Baihakki Khaizan

Baihakki bin Khaizan (born 31 January 1984) is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Singapore Premier League club Tampines Rovers FC and the Singapore national team.

Baihakki Khaizan

Baihakki Khaizan playing against Home United FC in a Charity Drive Match on 11 January 2014.
Personal information
Full name	Baihakki bin Khaizan
Date of birth	31 January 1984
Place of birth	Singapore
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Club information
Current team	Tampines Rovers
Number	14
Youth career
2000–2002	National Football Academy
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003	Geylang United	20	(1)
2004–2007	Young Lions	98	(7)
2008–2009	Geylang United	46	(4)
2009–2010	Persija Jakarta	30	(0)
2010–2011	Persib Bandung	9	(0)
2011–2012	Medan Chiefs	20	(1)
2012–2013	LionsXII	31	(4)
2014	Johor Darul Ta'zim	10	(1)
2014	→ LionsXII (loan)	2	(0)
2015–2016	Johor Darul Ta'zim II	52	(3)
2017	Warriors	15	(0)
2018	Muangthong United	0	(0)
2018	→ Udon Thani (loan)	20	(1)
2019	Trat	26	(2)
2020	PT Prachuap	2	(0)
2020–	Tampines Rovers	4	(0)
National team^‡
2003–	Singapore	139[1]	(5)
Honours Men's football Representing  Singapore Sea Games Sea Games 2007 Football Asean Football Championship Winner AFF Suzuki Cup 2004 2004 Winner AFF Suzuki Cup 2007 2007 Winner AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 2012
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22 November 2019 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 November 2019

Club career

Along with Khairul Amri, Shahril Ishak and Hassan Sunny, Baihakki was in the pioneer batch of the National Football Academy in 2000.[2] He started his professional career with Geylang United in 2003.

He has previously played for S.League clubs Young Lions.

An ever-present for Singapore so far since 2004, Baihakki Khaizan's rise to prominence has been an extremely swift one. He is recognised as one of the best centre backs in the region with his tough tackling no nonsense approach often putting fear into opposition forwards. In the National Football Academy age-group squads, he caught the eye with his 1.9m stature, instinctive confidence and composure at the back.

S. League career

Signing on with Geylang United in 2003, Baihakki took the Young Player of the Year award in his debut S.League season. After learning his craft alongside former Singapore international Lim Tong Hai – a player he considers a big influence – that year, the lanky defender then moved to the Young Lions in 2004 and captained them in the S.League.

He nearly missed out playing for the 2007 S-League season after MINDEF refused to release him to play as he was serving National Service. However, he got the green light after a few games into the season. In 2008, again, his army conscription clashed with his football career, and thus he missed the first few games of the new season for the team that he newly joined, Geylang United.

Persija Jakarta

In September 2009, Khaizan agreed terms with Indonesia Super League side, Persija Jakarta, along with his Singaporean compatriot, Mustafic Fahrudin to join them before the 2009–10 Indonesia Super League started in October. During his first season, he managed to score 3 goals in 39 appearances.

Persib Bandung

In a controversial decision, Baihakki left Persija Jakarta for fierce rivals, Persib Bandung at the end of the 2009-10 Indonesia Super League season. At Persib Bandung, he linked up with his Singaporean compatriot, Shahril Ishak, who also signed for the Indonesian club. Baihakki's stint at Persib was cut short as he was released from the club after 6 months.[3]

Medan Chiefs

On 16 February 2011, Baihakki signed a two-year deal with Medan Chiefs worth approximately US$300,000, along with Shahril Ishak,[4] who was also released by Persib.

LionsXII

Baihakki returned to Singapore with newly formed team, LionsXII, that was competing in the Malaysia Super League. He scored their first ever goal in their league debut against Kelantan FA on 10 January 2012.[5] Baihakki went on to win his first Malaysia Super League title with LionsXII during the 2013 Malaysia Super League season.

Johor Darul Takzim

Baihakki Khaizan signed a four-year contract with Malaysian Super League team, Johor Darul Takzim.[6] After a series of unimpressive performances, he was de-registered from the squad on 18 April 2014 and replaced with Marcos Antonio Elias Santos.[7]

Return to LionsXII

Baihakki rejoined LionsXII in May 2014. As part of his release, he would not face former club Johor Darul Takzim in their upcoming league fixture.[8]

He will join Malaysia Premier League side Johor Darul Takzim II from 2015 for the remaining four years of his Johor contract.[7]

Johor Darul Takzim II

Baihakki returned to Malaysia and made his Johor Darul Takzim II F.C. debut in the 2015 Malaysia Premier League season.

