Latest news with #HassanSunny
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Hassan Sunny, 41, wants to hang around, not hang up his gloves
Former national goalkeeper Hassan Sunny will be 42 when his contract with Albirex Niigata ends after the 2025-26 season. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN SINGAPORE – A familiar face between the sticks, Hassan Sunny has been a symbol of longevity in the local game. As his 18th season in the Singapore Premier League draws to a close, the 41-year-old has not put a date to when he intends to retire. 'I have never wanted to stop playing football... My stance has always been to uphold my name. I wouldn't want people to say that Hassan is old, and therefore, he is not performing. It is important that I maintain my level of performance,' said the Albirex Niigata goalkeeper. In June 2023, midway through an SPL title-winning campaign with Albirex, Hassan extended his contract until the end of the 2025-26 season. He will be 42 by the end of his contract, surpassing other veteran goalkeepers who played in the Singaporean top flight, such as David Lee (retired at 41) and having already eclipsed the likes of Shahri Rahim (39), Amos Boon (38) and Rezal Hassan (37). Hassan, who announced his international retirement in 2024 after becoming the most-capped Lions custodian with 115 appearances, added: 'I believe I can still contribute. So, I am not thinking about retirement. My job is to help the club and contribute to whichever team I am playing for. ' But even the goalkeeping stalwart admitted that the season has been 'a very long one', having played in 28 of Albirex's 30 SPL matches and conceded 62 goals in their first full campaign as a local club. 'It's not where we want to be in terms of the league table... I'm not saying it's a success, but from where we were at the start of the season, right at the bottom of the table... I would say it's good progress,' he said. With two games left, Albirex will be aiming to secure fifth place in the nine-team table. After snapping a five-game winless run by defeating third-placed Geylang International 4-1 on May 11, they are just a point above a resurgent Brunei DPMM. Albirex coach Keiji Shigetomi, who replaced the sacked Kazuaki Yoshinaga in July, admitted that it has been a challenging campaign. 'But the team pushed through under tough circumstances,' he said, ahead of their match against Tanjong Pagar United at the Jurong East Stadium on May 16. 'It's also been a difficult period for our fans, but I hope we can all finish the season on a positive note together.' Also hoping for a good end to the campaign is Tanjong Pagar coach Noh Alam Shah. The Jaguars will end the season with the wooden spoon, but he believes their recent improved showings have not come too late. The former national striker, who took the reins in December, said: 'They are just starting to understand how the playing style is supposed to be, but it's good because at least they understand now, then we can start focusing on next season.' This will be Albirex's last home game of the season and Hassan has rallied his teammates. 'We spoke among each other and we were saying that these are the last two games we will play together... Let's cherish these moments... and end the season well,' he said. Since his last international appearance in June 2024 – a 3-1 loss to Thailand in a World Cup qualifier in which his heroics enabled China to qualify for the next round at the Thais' expense – his fame has spread in China. Washington-based United Sports Football Club, whose founder is a former assistant coach of the China national women's team, invited him to participate in mentorship sessions with their young goalkeepers from April 28 to May 5. The club play in the fourth-tier United Premier Soccer League. Thanking Albirex for allowing him to go on the trip, which included a luncheon with World Cup 2026 ambassador Cliff McCrath, Hassan said it was an eye-opener as he gained new experiences. He will hope to pass on those insights to his teammates ahead of next season , where he believes that with 'a good balance of quality foreign and local players,' the club can compete for top honours once again . Brunei DPMM v BG Tampines Rovers (May 17, 8.15pm, Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium) Having extended their SPL unbeaten run to seven matches (five wins, two draws), sixth-placed DPMM will be aiming to leapfrog Albirex by beating Tampines at home for the second time this season, following a 3-2 win in September. Tampines, meanwhile, have won five of their last six SPL matches and have secured second spot behind champions Lion City Sailors. Young Lions v Hougang United (May 19, 7.45pm, Jalan Besar Stadium) The Young Lions, who have already avoided the wooden spoon for the first time since 2020, lost 2-1 to third-placed Geylang at the Jalan Besar Stadium on May 15. While they took the lead through Kan Kobayashi in first-half injury time, the Eagles hit back through Rio Sakuma (68th minute) and Ryoya Taniguchi (90th) to extend the Young Lions' winless run to nine league games. Their season-ending clash against seventh-placed Hougang United at the same venue will now be a dead rubber. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shoplazza Sponsors Hassan Sunny's Seattle Visit, Empowering Youth Through Soccer and Technology
SEATTLE, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- United Sports FC, with the support of Singapore Global Network (SGN), East West Bank USA, and global e-commerce platform Shoplazza, successfully hosted Hassan Sunny, former Singapore national team goalkeeper and current player for Albirex Niigata Singapore FC, in Seattle, Washington. From April 28 to May 5, Hassan participated in a week-long series of youth soccer activities, including free clinics, charity events, and mentorship sessions designed to inspire the next generation of soccer players. As one of the most influential and inspiring footballers for Asian soccer fans, Hassan Sunny brought both experience and passion to the field. He earned his first international cap for the Singapore National Team two decades ago, has made 115 international appearances, and was named to the 2020 AFF Championship Team of the Tournament. His excellence between the posts earned him a ranking as the 18th best goalkeeper in the world by The Daily Telegraph. In 2023, his standout performance—making 11 crucial saves against Thailand—helped China narrowly advance to the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers, sparking a surge in popularity across the Chinese-speaking world. During his Seattle visit, Hassan led hands-on training sessions, engaged in coaching workshops, and shared his professional journey through a path to pro discussion with United Sports FC founder Ye Tian, league officials, and FIFA ambassador. His special guest appearance in a United Sports FC match not only energized the crowd and promoted the men's team in the Premier Soccer League, but also served as a meaningful gesture to connect professional football with the next generation of young players in the local community. The initiative reflects Shoplazza's ongoing commitment to supporting youth development and cross-cultural engagement through technology. As a leading global e-commerce platform, Shoplazza empowers brands and organizations with tools to grow digitally while fostering meaningful social impact. "Youth sports build more than just skill — they shape confidence, discipline, and connection," said a Shoplazza spokesperson. "We're proud to support Hassan's journey and help provide a platform for young talent to thrive." In addition, United Sports FC's official fanware store was recently launched using the Shoplazza platform, offering the club a robust e-commerce solution to better engage its growing fanbase. The collaboration showcases the potential of digital tools in advancing community-focused sports organizations. About United Sports FC United Sports FC is a non-profit, full-service soccer club primarily based in Bellevue, Washington. Founded by Ye Tian, the former Chinese national women's football coach, United Sports FC is dedicated to providing a direct pathway and comprehensive support services for aspiring soccer players. With over 20 years of professional experience in Super League and international football coaching, Ye Tian brings a wealth of expertise to the club, helping young athletes achieve their dreams. About Shoplazza Shoplazza is a leading Canadian e-commerce platform empowering global businesses to build, launch, and grow their online stores. With a robust omnichannel infrastructure, Shoplazza simplifies how merchants connect with customers across online, in-store, and social channels. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Shoplazza Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
