Keeping the dream alive in Chile

SINGAPORE — Trying to kick-start a career in top-flight football in far-flung Chile, which is separated by 12 time zones and a gruelling 36-hour flight from Singapore, is not the route most would take.

But 10 months on, Ikhsan Fandi’s determination to become a professional footballer playing for one of the world’s biggest clubs in five years’ time has not dimmed despite the challenges.

The 15-year-old — the second son of Singapore legend Fandi Ahmad and South African former model Wendy Jacobs — has already taken a big step as a trainee at the academy of the top-flight club Universidad Catolica in Santiago, making the leap, together with brother Irfan, 17, from Chilean second-division outfit AC Banerchea.

Apart from the weather, the siblings have had to overcome hurdles such as the language barrier in a predominantly Spanish-speaking country and a different football philosophy.

“I am not homesick really,” Ikhsan told TODAY yesterday after attending Thursday’s announcement of Malaysian bank CIMB’s one-year sponsorship of him and Irfan that is worth a “six-figure” sum.

“I’m a long way from home but I must adapt to the new environment. In fact, I rarely call home unless I’m reminded by Dad or Mum to do so.

“Maybe all the travelling I’ve done since young, like the trip to Spain with Valencia and Hercules, to AC Milan in Italy, and to Arsenal and Chelsea in England have made me more independent. We have no complaints about life in Chile.”

Both have settled in well in the Chilean capital Santiago. They live with a family who have become their legal guardians. They study at the Santiago International School in the day, and attend training six days a week from 5pm to 7pm at Catolica’s youth academy.

“I speak a little Spanish, and they (my team-mates) say we look like Brazilians. But they must be wondering where exactly Singapore is and what kind of country it is,” said Ikhsan.

Ikhsan revealed training sessions at Catolica’s youth academy are far more intense than what they have experienced at home or with AC Banerchea — their first club when they arrived 10 months ago — with an emphasis on technique and ball possession.

“Coaches (there also) spend a lot of time working on us individually,” said Ikhsan, who had added 6cm to his current 1.69m-tall frame since relocating to South America. “It’s not like Singapore where we tend to be coached in groups. I’m enjoying it and think I have improved tremendously in terms of skills and my approach to the game.”

Formerly of the Singapore Sports School, the brothers can play as forwards or attacking midfielders and are regarded as two of Singapore’s brightest young football talents.

Irfan was one of the Singapore’s national under-16’s side’s best performers at last year’s Canon Lion City Cup against youth teams from top European sides. Both were included in Singapore’s under-23 squad for a two-week stint in Austria earlier this month, where Ikhsan scored a spectacular solo effort in their 5-0 win over German side TSV Freilassing in Salzburg.

Singapore national coach Bernd Stange has no doubt about their potential to become top international players. “They represent the best of Singapore’s young footballing talent for now, and in terms of skill they are as good as any other boys their age. And that’s why I say the future is bright for them,” he said.

If Irfan and Ikhsan go on to become professional footballers, their parents will be first on their minds.

Said Ikhsan: “They have sacrificed so much for the both of us, in terms of money and effort. And if I make it, I can repay what my father has invested in the both of us.”