Safuwan Baharudin
![]() Safuwan in 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Muhammad Safuwan bin Baharudin[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | 22 September 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Singapore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position(s) | Defender | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Selangor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2005–2009 | National Football Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2009–2011 | Young Lions | 57 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2012–2015 | LionsXII | 48 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | → Melbourne City (loan) | 6 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016–2017 | PDRM | 35 | (14) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2018–2019 | Sri Pahang | 36 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2019– | Selangor | 31 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
National team‡ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010– | Singapore | 103 | (12) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Honours
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* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 24, 2021 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 25 December 2021 |
Muhammad Safuwan bin Baharudin (born 22 September 1991) is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a defender and captain for Malaysia Super League club Selangor and the Singapore national team.
Starting off his professional career as a centre-back, Safuwan's attributes and versatility also allow him to play as a midfielder or forward when required.
Club career[]
Early years[]
Safuwan started out playing as a striker during his Institute of Technical Education years and subsequently as a midfielder at the National Football Academy (NFA).[3][4] Salim Moin, his NFA Under-17 coach, was credited with switching him to the centre-back position he currently plays in.
Young Lions[]
Safuwan began his professional football career with S.League club Young Lions in July 2009, after he was promoted from the National Football Academy Under-18s.[5]
Safuwan was one of the Young Lions players that got involved in an on-pitch fight with several Beijing Guoan Talent players in their S.League match on 7 September 2010. He was charged by the FAS for gross misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute, and was fined S$2,000 for his part in the brawl.[6]
LionsXII[]
In December 2011, the FAS announced that Safuwan will join the newly formed LionsXII in the 2012 Malaysia Super League. The LionsXII finished runners-up in their debut season.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Starting_eleven_of_the_LionsXII_against_Kuala_Lumpur_FA_during_the_Malaysia_Super_League%2C_Jalan_Besar_Stadium%2C_Singapore_-_20120117.jpg/220px-Starting_eleven_of_the_LionsXII_against_Kuala_Lumpur_FA_during_the_Malaysia_Super_League%2C_Jalan_Besar_Stadium%2C_Singapore_-_20120117.jpg)
Safuwan formed a strong understanding with Baihakki Khaizan in central defence as LionsXII won the 2013 Malaysia Super League with the competition's best defensive record. He contributed with five goals in 26 matches. Amid interest from Thai, Indonesian and rival Malaysia Super League sides including T-Team, he put pen to paper in a new two-year deal with LionsXII in November 2013.[7][8][9][10]
Safuwan capped off his league performances by becoming the first male recipient of the annual Straits Times Athlete of the Year award in 2013.[11]
Following the departure of regular defensive partner Baihakki in 2014, Safuwan formed a new partnership with new LionsXII recruit Afiq Yunos. He also showed his versatility with lauded displays in advanced midfield and attacking roles.[12][13] Safuwan's performances up front and LionsXII's poor goal scoring form led to head coach Fandi Ahmad having to consider playing him as a forward in more games.[3] Safuwan started in an advanced midfield role behind striker Khairul Amri in a Malaysia Super League match away to Sarawak on 15 March.[14] On 25 March, he scored a late winner over Perak to send LionsXII up to 5th in the league table. He scored his second goal in as many games four days later as LionsXII drew 1–1 with T-Team and followed it up with the opener off a Shahfiq Ghani cross against Sime Darby on 5 April.
Melbourne City[]
On 29 January 2015, Safuwan signed a 3-month loan contract with A-League team Melbourne City.[15]
Safuwan earned the contract after his standout performance at a MCFC's training camp in Abu Dhabi, which was held from 10 January 2015 to 19 January 2015. He attended the training camp as part of a development opportunity arranged with the FAS. The club substantiated the decision to take Safuwan on loan with his impressive performances during the training camp, both as a centre back and as a full-back during the club's two friendly matches in the UAE. In the friendly matches, he was pitted against several notable players, such as former Juventus striker Mirko Vučinić. He played as a substitute in the side's second friendly match with Ukrainian Premier League outfit FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, with the match concluding in a 1–1 result.
