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Success
Stories
SingaCup had been consistently, the highlight of many SingaCup alumni's youth football journey. For many it was their first, and often, the only international football tournament they had ever participated in.
But for a select few, they graduated beyond youth and amateur football - embarking onto the journey towards becoming heroes for their local town, city, state or even their country - in a legendary chase towards their football dreams.
We constantly try our best to track the footballing career of these dream chasers... and a few eventually achieved footballing success. These are extraordinary stories that more people should know about. We want to highlight these individuals, to celebrate their success and share their journey: and become an inspiration to other SingaCup alumni and future players of the SingaCup.
Wuttichai "Bell" Sooksen 
SingaCup 2012 Boys U18 MVP Award Winner
Youth Football Home Phuket (2012) (2013)
last updated October 2020
Local Name: วุฒิชัย สุขเสน
Birthday: 16 September 1995 (25 y.o)
Nationality: Thailand
Position: Midfielder
Current Team: Patong City FC (Joined Sept 2020)
Former Teams:
Krabi FC
Watbot City
Lampang FC
Songkhla United
Osotspa M-150 FC
Phuket FC
Thailand U23 National Team
Thailand U21 National Team
Thailand U19 National Team
Under the watchful eyes of his mentor and coach Hannu Tuukkanen, 16yrs old (2013) Wuttichai “Bell” Sooksen has grown and flourished into a polished player.
Having impressed the panelists at SingaCup 2012 where the Boys U-18 MVP Award winner inspired his team, Phuket Youth Football Home (YFH) U-18 to finish as first runner-up behind German European School, the young Thai player was invited to train with Schalke 04 (GER) U-17 and U-19 teams. Jens Keller, Head Coach for Schalke 04 first team was so impressed with Bell during the 2 weeks training stint in year 2012 that he extended a second invitation to the young midfielder to train again with the German team in October 2013.
“Bell has a superb fitness and he could understand and adapt to different type of training methods despite the language barrier. Obviously, there must be a reason why I am inviting him back for training at one of the top clubs in Europe,” said Jens. In fact, Jens is not the only coach full of praises for Bell. Former Germany’s legend and World Cup winner, Uwe Bein has also compliments for the gifted young midfielder.
In 2014, Bell signed his first professional contract with Osotspa M-150 FC after playing for the Thailand National Team’s U19 and U21 squads.
Continuing his professional career with various different teams, the 25 years old joined Thailand's T3-South club, Patong City FC in September 2020. And his story continues...
SingaCup 2012 U18 MVP Award Winner (Photo: Junpiter Futbol)
Wuttichai Sooksen (back row, first on the right) with his team, YFH Phuket at SingaCup 2013. (Photo: Junpiter Futbol)
Patong City FC welcomes Wuttichai Sooksen (photo: Patong City FC)
Marketing Shot of Wuttichai Sooksen in May 2019 for Teamgrand
(Photo: Teamgrand Facebook Page)
Wuttichai Sooksen promoting Teamgrand's football boots in January 2019. He was playing for Lampung FC when this shot was taken. (Photo: Teamgrand Facebook Page)
Bell in action for the Thailand U23 National Team.
(Photo: Brainiac Management Facebook Page)
Wuttichai challenging for a ball during his time at Phuket FC.
(Photo: FC Phuket Photo Facebook Page)
Paolo Gabriel Alilam 
Ateneo De Manila U18s (2011)
last updated October 2020
Birthday: 1996 (24 y.o)
Nationality: Philippines
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Current Team: -
Former Teams:
Ateneo Blue Eagles (Ateneo De Manila University)
Agila MSA FC
Philippines U19 National Team
Philippines U16 National Team
Philippines U14 National Team
Born with a great athletic physique and pace, Paolo Gabriel R. Alilam represented Ateneo De Manila University U-18 as a Midfielder/Striker in SingaCup though he was only a 15yrs old in year 2011. As an excellent offensive minded player, Paolo poses a constant threat to all teams especially with his killer pass from midfield.
Paolo at a young 14yrs old had already caught the attention of the Philippines National Youth Team coach Reff Cauaresma. He represented Philippines U-14, U-16 and currently U-19 in various international competitions such as AFF U-16 Football Youth Championship in 2011. This young man also received professional training at Elite Football Academy in England in 2015. He continues to play a vital role in the Blue Eagles until his graduation from the University.
Paolo graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Entrepreneurship. Whether his footballing story will continue, remains to be seen...
