Hassan Sunny

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Abdullah Sunny is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Hassan. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Hassan Sunny
Hassan playing for Army United in 2015
Personal information
Full name Hassan bin Abdullah Sunny[1]
Date of birth (1984-04-02) 2 April 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Albirex Niigata (S)
Number 18
Youth career
2000–2002 National Football Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003 Geylang United 31 (0)
2004–2005 Young Lions 43 (0)
2006–2007 Geylang United 52 (0)
2008–2011 Tampines Rovers 104 (0)
2012–2014 Warriors 53 (0)
2015–2016 Army United 54 (0)
2017 Home United 19 (0)
2018–2019 Army United 54 (0)
2020–2022 Lion City Sailors 51 (0)
2023– Albirex Niigata (S) 22 (0)
International career‡
2004–2024 Singapore 115 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Singapore
Sea Games
Bronze medal – third place Nakhon Ratchasima 2007 Football
Asean Football Championship
Winner Tiger Cup 2004 2004
Winner AFF Championship 2007 2007
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 May 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23 March 2023

Hassan bin Abdullah Sunny (born 2 April 1984), better known as Hassan Sunny, is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Singapore Premier League club Albirex Niigata Singapore F.C..

In 2016, the UK-based newspaper The Daily Telegraph ranked him 18th on its list of the world's top 20 goalkeepers.[3] Hassan admitted in an interview with The Straits Times that he initially thought the ranking was a late April Fool's joke.[4]

Achievements

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Hassan is the first and only player in Singapore Premier League history to win four league titles with four different clubs[5]. His accomplishments have earned him recognition as one of the most decorated players in the league's history.

Club career

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Geylang United

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In 2003, Hassan joined Geylang United from the National Football Academy. He quickly cemented his spot in the first team and earned a Singapore Premier League Young Player of the Year nomination for his impressive performances.

Young Lions

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In 2004, Hassan joined the newly created team Young Lions alongside Baihakki Khaizan, Shahril Ishak and Khairul Amri where he is part of the 'NFA Gang of Four'. They had played together since their early teenage years.[6]

Geylang United

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After completing his compulsory National Service in 2006, Hassan returned to Geylang United where he became the first-choice goalkeeper at the club.

Tampines Rovers

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In January 2008, Hassan joined Tampines Rovers FC, the rival club of Geylang United FC. He made his club debut on March 1, 2008, in a 1–1 draw against Balestier Khalsa FC.

On March 10, 2011, Hassan made his 100th appearance for the club in a league match against Tanjong Pagar United FC. He was part of the team that won the 2011 S.League and the 2011 Singapore Community Shield that season.

Singapore Armed Forces (also known as Warriors FC)

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In December 2011, Hassan joined SAFFC (Singapore Armed Forces FC), after four years of service as Tampines Rovers' first-choice goalkeeper.

Hassan would go on to make his AFC Cup debut against Indonesian club Semen Padang in a 3–1 loss on March 5, 2013. He recorded his first clean sheet in the competition in a 1–0 win over Indian club Churchill Brothers on April 10, 2013.

Hassan's performances in the 2014 S.League season helped the Warriors FC win the league title.[7] He also became the first goalkeeper to win the S.League 'Player of the Year' award in 2014.[8]

Army United (2015–2016)

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Hassan joined Army United for the 2015 Thai Premier League season and debuted in a 1–0 victory against Royal Thai Navy. His performances earned him the reputation as a reliable goalkeeper, including a man-of-the-match award in a 1–0 away win over Suphanburi. In 2016, Hassan was ranked 18th on The Telegraph's list of the top 20 goalkeepers in the world.[9]

Home United

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Following his release from the Thai League side, Hassan signed for S.League side Home United on January 6, 2017.[7] He was named as the club captain for the 2017 season.

Gainare Tottori trials

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On February, 10 2017, Hassan underwent trials with Japanese third-tier (J3) club, Gainare Tottori.[10] He played for Gainare in two friendly matches during the brief stint, including about 70 minutes of a 3–3 draw with South Korean side Incheon United.[11] Hassan stated he was encouraged by the positive feedback he received from head coach Ryuzo Morioka and the club's goalkeeper coaches.

Return to Army United

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After the end of 2017 S.League season, Hassan re-signed for Army United in December 2017 and played for them in the 2018 Thai League 2 season. He made his second debut for the club in the club's season opener against Nongbua Pitchaya on 10 February 2018, facing off against another Singaporean goalkeeper, Izwan Mahbud, who was also making his debut.[12] On June 30, 2019, Hassan made his 100th appearance for the club in a 2–1 win over Kasetsart.[13]

Lion City Sailors

[edit]

After two seasons with Army United, Hassan signed a two-year deal with Lion City Sailors in January 2020. In his first season, he kept five clean sheets in 11 matches before the league was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a match against Balestier Khalsa on August 8, 2021, Hassan suffered an injury following a collision with teammate Jorge Fellipe, which allowed Šime Žužul to score for Balestier Khalsa; however, the Sailors managed to draw the match.[14] Hassan went on to win the 2021 Singapore Premier League title with the club.

