Sahil Suhaimi

Mohamad Sahil bin Suhaimi (born 8 July 1992) is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a forward or midfielder for Singapore Premier League club Tanjong Pagar United and the Singapore national team. He was best known for outstanding performances during his time at LionsXII.

Club career Young Lions Sahil Suhaimi made his S.League debut as a 17-year-old against Étoile FC in 2010 as a midfielder and impressed against the more physical French side but National Service restricted further appearances.

Breakthrough During the 2012 Inaugural Nexlions Cup in December 2012, the then 20-year-old Sahil made appearances for Singapore U23 against Liverpool's and Manchester United's U23 teams, where he scored the team's only goal in their tournament against Manchester United. Despite rumours of Warriors FC scouting Sahil during the tournament, the Courts Young Lions signed Sahil while Warriors FC signed Sufian Anuar from LionsXII instead.

It proved to a breakthrough for Sahil as he impressed after signing for the Courts Young Lions during the football season in 2013. Even during friendlies, Sahil scored in both games against Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta'zim who boasted a side with former Italian, Spanish and Malaysian internationals, in both home and away games which ended 1–1 for the Young Lions. Throughout the 2013 S.League season, Sahil impressed with his flair, technical ability, dribbles and his willing attitude to pressure opposing defenders."

LionsXII Having impressed during the 2014 S.League Season, Sahil was signed up to the LionsXII for the 2015 Malaysian Super League Season. He made his competitive debut as a substitute in the opening game of the season and scored with a brilliantly taken freekick. On 28 February 2015, Sahil then went on to notch a brace in the LionsXII's opening game of the 2015 Malaysia FA Cup, after coming as a half-time substitute, to help the Lions win 4–0 against Kedah United and send the Singaporean outfit into the Round of 16. The Lions then went on to win the 2015 Malaysia FA Cup in a 3–1 win against Kelantan in the finals, where Sahil had scored the final two goals during the 82nd and 92nd minute. Sahil managed to score 7 goals (4 from the Malaysia FA Cup and 3 in league matches) in 26 appearances for the LionsXII, despite making most of his appearance from the substitute bench.

Geylang International In December 2015, after the disbandment of LionsXII, Sahil joined Geylang International for the 2016 S.League season. He scored his first goal for the Eagles in a 1–1 draw against Brunei DPMM.

Tampines Rovers Sahil has signed for Tampines Rovers for the 2017 S.League season but was not registered in the club S.League squad, but only for the 2017 AFC Cup squad as he was in negotiations with overseas clubs when the Stags finalised their roster for the league campaign.

Trials at Burnley On 8 April 2017, Sahil joined Burnley of the English Premier League for a month long training stint which he became the third Singaporean to train with an English Premier League club after Lionel Lewis and Shahril Jantan.

Sarawak FA After returning from England, on 23 May 2017, Sahil secured a move to Sarawak FA as one of their foreign players ahead of the 2017 Malaysia Super League season playing alongside former Tampines Rovers striker, Mateo Roskam. He made 12 appearances for the Borneo club, scoring two goals in the process. On 15 July 2017, He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 defeat to Johor Darul Ta'zim.

Warriors FC On 6 February 2018, Sahil joined Warriors FC making 51 appearances for the club.

Hougang United On 6 January 2020, Sahil joined Hougang United. During the 2022 AFC Cup group stage match, he scored a brace against Laos club, Young Elephants in a 3–1 victory. In the 2022 Singapore Cup 1st leg of the semi-finals fixture, he scored a brace against league champions, Albirex Niigata (S) which Sahil went on to win the 2022 Singapore Cup with Hougang in their first ever piece of silverware in the club history.

Tanjong Pagar United After being out of contract for nearly 6 months, Sahil joined Tanjong Pagar United on 14 June 2024. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 lost against Young Lions on 22 June.

International career

Youth During the 2013 SEA Games, Sahil played a key role as the Singapore U23 team won the Bronze, and finished as joint top scorers in the tournament.

Sahil was once against selected to play for Singapore U23 in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games. Coach Aide selected him as part of the squad along with stars Irfan Fandi. However, he disappointed throughout the tournament only managing to find the net once against Cambodia in a breakaway, as Singapore were knocked out in the group stages after losing 0–1 to Indonesia and Myanmar 1–2. He had also missed several opportunities notably against Philippines in a 2–0 win which one of the effort was saved and had 2 shots hit the bar, several slightly over the bar.

Senior Sahil earned his first international cap against Laos on 10 October 2013, as a substitute in the second half after Singapore national team head coach, Bernd Stange was impressed with Sahil's performance in the 2013 S.League season.

On 6 September 2014, Sahil scored his first international goal against in a friendly match against Papua New Guinea at the Hougang Stadium.

Sahil was also included in the 2022 VFF Tri-Nations Series tournament against Vietnam and India on 21 and 24 September.

Career statistics Club

. Caps and goals may not be correct.

Young Lions and LionsXII are ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in their respective leagues. Career total excludes LionsXII matches.

International caps

International goals Scores and results list goal tally first. No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition1 6 September 2014 Hougang Stadium, Hougang, Singapore 1–0 2–1 Friendly

U23 International goals No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 2 December 2013 Hougang Stadium, Singapore 6–0 Won International Friendly 2 8 December 2013 Zayyarthiri Stadium, Myanmar 1–1 Draw 2013 SEA Games 3 10 December 2013 Zayyarthiri Stadium, Myanmar 1–0 Won 2013 SEA Games 4 13 December 2013 Zayyarthiri Stadium, Myanmar 2–0 Won 2013 SEA Games 5 6 August 2014 Al-Ahli Stadium, Qatar 3–2 Won International Friendly 6 13 December 2014 Hwaseong Stadium, South Korea 3–3 Draw 2014 Asian Games 7 8 June 2015 Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore 3–1 Won 2015 Southeast Asian Games

Statistics accurate as of match played 5 March 2014

Honours

Club Hougang United Singapore Cup: 2022

International Singapore Southeast Asian Games: Bronze Medal: 2013