Both Irfan and Ikhsan have established themselves as key players for club and country.
The brothers, 25 and 23 respectively, who both play for top-tier Thai side BG Pathum United, most recently became the first Singaporeans to reach the Asian Champions League quarter-finals.
“(I want to) just continue to bring the family name up. Ikhsan, Irfan have been doing it well, so I just want to continue to do that as well.”
And Ikhsan, who is a striker, is one of the people Ilhan turns to for advice. “He tries to watch me or he watches the highlights and things like that. I will say: ‘Ix, how was my running today … how can I improve?’” Ilhan explained.
In an international friendly against Malaysia in March, Irfan and Ikhsan started for Singapore, with the latter scoring twice. Later in the game, Ilhan came off the bench to play up front with Ikhsan.
Being able to don the Lions’ jersey together has been something the two used to discuss as kids, Ilhan said.
“Even before I got to the national team, (Ikhsan would say): ‘Ilhan if you get to the national team, imagine I partnered you and things like that’,” he explained.
For now, Ilhan has set his sights on getting more minutes and starting consistently for the Lions.
“My goal is to play for the national team obviously, maybe partner Ikhsan up top, we don’t know. I know it will be a tough challenge to battle with him for the striker’s position. But I know brothers are brothers, but on the pitch, we have to fight for our own spots,” noted Ilhan.
OUT OF HIS COMFORT ZONE
The move to Albirex was one that Ilhan thought long and hard about. But at the end of the day, it was the “best option”, he explained.
“I wanted to try to test myself and get out of my comfort zone because I just felt I was a bit too comfortable at Young Lions. So I needed a new challenge. And I thought Albirex, the interest they showed in me and what they wanted to do and how they wanted to help me, matched what I wanted to do,” he explained.
Given that he hopes to one day play abroad, learning how to adapt to a new environment was important for Ilhan.
“If I go to Europe or anywhere in the world, it will be sort of similar because I’m not familiar with the surroundings and things like that,” he explained.
But despite the new surrounds, Ilhan has been embraced with open arms during his time with the White Swans.
“I’ve been enjoying my time here, couldn’t ask for more. And the players … since day one, they’ve been so welcoming and welcomed me like I’m part of the family. Since then, I’ve been clicking with everyone,” he noted.
“I think what you do off the pitch also affects what you do on the pitch.”
Ilhan believes that he has grown as a footballer and as a professional during his short time with the club so far.
“(Being here) has helped me with adding some areas which I didn’t think I had – like the running in behind. I was too stagnant, just wanting the ball to my feet but now I’m changing up a bit, things like that. Knowing the striker’s role a bit more,” he said.
“I’ve been working on these curved runs. I’m not used to that … Nowadays I’m mixing it up a bit – runs in behind and dropping deep. Those types of things. And I think it’s been working really well for me, but still a lot to go.”
While scoring goals is important, Ilhan is focused on turning in good performances.
Take his masterful hat-trick against Balestier Khalsa earlier this season – which included an acrobatic bicycle kick. Most would have been satisfied with the match ball, but not Ilhan.
“I was just really happy to get my hat-trick and things like that, but at the same time I just felt that game – yes I scored a hat-trick, but my performance wasn’t up to (the) mark – I could have got a bit more and things like that,’ he explained.