Football
Jason Dasey 7y

Hassan Sunny eyes Asian Cup success, buoyed by Thailand stint

Singapore national goalkeeper Hassan Sunny says the experience of playing in Thailand has made him a better person, as well as a better player, as he aims to appear in his first-ever Asian Cup.

Hassan returned to the S.League at the start of 2017, joining Home United, after two seasons with Army United in the Premier League of Thailand.

He is expected to wear the gloves for Singapore, getting the nod ahead of Tampines Rovers' Izwan Mahbud, when they begin their third-round campaign away to Bahrain on March 28.

"Two years in Thailand has made me a better player, a better goalkeeper and a better person," Hassan told ESPN FC. "The intensity level is very high. Coming back here, my hope is to share with the boys and share my experience with them."

Last month, Hassan had a short trial with Japanese third-division side Gainare Tottori, playing in a practice game against South Korea's Incheon United in Osaka.

The 32-year-old would be open to another move within Asia, but, for the time being, is focusing his energies on Home United and Singapore's quest to play in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in United Arab Emirates.

Thank god for the win and most importantly the 3 points. #adidassg #adidasfootball #homeunited #redgalaxy

A post shared by Hassan Sunny (@hassansunny18) on

He says that the Lions will have no excuses if they aren't able to book their place through qualifiers over the next 12 months.

"To be honest, [our group] is not a group of death," he said. "We've faced tougher challenges, tougher teams.

"With Bahrain, Chinese Taipei and Turkmenistan, we definitely have an easier group compared to what we faced years ago. It all starts with Bahrain and, hopefully, we can get a result there."

While Hassan says that his return to the S.League has been smooth, he does miss the big crowds of Thailand. Football is on a high in the kingdom, with the Thais winning a record fifth AFF Suzuki Cup crown last December, while also performing well in 2018 AFC World Cup qualifying against the big guns of Asia.

"I was playing S.League for more than 11 years before this, so it's not that difficult to adapt," he said. "It's just that quick transition. In Thailand, it's a lot more about football atmosphere. Here, it's more that if we perform, fans will come."

Hassan has won 62 caps since 2004, and was named 2014 S.League Player of the Year after his former club, Warriors FC, won that year's domestic title.

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