Indra Sahdan
Indra playing for Singapore Masters against Arsenal Masters in 2017
Personal information
Full name Indra Sahdan bin Daud
Date of birth (1979-03-05) 5 March 1979 (age 44)
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1995 Police[1]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996 Police[2] 15 (3)
1997–2000 Geylang United 66 (24)
2001–2008 Home United 198 (117)
2009 Sengkang Punggol 26 (7)
2010–2011 Singapore Armed Forces 47 (16)
2012 Keppel Monaco 7 (3)
2012–2014 Home United 43 (9)
2015 Tampines Rovers 19 (2)
2016 Geylang International 5 (0)
Total 426 (181)
International career‡
1997–2013 Singapore 113 (31)
Managerial career
2021–2023 Tanjong Pagar United (Video Analyst)
2023– Balestier Khalsa (Under 21 Coach)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 March 2017
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 March 2014

Indra Sahdan bin Daud (born 5 March 1979) is a former Singapore international footballer who played as a forward. He previously played for S.League clubs Geylang United, Home United, Sengkang Punggol and Singapore Armed Forces. He is known for his knack for scoring goals in big matches as well as being a pacy player in his earlier years.[3]

Club career

Youth career

Indra rose to prominence when he captained Singapore in winning the 1995 Lion City Cup.[4] His breakthrough performances led him to be labelled the "next Fandi Ahmad".[1][5]

Home United

He debuted as a 16-year-old with Police FC (later renamed Home United) in the inaugural S.League where he was used as a back-up player.[6] Indra subsequently decided to move to Geylang United in 1997, spending four seasons with the 1996 champions.[7][8]

Indra signed a five-year contract with Home United from the 2001 season.[9] Along with his football commitments with Home United, Indra signed on with the Singapore Police Force as a police officer. He struck up a prolific partnership with Egmar Goncalves as Home United won one S.League title and three Singapore Cups. Recognition of his potential came as he won the S.League Young Player of the Year award in 2000 and 2001. He demonstrated his knack for scoring against top teams such as Uruguay, Japan, Denmark and Manchester United. During Manchester United's pre-season Far East tour in 2001, he scored Team Singapore's only goal in their 1–8 defeat at the National Stadium on 24 July.[10]

He became the first local player to reach a milestone 100 domestic goals in Home United's 4–0 win over Balestier Khalsa on 21 June 2003[11][nb 1] Despite reported interest from Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town in August 2003, a move to England did not materialise.[3] However, he tasted success with Home United achieving a S.League and Singapore Cup double that year. Along with teammate Sutee Suksomkit, he was sent for a 2-week training stint with Chelsea's reserve team in December 2003 as part of a deal with club sponsor Emirates Airline.[12]

In 2005, Indra rejected an offer of US$5,000 (S$8,520) per month from Malaysia Super League club Perak, choosing to extend his contract with Home United til the end of the 2008 season. With the new deal, he became Singapore highest-paid local player with an annual wage in excess of S$100,000.[13][14] He also renewed his contract with the Police Force for another five years.

He damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during international duty in May 2006 that ruled him out for the remainder of the season.[15]

Trial with Real Salt Lake

Indra underwent a trial with the American MLS club Real Salt Lake in Miami, Florida from 14 to 24 Feb 2008. He scored two goals in four starts. The Home United striker was then invited to join Real Salt Lake on their two weeks pre-season tour to Rosario, Argentina, beginning on 1 March, for three exhibition matches.[16] Prior to the trip to Argentina Indra's friend, Dave Roberts, who helped arrange the trial was quoted to describe his chances of getting the contract as "very good", after his conversation with the club's general manager, Garth Lagerway. However Indra suffered a knee injury in Argentina and was not offered a contract by coach Jason Kreis.[17] Had the transfer gone through, he would have become Singapore's only third footballer to be playing professionally outside of Asia, following Fandi Ahmad and V. Sundramoorthy.

Sengkang Punggol

In 2008, Indra was having problems scoring for Home United with just 10 goals in the league all season. After the 2008 AFF Championship, Indra's contract with Home United expired at the end of 2008. He went for trials with two V.League clubs and one First Division club.[18] He rejected a contract offer from Vietnamese club Hoa Phat, citing issues with the accommodation and food.[19] He returned to Singapore but was left in limbo as Home United had signed his replacement, and that he would have to resign from the Singapore Police Force if he was to join another S.League club.[20] He eventually quit his police job and joined Sengkang Punggol for the 2009 season.[21][22] Indra was temporarily handed the armband as regular captain Aide Iskandar was promoted to caretaker coach. He made his debut for Sengkang Punggol in a 2–2 draw against Super Reds. He suffered his first career dismissal after he elbowed an Albirex Niigata (S) player only 10 minutes into the game. Albirex Niigata eventually won 2–1.

