Baihakki Khaizan

Baihakki Khaizan
Baihakki bin Khaizan (born 31 January 1984) is a Singaporean former footballer who last played as a centre-back for Singapore Premier League club Tampines Rovers and the Singapore national team. Baihakki is known to be one of the best defenders in the Southeast Asia region during his time as a footballer. He had piled his career playing in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Along with Khairul Amri, Shahril Ishak and Hassan Sunny, Baihakki was in the pioneer batch of the National Football Academy in 2000.
Club career
Geylang United
An ever-present for Singapore so far, Baihakki rise to prominence has been an extremely swift one. He is recognised as one of the best centre-backs in the region with his tough tackling no nonsense approach often putting fear into opposition forwards. In the National Football Academy age-group squads, he caught the eye with his 1.9m stature, instinctive confidence and composure at the back.
Signing on with Geylang United in 2003, Baihakki took the 2003 S.League Young Player of the Year award in his debut S.League season. After learning his craft alongside former Singapore international Lim Tong Hai, a player he considers a big influence
Young Lions
In 2004, the lanky defender then moved to Young Lions ahead of the 2004 S.League season and captained the team throughout the season. Baihakki nearly missed out playing for the 2007 S.League season after MINDEF refused to release him to play as he was serving National Service. However, he got the green light after a few games into the season.
Returned to Geylang United
In 2008, he return to his previous club but again, his army conscription clashed with his football career, and thus he missed the first few games of the new season for his new team, Geylang United.
Career in Indonesia
In September 2009, Khaizan agreed terms with Indonesia Super League side, Persija Jakarta, along with his Singaporean compatriot, Mustafic Fahrudin to join them before the 2009–10 Indonesia Super League started in October. During his first season, he managed to score 3 goals in 39 appearances.
In a controversial decision, Baihakki left Persija Jakarta for fierce rivals, Persib Bandung at the end of the 2009-10 Indonesia Super League season. At Persib Bandung, he linked up with his Singaporean compatriot, Shahril Ishak, who also signed for the Indonesian club. Baihakki's stint at Persib was cut short as he was released from the club after 6 months.
On 16 February 2011, Baihakki signed a two-year deal with Medan Chiefs worth approximately US$300,000, along with Shahril Ishak, who was also released by Persib.
Return to Singapore
Baihakki returned to Singapore with newly formed team, LionsXII, that was competing in the Malaysia Super League. He scored their first ever goal in their league debut against Kelantan FA on 10 January 2012. Baihakki went on to win his first Malaysia Super League title with LionsXII during the 2013 Malaysia Super League season.
Johor Darul Ta'zim
In 2014, Baihakki signed a four-year contract with Malaysian Super League team, Johor Darul Takzim. After a series of unimpressive performances, he was de-registered from the squad on 18 April 2014 and replaced with Marcos Antonio Elias Santos.
Loan to LionsXII
Baihakki rejoined LionsXII on loan in May 2014. As part of his release, he would not face former club Johor Darul Ta'zim in their upcoming league fixture.
Return to Johor Darul Ta'zim
Baihakki returned to Malaysia and made his Johor Darul Takzim II debut in the 2015 Malaysia Premier League season.
Warriors FC
Baihakki joins Warriors FC to play in the S.League for the 2017 campaign together with the Singapore captain, Shahril Ishak. Following the end of the season, Baihakki was not offered a contract extension and was left without a club and was reportedly considering his options with offers from several clubs within the region.
Trials in Saudi Arabia
He went for a trial with Saudi Arabian second-tier side, Jeddah Club after he was set up by his agent while on an Umrah pilgrimage trip with his family. After impressing in a 5-day trial, Baihakki was offered a 4-month contract by the Saudi side until the end of the season.
Career in Thailand
After declining to play in the Middle East, Baihakki was offered a contract to play with Kuala Lumpur FA. However, a last minute deal was offered to him to play in the Thai League 1 and on 26 January 2018, he signed a contract with 4 time-league winner, Muangthong United ahead of the 2018 season.
After signing with Muangthong United, On 5 February 2018, Baihakki was immediately loaned out to Thai League 2 side, Udon Thani. He scored his first goal in a 3–0 victory against Thai Honda FC, becoming the first Singaporean to score in the Thai league.
On 11 January 2019, Baihakki signed a one-year deal with newly promoted club Thai League 1 club Trat. He has racked up two goals and an assist in his first 13 games for the club.