Safuwan made his debut for Melbourne City in the A-League on 7 February 2015 for the Melbourne Derby against Melbourne Victory. Safuwan scored his first goal for the club against Adelaide United on 27 February 2015.[16] He scored his second goal just a couple of weeks later, against Western Sydney Wanderers to hand his side a 1-0 lead although they could not hang onto the lead and crash to a 3–2 defeat in the end.[17]
Following a spine injury that he sustained in a competitive match against Wellington Phoenix, Safuwan's loan contract was allowed to lapse and was not renewed, despite earlier rumours stating that the club was interested in offering him a permanent contract.[18] After his release, Safuwan returned to play for the LionsXII in the 2015 Malaysia Super League season.
In July 2015, it was reported that there was interest from J.League club Yokohama F Marinos to sign Safuwan on loan for the rest of the season.[19] Although Safuwan stated that he was open to a second move overseas, even if it was on a short-term contract, the move ultimately did not materialise, and Safuwan remained with the LionsXII.
PDRM FA[]
Upon the dismissal of LionsXII from the Malaysia Super League following the end of the 2015 season, Safuwan was linked with multiple Malaysian and Thai football clubs upon noting his potential availability.[20] Safuwan signed a one-year loan deal with PDRM FA for the 2016 Malaysia Super League season.[21] The transfer fee was initially estimated as being about S$45,000,[22] but was found later to be closer to S$32,000. This deal was extended for a year despite PDRM FA's relegation into the Malaysian Premier League.[23]
Pahang FA[]
In 2018, Safuwan signed a contract with Malaysian Super League runners up Pahang FA and was presented alongside Malaysian forward, Norshahrul Idlan. He scored his first goal in a 2-1 victory against ATM FA in the 2018 Malaysia FA Cup. During his time with Pahang, he helped the club win the 2018 Malaysia FA Cup Final before being released at the end of the 2019 Malaysia Super League season despite being contracted until 2020.[24]
Selangor[]
Safuwan signed for Selangor for the 2020 Malaysia Super League season, ensuring that he will be playing in Malaysia for the 9th season.[25] Safuwan made his debut for the club in the opening match of the 2020 Malaysia Super League season against his former club, Pahang.[26]
International career[]
Youth[]
Safuwan was part of the Singapore national under-23 football team that won the bronze medal at the 2009 and 2013 Southeast Asian Games.
Senior[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Giovinco_20140816.jpg/250px-Giovinco_20140816.jpg)
Safuwan made his international debut for Singapore at the age of 19 in a King's Cup match against Thailand on 17 January 2010.[4][27]
Safuwan contributed to Singapore's then-record fourth ASEAN Football Championship win in 2012. He found himself increasingly paired with Baihakki Khaizan as regular centre-back Daniel Bennett was gradually phased out of the national team set-up.
On 31 August 2017, Safuwan scored from the penalty spot to help Singapore snatch a draw against Hong Kong.[28]
He scored his first international hat-trick on 21 November 2018, helping Singapore to a 6-1 demolition of Timor-Leste in the 2018 AFF Championship.[29]
Safuwan made his 100 caps for the national team on 14 December 2021 against Timor-Leste in the 2020 AFF Championship.