SAFFC

Indra was signed by Singapore Armed Forces in 2010. He reached a milestone 200 domestic goals in March 2011 with two goals in the club's 5–0 win over Woodlands Wellington.[23][nb 1]

Back to the Protectors

After he was released by Singapore Armed Forces at the end of 2011, Indra signed with National Football League amateur side Keppel Monaco for the 2012 season. Home United head coach Lee Lim-Saeng was however, soon convinced by his pre-season performances and "his intelligence on and off the ball" to sign him for a second spell with the Protectors in February 2012.[24] Due to his advanced years and loss of pace, he was deployed as a second striker and in midfield.[25] He retired at the end of the 2014 season.[26]

Tampines Rovers

On 15 February 2015, Indra came out of retirement and joined Tampines Rovers.[27] On 17 April, Indra scored his first goal for the stags in a 2-3 loss to former club Warriors FC.[28]

Geylang International

After leaving Tampines Rovers, Indra rejoined Geylang International for the 2016 season.

International career

Indra Sahdan captaining the Singapore national team.

Indra made his debut for the Singapore national team in a World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on 26 April 1997.[29]

Considered one of the best strikers to play for Singapore over the last decade,[30] Indra has a knack for finding the net in big games, scoring goals against higher-ranked nations like Uruguay and Japan.[31]

Indra was part of the Singapore squad for the 2004 AFF Championship. Despite failing to strike up a partnership with Agu Casmir, he ended up scoring the opener in the home leg of the 2004 AFF Championship as Singapore won the tournament. It was their second ASEAN title after 1998, in which Indra missed after he was dropped from the national squad for skipping training.[32][33]

While playing for the national team against Malaysia in May 2006, Indra suffered a knee injury which sidelined him for the rest of the league season. He made his return to the national team for the 2006 King's Cup in December and the 2007 AFF Championship in early 2007.[34] The Lions won their second consecutive ASEAN title.

With national team captain, Aide Iskandar dropped from the national side for the friendly against UAE, Indra took over the armband and led the side to a 1–1 draw. Just hours before the kick off of the 2010 World Cup 2010 qualifier against Tajikistan on 9 November 2007, Aide Iskandar sensationally retired from international football. Indra was appointed the new captain.[35]

Indra is an inductee of the FIFA Century Club.[36]

Following the appointment of Bernd Stange as national head coach, Indra was recalled to the national team after a three-year absence following his apparent international retirement in 2010 to face Myanmar in an away friendly on 4 June 2013. He started the match as captain, earning his 110th cap as the team won 2–0.[37] Three days later, he scored his 31st international goal in a 5–2 win over Laos. His return to the national team was cut short four matches in when he suffered a leg break against Hong Kong on 10 September 2013.[38]

Personal life

Indra Sahdan with then wife, Bella

Indra was born to father Daud Bidin, a technician and mother Sabariah Hambali, a nurse.[4]

He was married to Nur Elfa Aishah. They divorced after eight years of marriage. Daughter, Elsa and son, Ilyas Shakeil were from his previous marriage. He married Bella on 19 June 2010. Their daughter, Indanira, was born in 2012.

Indra studied at St Andrew's School, St. Gabriel's Secondary School and ITE (Ang Mo Kio).[39]

He was the face of Nike (Singapore) together with other national team players like Khairul Amri and Hariss Harun as part of Nike's advertising campaigns such as the 2007 AFF Championship.[40]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 17 April 2014[41][42][43][44][45][46]
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup League Cup ACL AFC Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Police 1996 - - - - — — — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Geylang United 1997 - - - - — - - — 0 0
1998 9 1 - - — — — 9 1
1999 - - - - — — — 0 0
2000 36 14 - - — — — 36 14
Total 36 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 14
Home United 2001 34 21 - - — — — 34 21
2002 32 19 - - — - - — 32 19
2003 27 20 - - — — — 27 20
2004 24 19 - - — — - - 24 19
2005 26 20 - - — — - - 26 20
2006 4 1 - - — — - - 4 1
2007 25 7 - - - - — - - 25 7
2008 25 10 - - - - — - - 25 10
Total 197 117 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 197 117
Sengkang Punggol 2009 26 7 1 0 2 2 — — 29 9
Total 26 7 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 29 9
Singapore
Armed Forces 		2010 21 10 1 0 1 0 8 1 — 31 11
2011 26 6 3 1 1 1 — — 30 8
Total 47 16 4 1 2 1 8 1 0 0 61 19
Club Season NFL Total
Keppel Monaco 2012 - - - - - - — — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup League Cup ACL AFC Cup Total
Home United 2012 21 2 3 0 3 3 — 7 1 34 6
2013 19 4 3 1 1 0 — — 23 5
2014 3 0 - - - - — 2 1 5 1
Total 43 6 6 1 4 3 0 0 9 2 62 12
Career Total 323 160 11 2 8 6 8 1 9 2 359 171

