This was the sense of disbelief Singapore’s national team goalkeeper Hassan Sunny experienced when he first learnt that he had been named among the world’s top 20 goalkeepers by The Telegraph.
The British daily published the list on Wednesday (April 13), ranking Hassan 18th alongside top goalkeepers from Europe’s top leagues such as Arsenal’s Petr Cech, Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer and England No. 1 Joe Hart.
”When I initially saw it (the article), I thought it was some kind of joke. But then I looked closely and realised it was by a famous UK newspaper and just kept silent for a while before I told my wife.
“It started to sink in after I received a couple of messages from my friends and coaches,” Hassan told Singapore’s Today newspaper.
In 2014, Hassan was also the only goalkeeper to ever win the “Player of the Year” award in Singapore’s S. League, the same season he clinched the title with Warriors FC.
He then joined Thai Premier League side Army United FC in 2015 and was the No. 1 for the league’s team of the season.
“It’s an honour to be rated among the best in the world and it’s a truly unbelievable feeling.
“I saw Joe Hart and Manuel Neuer on the list, and felt lost for words because they are two of my heroes.
“I admire them for their consistency and ability to bounce back strongly from any howlers or mistakes,” Hassan was quoted as saying.
Hassan has amassed more than 80 caps for Singapore’s national team and spent most of his career in the S. League before making his way to Thailand last year.
The list published by The Telegraph featured 20 of the best goalkeepers from around the world, with Germany’s No. 1 Manuel Neuer clinching top spot and Spaniard David De Gea coming close in second.
“The only goalkeeper in our top 20 to have never played in Europe.
“However, that doesn’t mean the achievements of Hassan Sunny who has represented Singapore more than 80 times at the international level – should be ignored.
“Recovered from an uncharacteristic howler in the AAF Championship final against Malaysia to reassert himself as one the finest Asian talents with a superb 2015,” an excerpt from the article on Hassan Sunny read.
Other prominent figures include Juventus’ long-serving legend Gianluigi Buffon (3), Bercelona’s Claudio Bravo (6) and Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois (8).