Baihakki featuring for LionsXII in a 2012 game against Kuala Lumpur

Warriors

Baihakki returned to Singapore to play in the S.League for the 2017 campaign together with the Singapore captain, Shahril Ishak.[9] Following the end of the season, Baihakki was not offered a contract extension and was left without a club and was reportedly considering his options with offers from several clubs within the region. He went for a trial with Saudi Arabian second-tier side Jeddah Club after he was set up by his agent while on an Umrah pilgrimage trip with his family. After impressing in a 5-day trial, Baihakki was offered a 4-month contract by the Saudi side until the end of the season.[10]

Muangthong United

After declining to play in the Middle East, Baihakki was offered a contract to play with Kuala Lumpur FA. However, a last minute deal was offered to him to play in the Thai League 1 with 4 time-winner Muangthong United, in which he snubbed the newly promoted Malaysian Super League team.

Udon Thani (Loan)

After signing with Muangthong United, Baihakki was immediately loaned out to Thai League 2 side, Udon Thani. He scored his first goal in a 3–0 victory against Thai Honda FC, becoming the first Singaporean to score in the Thai league.

Trat FC

In January 2019, Baihakki signed a one-year deal with newly promoted club Thai League 1 club Trat. He has racked up two goals and an assist in his first 13 games for the club.[11]

PT Prachuap

Baihakki signed for 2019 Thai League Cup winners PT Prachuap F.C. for the 2020 Thai League 1 season.[12]

Tampines Rovers

Baihakki inked an 18-month deal with Tampines Rovers FC on June 14. Under the terms of the contract, Baihakki would play for free this season, should the SPL resume after being suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

International career

He made his debut for the Singapore against Hong Kong on 4 August 2003.[13]

He was part of the team that won the Tiger Cup in 2005 and the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship. Then captain of the Under-23 team, he led the Young Lions out for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in Philippines and also won a bronze medal for the 2007 edition in Korat, Thailand. He lifted the Suzuki Cup in December 2012, after scoring the eventual winner in the first leg. Singapore went on to beat Thailand 3–1 on aggregate.

Baihakki reached his milestone 100th cap in a friendly match against China on 6 September 2013.[2][14] He was inducted into the FIFA Century Club in December 2013.[13][note 1]

As of January 2018, Baihakki has amassed 129 caps for his country.[15]

In March 2019, Baihakki announced his retirement from international football after amassing 134 caps for the Lions.[11] He came back from retirement for the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.[16] He played for the Lions in a 2–2 draw against Yemen on September 5, 2019.

Personal life

Baihakki's father, Khaizan Muhd, died when he was three.[17][18] He has an elder sister and a younger brother.[19]

Baihakki is married to a Singaporean flight attendant, actress and singer, Norfasarie. They had been engaged since 1 April 2007. Their first child, Mika Bazil, a boy, was born on 24 April 2009. Their 2nd child, a girl named Moza Alyka, was born in April 2011.[20]

Baihakki opened his interior design and renovation company in April 2013.[2] He launched his second business, a spa, in March 2014.[21]

Baihakki is featured in eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 alongside his Singapore teammate Hariss Harun. He will be the third Singaporean to be featured in a video game after Safuwan Baharudin.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 29 Feb 2020. Caps and goals may not be correct.

Club	Season	S.League		Singapore Cup		Singapore League Cup		Asia		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Geylang United	2003	20	1	-	-	-	-	—		20	1
	Total	20	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	20	1
Young Lions	2004	??	??	-	-	-	-	—		??	??
	2005	??	??	-	-	-	-	—		??	??
	2006	??	??	-	-	-	-	—		??	??
	2007	??	??	-	-	-	-	—		??	??
	Total	98	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	98	7
Geylang United	2008	??	??	-	-	-	-	—		??	??
	2009	??	??	-	-	-	-	—		??	??
	Total	46	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	46	4
Club	Season	Indonesia Super League		Piala Indonesia		Indonesia League Cup		Asia		Total
Persija Jakarta	2019–2010	30	0	-	-	-	-	—		30	0
	Total	30	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	30	0
Persib Bandung	2010–2011	9	0	-	-	-	-	—		9	0
	Total	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
Medan Chiefs	2011–2012	20	1	-	-	-	-	—		20	1
	Total	20	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	20	1
Club	Season	Malaysia Super League		Malaysia FA Cup		Malaysia Cup		Asia		Total
LionsXII	2012[22]	16	2	0	0	10	0	—		26	2
	2013[23]	15	2	1	0	8	1	—		24	3
	Total	31	4	1	0	18	1	0	0	50	5
Johor Darul Takzim	2014	10	1	-	-	-	-	—		10	1
	Total	10	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	1
LionsXII (loan)	2014[24]	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		2	0
	Total	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Johor Darul Takzim II	2015	??	??	??	??	??	??	—		??	??
	2016	??	??	1	0	??	??	—		1	0
	Total	52	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	53	3
Club	Season	S.League		Singapore Cup		Singapore League Cup		Asia		Total
Warriors	2017	20	0	3	0	1	0	0	0	24	0
	Total	20	0	3	0	1	0	0	0	24	0
Club	Season	Thai League 1		Thai FA Cup		Thai League Cup		Asia		Total
Muangthong United	2018	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Udon Thani F.C.	2018	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Trat F.C.	2019	26	0	3	0	0	0	—		29	0
	Total	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Prachuap F.C.	2020	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Club	Season	S.League		Singapore Cup		Singapore League Cup		Asia		Total
Tampines Rovers	2020	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	1
	2021	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	1
Career total		318	21	2	0	18	1	0	0	338	22

