On 3 August 2021, FIFA released the latest version of its FIFA Century Club, which recognises international footballers from around the world who have played more than 100 times for their national teams in ‘A’ international matches.
The list however does not include the accomplishments of former Singapore footballers Fandi Ahmad, Samad Allapitchay, David Lee and Malek Awab.
In a news update which was posted by the Football Association of Singapore back in November 2019, it was stated that Fandi had 100 caps, Samad (105), Lee (105) and Malek (121).
There is a possibility though, that the information is still being processed by FIFA. given that the global body only just added Malaysian football icons Soh Chin Ann, Zainal Abidin, M Chandran and Santokh Singh in its latest update.
There also appears to be a discrepancy in the number of caps for former skipper Nazri Nasir.
For example, it was stated in the 2019 news release that Nazri has 104 caps.
However, FIFA has listed that Nazri only has 100 international caps to his name.
The data on FIFA’s list shows that Nazri made his debut for Singapore against Malaysia on 13 September 1990 and also played his last match for Singapore against Malaysia on 12 July 2004.
The following Singaporeans are currently on FIFA’s Century Club list: Nazri Nasir (100), Hariss Harun (101), Indra Sahdan (113), S Subramani (115), Aide Iskandar (121), Khairul Amri (135), Baihakki Khaizan (143), Shahril Ishak (144), Daniel Bennett (146).
Bennett is Singapore’s most capped player, having represented the Lions from 2002 to 2017.
In FIFA’s Century Club list, he is sitting just below Argentina’s Javier Mascherano.
Former skipper Aide Iskandar, who is on the list having played 121 for the Lions, is also among great company.
With the latest additions by FIFA to its Century Club, Malaysia’s former skipper Soh is the world’s most capped player, having played for Malaysia on 195 occasions.
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