DBasia.news – After winning the 2007 AFF Cup, Singapore national team players were favored by Asian clubs, especially from Southeast Asia. Some of them even played in Indonesia.
In 2018 AFF Cup Singapore squad composition, there are three players who once supported Indonesia. They are Baihakki Khaizan, Shahril Ishak, and Khairul Amri. The former name wore both jerseys of the club with an intense rivalry, Persija Jakarta (2009-2010) and Persib Bandung (2010-2011).
Meanwhile, Ishak also supported Persib in the same period as Baihakki. Unfortunately, both players just stayed for a season in Pangeran Biru. A year later, Ishak joined Medan Chiefs in the Indonesia Premier League competition.
In 2010, it was Amri’s turn to play in Indonesia. Persiba Balikpapan were his first and the only club in Indonesia. Similar as other Singaporean players, Amri just played for a season in Beruang Madu team.
Actually, there were many Singaporean players who had a career in Indonesia. But, only those three players who are still supporting Singapore until now.
Other Singaporean players who joined Indonesian clubs are Muhammad Ridhuan (Arema FC dan Borneo FC), Noh Alam Shah (Arema FC dan Persib), Fachrudin Mustafic (Persija dan Persela Lamongan), Precious Emuejeraye (Sriwijaya FC dan Persija), Agu Casmir (Persija dan Persebaya Surabaya), and Itimi Dickson (Persitara Jakarta Utara).
Actually, there was one Singaporean player who almost played in Indonesia. He is Aleksandar Duric. Unfortunately, he canceled the involvement to Sriwijaya FC in 2009.