Indra Sahdan Daud Explained

Indra Sahdan
Fullname:Indra Sahdan bin Daud
Birth Date:5 March 1979
Birth Place:Singapore
Position:Forward
Youthyears1:1995
Youthclubs1:Police[1]
Years1:1996
Clubs1:Police[2]
Caps1:15
Goals1:3
Years2:1997–2000
Clubs2:Geylang United
Caps2:66
Goals2:24
Years3:2001–2008
Caps3:198
Goals3:117
Years4:2009
Clubs4:Sengkang Punggol
Caps4:26
Goals4:7
Years5:2010–2011
Caps5:47
Goals5:16
Years6:2012
Clubs6:Keppel Monaco
Caps6:7
Goals6:3
Years7:2012–2014
Clubs7:Home United
Caps7:43
Goals7:9
Years8:2015
Clubs8:Tampines Rovers
Caps8:19
Goals8:2
Years9:2016
Clubs9:Geylang International
Caps9:5
Goals9:0
Totalcaps:426
Totalgoals:181
Nationalteam1:Singapore
Nationalyears1:1997–2013
Nationalcaps1:113
Nationalgoals1:31
Manageryears1:2021–2023
Managerclubs1:Tanjong Pagar United (Video Analyst)
Manageryears2:2023–
Managerclubs2:Balestier Khalsa (Under 21 Coach)

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.

Club career

Youth career

Indra rose to prominence when he captained Singapore in winning the 1995 Lion City Cup. His breakthrough performances led him to be labelled the "next Fandi Ahmad".[3]

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.[4] Indra subsequently decided to move to Geylang United in 1997, spending four seasons with the 1996 champions.[5] [6]

Indra signed a five-year contract with Home United from the 2001 season.[7] 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.[8]

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[9] Despite reported interest from Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town in August 2003, a move to England did not materialise.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12] [13] 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.[14]

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.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17] He rejected a contract offer from Vietnamese club Hoa Phat, citing issues with the accommodation and food.[18] 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.[19] He eventually quit his police job and joined Sengkang Punggol for the 2009 season.[20] [21] 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.[22] [23]

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 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.

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.[31] [32]

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.[33] 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.[34]

Indra is an inductee of the FIFA Century Club.[35]

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.[36] 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.[37]

Personal life

Indra was born to father Daud Bidin, a technician and mother Sabariah Hambali, a nurse.[38]

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.

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

[41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46]

ClubSeasonS.LeagueSingapore CupLeague CupACLAFC CupTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Police1996----00
Total000000000000
Geylang United1997------00
199891--91
1999----00
20003614--3614
Total3614000000003614
Home United20013421--3421
20023219----3219
20032720--2720
20042419----2419
20052620----2620
200641----41
2007257------257
20082510------2510
Total19711700000000197117
Sengkang Punggol20092671022299
Total26710220000299
Singapore
Armed Forces
201021101010813111
20112663111308
Total4716412181006119
ClubSeasonNFLTotal
Keppel Monaco2012------00
Total000000000000
ClubSeasonS.LeagueSingapore CupLeague CupACLAFC CupTotal
Home United2012212303371346
20131943110235
201430----2151
Total436614300926212
Career Total323160112868192359171

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

International

International goals

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1[47] 4 August 1999 0–1 1–3 1999 SEA Games
2 4 August 1999 Belapan, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Brunei 0–2 1–3 1999 SEA Games
3 6 August 1999 Berakas Sports Complex, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei 1–1 1–1 1999 SEA Games
4[48] 28 October 2000 Singapore 4–0 Friendly
5[49] 22 May 2001 Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore 1–0 3–0 Friendly
6 22 May 2001 Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore New Zealand 3–0 3–0 Friendly
7[50] 21 May 2002 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore 1–2 1–2 Friendly
8[51] 11 December 2002 Singapore 2–0 2–0 Friendly
9 4 March 2003 Singapore 4–1 Friendly
10[52] 23 March 2003 Singapore 2–0 2–0 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
11[53] 25 March 2003 Singapore 1–0 3–0 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
12 25 March 2003 Singapore Pakistan 2–0 3–0 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
13 4 August 2003 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore 4–1 Friendly
14 4 August 2003 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore Hong Kong 4–1 Friendly
15[54] 16 September 2003 Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore 1–2 1–3 Friendly
16[55] 31 March 2004 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore 1–1 1–2 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
17[56] 4 September 2004 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore Indonesia 2–0 2–0 Friendly
18[57] 13 October 2004 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore 1–0 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
19[58] 7 December 2004 1–1 1–1 2004 AFF Championship
20[59] 13 December 2004 Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam 2–0 6–2 2004 AFF Championship
21 13 December 2004 Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam Laos 5–2 6–2 2004 AFF Championship
22[60] 16 January 2005 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore Indonesia 1–0 2–1 2004 AFF Championship
23[61] 26 January 2006 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore 1–2 1–2 Friendly
24[62] 3 February 2006 2–2 2–2 Friendly
25[63] 7 January 2007 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore Philippines 3–1 4–1 Friendly
26 7 January 2007 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore Philippines 4–1 4–1 Friendly
27[64] 17 January 2007 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore Indonesia 2–1 2–2 2007 AFF Championship
28 24 June 2007 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore 2–1 2–1 Friendly
29[65] 5 December 2008 3–0 5–0 2008 AFF Championship
30[66] 31 December 2009 Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore 1–4 1–4 Friendly
31[67] 7 June 2013 Laos 0–1 2–5 Friendly

