When it rains, it pours at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, it seems. Following Seiji Saito’s departure from Singapore Armed Forces FC, Hassan Sunny has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a reoccurrence of a right knee injury which he sustained last year while donning Tampines’ colors in the AFC Cup.
The Singapore international, who is currently on a three year contract with the Warriors will undergo a surgery on Tuesday, 17 April 2012. This is a big blow to SAFFC who have not been in good form in the S-League. News of Hassan’s injury will not be pleasant for Singapore head coach Radojko Avramovic especially in a year where the Lions look to shrug off years of mediocre results by recapturing the ASEAN crown at December’s AFF Suzuki Cup.
“I tore my meniscus during a training session and after going through a scan, it was diagnosed as a grade-two tear, which is a partial tear, in the medial cruciate ligament. However, tests have also revealed that my anterior cruciate ligament was gone,” said Hassan.
Hassan may be down at the moment, but he is definitely not out. There is plenty of optimism in the 26 year-old goalkeeper.
“The doctors advise that I get reconstruction surgery done now rather than later. I have already gone through this once, and I believe that I will come back strong than ever,” he vowed.
Hassan believes that his absence from the year’s Suzuki Cup squad will not affect Singapore’s chances. He believes that LionsXII goalkeepers Hyrulnizam Juma’at and Izwan Mahbud, both his close friends off the pitch, have got what it takes, to help the Lions reclaim the title they last won in 2007.
“Hyrulnizam and Izwan have been doing very well at the moment, and they will do well for Singapore. They have shown what they are capable of, so far in the Malaysian Super League campaign, and it is very good to see healthy competition for the number one jersey,” said Hassan.
“I will have to miss this one, but there is no doubt that I will come back stronger to fight for the number one spot in the team once I recover” he said.
The recovery process will become Hassan’s number one priority now, and he has already spoken to administrators at Temasek Polytechnic (TP) where he is currently taking a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, to allow him to defer his studies.
“TP is very nice to allow me to defer my studies after I explained to them just how important this second recovery process is to me. I am very thankful that they have agreed,” Hassan said.
Another man, whom Hassan is thankful towards is SAFFC head coach, Richard Bok.
Said Hassan: “Richard has been very supportive, he told me to forget about this season, focus on my recovery, and come back stronger next year.”
