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Hassan Sunny

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Hassan Sunny
Hassan playing for Army United in 2015[1]
Personal information
Full name Hassan bin Abdullah Sunny
Date of birth (1984-04-02) 2 April 1984 (age 41)
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Albirex Niigata (S)
Number 18
Youth career
2000–2002 National Football Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003 Geylang United 31 (0)
2004–2005 Young Lions 43 (0)
2006–2007 Geylang United 52 (0)
2008–2011 Tampines Rovers 104 (0)
2012–2014 Warriors 53 (0)
2015–2016 Army United 54 (0)
2017 Home United 19 (0)
2018–2019 Army United 54 (0)
2020–2022 Lion City Sailors 51 (0)
2023– Albirex Niigata (S) 49 (0)
International career‡
2004–2024 Singapore 115 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Singapore
Sea Games
Bronze medal – third place Nakhon Ratchasima 2007 Football
Asean Football Championship
Winner Tiger Cup 2004 2004
Winner AFF Championship 2007 2007
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 May 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23 March 2023

Hassan Abdullah Sunny (born on 2 April 1984), commonly known as Hassan Sunny, is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Singapore Premier League (S-League) club Albirex Niigata (S) and the Singapore national team.

In 2016, The Daily Telegraph ranked him 18th on its list of the world's top 20 goalkeepers, which Sunny first thought was an April Fools' joke.[3][4][5]

Sunny is the first and only player in the history of the Singapore Premier League to win four league titles with four different clubs.[6]

Club career

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Geylang United

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In 2003, Sunny joined Geylang United from the National Football Academy (NFA) and quickly established himself in the first team, earning a nomination for S-League Young Player of the Year.

Young Lions

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In 2004, Sunny joined the newly-formed Young Lions Football Club alongside Baihakki Khaizan, Shahril Ishak and Khairul Amri—a group known as the "NFA Gang of Four" who had been playing together since their early teens.[7]

Geylang United

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After completing his compulsory National Service in Singapore in 2006, Sunny returned to Geylang United, where he established himself as the club's top goalkeeper.

Tampines Rovers

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In January 2008, Sunny joined Geylang United's rivals, Tampines Rovers, making his debut on 1 March in a 1–1 draw against Balestier Khalsa. He made his 100th appearance for the club in March 2011 and was part of the squad that won both the S-League and Singapore Community Shield that season.

Singapore Armed Forces (Warriors)

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In December 2011, Sunny joined SAFFC (Singapore Armed Forces FC), after four years of service as Tampines Rovers' first-choice goalkeeper.

Sunny would go on to make his AFC Cup debut against Indonesian club Semen Padang in a 3–1 loss on 5 March 2013. He recorded his first clean sheet in the competition in a 1–0 win over Indian club Churchill Brothers on 10 April 2013.

His performances during the 2014 S.League season helped Warriors FC win the league title.[8] He also became the first goalkeeper to win the S.League 'Player of the Year' award in 2014.[9]

Army United

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Sunny joined Army United for the 2015 Thai Premier League season. He made his debut in a 1–0 win over Royal Thai Navy.[10]

In November 2015, Sunny signed a new two-year contract with the club Army United[11] The Daily Telegraph placed him 18th in their list of top 20 goalkeepers worldwide in 2016. In December 2016, after the relegation of Army United from Thai League 1, Sunny was released from the team, ending two years at the Thai club.[12]

Home United

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Following his release from the Thai League side, Sunny signed for S.League side Home United on 6 January 2017. He was named club captain for the 2017 season.[8]

Gainare Tottori trials

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On 10 February 2017, Sunny got a taste of professional football in Japan with Japanese third-tier (J3) club Gainare Tottori. He played for Gainare in two friendly matches during this brief stint. He played about 70 minutes of the Tottori 3–3 draw with South Korean side Incheon United at the J-Green Sakai training facility.

Return to Army United

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After the end of the 2017 S.League season, Sunny re-signed for Army United in December 2017 and played for them during the 2018 Thai League 2 season. He made his return to the club in the club's season opener against Nongbua Pitchaya on 10 February 2018, facing off against another Singaporean goalkeeper, Izwan Mahbud, who was also making his debut.[13] On 30 June 2019, Sunny made his 100th appearance for the club in a 2–1 win over Kasetsart.[14]

Lion City Sailors

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After 2 seasons with Army United, Hassan penned a 2-year deal with the new privatised club, Lion City Sailors, in January 2020. In his first season, he kept 5 clean sheets in 11 matches before the league was halted with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hassan went on to win the 2021 Singapore Premier League title with the club.