On February 19, 2022, Hassan helped the Sailors win the 2022 Singapore Community Shield. He made his AFC Champions League debut on April 15, 2022 against Urawa Red Diamonds and kept three clean sheets in six matches during the club's group stage campaign. He left Lion City Sailors at the end of the season.

Albirex Niigata Singapore

[edit]

On December 16, 2022, Albirex Niigata Singapore announced the signing of Hassan on a two-year contract.[15] On June 8, 2023, his contract was extended until the end of the 2024–25 season.[16] In his first season at the club, he won the 2023 Singapore Premier League title and the Golden Gloves with nine clean sheets, becoming the first and only player to win league titles with four different clubs in the league's history.

International career

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Youth

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Hassan made his international debut for Singapore against India in February 2004.[17] He kept goal for the Singapore U23 team at the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam and his performance at the 2007 SEA Games helped the team win a bronze medal.

Senior

[edit]

Hassan was a regular fixture for almost two decades in the national team and played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He also participated in the 2010 King's Cup. He captained Singapore in matches against Hong Kong and Macau in 2014. In June 2017, he started against Argentina in a friendly. [18]

Hassan earned his 75th cap in September 2018 against Mauritius.[19] He earned his 100th cap on 24 September 2022 against India.[20]

At the 2020 AFF Championship, Hassan made 20 saves and was voted into the "Team of the Tournament".[21] He was sent off in extra time against Indonesia on 25 December 2021. [22]

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, he made a penalty save against Wu Lei of China [23] and made 11 saves against Thailand. [24] His performance against Thailand garnered significant attention from Chinese fans, many of whom made donations to his nasi padang stall.[25][26][27][28] He retired from international football on 18 August 2024 after 115 caps.[29]

Others

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Singapore Selection squad

[edit]

Hassan was selected for the Singapore Selection squad for The Sultan of Selangor's Cup on 6 May 2017.[30]

Style of play

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Hassan is known for his athleticism, reflexes, shot-stopping abilities, distribution, footwork, positioning, and penalty-saving skills. He is also praised for his composure, leadership, and ability to organize his defense.

Sponsorship and media

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Hassan has a sponsorship deal with Puma.

"I am happy to receive such recognition, but I was simply doing my job [at the game between Singapore and Thailand]. In terms of results, the game was not something to be proud of. However, for me, it feels great to receive such recognition from another country."

– Hassan expressing gratitude for the support from Chinese football fans[25]

Following the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Hassan went viral on Chinese social media and received numerous monetary donations at his nasi padang stall. [31][32][33][34] Singapore president Tharman Shanmugaratnam praised Hassan on social media. After a scam attempt involving the QR code at his stall, Hassan asked fans to stop sending money and announced his intention to donate the received funds to charity. [35][36][37] In June 2024, he visited Shanghai at the invitation of CapitaLand and made appearances at three CapitaLand malls.[37] He was also appointed "chief safeguarding officer" by HTX, pending discussion.[37]

Personal life

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Hassan started playing football at age 11 as a midfielder, switching to goalkeeper after an asthma attack at age 12. [38] He owns two nasi padang stalls named Dapur Hassan in Tampines. [39]

Career statistics

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Club

[edit]
As of match played on 16 June 2024
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Singapore

Community Shield

Asia Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Geylang International 2003 31 0 - - - - — 31 0
Total 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 0
Young Lions 2004 ?? 0 - - - - — ?? 0
2005 ?? 0 - - - - — ?? 0
Total 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 0
Geylang United 2006 29 0 1 - - - — 30 0
2007 23 0 - - - - — 23 0
Total 52 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 53 0
Tampines Rovers 2008 18 0 5 - - - - - 23 0
2009 31 0 - - - - — 31 0
2010 30 0 6 0 - - — 36 0
2011 13 0 0 0 - - 7 0 20 0
Total 92 0 11 0 0 0 7 0 110 0
Warriors 2012 4 0 0 0 - - — 4 0
2013 24 0 1 0 1 0 6 0 32 0
2014 25 0 1 0 - - — 26 0
Total 53 0 2 0 1 0 6 0 61 0
Club Season Thai League T1 Thai FA Cup Thai League Cup Asia Total
Army United 2015 26 0 - - - - — 26 0
2016 28 0 - - - - — 28 0
Total 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 0
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Singapore
League Cup 		Asia Total
Home United 2017 19 0 4 0 2 0 9 0 34 0
Total 19 0 4 0 2 0 9 0 34 0
Club Season Thai League T2 Thai FA Cup Thai League Cup Asia Total
Army United 2018 0 0 1 - - - — 1 0
2019 26 0 - - - - — 26 0
Total 26 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 27 0
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Community Shield Asia Total
Lion City Sailors 2020 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
2021 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
2022 20 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 27 0
Total 51 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 58 0
Albirex Niigata (S) 2023 19 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 24 0
2024–25 11 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 12 0
Total 30 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 36 0
Career Total 450 0 23 0 6 0 28 0 506 0
  • Young Lions is ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in their respective leagues.