Singapore Selection[]
Apart from national team commitments, Safuwan was also part of the Singapore Selection XI squad on several occasions. The selected squad are made up of current Singapore international footballers, as well as players currently participating in the S.League. Safuwan has appeared in all four matches that the Singapore Selection XI has played thus far, such as in the Peter Lim Charity Cup match against 2013–14 La Liga champions Atlético Madrid,[30] a pre-season friendly match against Juventus,[31] as well as in the 2015 Barclays Asia Trophy held in Singapore at the National Stadium.[32]
Personal life[]
Safuwan is born to Baharudin Abdul Ghani and Suria Haniffa.[33] Safuwan married Alia Qistina, an air stewardess, in 2013.[34]
Safuwan was the first Singaporean to be featured in FIFA 15.[citation needed]
Career statistics[]
Club[]
Club | Season | S.League | Singapore Cup | Singapore League Cup |
Asia | Total | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Young Lions | 2009 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 1 | |
2010 | 26 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 31 | 4 | ||
2011 | 16 | 4 | — | — | — | 16 | 4 | ||||
Total | 57 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 9 | |
Club | Season | Malaysia Super League |
Malaysia FA Cup |
Malaysia Cup | Asia | Total | |||||
LionsXII | 2012[40] | 13 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | 19 | 4 | |
2013[41] | 18 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | — | 26 | 5 | ||
2014[42] | 17 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 19 | 5 | ||
2015[43] | TBC | — | TBC | TBC | |||||||
Total | 48 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 14 | |
Club | Season | A-League | FFA Cup | Asia | Total | ||||||
Melbourne City (loan) | 2014–15[44] | 6 | 2 | — | — | 6 | 2 | ||||
Total | 6 | 2 | — | — | 6 | 2 | |||||
Club | Season | Malaysia Super League |
Malaysia FA Cup |
Malaysia Cup | Asia | Total | |||||
PDRM | 2016 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 3 | — | 28 | 8 | |
2017 | 19 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 21 | 11 | ||
Total | 35 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 19 | |
Pahang | 2018 | 19 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 25 | 3 | |
2019 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 | 0 | ||
Total | 36 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 3 | |
Selangor | 2020 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 12 | 1 | |
2021 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — | 19 | 1 | ||
Total | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 2 | |
Career total | 165 | 37 | 21 | 3 | 19 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 205 | 46 |
- Young Lions and LionsXII are ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in their respective leagues.
International[]
- Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.[45]
No | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 1 February 2013 | Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain | ![]() |
1–2 | 1–3 | Friendly |
2. | 7 June 2013 | New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos | ![]() |
3–0 | 5–2 | Friendly |
3. | 17 November 2014 | Yishun Stadium, Yishun, Singapore | ![]() |
4–2 | 4–2 | Friendly |
4. | 11 June 2015 | Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | ![]() |
2–0 | 4–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
5. | 3–0 | |||||
6. | 17 November 2015 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | ![]() |
1–1 | 1–2 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
7. | 1 September 2016 | Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain | ![]() |
1–1 | 1–3 | Friendly |
8. | 31 August 2017 | Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | ![]() |
1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly |
9. | 21 November 2018 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | ![]() |
1–0 | 6–1 | 2018 AFF Championship |
10. | 2–1 | |||||
11. | 6–1 | |||||
12. | 10 September 2019 | Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | ![]() |
2–1 | 2–1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
13. | 5 December 2021 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | ![]() |
1–0 | 3–0 | 2020 AFF Championship |
Honours[]
Club[]
LionsXII
- Malaysia Super League: 2013
- FA Cup Malaysia: 2015
Pahang FA
- FA Cup Malaysia: 2018
International[]
Singapore
- ASEAN Football Championship: 2012
- Southeast Asian Games: bronze medal – 2009, 2013
Individual[]
- 2014 Singapore Sports Awards: Meritorious Award
- 2013 Goal Singapore Football Awards: Singapore Player of the Year
- The Straits Times Athlete of the Year: 2013
- Goal.com-Nike 2012 ASEAN Football Championship Under-23 Player of the Tournament
- Goal.com 2012 ASEAN Football Championship Best XI
- 2011 S.League People's Choice Award
- ASEAN Football Federation Best XI: 2019[46]
References[]
- ^ "FAS names 2014 LionsXII squad list". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Safuwan Baharudin". lionsxii.sg. LionsXII. Archived from the original on 10 November 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
- ^ a b Dan Guen Chin (11 February 2014). "Fandi may play Safuwan as forward". Today.
- ^ a b Lim Say Heng (27 December 2011). "Gritty Safuwan wants to repay father's sacrifices". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014.
- ^ David Lee (3 January 2013). "Safuwan has little rest for four years". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014.
- ^ "Young Lions, Beijing Guoan players banned, fined". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ^ Shamir Osman (30 August 2013). "Safuwan set to leave". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014.
- ^ "LionsXII Defender Safuwan Baharudin Tilting Towards Malaysia Switch". VoxSports. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
- ^ David Lee (10 November 2013). "Safuwan wants to help LionsXII retain MSL title". The New Paper.
- ^ Dan Guen Chin (24 October 2013). "Safuwan turns down T-Team offer". Today.
- ^ Wang Meng Meng (28 February 2014). "Footballer Safuwan Baharudin is the new Straits Times Athlete of the Year". The Straits Times.