On 19 February 2022, Sunny helped the Sailors win the 2022 Singapore Community Shield. During the club's 2022 AFC Champions League group stage campaign, he kept 3 clean sheets in 6 matches. Sunny made his AFC Champions League debut on 15 April 2022 against J1 League club Urawa Red Diamonds. At the end of the season, he left Lion City Sailors after 3 seasons at the club.

Albirex Niigata Singapore

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On 16 December 2022, Albirex Niigata (S) announced it had signed Hassan on a 2-year contract until 2024, his sixth club in the Singapore Premier League. On 8 June 2023, Sunny signed a 1-year contract extension until the end of the 2024–25 season. In his first season at the club, he won the 2023 Singapore Premier League title, becoming the first and only player in the league's history to win the league titles with 4 different clubs. He also won the Golden Gloves with 9 clean sheets in the league.

International career

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Youth

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A graduate of the National Football Academy, in February 2004, two months shy of turning 20, Hassan made his international debut for Singapore against India after a superb debut season with Geylang United in 2003.

He kept goal for the Singapore U23 team that participated in the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam, before joining the Young Lions for the 2004 S-League season.

Hassan's first appearance for Singapore came in August 2003 when the young keeper replaced Rezal Hassan at half-time in a friendly match against the Japanese Olympic team.

Hassan's effort at the 2007 SEA Games helped the Singapore U23 squad win the bronze medal – their first SEA Games medal since 1995.

Senior

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Hassan had to wait until 18 February 2004 for his first cap for the Singapore national team, though, which came against India in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He has been a regular fixture in the national team, though only as a substitute for Lionel Lewis. However, he was dropped from the U23 team for the friendly match against the UAE, and Jasper Chan was called up in his place.

Hassan played the first half as part of a Singapore Selection side in a friendly match against the Brazilian Olympic Team and made saves against Diego and Alexandre Pato's shots, letting in three goals.

In January 2010, Hassan was selected to participate in the 2010 King's Cup, where he played in all three matches against Thailand, Denmark and Poland.

On 9 August 2014, Hassan captained Singapore on the country's independence day in a goalless draw against Hong Kong. On 14 October, he captained Singapore to a 2–2 draw against Macau.

On 13 June 2016, Hassan was chosen as the starting goalkeeper against two-time FIFA World Cup winners Argentina in a friendly match where he conceded two goals before being subbed out for Izwan Mahbud in the 50th minute.

Hassan won his 75th cap for the Lions in early September 2018 against Mauritius.[15] On the 18th of August 2024, Hassan retired from international football after 115 caps over 20 years.[16]

Media headlines in Indonesia and Singapore for his renowned performances

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Hassan was selected for the 2020 AFF Championship that took place in December 2021, featuring in all of Singapore's games and making 20 saves throughout the entire tournament. On 25 December 2021, Hassan made 11 saves for the Lions against Indonesia but got sent off in the 118th minute of extra time after a last-man tackle on Irfan Jaya. The Lions lost 4–2 in the end. He was later voted into the "Team of the Tournament" for his superb performance in the entire tournament.

On 24 September 2022, 18 years and 218 days on from that World Cup qualifier against India in Goa on his International debut, he came full circle by earning his 100th cap against the same opponents in the 2022 VFF Tri-Nations Series.

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against China at the Singapore National Stadium, as Singapore was down by two goals where they conceded a penalty. Hassan made a penalty save, denying Wu Lei from scoring. Singapore went on to complete a 2–2 comeback at the end. However, Singapore was defeated in all other Round 1 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification matches and was eliminated.

Media headlines in China

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During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Thailand, where the opponents were one goal short of qualifying for the next round, Hassan performed 11 saves. Although Singapore ultimately lost to Thailand 3–1, the result meant that Thailand did not progress to the next round, and China, the next runner-up in the group, qualified instead.

Hassan's performance during the match impressed many Chinese viewers and received significant publicity on Chinese social media platforms. Many Chinese football fans complimented his saves and showed their appreciation and support by patronising his nasi padang stalls and sending him money via the QR code displayed for payment at his stalls.[17][18][19] He was also mobbed by fans during a family trip to Shanghai following the game.[20]

Retirement

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On 18 August 2024, Hassan announced his retirement from the national team via an Instagram post. [21] Hassan continued to play for Albirex Niigata in the Singapore Premier League.[22]

Others

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Singapore Selection squad

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Hassan was selected as part of the Singapore Selection squad for the Sultan of Selangor's Cup held on 6 May 2017.[23]

Sponsorship and media

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Hassan has a sponsorship deal with sportswear and equipment supplier Puma.

