If you are humble, you will never stumble and if you do your best, leave God to do the rest.
Words of wisdom from a legend of a father to his sons, who are now involved with football at the highest level.
“I always try and carry all the quotes that he put on me, Ikhsan, Irfan, everyone, all the siblings,” said Ilhan Fandi just after breakfast on 13 October, a day before Singapore’s second clash against India in Goa in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
“That if you’re humble, you’ll never stumble. And if you do your best, God will take care of the rest.
Ilhan is the third of the Fandi siblings who have made the cut into the Lions squad, after Irfan and Ikhsan.
Fellow forward Ikhsan is also in the current squad in Goa, while Irfan is recovering from injury.
For the match against India, Ilhan said he will need to be reminded of the quote “which is, if I do my best, God will take care of the rest.”
“Because only we can control what happens on the pitch and other than that, we give 100% and then we leave it to God.”
T-1 TO THE BIG MATCH IN GOA
Heading into the return clash at the Pandit Jawaharlal Stadium in Goa, the Lions are still in with a chance for qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
But instead of being in lead control, a late equaliser conceded against India at the National Stadium on 9 October took the winds out of the Lions’ sails.
“After the game, everyone was disappointed because it was a two points loss at home,” said the Buriram forward who is on loan from BG Pathum.
“I think it felt like a loss for us because our goal is to qualify for the Asian Cup and if we let it slip away like that, it will be very disappointing for us.
“But I think we’ve recovered well, mood is back up, everyone is ready to go for Tuesday and like coach Gavin said, we’re all fuelled up like we’ve never been before.”
“I think it’s going to be a very big match and it will go down to who wants it more.
“For me, even as a player, I’m feeling very motivated to do even better.”
BRINGING BACK BELIEF, BOUNCING BACK
There was no room for the Lions to wallow after the 1-1 result against a 10-man India on 9 October.
“This is football, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes you draw but I think most importantly you have to be strong up here and in your heart,” said the 22-year-old.
“And I think it also shows that the character of the Singaporean players is how we’re going to bounce back.
“And we’re Singaporeans so we have to be strong and I think for me, I try to always play with a smile on my face and this is what I love to do.
“And if I’m going to stay disappointed for long, I think it’s not going to be good for me.
“So, for me, I think I try and do my best week in, week out in training and hopefully I deliver on Tuesday.”
MAIN PHOTO: FAS, TMSG