• Young Lions and LionsXII are ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in their respective leagues.

International goals

Score and Result list Singapore's goal tally first[1]

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref
1.	15 December 2004	Lạch Tray Stadium, Haiphong, Vietnam	Cambodia	2–0	0–3	2004 AFF Championship	2004 AFF Championship
2.	9 December 2008	Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia	Indonesia	1–0	2–0	2008 AFF Championship
3.	19 December 2012	Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore	Thailand	3–1	3–1	2012 AFF Championship
4.	13 November 2014	Yishun Stadium, Yishun, Singapore	Laos	1–0	2–0	Friendly
5.	31 March 2015	Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore	Guam	2–2	2–2	Friendly

Honours

Club

LionsXII

• Malaysia Super League: 2013

International

Singapore

• ASEAN Football Championship: 2004, 2007, 2012
• Southeast Asian Games Bronze Medallist: 2007

Individual

• S.League Young Player of the Year: 2003
• Football Association of Malaysia Awards – Best Defender: 2013[25]

Notes

1. Baihakki earned his 104th cap against Syria on 15 October 2013.

• International caps milestones

• 105th – Jordan, 4 February 2014 "FIFA Century Club fact sheet" (PDF). FIFA. 10 March 2014.

References

1. Baihakki Bin Khaizan - Century of International Appearances
2. "Interview With Baihakki Khaizan". FAS. Archived from the original on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. LionsXII level 1–1 against Kelantan at half-time, The Straits Times
6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
7. Dan Guen Chin (21 April 2014). "Baihakki could be back with LionsXII". Today. p. 27.
8. Dan, Geun Chin (8 May 2014). "Baihakki back with LionsXII, Johor eyeing S-League". Today.
9. "Transfer to Warriors".
10. hermesauto (2 January 2018). "Football: Ex-Lions defender Baihakki Khaizan offered contract by Saudi club, could be first Singaporean to play in the Middle East". The Straits Times. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
11. Ganesan, Deepanraj (25 June 2019). "Baihakki Khaizan open to Lions recall after shining in Thailand". The New Paper. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
12. "OFFICIAL: Singapore international Baihakki Khaizan signs for 2019 Thai Cup Winners PT Prachuap". FOX Sports Asia. 4 January 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
13. "FIFA Century Club fact sheet" (PDF). FIFA. 11 December 2013.
14. "China put six past hapless Lions". Goal. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
15. "Bai set to sign for Saudi second-tier club". The New Paper. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
16. "Football: Baihakki Khaizan, 35, makes U-turn on international retirement to join Lions squad for World Cup qualifiers". The Straits Times. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
17. Ding, Eric (16 May 2005). "This one's for you, Dad". Today. p. 32.
18. Wang, Meng Meng (12 May 2013). "She raised 3 kids single-handedly". The Straits Times.
19. Jose Raymond (6 February 2002). "I'm ready for S-League, says eager youngster". Today. p. 33.
20. Netizens slam Malay celeb’s bare-belly photo Archived 15 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine, 8 August 2010
21. "Bai means business". The New Paper. 24 March 2014. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014.
22. "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2012 season". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
23. "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2013 season". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
24. "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2014 season". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
25. "Baihakki Khaizan wins "Best Defender" honour at FAM annual awards 2013". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2014.

External links

• Baihakki Khaizan on Twitter
• Baihakki Khaizan at National-Football-Teams.com