Hassan targets AFC Cup return after injury scare

SINGAPORE – He was knocked out cold in a horrific mid-air collision, but Hassan Sunny is optimistic of recovering in time for one of Home United’s biggest games this season.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper is targeting a return for the Protectors’ first-leg clash in the AFC Cup Asean zonal final against Philippines’ Ceres-Negros FC on August 2, which is five weeks away.

Hassan was discharged from hospital on Tuesday (June 27) after confirmation that he did not suffer any bleeding in the brain, nor spinal or nerve injuries, having clashed with Albirex Niigata defender Naofumi Tanaka during an S.League match last Friday (June 23).

Hassan was accidentally hit in the face by Tanaka’s head during an aerial challenge. Both players were rushed to hospital, with Tanaka being discharged after being kept for observation overnight.

Sounding upbeat over the phone, Hassan told TODAY that he is in better shape and is aiming to be involved in the crucial tie at Jalan Besar Stadium.

“Yes of course (I want to play that game),” he said. “I hope I can start training, (at the) earliest, two weeks from now so at least I’ve got about three to four weeks… to prepare myself (properly).”

Home head coach Aidil Sharin is also hopeful of having his first-choice custodian, who has played all but one of their eight AFC Cup matches this season, back by then.

“We want him to come back (to action) before the final,” he told TODAY. “This is so he can gain match fitness by playing one or two games (first)… it’s not going to be easy if he recovers and plays the final (straight away), he needs the match experience again to bring up his confidence.”

For now, Hassan is on medical leave for a week and is slated for a medical review on Saturday (July 1), where a more accurate diagnosis on his expected return can be made.

“Everything’s good and improving, it’s just that I am still feeling a bit of headache (as) that’s the aftereffect of the trauma (I suffered to) the back of the head,” he explained.

“It’s a whiplash injury, so it will take some time for the headaches to go off. My nose is also broken, but my shoulder is fine.”

The shot-stopper, who was stretchered off the pitch in a neck brace and an oxygen mask (above, photo: S.League), is also aware that he could have ended up much worse off 

“I don’t remember that I landed on my head,” Hassan recalled. “After Tanaka headed my face, I (was) really knocked out. I don’t really remember what happened.

“When you get that kind of injury, it’s quite serious, quite scary, but thank God nothing major or serious happened to me.”

The Lions No. 1 is no stranger to bouncing back from injury, having spent two years out from 2011 to 2012 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament and vowed to come back stronger.

Aidil called on other senior players like Hariss Harun, Juma’at Jantan, Stipe Plazibat and Abdil Qaiyyim to step up in their captain’s absence. He has also backed second-choice goalkeeper Rudy Khairullah to do well, starting with this Friday’s (June 30) league fixture against Hougang United.

“We will miss him because he’s a leader of the team but we can’t look back, we’ve got to move forward because now Rudy will be playing,” he said.

“We have to support and give him motivation… It’s not going to be easy to fill Hassan’s shoes, he’s No. 1 not only for club but also for Singapore.

“But looking back at whenever Rudy played, we haven’t lost any games… he keeps improving and (when he came on in the) last game (against Albirex), we can see he stepped up his performance.”

Rudy, who joined from the Garena Young Lions this season and has completed three league matches so far, is champing at the bit to showcase his capabilities.

“We (reserve players) are expected to perform when called upon, we never know when we will get our chance so for me, my chance is now,” the 22-year-old told TODAY.

“I feel with the guidance of Hassan (during training) this season… it has brought more confidence to myself. The other coaches and teammates also play a big part as they give me support and encouragement.

“There are nerves of course… But I must keep my focus and not be so tense.”

Hassan, who spent Hari Raya in hospital, is also thankful for the outpouring of support and well wishes towards him. He also revealed that Football Association of Singapore president Lim Kia Tong visited him daily

“I was a bit amazed (by) his support and concern – he was there immediately after I had the incident,” he said.

“I would like to thank my family for being there and my good friend Zainol Gulam (Warriors FC No. 2 goalkeeper). He was with the ambulance with me until I was discharged. He has been a good friend.”