SETBACKS, BUT IRFAN COMES BACK STRONGER

He scores on Lions return, hopes good show for Stags will see him in AFF squad

- David Lee

Since June 2023, Irfan Najeeb had not played for the national team. The BG Tampines Rovers defender, whose last international call-up came four months later, even found himself playing against the Lions in a friendly on Sept 6, 2024.

Worse, he sprained his right ankle in the 3-0 loss, and looked set to extend his international exile.

Through sheer grit, though, the 25-year-old not only worked his way back after a six-week layoff, but his composure and reading of the game also caught the eye of Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura, who included him in his recent 26-man squad.

On Nov 18, Irfan came on as a 60th-minute substitute in the friendly against Chinese Taipei for only his fourth cap, and made an impact with his first international goal via a sweeping right boot in the 3-2 defeat at the National Stadium.

Ahead of Tampines' Singapore Premier League (SPL) match against bottom side Tanjong Pagar United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Nov 22, he told The Straits Times: "Whenever I don't get selected for the national team, I will feel disappointed.

"But I also have to recognise I have weaknesses to work on, and I try to focus on improving, rather than who the coach picks.