SINGAPORE - Disbelief, silence, followed by sheer joy.

That was how Singapore’s national team goalkeeper Hassan Sunny felt when he first learnt that he had been named as one of the world’s top 20 goalkeepers by British newspaper The Daily Telegraph.

The list, which was published on Wednesday (April 13), ranked him at No 18 alongside top goalkeepers such as Petr Cech, Manuel Neuer and David De Gea. He is ranked higher than England’s Jack Butland (19) and Cameroon’s Carlos Kameni (20).

”When I initially saw it (the article) I thought it was some of joke,” Hassan told TODAY over the phone. “But then I looked closely and realised it was by a famous UK newspaper and just kept silent for a while before I told my wife.

“It started to sink in after I received a couple of messages from my friends and coaches.

“I would like to thank all my coaches over the years who have pushed me hard in training over the years and made me mentally stronger.”

This is the second time a Singaporean footballer has been rated among the world’s best by a British newspaper, with The Guardian naming Irfan Fandi – eldest son of local football icon Fandi Ahmad - as one of top 40 youth players in the world in 2014.

“It’s an honour to be rated amongst the best in the world and it’s a truly unbelievable feeling,” said Hassan who has 53 international caps according to the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).

“I saw Joe Hart (12) and Neuer (1) on the list, and felt lost for words because they are two of my heroes. I admire them for their consistency and ability to bounce back strongly from any howlers or mistakes.”

Hassan became the only goalkeeper to win the S.League player of the year award when he clinched the accolade in 2014 while playing for Warriors FC, before he went on to join Thai Premier League side Army United FC in 2015.

He signed a two-year contract extension with Army late last year after an impressive debut season that saw him named in the league’s team of the season.

The 1.84m-tall shot-stopper believes the incredibly competitive nature of the Thai League has helped him improve leaps and bounds.

“I played in the S.League for 11 years. But, frankly, the Thai League is much more competitive,” said Hassan, who won the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup with Singapore in 2004 and 2007.

“There is no weak team in the Thai League. Every week, when I step out onto the pitch, I feel like I am playing in an international match. The amount of exposure I am getting here is terrific.”

Army United’s goalkeeping coach, Anugul Kanyayont, was full of praise for Hassan.

“Hassan is a very professional goalkeeper and is committed both on and off the pitch,” he said. “He takes everything the coaches teach him seriously because he constantly wants to improve.”

Singapore national team goalkeeping coach Lee Bee Seng, who has coached Hassan from the Under-16 level, said his protege’s latest accolade is well-deserved. But he insisted Hassan can excel even further if he moves to a stronger league.

“Hassan is a very committed boy who has this fantastic desire to succeed. I watched him play recently in Bangkok and saw that he has developed terrific leadership qualities too,” said Lee, who is instrumental in grooming former Singapore No 1 Lionel Lewis and current national goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.

“I believe he needs to move to a stronger league to because he is at the right age. Barring injuries, he has a good five years of top-flight football left in him. He is more than capable of playing at a higher level.”