Making a name for himself, carrying on the family legacy: 19-year-old Ilhan Fandi a revelation for Albirex

SINGAPORE: Ask Ilhan Fandi how many goals he’s bagged this season, and his answer is a telling one.

“To be honest, I don't know,” he told CNA after a training session on Thursday (Aug 25).

For the 19-year-old, the team’s goals matter more than his own.

“Football is a team sport and whatever I do, I have to put the team first before me,” said Ilhan, who has scored 14 times in the Singapore Premier League this season.

He is currently the top Singapore goal scorer in the league, with Albirex Niigata teammate Kodai Tanaka leading the charts with 24 goals, tied for overall first with Tampines Rovers' Boris Kopitovic.

“Me scoring is a personal goal, but it's for the team. Because these players - they help me get the goals and I thank them for that.”

Ever since his April transfer to Albirex, Ilhan has been in a rich vein of form. He’s made 11 appearances for the Japanese side, netting 12 times. His other two league goals came during his time at Young Lions.

“I didn't expect that ... But I still have a lot of room for improvement and still learning day in day out, trying to get it right,” he said.

With Albirex currently in second spot, three points behind defending champions and league leaders Lion City Sailors, wresting backthe league title is the priority, noted Ilhan.

“I think with the players we have, we can do it. Everyone's been working really hard and if I could just put all my goals aside just for the league title, I would,” said Ilhan.

“I'm really happy with my time here in Albirex, I hope we continue to do well and most importantly, we have to win the league.”

Given the success of his father Fandi Ahmad, as well as his older brothers Irfan and Ikhsan, carrying on the family’s footballing legacy undoubtedly comes with the weight