"I am happy to receive such recognition, but I was simply doing my job [at the game between Singapore and Thailand]. In terms of results, the game was not something to be proud of. However, for me, it feels great to receive such recognition from another country."

– Hassan being grateful from the support he received from Chinese football fans[24]

Following Hassan's performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, allowing China's national football team to qualify for the next round of the qualifiers, Hassan went viral on numerous Chinese social media platforms, with his Nasi Padang stall being visited by numerous Chinese fans and tourists in a show of support. Numerous monetary donations were also made to the stall by Chinese fans.[25][26][27][28] Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also praised Hassan for his performance and recognition on social media.

Following a scam attempt involving the QR code at his nasi padang stall, in a social media post, Hassan asked his fans to stop sending money via that QR code.[29] Hassan said he would be donating the money already sent to charity as it did not belong to him; he stated that he was "doing his part for the community".[30][31]

In June 2024, Hassan flew to Shanghai at the invitation of real estate firm CapitaLand, where he and his family were mobbed by Chinese football fans. Hassan made unscheduled appearances at three CapitaLand malls in Shanghai and also visited the children's football club HiKicker Youth FC.[32]

Personal life

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According to an interview, Hassan started playing football competitively when he was 11, captaining his school, May Primary School.[33] He later went on to represent the Braddell Secondary School football team as well.[33] Hassan started playing football as a midfielder, only switching to playing as a goalkeeper due to an asthma attack he suffered when he was 12.[33] He also quipped that his happiest football memory was that, back in 1999, he scored the winning goal from the halfway line in a game that ended 2–1.[33][34]

Hassan has stated that his favorite goalkeepers are Manuel Neuer and Joe Hart.[35]

Hassan owns two Nasi Padang stalls, both named Dapur Hassan, in Tampines, Singapore; he opened his first stall with his family in October 2021.[36] On 22 August 2023, he opened his second stall at Tampines.[37]

In July 2024, after Chinese football fans donated funds to his stall in appreciation for his standout performance against Thailand, he donated S$10,000 to the Muhammadiyah Welfare Home, a children’s shelter in Singapore, helping fund its 2024 CharityFest. [38]

In February 2025, he launched his own minimalist apparel line, Has & Co, debuting the brand at the FOMO Weekend Market in Singapore, offering casual wear (jumpers, hoodies, tees) in sizes ranging from kids to 6XL $20–$80 [39]

Career statistics

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Club

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Source:[40]

As of match played on 16 June 2024
Club Season Singapore Premier League Singapore Cup Singapore Community Shield Asia Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Geylang International 2003 31 0 - - - - — 31 0
Total 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 0
Young Lions 2004 0 - - - - — 0
2005 0 - - - - — 0
Total 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 0
Geylang United 2006 29 0 1 - - - — 30 0
2007 23 0 - - - - — 23 0
Total 52 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 53 0
Tampines Rovers 2008 18 0 5 - - - - - 23 0
2009 31 0 - - - - — 31 0
2010 30 0 6 0 - - — 36 0
2011 13 0 0 0 - - 7 0 20 0
Total 92 0 11 0 0 0 7 0 110 0
Warriors 2012 4 0 0 0 - - — 4 0
2013 24 0 1 0 1 0 6 0 32 0
2014 25 0 1 0 - - — 26 0
Total 53 0 2 0 1 0 6 0 61 0
Army United 2015 26 0 - - - - — 26 0
2016 28 0 - - - - — 28 0
Total 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 0
Home United 2017 19 0 4 0 2 0 9 0 34 0
Total 19 0 4 0 2 0 9 0 34 0
Army United 2018 0 0 1 - - - — 1 0
2019 26 0 - - - - — 26 0
Total 26 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 27 0
Lion City Sailors 2020 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
2021 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
2022 20 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 27 0
Total 51 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 58 0
Albirex Niigata (S) 2023 19 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 24 0
2024–25 30 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 34 0
Total 49 0 7 0 2 0 0 0 58 0
Career Total 450 0 23 0 6 0 28 0 506 0
  • Young Lions are ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in their respective leagues.