( – ) indicates unavailable referenced data conforming to reliable sources guidelines.

International

International goals

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1[47] 4 August 1999 Belapan, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei  Brunei 0–1 1–3 1999 SEA Games
2[47] 4 August 1999 Belapan, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Brunei Brunei 0–2 1–3 1999 SEA Games
3[47] 6 August 1999 Berakas Sports Complex, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei  Indonesia 1–1 1–1 1999 SEA Games
4[48] 28 October 2000 Singapore  Sri Lanka 4–0 Friendly
5[49] 22 May 2001 Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore  New Zealand 1–0 3–0 Friendly
6[49] 22 May 2001 Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore New Zealand New Zealand 3–0 3–0 Friendly
7[50] 21 May 2002 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore  Uruguay 1–2 1–2 Friendly
8[51] 11 December 2002 Singapore  Philippines 2–0 2–0 Friendly
9[48] 4 March 2003 Singapore  Maldives 4–1 Friendly
10[52] 23 March 2003 Singapore  Macau 2–0 2–0 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
11[53] 25 March 2003 Singapore  Pakistan 1–0 3–0 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
12[53] 25 March 2003 Singapore Pakistan Pakistan 2–0 3–0 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
13[48] 4 August 2003 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore  Hong Kong 4–1 Friendly
14[48] 4 August 2003 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore Hong Kong Hong Kong 4–1 Friendly
15[54] 16 September 2003 Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore  Oman 1–2 1–3 Friendly
16[31] 31 March 2004 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore  Japan 1–1 1–2 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
17[55] 4 September 2004 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore Indonesia Indonesia 2–0 2–0 Friendly
18[56] 13 October 2004 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore  India 1–0 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
19[57] 7 December 2004 Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam  Vietnam 1–1 1–1 2004 AFF Championship
20[58] 13 December 2004 Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam  Laos 2–0 6–2 2004 AFF Championship
21[58] 13 December 2004 Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam Laos Laos 5–2 6–2 2004 AFF Championship
22[59] 16 January 2005 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore Indonesia Indonesia 1–0 2–1 2004 AFF Championship
23[60] 26 January 2006 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore  Denmark 1–2 1–2 Friendly
24[61] 3 February 2006 Kuwait National Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait  Kuwait 2–2 2–2 Friendly
25[62] 7 January 2007 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore Philippines Philippines 3–1 4–1 Friendly
26[62] 7 January 2007 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore Philippines Philippines 4–1 4–1 Friendly
27[63] 17 January 2007 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore Indonesia Indonesia 2–1 2–2 2007 AFF Championship
28[48] 24 June 2007 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore  North Korea 2–1 2–1 Friendly
29[64] 5 December 2008 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia  Cambodia 3–0 5–0 2008 AFF Championship
30[65] 31 December 2009 Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore  Oman 1–4 1–4 Friendly
31[66] 7 June 2013 New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos Laos Laos 0–1 2–5 Friendly

