com. 9 November 2014.
  40. ^ hermes (28 February 2022). "Dalam sebulan Madhu hasilkan cermin mata hitam mesra alam, Berita – BeritaHarian.sg". beritaharian.sg. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  41. ^ "ESPN's AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 Team of the Tournament". ESPN.com. 2 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
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