Ilhan Fandi ready to lead Singapore’s attack against India

India will face Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Singapore’s young forward Ilhan Fandi is back in form and set to test Indian Football Team’s defence in the upcoming international window. At just 22, Ilhan has already shown he can make a big impact, scoring in back-to-back friendlies against Malaysia and Myanmar.

His performances under interim coach Gavin Lee signal a renewed attacking threat from the Lions. Singapore, currently ranked 158th in FIFA rankings, has a strong tradition in Southeast Asia’s AFF Championship, and Ilhan’s presence up front will be key as the team prepares for AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

Fandi ready to fire

For India, recent matches between June and September 2025 exposed a lack of goals from their forwards. While defenders Anwar Ali and Sandesh Jhingan scored in a 2–1 win over Tajikistan, and Udanta Singh’s late header helped India beat Oman on penalties to claim bronze in the CAFA Nations Cup, striker woes remain a concern.

Ilhan, who can play both as a striker and winger, has a history of impactful performances, including scoring his first international goal during the 2022 AFF Championship. Now fully fit after recovering from an ACL injury, he aims to lead Singapore’s attack and make a mark against India.

“I always try to do my best and score,” Ilhan said after his recent friendlies. I’m very happy with the boys’ performance and looking forward to the next challenge against India.”

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