>Fandi Ahmad back in Singapore
AFTER four years in Indonesia, Fandi Ahmad is back home again.
Singapore’s most famous footballer is on the hunt for a Housing Board flat with his wife, former model Wendy Jacobs, and their five children aged between five and 14.
Those of you who are old enough, will remember him as Singapore’s greatest footballer ever. Not that I am putting down other greats like the late Dollah Kassim, who is also great in his own right. But Fandi, well, he’s special.
Fandi’s had a great career which earlier footballers did not have. That’s because before his time, professional football was not as developed in this part of the world. Hence, other greats like Dollah Kassim, Mohd Noh and the Quah brothers did not have the chance to showcase their skills as much as Fandi.
That aside, he is the first Singapore footballer to have earned over a million dollars, I believe. And his name is famous not only in Singapore or in SE Asia, but even in Europe at one stage.
In 1983, at a young age of 21, he played top professional football in Europe – for FC Groningen. In a particular match, he scored against Inter Milan, one of Football’s greatest teams.
Fandi was not only able to score goals, his foresight was visionary.
FC Groningen- Inter Milan 1983
1:00 min -
Fandi (No. 7) skillfully heads down a beautiful cross in the penalty box to a team-mate, causing the Inter Milan defence to hack down his team-mate. It was Fandi’s foresight and skill that enabled him to see his team-mate in that position to create such a chance. A penalty was awarded, but unfortunately Groningen missed.
3:15 min -
Fandi scores! Fandi, unmarked probably because he’s a newbie and everyone thought he’s harmless, picks up a loose ball and drives low from the edge of the box with a left footer to score. Boy, are Inter Milan stunned!
So you see guys, Fandi had the legendary No. 7 on his back, way before the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham or even Eric Cantona. Unfortunately, Fandi could not adapt to Euro culture and returned to SE Asia, where his heart truly is.
Many say that Fandi is a kampung boy at heart. If he had stayed in Europe a little longer, he could well be as famous in his time, just as other Asian greats like Park Ji Sung today or Nakata ten years ago. Looks like his comeback to Singapore today is testimony to the claim about him being a “kampung boy” at heart.
Here’s a much mature Fandi in 1992, where he scored against Kedah in the Malaysia Cup league. Another memorable Fandi stunner that even other teams in the region talked about for weeks.
The good news is that Fandi is back – with his family and of course, his two very, very talented young sons.
If his sons stay here permanently, Singapore’s football may well see its glory days once again!