Honours

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Club

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Tampines Rovers

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Warriors

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Lion City Sailors

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Albirex Niigata (S)

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International

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Individual

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Announcement of squad for AFF Suzuki Cup 2014". Football Association of Singapore. 22 November 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  2. ^ "ハッサン サニー". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website | アルビレックス新潟シンガポール オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  3. ^ "The top 20 best goalkeepers in the world". The Telegraph. 19 October 2016. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  4. ^ Siang Yee, Chua (13 April 2016). "Football: Hassan Sunny thought Telegraph accolade was belated April Fool's joke". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 May 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Singapore's Hassan Sunny named one of world's top 20 goalkeepers". TODAY. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Hassan Sunny: A Legend Bids Farewell to International Football - Football Association of Singapore". www.fas.org.sg. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Interview With Baihakki Khaizan". FAS. Archived from the original on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny comes Home". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Awards night signals end of 2014 S.League season". S.League. 7 November 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  10. ^ Paul Murphy (16 February 2015). "Singapore keeper Sunny's Thailand debut quietens the doubters". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  11. ^ "Hassan extends Army United stay with new two-year deal". Football Channel Asia. 10 November 2015. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  12. ^ Paul Murphy (1 December 2016). "Singapore's Hassan Sunny released by Thailand club Army United FC". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 4 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  13. ^ "Singapore footballers make their debuts in Thai league". The New Paper. 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Hassan Sunny reaches 100 matches for Army United | Goal.com Singapore". www.goal.com. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  15. ^ "75-cap Hassan Sunny ready for Singapore No.1 battle with Izwan Mahbud". FourFourTwo. 9 September 2018. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Heroic Singapore goalkeeper Hassan announces international retirement". ESPN.com. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  17. ^ "S'pore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny celebrated by Chinese fans after match against Thailand". TODAY. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  18. ^ Dhar, Sudeshna (12 June 2024). "S'porean GK Hassan Sunny's stall receives donations from Chinese fans after he pulls off vital saves against Thailand". Must Share News - Independent News For Singaporeans. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  19. ^ "China social media lauds Singapore's Thai heroics; holiday searches to island soar". South China Morning Post. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  20. ^ Tan, Dawn Wei (17 June 2024). "Hailed as a hero by Chinese football fans, Lions goalkeeper Hassan Sunny gets star treatment in Shanghai". The Straits Times. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Hassan Sunny: A Legend Bids Farewell to International Football - Football Association of Singapore". www.fas.org.sg. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  23. ^ "SINGAPORE SELECTION SQUAD FOR THE SULTAN OF SELANGOR'S CUP REVEALED – The Football Association of Singapore". fas.org.sg. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  24. ^ Li, Winnie (16 June 2024). "S'pore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny to donate money transferred by Chinese football fans". Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  25. ^ Li, Winnie. "Chinese football fans transfer money to S'pore keeper Hassan Sunny's nasi padang stall for 'helping' China advance in World Cup". mothership.sg. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  26. ^ Oh, Maximilian (12 June 2024). "Hassan Sunny's nasi padang stall in Tampines draws China fans after his heroics against Thailand". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  27. ^ Wong, Bryan. "S'pore Goalkeeper Hassan Sunny Celebrated By Chinese Fans After Match Against Thailand, His Nasi Padang Stall Gets Over 70 5-Star Reviews From Them In The Past 12 Hours". 8days. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  28. ^ "Hassan Sunny: Singapore goalkeeper says China fans have sent him money after his 11 saves against Thailand". BBC Sport. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  29. ^ Associated Press (14 June 2024). Chinese fans show overwhelming support for Hassan Sunny's food business. Retrieved 17 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ Rawat, Bhavya (14 June 2024). "Lions goalie Hassan Sunny asks Chinese fans to stop sending him money, dispels rumours he received $5.8 million". AsiaOne. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  31. ^ Tan, Dawn Wei (17 June 2024). "Hailed as a hero by Chinese football fans, Lions goalkeeper Hassan Sunny gets star treatment in Shanghai". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  32. ^ Tan, Dawn Wei (17 June 2024). "Hailed as a hero by Chinese football fans, Lions goalkeeper Hassan Sunny gets star treatment in Shanghai". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  33. ^ a b c d ""At first, i didn't like football..."". Archived from the original on 27 May 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  34. ^ "Hassan named S.League Player of the Year". ESPN.com. 9 November 2014.
  35. ^ "Singapore's Hassan Sunny named one of world's top 20 goalkeepers". TODAY. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  36. ^ "Dalam sebulan Madhu hasilkan cermin mata hitam mesra alam" [In a month, Madhu produces eco-friendly sunglasses]. BeritaHarian.sg (in Malay). 28 February 2022. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  37. ^ "New in town: Dapur Hassan — Singapore national football team's goalkeeper opens 2nd stall selling nasi lemak & mee soto". sg.style.yahoo.com. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Hassan Sunny donates S$10,000 he got from grateful Chinese football fans to S'pore children's home".
  39. ^ "Hassan Sunny launches own clothing brand".
  40. ^ "Hassan Sunny Stats, Goals, Records, Assists, Cups and more". FBref.com. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  41. ^ "ESPN's AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 Team of the Tournament". ESPN.com. 2 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
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