Hassan Sunny

Hassan bin Abdullah Sunny (born 2 April 1984), better known as Hassan Sunny, is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Singapore Premier League club Albirex Niigata (S) and the Singapore national team. He has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Southeast Asia history.

In 2016. UK based The Daily Telegraph ranked him #18 on its list of the world's top 20 goalkeepers. Hassan admitted to The Straits Times that he originally thought that it was a late April Fools joke.

Hassan is the first and only player in the Singapore Premier League history to win four league titles with four different clubs.

Geylang United
In 2003, Hassan joined Geylang United from the National Football Academy and quickly cemented his spot in the first team, earning the S.League Young Player of the Year nomination for his performances for them in the League.

Young Lions
In 2004, Hassan joined the newly created team Young Lions alongside Baihakki Khaizan, Shahril Ishak and Khairul Amri. Where he is part of the 'NFA Gang of Four', which has played together since their early teenage years.

Geylang United
After completing his compulsory National Services in 2006, Hassan returned to Geylang United where he became the main choice goalkeeper at the club.

Tampines Rovers
In January 2008, Hassan joined Tampines Rovers which is the rival club of Geylang Unite. He make his club debut on 1 March 2008 in a 1–1 draw against Balestier Khalsa.

On 10 March 2011, Hassan made his 100th appearances for the club in a league match against Tanjong Pagar United. He is the part of the team that won the 2011 S.League and the 2011 Singapore Community Shield in that season.

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

Hassan would than make his AFC Cup debut against Indonesian club Semen Padang in a 3–1 lost 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.

Hassan brilliant performances in the 2014 S.League season helped Warriors FC win the league title. He also became the first goalkeeper to win the S.League 'Player of the Year' award in 2014.

Army United
Hassan joined Army United for the 2015 Thai Premier League season. He made his debut in a 1–0 win over Royal Thai Navy. After a series of games in good form Hassan excelled in a surprising 1–0 away win at Suphanburi, handing the latter side their first home defeat of the 2015 season as well as giving Hassan man-of-the-match award. After the game, Suphanburi player Jakkaphan Pornsai said Hassan's performance was the main reason Suphanburi lost the match. In November 2015, Hassan signed a new two-year contract with the club. He excelled so much so that British newspaper The Telegraph placed him 18th in their list of top 20 goalkeepers worldwide in 2016 alongside top goalkeepers such as Petr Čech, Manuel Neuer and David De Gea. He is ranked higher than England’s Jack Butland (#19) and Cameroon’s Carlos Kameni (#20). In December 2016, after the relegation of Army United from Thai League 1, Hassan Sunny was released from the team, ending two years of service at the Thai club.

Home United
Following his release from the Thai League side, Hassan signed for S.League side Home United on 6 January 2017 where he was named as the club captain for the 2017 season.

Gainare Tottori trials
On 10 February 2017, Hassan linked up with Japanese third-tier (J3) club, Gainare Tottori, to get a taste of professional football in Japan. He played for Gainare in two friendlies during the brief stint. A snowstorm delayed the team's arrival at Osaka from their Gainare base some 200 km away by several hours, however, despite minimal preparation, Hassan did not appear affected and he played about 70 minutes of the Tottori 3–3 draw with top-tier South Korean side Incheon United at the J-Green Sakai training facility. Hassan added he was encouraged by the positive feedback he received from head coach Ryuzo Morioka and the club's goalkeeper coaches.

Return to Army United
After the end of 2017 S.League season, Hassan re-signed for Army United in December 2017 and will play for them in the 2018 Thai League 2 season. He made his second debut for 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. On 30 June 2019, Hassan made his 100th appearances for the club in a 2–1 win over Kasetsart.

Lion City Sailors
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 sheet in 11 matches before the league got halted with the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a match against Balestier Khalsa on 8 August 2021, Hassan was substituted after suffering an injury from a collision with teammate Jorge Fellipe. The collision ultimately led to Šime Žužul opening the score for Balestier Khalsa though the Sailors were able to salvage a point through Stipe Plazibat. Hassan went on to win the 2021 Singapore Premier League title with the club.

On 19 February 2022, Hassan helped the Sailors win the 2022 Singapore Community Shield. During the club 2022 AFC Champions League group stage campaign, He kept 3 clean sheets in 6 matches where he 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 season at the club.

