33 BUT 'I'M AT MY BEST'

Safuwan grateful his career is heading the right way again after multiple injuries

- David Lee

Being able to put on a Singapore shirt again has extra significance for defender Safuwan Baharudin, who was a late inclusion in the Lions' 26-man Asean Championship squad.

Even as he retains his fierce competitive spirit at 33 – having amassed 115 caps and 13 international goals – his perspective has changed after several head injuries put his football career on the line.

The Selangor defender first suffered a cerebral concussion after colliding with an opponent in a Malaysia Super League (MSL) match against PJ City in May 2021.

After more knocks on the head, including one against Sabah in June 2022, he was diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury and was ruled out for the rest of that season and the 2022 Asean Championship, also known as the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup.

Although he recovered to play for Negeri Sembilan and rejoined Selangor in 2023, he was out of the national fold for 17 months as he could not get clearance from the Football Association of Singapore's medical team.

The green light finally came following an observation period, allowing him to put on a Lions jersey again in November 2023 in a 5-0 World Cup qualifying loss to South Korea in Seoul.