The thunderous roar at True BG Stadium told the tale as more than 4,000 spectators erupted when returning BG Pathum striker Ikhsan Fandi headed past Cebu FC goalkeeper Rami Jeridi in the 77th minute, sealing a 2–0 win.
Taking just all of one minute to make his impact and ignite the fans, Ikhsan added yet another goal to take his tally to five goals in six games since being recalled from his loan to Ratchaburi.
“I’m on a good run right now, I’m confident. I think it has been going well, but I just want to stay consistent and keep training and recovering well. I hope to score more goals and win more games,” said the striker, who also opened up his ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) account with his effort.
Fellow substitute and player of the match Kritsada Kaman’s long-range strike put the Rabbits ahead in the 55th minute as Pathum clinched their second win in the group stage of the ACC on Wednesday (Jan 28) night.
The victory lifted the Thai side into second spot, a point behind Malaysia’s Selangor FC.
Post-match, Pathum head coach Masatada Ishii shed light on his masterstroke to reunite with the Singaporean striker.
“I have been following his performance in the first half of the season, and he has shown very good performances at Ratchaburi. We had a conversation with the club management, and we mutually agreed to bring him back. It was a good move,” the Japanese tactician said about the striker’s haul of seven goals in 12 games for the Dragons, despite only being afforded 505 minutes across his loan spell.
“I feel like everything happens for a reason. I questioned the move as well, but with the opportunities given at Ratchaburi, I managed to do something with it. I took it positively and went there with an open mind… And now I’m back at BG, and I just aim to do the same thing.
“It’s my job to score goals, and I love helping the team. I just want to keep it up and to showcase Singapore talent and show that we have good players.”
And his goalscoring exploits of late have been nothing short of a revelation, reaffirming the club’s decision to bring him back as they head into the business end ot the season.
“I think the team just wanted to reinforce the attack. And I’m happy that it’s paid off. It was a good move by them to bring me back. And I just want to continue to help and score. It’s not the end of the season yet. I still have a long way to go. So I hope I can keep this up, keep scoring goals, keep winning games, and help the team as much as possible.
“I’m very familiar with all the players here… chemistry is already there. And the coach likes playing direct, running in behind, holding up play, and heading. I feel like I fit into the team well.”
Speaking on the fans’ hearty welcome after he entered the pitch, the striker added, “I really enjoyed that. I haven’t heard that in a while. And even though it’s a Wednesday night, and not a full house, when I came on, and I heard my name, and I felt really happy to hear their cheers.
Getting back among the goals has only fuelled Ikhsan’s hunger, with the forward now looking ahead as he targets the “personal and team goals” he set for himself in the second half of the season.
His next opportunity to do so will come just three days later as Pathum takes on Chiangrai United in the league on Saturday (Jan 31) evening.
