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Irfan on verge of becoming a pro

SINGAPORE — In a week that started with his inclusion as one of world football’s top 40 young talents by Britain’s The Guardian newspaper, more signs have emerged that Irfan Fandi’s football adventure is heading in the right direction.

Irfan Fandi (second from left) with his Singapore Sports School team-mates at last year’s National Inter-School Championships finals. The 17-year-old is one year shy of being eligible to play professionally. TODAY File Photo

Irfan Fandi (second from left) with his Singapore Sports School team-mates at last year’s National Inter-School Championships finals. The 17-year-old is one year shy of being eligible to play professionally. TODAY File Photo

SINGAPORE — In a week that started with his inclusion as one of world football’s top 40 young talents by Britain’s The Guardian newspaper, more signs have emerged that Irfan Fandi’s football adventure is heading in the right direction.

His father, Singapore football icon Fandi Ahmad, said the 1.86m-tall striker is only one step away from being a full-fledged professional footballer in a top-notch league.

Currently attached to the youth academy of Chilean first division club Universidad Catolica with his 15-year-old brother Ikhsan, it seems 17-year-old Irfan has done enough to impress the coaches there who are ready to offer him professional terms, pending the clearance of a minor hurdle.

Fandi said the club have written to the football world governing body FIFA to seek permission to sign Irfan as a professional with the view of putting him in the first team.

“But Irfan is not 18 yet, and under the FIFA rules, any player who has not reached 18 cannot sign professional forms unless the world body gives the go-ahead,” Fandi told TODAY.

“The club are awaiting a decision and I have been kept informed of what they intend to do with Irfan.

“They are of the opinion that Irfan has the potential and that’s why they want to sign him up a little earlier. I am happy for Irfan and I hope he will make a success out of his life as a professional footballer.”

It is a path that 52-year-old Fandi, now head coach of the LionsXII in the Malaysia Super League, knows well for he was once regarded one of the brightest prospects to emerge from South-east Asia.

Fandi famously turning down a three-year contract with Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam before eventually playing for Groningen in the Eredivisie from 1983 to 1985, and even went on to score a goal against Inter Milan in a UEFA Cup match.

“I am sure training at the Universidad Catolica has helped Irfan and also Ikhsan,” said Fandi of his sons. “At least it toughens them up mentally and physically. I know my two boys are determined to make the cut as a professional footballer and I am there to help them achieve it.”

Former Singapore international and football agent R Sasikumar knows the two boys well and is not surprised at the latest news.

“I have known the two boys since they were nine and 10. Fandi placed them under my care and management and I took them all over Europe for a series of trials,” said Sasi, who runs the integrated sports marketing company Red Card.

“I am not surprised if Universidad Catolica want to sign Irfan. And the chances are good because they can tell FIFA that he is already with their Academy and they have nurtured him.

“This is not a transfer from another club, which will be a contentious issue, as FIFA is quite strict on under-aged players’ transfer requests.”

But Sasi also warns of uncertainties ahead.

“Signing professional terms doesn’t mean everything will be fine and rosy for Irfan. That’s only step one and step two would be even harder. So the next two years will be very, very crucial for Irfan. That’s the period when he will know if he can make it or not,” he said.

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