- ^ Ali Kasim (29 January 2014). "Safuwan shows versatility with classy midfield show". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Stunning second-half fightback salvages draw at Larkin". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ David Lee (15 March 2014). "Safuwan the striker". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014.
- ^ "Football: Safuwan Baharudin signs for Melbourne City FC on loan". Channel News Asia. 29 January 2015. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ Channel News Asia (28 February 2015). "Safuwan wins Melbourne City FC Man of the Match award". Channel News Asia. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
- ^ Shanjayan Muniappan (11 March 2015). "Safuwan scores again, but Melbourne City lose". Today. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ^ Melbourne City (24 April 2015). "Injured Safuwan Baharudin returns to Singapore". Melbourne City. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ Abdul Aziz, Sazali (15 July 2015). "Safuwan offered J.League move, AsiaOne News". AsiaOne. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ^ Tan, Kenneth (29 November 2015). "Safuwan mulling over Malaysia and Thailand moves | FourFourTwo". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ Vick, Vijhay (18 December 2015). "Safuwan makes the switch to Malaysia with PDRM | FourFourTwo". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ Ong, Justin (22 December 2015). "Football: Singapore star Safuwan Baharudin signs for Malaysian club PDRM - Channel NewsAsia". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
- ^ Abdul Aziz, Sazali (10 January 2017). "Safuwan stays put at PDRM, Latest Football News - The New Paper". TNP. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
- ^ Chandra, Alif. "Safuwan Baharudin confirms departure from Pahang FA". Goal.
- ^ Zainal, Zulhilmi. "Safuwan seeks to continue Malaysian league legacy with Selangor". Goal.
- ^ Zainal, Zulhilmi. "PLAYER RATINGS: Pahang vs Selangor". Goal.
- ^ Fabius Chen (20 December 2012). "Fitting farewell for Raddy". The Straits Times.
- ^ Meng Meng, Wang (31 August 2017). "Football: Late penalty gives Singapore 1-1 draw with Hong Kong". The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "AFF Suzuki Cup 2018: Safuwan, Ikhsan on fire as Lions stay in the hunt". FourFourTwo. 21 November 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ Tan, Kenneth. "Singapore Selection falls to valiant defeat against Atletico Madrid | The Football Association of Singapore". The Football Association of Singapore. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- ^ Siang Yee, Chua. "Football: Juventus beat Singapore Selection 5-0 in friendly at new National Stadium, Football News & Top Stories - The Straits Times". The Straits Times. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- ^ "Singapore Select Barclays Asia Trophy Everton Arsenal Stoke City | Barclays Premier League". Barclays Premier League. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- ^ Aziz, Sazali Abdul (28 February 2015). "Safuwan scores, and stars in his first win with Melbourne City". The New Paper. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ Migration (3 March 2015). "Football: A look at Safuwan Baharudin through the years | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ "Safuwan Baharudin". National Football Teams. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "S.League – fixtures & scores". sleague.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ "Singapore Cup – fixtures & scores". sleague.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ "League Cup – fixtures & scores". sleague.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ "A-League Fixtures and Results". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
- ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2012 season". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
- ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2013 season". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
- ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2014 season". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
- ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2015 season". LionsXII. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
- ^ "Melbourne City Fixtures and Results for 2014–15 season". Melbourne City. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
- ^ "Baharudin, Safuwan". National Football Teams. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- ^ "AFF AWARDS: Quang Hai, Pitsamai claim top honours". ASEAN Football Federation. 8 November 2019. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
External links[]
- Safuwan Baharudin at Soccerway
- 1991 births
- Living people
- Singaporean footballers
- Singapore international footballers
- Singapore Premier League players
- LionsXII players
- Malaysia Super League players
- Young Lions FC players
- Association football central defenders
- Singaporean people of Malay descent
- A-League Men players
- Melbourne City FC players
- Singaporean expatriate footballers
- Expatriate soccer players in Australia
- Singaporean expatriate sportspeople in Australia
- Footballers at the 2010 Asian Games
- Footballers at the 2014 Asian Games
- Southeast Asian Games bronze medalists for Singapore
- Southeast Asian Games medalists in football
- Competitors at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games
- Competitors at the 2013 Southeast Asian Games
- Asian Games competitors for Singapore