Honours

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Club

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Tampines Rovers

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Warriors

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Lion City Sailors

[edit]

Albirex Niigata (S)

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International

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Individual

[edit]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Announcement of squad for AFF Suzuki Cup 2014". Football Association of Singapore. 22 November 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  2. ^ "ハッサン サニー". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website | アルビレックス新潟シンガポール オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  3. ^ "The world's top 20 goalkeepers". The Telegraph. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Lions' Hassan Sunny ranked among world's top goalkeepers by Telegraph, alongside Neuer, De Gea and Lloris". The Straits Times. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Hassan Sunny: A Legend Bids Farewell to International Football - Football Association of Singapore". www.fas.org.sg. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Interview With Baihakki Khaizan". FAS. Archived from the original on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny comes Home". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Awards night signals end of 2014 S.League season". S.League. 7 November 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ "The world's top 20 goalkeepers". The Telegraph. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny relishes unexpected Japan opportunity". TODAY. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  11. ^ Aziz, Sazali Abdul (13 February 2017). "Hassan encouraged by positive feedback from Japan game". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Singapore footballers make their debuts in Thai league". The New Paper. 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  13. ^ "Hassan Sunny reaches 100 matches for Army United | Goal.com Singapore". www.goal.com. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Late drama as Žužul, Plazibat trade late goals". Singapore Premier League. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  15. ^ "🇸🇬 Hassan Sunny joins Albirex Niigata (S)!". Facebook. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  16. ^ "契約更新のお知らせ". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  17. ^ "India vs Singapore, 18 February 2004". 11v11. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  18. ^ "Internationals (Sky Sports)". SkySports. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  19. ^ "75-cap Hassan Sunny ready for Singapore No.1 battle with Izwan Mahbud". FourFourTwo. 9 September 2018. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  20. ^ "Lions held by India in Hassan's 100th cap". Football Association of Singapore. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  21. ^ "ESPN's AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 Team of the Tournament". ESPN.com. 2 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Singapore eliminated from AFF Suzuki Cup after 3 red cards, penalty miss in extra-time loss to Indonesia in semis". TODAY. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  23. ^ Presse, AFP-Agence France. "New Coach Sees China Let Two-goal Lead Slip In Singapore Stalemate". www.barrons.com. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  24. ^ "Dear Chinese football fans, Hassan Sunny's 11 saves should be seen in the right spirit". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  25. ^ a b Li, Winnie (16 June 2024). "S'pore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny to donate money transferred by Chinese football fans". Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  26. ^ Tan, Dawn Wei (17 June 2024). "Hailed as a hero by Chinese football fans, Lions goalkeeper Hassan Sunny gets star treatment in Shanghai". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  27. ^ "China social media lauds Singapore's Thai heroics; holiday searches to island soar". South China Morning Post. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  28. ^ "S'porean GK Hassan Sunny's stall receives donations from Chinese fans after he pulls off vital saves against Thailand". Must Share News - Independent News For Singaporeans. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Heroic Singapore goalkeeper Hassan announces international retirement". ESPN.com. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  30. ^ "SINGAPORE SELECTION SQUAD FOR THE SULTAN OF SELANGOR'S CUP REVEALED – The Football Association of Singapore". fas.org.sg. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  31. ^ Li, Winnie. "Chinese football fans transfer money to S'pore keeper Hassan Sunny's nasi padang stall for 'helping' China advance in World Cup". mothership.sg. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  32. ^ Oh, Maximilian (12 June 2024). "Hassan Sunny's nasi padang stall in Tampines draws China fans after his heroics against Thailand". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  33. ^ Wong, Bryan. "S'pore Goalkeeper Hassan Sunny Celebrated By Chinese Fans After Match Against Thailand, His Nasi Padang Stall Gets Over 70 5-Star Reviews From Them In The Past 12 Hours". 8days. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Hassan Sunny: Singapore goalkeeper says China fans have sent him money after his 11 saves against Thailand". BBC Sport. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  35. ^ Associated Press (14 June 2024). Chinese fans show overwhelming support for Hassan Sunny's food business. Retrieved 17 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ Rawat, Bhavya (14 June 2024). "Lions goalie Hassan Sunny asks Chinese fans to stop sending him money, dispels rumours he received $5.8 million". AsiaOne. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  37. ^ a b c Tan, Dawn Wei (17 June 2024). "Hailed as a hero by Chinese football fans, Lions goalkeeper Hassan Sunny gets star treatment in Shanghai". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  38. ^ Tan, Les. "Isa Halim: "At first, I didn't like football ..."". RED SPORTS. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  39. ^ Tian, Bernice (18 April 2023). "Dapur Hassan Review: $3.80 Nasi Lemak By Legendary SG Goalkeeper In Tampines". EatBook.sg - Local Singapore Food Guide And Review Site. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  40. ^ "ESPN's AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 Team of the Tournament". ESPN.com. 2 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
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