Paolo Alilam (first row, 2nd from the left) in their team photo with Ateneo De Manila U18s for the Inaugural SingaCup (2011). (Photo: SingaCup)
Paolo Alilam one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the match against the German European School (Singapore) at SingaCup 2011. (Photo: SingaCup)
Paolo Gabriel Alilam in the Blue Eagles colors.
Paolo Alilam was rated the "Top 10 UAAP Hottie" in 2017 by Juan-Republic.com (photo: Twitter@SinglesOfAteneo)
Paolo celebrating at a match for the Ateneo De Manila football team.
(Photo: Trendrr.net)
Paolo celebrating a goal with his team mate at the UAAP 79 season.
(Photo: TieBreakerTimes.com.ph)
Paolo shrugging off his marker in a match during the UAAP 78 Season (2016). (Photo: TieBreakerTimes & Troy Medina)
Ikhsan Fandi Ahmad 
SingaCup 2011 Boys U14 MVP Award Winner
Fandi Ahmad Academy (2011)
last updated October 2020
Birthday: 9 April 1999 (21 y.o)
Nationality: Singapore
Position: Forward
Current Team: FK Jerv (Joined Oct 2020)
Singapore National Team: 18 Appearance (8 Goals)
Former Teams:
Raufoss IL
Young Lions
Home United
Universidad Católica
A.C. Barnechea
Hércules CF
National Football Academy
Singapore U23 National Team
Singapore U22 National Team
Ikhsan Fandi, son of famous Singapore’s football legend Fandi Ahmad, represented FAA U-12 in SingaCup 2011.
Ikhsan is a natural goalscorer with a cool head and good technical skills. Together with his elder brother, Irfan Fandi, both of them received glowing reviews from European club scouts and coaches after they impressed at AC Milan's junior football camp in Malaga, Spain when Ikhsan was just 8yrs old. During Ikhsan’s stint at Milan camp, he showed off his predatory instincts by scoring 10 goals in just two matches! Because of that, Ikhsan was also invited to various top clubs’ academy for training in Europe as well as in South America.
Ikhsan also represented Singapore Youth in the Asian Youth Games in China in August 2013 and then spent 2 years in Chile at the youth academy of Chilean first division club Universidad Católica, after failing to sign for Hércules due to visa issues. Ikhsan then returned to Singapore and join Home United while serving his National Service (NS) in the Singapore Army. But due to NS obligations, Ikhsan only appeared in 4 matches with no goals.
Ikhsan joined the Young Lions in 2017, in what would be his first professional contract and scored his first professional goal in May 2018 against Hougang United. He would go on to score 7 more goals in his 2nd season at the Young Lions. Ikhsan made his international debut in a friendly match against Hong Kong in August 2017 and scored his first international goal in his 5th match for the Lions in an international friendly against Mauritius.
In early 2019, Ikhsan made headlines as he signed with Raufoss IL of the Norwegian First Division, making him the first Singaporean to play in Europe in 30 years. After 40 matches and 7 goals, Ikhsan secured a late transfer to FK Jerv just before the transfer window closed, with a contract until 2022.
And his story continues...
SingaCup 2011 U14 MVP Award Winner. He was only 12 years old when he played at SingaCup's U14 category. (Photo: SingaCup)
Ikhsan Fandi (Back row, 4th from the left) with his team that would be come the eventual runner-ups at the Inaugural SingaCup in 2011, Fandi Ahmad Academy. (Photo: SingaCup)
Ikhsan Fandi (Right) with his brother, Irfan Fandi, in LV Men's Prefall 2018 promotional shoot. (Photo: Ikhsan Fandi Instagram / LV / Anton)
Marketing shot of Ikhsan with Adidas VRCT Jacket in Sept 2019. (Photo: Ikhsan Fandi Instagram / Adidas)
Ikhsan's promotional shoot for Adidas football boots in 2018. (Photo: Ikhsan Fandi Instagram / Adidas)
Ikhsan in action for the Raufoss IL in 2019. He is the first Singaporean to play in Europe after 30 years. He ended his stint at the Norwegian 2nd Tier League club with 40 appearances and 7 goals.
(Photo: Ikhsan Fandi / TheStraitsTimes)
Ikhsan has since became the premier striker for the Singapore National Team. (Photo: Junpiter Futbol)
Ikhsan kissing the Merlion Cup which Singapore beat Thailand in the finals, with Ikhsan scoring the only goal in the game. (photo: Ikhsan Fandi Instagram)