Honours

Home United

2003

2001, 2003, 2005

Singapore

2004, 2007

Individual

Notes

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Santokh Singh. Police signs on 3 youths. The Straits Times. 39. 28 October 1995.
  2. News: Stanley Ho. Seven goals from history. Today. 35. 8 April 2003.
  3. News: Those touted as the next Fandi. The Straits Times. 81. 25 October 2008.
  4. News: From reserve to top gun in just one season. The Straits Times. 50. 15 May 1997.
  5. News: Joe Dorai. Geylang plans overseas stint for teenagers Indra, Latiff. The Straits Times. 51. 26 June 1997.
  6. News: Tay Cheng Khoon. Indra signs year's deal with Geylang. The Straits Times. 68. 1 November 1997.
  7. News: Ernest Luis. Indra is a Protector for the next 5 years. The Straits Times. 77. 7 October 2000.
  8. News: 8-1. The Straits Times. 1. 25 July 2001.
  9. News: A shirt worth 100 goals. Today. 53. 26 July 2003.
  10. News: Stanley Ho. Indra for Sheffield Wednesday?. Today. 74. 9 August 2003.
  11. News: Ray Chen. Training at Chelsea similar to Darby's regime at Home: Indra. Today. 60. 16 December 2003.
  12. News: Jose Raymond. Show him the money. Today. 68. 16 November 2005.
  13. News: Leonard Lim. Indra's fears of a pay cut eased. The Straits Times. 36. 13 February 2008.
  14. News: Jose Raymond. Indra out for season. Today. 46. 3 June 2006.
  15. News: Leonard Lim. Indra called up for second trial with MLS team Salt Lake. The Straits Times. 37. 26 February 2008.
  16. News: Leonard Lim. Indra upbeat despite Salt Lake rejection. The Straits Times. 72. 15 March 2008.
  17. News: Wang Meng Meng. Indra to play in Vietnam?. The Straits Times. 28. 30 December 2008.
  18. News: Wang Meng Meng. Indra turns down V-League contract. The Straits Times. 69. 3 January 2009.
  19. Web site: Footballer Indra Sahdan can't take the same food every day and turns down contract. RedSports.sg. 10 April 2014.
  20. News: Wang Meng Meng. Indra agrees to join Sengkang. The Straits Times. 35. 11 January 2009.
  21. News: Wang Meng Meng. Indra quits Police job. The Straits Times. 36. 19 February 2009.
  22. News: David Lee. Could Indra Sahdan win the same award twice?. The New Paper. 16 November 2013. 10 April 2014. 13 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140413143417/http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/could-indra-sahdan-win-same-award-twice. dead.
  23. 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.
  24. News: Indra's back Home. The New Paper. 23 February 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140413130035/http://www.tnp.sg/content/indras-back-home. 13 April 2014.
  25. Web site: Lee backs Indra to continue good Home form. FoxSportsAsia.com. 11 April 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140413124719/http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/sleague/news/detail/item1007845/. 13 April 2014.
  26. News: Singapore football: A total reboot to kick-start fortunes?. 20 December 2014. The Straits Times. 16 December 2014. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055942/http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/singapore-football-total-reboot-kick-start-fortunes. dead.
  27. Web site: Indra's a Stag after retirement reversal – VOXSPORTS . 2015-03-05 . dead . https://archive.today/20150309083136/http://voxsports.co/indras-a-stag-after-retirement-reversal/ . 9 March 2015 .
  28. News: Fazrul Inspires Warriors To Victorious Comeback. S.League. 17 April 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150418100754/http://sleague.com/match-report/s-league/2015/april/2015-04-17/tampines-rovers-fc/. 18 April 2015.
  29. News: Tay Cheng Khoon. Barry's boys put up lion-hearted performance against Asian giant. The Straits Times. 44. 27 April 1997.
  30. Web site: Top 5 players in the Canon Lion City Cup. Goal. 10 April 2014.
  31. Web site: Fourth time lucky for Indra. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924011842/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/fourth-time-lucky-indra. 24 September 2015. dead.
  32. News: Indra says thanks for wake-up call. The Straits Times. 32. 23 December 1998.
  33. News: Squad of 25 called up for King's Cup and Asean Football Championship. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924032502/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/squad-25-called-kings-cup-and-asean-football-championship. 24 September 2015. dead.
  34. News: Wang Meng Meng. New Lion King. The Straits Times. 38. 13 November 2007.
  35. Web site: FIFA Century Club fact sheet. https://web.archive.org/web/20130521035635/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/stats-centclub/52/00/59/centuryclub1204.13.pdf. dead. 21 May 2013. FIFA. 12 April 2013.