Albirex Niigata Singapore
On 16 December 2022, Albirex Niigata Singapore announced the signing of Hassan on a 2-years contract until 2024. Its his 6th club in the Singapore Premier League. On 8 June 2023, Hassan 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 thus becoming the first and only player in the league history to win the league titles with 4 different clubs which also leads him to win the Golden Gloves with 9 clean sheets in the league.

Youth
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 first appearance for Singapore came in August 2003 when the young keeper replaced Rezal Hassan at half-time in a friendly against the Japan Olympics team.

Hassan fine display at the 2007 SEA Games helped the Singapore U23 squad win the bronze medal – their first SEA Games medal since 1995.

Senior
Hassan had to wait until 18 February 2004 for his first cap for 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, due to his poor performances in the 2007 Merdeka Tournament with the U23 team, he was dropped for the friendly against UAE and Jasper Chan was called up in his place.

On 14 June 2008, Hassan performed extremely well in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Saudi Arabia, but Singapore lost the match 3–0. On 28 July 2008, Hassan played the first half as part of a Singapore Selection side in a friendly match against the Brazil Olympics Team and made outstanding saves against Diego and Alexandre Pato shots, letting in only 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 which is surprisingly the national day of the country in a goalless draw against Hong Kong. On 14 October, he captained Singapore against in a 2–2 draw against Macau.

On 13 June 2016, Hassan was chosen as the starting goalkeeper against two times 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.

Media headlines in Indonesia and Singapore for his renowned performances
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 of Irfan Jaya. The Lions lost 4–2 in the end but Hassan received applause from both home and away fans for his heroic duties where he ended the rivalry between both Indonesia and Singapore. He was voted in 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 heroic penalty save denying Wu Lei scoring from the spot. Singapore went on to complete a 2–2 comeback at the end.

Media headlines in China
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Thailand where the opponents were one goal short from qualifying to 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 impressive 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. He was also mobbed by fans during a family trip to Shanghai following the game.

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

Style of play
During his time with Army United in Thailand, Hassan earned a reputation as a talented goalkeeper, who possessed significant athleticism, as well as strong reflexes, shot-stopping abilities, distribution and as well as his foot-work, positioning between the posts. He has also stood out for his penalty-saving abilities. In spite of his reserved character, he has been highly regarded for his strong personality, calm composure under pressure, ability to organise his defence and leadership from the back throughout his career, as well as his reading of the game.

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

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. Singapore president Tharman Shanmugaratnam also praised Hassan for his performances 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. Hassan said he would be donating the money already sent to charity as it did not belong to him; he stated that we was "doing his part for the community".

Hassan fans from China also went to watch the 2024–25 Singapore Premier League match between both Albirex Niigata (S) and Young Lions on 16 June 2024, in which he participated. After the game, 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 children's football club HiKicker Youth FC. According to Lianhe Zaobao, one of the malls had to deploy additional security guards to maintain order due to an overcrowding of fans.

On 15 June 2024, Chinese cryptocurrency exchange company HTX announced that it had appointed Hassan as their "chief safeguarding officer".

Personal life
According to an interview he gave in November 2007, Hassan only started playing football competitively when he was 11, captaining his school, May Primary School. He later went on to represent Braddell Secondary School football team as well. 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. 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.

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

Hassan owns two nasi padang stalls, both named Dapur Hassan, in Tampines, Singapore; he opened his first stall with his family in October 2021. On 22 August 2023, he opened his second stall outlet at 144 Tampines Street 12 while his flagship stall presently sits at 872C Tampines Street 86.

Club

 * Young Lions is ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in their respective leagues.

Tampines Rovers

 * S.League: 2011
 * Singapore Community Shield: 2011

Warriors

 * S.League: 2014
 * Singapore Cup: 2012

Lion City Sailors

 * Singapore Premier League: 2021
 * Singapore Community Shield: 2022

Albirex Niigata (S)

 * Singapore Premier League: 2023
 * Singapore Community Shield: 2023

International

 * AFF Championship: 2004, 2007
 * Southeast Asian Games Bronze Medal: 2007

Individual

 * S.League Golden Gloves: 2009
 * Singapore Premier League Golden Gloves: 2023
 * S.League Player of the Year: 2014
 * 2020 AFF Championship: Team of the Tournament