Winning 101 caps and scoring 52 goals for the Singapore National Team, Fandi was the talismanic captain. As a striker, Fandi has scored numerous goals in his footballing career and most of which were spectacular goals. Always looking to entertain the spectators in the crowd with his display of magical footwork, Fandi is celebrated by many for his magnificent finishing in front of goal.
“When I go out to play, I want to put up a good show for the crowd who have come to support the team. The fans expect nothing but the best from their team and as a footballer I want to entertain them. The role of a striker is to score goals but not all their goals are remembered. I’ve wanted to score fantastic goals, which will be talked about for years to come. I’d like to think that in my career as a footballer, I’ve presented the supporters a number of memorable goals.”
A popular football position amongst kids, strikers are believed to be the most iconic because of they are responsible for the goals during the game. But not everyone has the footballing techniques and mindset of a forward.
“Different players have different abilities and strengths. Not everyone is cut out to be a Striker like me. My eldest son Irfan, for example, is a midfielder with very different qualities from me, while my second son Ikhsan is a goal-poacher like me. The key is really to first develop a passion for the game, and then develop yourself according to your innate qualities.”
Although finishing is not a technique exclusively for strikers, it is a key aspect most coaches look for in their strikers. Finishing is the act of intentionally placing the ball in the opposite goal by the use of physical techniques.
“There are various types of finishing in football. Chesting & volley, nutmeg, chipping, rounding the keeper and low angled shots are some of the examples. It is not necessary that a finishing has to be done with a kick. You can score a goal with almost any part of your body, except your hands of course! In fact some of my goals were headers.”
“The important thing about finishing is to select the precise method and time which can be a great challenge on a player when there is a tremendous amount of pressure is on him during the game. Keeping in mind your own skill level and the ability to read the situation will allow you to choose the right finishing technique.”
According to Fandi, confidence can be a difference between players on the field. If a player lacks confidence even though he has perfected the skills and techniques, he will hesitate to take a shot, or make a pass, which may have a high chance in affecting the team’s performance.
“When a player has low self-confidence, it reflects poorly on his performance. He does not take much chances and football is all about movement. He will only bring down his team. On the other hand, a confident player is intimidating to the opponents. He doesn’t fear to take a shot or start an attack, which will benefit the team.”