  36. Web site: Singapore football gets boost with 2-0 win over Myanmar. FAS. 10 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924032302/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/singapore-football-gets-boost-2-0-win-over-myanmar-0. 24 September 2015. dead.
  37. Web site: Indra Sahdan suffers broken leg. Goal. 10 April 2014.
  38. News: Wang Meng Meng. I am not finished yet. The Straits Times. 39. 15 February 2009.
  39. Web site: An interview with Indra Sahdan. Home United. 10 April 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130510101007/http://hufc.sg/news/an-interview-with-indra-sahdan. 10 May 2013.
  40. Web site: Indra Sahdan: Nike Commercial 2007. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/HwofuujBW9E . 2021-12-21 . live. . 10 April 2014.
  41. Web site: Indra Sahdan Daud. National Football Teams. 17 April 2014.
  42. Web site: S.League – fixtures & scores. sleague.com. 14 April 2014.
  43. Web site: Singapore Cup – fixtures & scores. sleague.com. 14 April 2014.
  44. Web site: League Cup – fixtures & scores. sleague.com. 14 April 2014.
  45. Web site: AFC Champions League. soccerway.com. 14 April 2014.
  46. Web site: AFC Cup. soccerway.com. 14 April 2014.
  47. Web site: South East Asian Games 1999 Details (Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei). RSSSF. 11 April 2014.
  48. Web site: Indra Sahdan Bin Daud – Century of International Appearances. RSSSF. 11 April 2014.
  49. Web site: Singapore v New Zealand, 22 May 2001. 11v11.com. 11 April 2014.
  50. Web site: Uruguay – International Matches 2001-2005. RSSSF. 11 April 2014.
  51. Web site: Singapore beat Philipines [sic] 2-0]. https://archive.today/20140325005457/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/singapore-beat-philipines-2-0. dead. 25 March 2014. FAS. 11 April 2014.
  52. Web site: Asian Nations Cup 2004 – Qualifying Tournament. RSSSF. 11 April 2014.
  53. Web site: Singapore eliminate goal-shy Pakistan. Dawn. 27 March 2003. Pakistan. 11 April 2014.
  54. Web site: Another Gulf lesson for Lions. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924011406/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/another-gulf-lesson-lions. 24 September 2015. dead.
  55. Web site: Thank you, Indra. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924032526/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/thank-you-indra. 24 September 2015. dead.
  56. Web site: Lions score first win of 2004 against Indonesians. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012114/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/lions-score-first-win-2004-against-indonesians. 24 September 2015. dead.
  57. Web site: Late Lions worth the wait. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012020/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/late-lions-worth-wait. 24 September 2015. dead.
  58. Web site: Lions recover to silence Thong Nhat roar. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012053/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/lions-recover-silence-thong-nhat-roar. 24 September 2015. dead.
  59. Web site: One step closer. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012310/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/one-step-closer. 24 September 2015. dead.
  60. Web site: Singapore: Champions of South-East Asia. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924032240/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/singapore-champions-south-east-asia. 24 September 2015. dead.
  61. Web site: Run ends, but Raddy sees the positives. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012436/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/run-ends-raddy-sees-positives. 24 September 2015. dead.
  62. Web site: 'Different' Singapore take Kuwait draw. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924011605/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/different-singapore-take-kuwait-draw. 24 September 2015. dead.
  63. Web site: Singapore – Philippines 4:1. worldfootball.net. 11 April 2014.
  64. Web site: Lions hold Indonesia for spot in semis. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924010600/http://www.fas.org.sg/competitions/international-tournaments/lions-hold-indonesia-spot-semis. 24 September 2015. dead.
  65. Web site: Singapore 5-0 Cambodia: Casmir brace. ESPNFC.com. 11 April 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140419151734/http://espnfc.com/en/report/259045/report.html?soccernet=true. 19 April 2014.
  66. Web site: Oman defeat Singapore in New Year Eve friendly. FAS. 11 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012249/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/oman-defeat-singapore-new-year-eve-friendly. 24 September 2015. dead.
  67. Web site: Stange's Lions go on rampage against Laos. Goal. 11 April 2014.