Honours

Home United

Singapore

Individual

Notes

  1. ^ a b Prior to the 2011 season, milestone goals include both S.League and Singapore Cup goals. The FAS amended it to include only league goals in 2011.
  • 113th – Hong Kong, 10 September 2013 "FIFA Century Club fact sheet" (PDF). FIFA. 11 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2014.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Santokh Singh (28 October 1995). "Police signs on 3 youths". The Straits Times. p. 39.
  2. ^ Stanley Ho (8 April 2003). "Seven goals from history". Today. p. 35.
  3. ^ a b Stanley Ho (9 August 2003). "Indra for Sheffield Wednesday?". Today. p. 74.
  4. ^ a b Wang Meng Meng (15 February 2009). "I am not finished yet". The Straits Times. p. 39.
  5. ^ "Those touted as the next Fandi". The Straits Times. 25 October 2008. p. 81.
  6. ^ "From reserve to top gun in just one season". The Straits Times. 15 May 1997. p. 50.
  7. ^ Joe Dorai (26 June 1997). "Geylang plans overseas stint for teenagers Indra, Latiff". The Straits Times. p. 51.
  8. ^ Tay Cheng Khoon (1 November 1997). "Indra signs year's deal with Geylang". The Straits Times. p. 68.
  9. ^ Ernest Luis (7 October 2000). "Indra is a Protector for the next 5 years". The Straits Times. p. 77.
  10. ^ "8-1". The Straits Times. 25 July 2001. p. 1.
  11. ^ "A shirt worth 100 goals". Today. 26 July 2003. p. 53.
  12. ^ Ray Chen (16 December 2003). "Training at Chelsea similar to Darby's regime at Home: Indra". Today. p. 60.
  13. ^ Jose Raymond (16 November 2005). "Show him the money". Today. p. 68.
  14. ^ Leonard Lim (13 February 2008). "Indra's fears of a pay cut eased". The Straits Times. p. 36.
  15. ^ Jose Raymond (3 June 2006). "Indra out for season". Today. p. 46.
  16. ^ Leonard Lim (26 February 2008). "Indra called up for second trial with MLS team Salt Lake". The Straits Times. p. 37.
  17. ^ Leonard Lim (15 March 2008). "Indra upbeat despite Salt Lake rejection". The Straits Times. p. 72.
  18. ^ Wang Meng Meng (30 December 2008). "Indra to play in Vietnam?". The Straits Times. p. 28.
  19. ^ Wang Meng Meng (3 January 2009). "Indra turns down V-League contract". The Straits Times. p. 69.
  20. ^ "Footballer Indra Sahdan can't take the same food every day and turns down contract". RedSports.sg. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  21. ^ Wang Meng Meng (11 January 2009). "Indra agrees to join Sengkang". The Straits Times. p. 35.
  22. ^ Wang Meng Meng (19 February 2009). "Indra quits Police job". The Straits Times. p. 36.
  23. ^ David Lee (16 November 2013). "Could Indra Sahdan win the same award twice?". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  24. ^ "Indra's back Home". The New Paper. 23 February 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014.
  25. ^ "Lee backs Indra to continue good Home form". FoxSportsAsia.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
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  27. ^ "Indra's a Stag after retirement reversal – VOXSPORTS". Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  28. ^ "Fazrul Inspires Warriors To Victorious Comeback". S.League. 17 April 2015. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015.
  29. ^ Tay Cheng Khoon (27 April 1997). "Barry's boys put up lion-hearted performance against Asian giant". The Straits Times. p. 44.
  30. ^ "Top 5 players in the Canon Lion City Cup". Goal. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  31. ^ a b "Thank you, Indra". FAS. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  32. ^ "Fourth time lucky for Indra". FAS. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  33. ^ "Indra says thanks for wake-up call". The Straits Times. 23 December 1998. p. 32.
  34. ^ "Squad of 25 called up for King's Cup and Asean Football Championship". FAS. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  35. ^ Wang Meng Meng (13 November 2007). "New Lion King". The Straits Times. p. 38.
  36. ^ "FIFA Century Club fact sheet" (PDF). FIFA. 12 April 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2013.
  37. ^ "Singapore football gets boost with 2-0 win over Myanmar". FAS. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  38. ^ "Indra Sahdan suffers broken leg". Goal. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  39. ^ "An interview with Indra Sahdan". Home United. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  40. ^ "Indra Sahdan: Nike Commercial 2007". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
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  44. ^ "League Cup – fixtures & scores". sleague.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  45. ^ "AFC Champions League". soccerway.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  46. ^ "AFC Cup". soccerway.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
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  48. ^ a b c d e "Indra Sahdan Bin Daud – Century of International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  49. ^ a b "Singapore v New Zealand, 22 May 2001". 11v11.com. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  50. ^ "Uruguay – International Matches 2001-2005". RSSSF. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
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  57. ^ "Lions recover to silence Thong Nhat roar". FAS. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
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  60. ^ "Run ends, but Raddy sees the positives". FAS. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
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  64. ^ "Singapore 5-0 Cambodia: Casmir brace". ESPNFC.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  65. ^ "Oman defeat Singapore in New Year Eve friendly". FAS. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  66. ^ "Stange's Lions go on rampage against Laos". Goal. Retrieved 11 April 2014.

External links

Sporting positions Preceded byAide Iskandar Singapore national team captain 2007-2010 Succeeded byNoh Alam Shah
AFC Cup top scorers
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