Ikhsan Fandi becomes first Singaporean to score in J.League
Ikhsan Fandi made J.League history on Saturday, becoming the first Singaporean to score in the competition. The Thespa Gunma striker headed an 89th-minute goal in a 3-2 home defeat by Reilac Shiga in the J3 League. The 27-year-old joined Thespa Gunma on 7 July and went straight into the club’s pre-season training camp in Okinawa. His late effort came during a difficult start for the club, who were bottom of the division with three defeats. Despite the result, Fandi’s goal gave him a landmark moment in Japanese football and opened his scoring account in Japan.
Fandi said he was delighted to score and hoped there would be more goals to come, while also expressing the desire to inspire young players in Singapore. Singapore national coach Gavin Lee said he was “extremely pleased” and praised the striker’s hard work, describing the move as an important platform for his development. Fandi’s progress will be watched closely by the national team, particularly after Singapore’s clubs were not obliged to release him for the ASEAN Championship. For Thespa Gunma, his contribution offered encouragement as they seek points and aim to avoid relegation from J3.