On 3 January 2020, Baihakki signed for 2019 Thai League Cup winners PT Prachuap for the 2020 Thai League 1 season.
Tampines Rovers
After 2 years in Thailand, Baihakki returned to Singapore to inked an 18-month deal with Tampines Rovers on 14 June 2020. Under the terms of the contract, Baihakki would play for free this season, should the 2020 Singapore Premier League resume after being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 5 December 2020, Baihaikki scored his first goal for the club in an Eastern Derby as he scored a header in the 80th minute of the match against his former club, Geylang International to levelled the score in a 1-1 draw at Our Tampines Hub.
On April 3, 2021 in a fixture against Hougang United at the Hougang Stadium, Baihakki was sent off after receiving a second yellow in the seventieth minute from a soft push on Tomoyuki Doi. The free-kick conceded by him was ultimately scored by Shafiq Ghani as Tampines went on to lose 5-1. On 25 June 2021, he make his AFC Champions League debut against 2020 J1 League runners-up, Gamba Osaka in which they lost the match 2-0. He went on to play all six of the group stage match against 2020 K League 1 champions and 2020 Korean FA Cup winners, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Thailand club, Chiangrai United with all the match being played at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
On 1 February 2022, Baihakki announced his retirement from competitive football.
International career
He made his debut for the Singapore against Hong Kong on 4 August 2003. On 15 December 2004, Baihaikki scored his first goal for his country in a 2-0 win against Cambodia in the 2004 AFF Championship.
He was part of the team that won the Tiger Cup in 2005 and the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship. Then captain of the Under-23 team, he led the Young Lions out for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in Philippines and also won a bronze medal for the 2007 edition in Korat, Thailand. He lifted the Suzuki Cup in December 2012, after scoring the eventual winner in the first leg. Singapore went on to beat Thailand 3–1 on aggregate.
Baihakki reached his milestone 100th cap in a friendly match against China on 6 September 2013. He was inducted into the FIFA Century Club in December 2013.
In March 2019, Baihakki announced his retirement from international football after amassing 134 caps for the Lions, but he came back from retirement for the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. He played for the Lions in a 2–2 draw against Yemen on 5 September 2019. He played his last final match for Singapore on 11 June 2021 against Saudi Arabia at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. Baihakki has amassed 142 caps for his country.
Outside football
Baihakki opened his interior design and renovation company in April 2013. He launched his second business, a spa, in March 2014.
Personal life
Baihakki's father, Khaizan bin Muhammad, died when he was three. He has an elder sister and a younger brother.
Baihakki is married to Norfasarie Mohd Yahya, a Singaporean flight attendant, actress and singer. They had been engaged since 1 April 2007. He has two sons and two daughters.
Baihakki is featured in eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 alongside his Singapore teammate Hariss Harun. He will be the third Singaporean to be featured in a video game after Safuwan Baharudin in FIFA 15.
Related activities
After announcing his retirement on 1 February 2022, Baihakki also announced he had taken new roles with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS). He became the Lead of Special Projects and ambassador with FAS.
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.
International
International goals
Score and Result list Singapore's goal tally first
|-
| 1. || 15 December 2004 || Lạch Tray Stadium, Haiphong, Vietnam || || || || 2004 AFF Championship || 2004 AFF Championship
|-
| 2. || 9 December 2008 || Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia || || || || 2008 AFF Championship || Indonesia vs. Singapore (0:2)
|-
| 3. || 19 December 2012 || Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore || || || || 2012 AFF Championship ||
|-
| 4. || 13 November 2014 || Yishun Stadium, Yishun, Singapore || || || || Friendly || Singapore vs. Laos (2:0)
|-
| 5. || 31 March 2015 || Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore || || || || Friendly || Singapore vs. Guam - 31 March 2015 - Soccerway
|}
Honours
Club
LionsXII
Malaysia Super League: 2013
International
Singapore
AFF Championship: 2004, 2007, 2012
Southeast Asian Games Bronze Medallist: 2007
Individual
S.League Young Player of the Year: 2003
Malaysia Football League Best Defender: 2013
ASEAN Football Federation Best XI: 2013
AFF Championship All-time XI
Notes
International caps milestones
105th – Jordan, 4 February 2014
See also
List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
References
External links
1984 births
Living people
Singaporean men's footballers
Singapore men's international footballers
Geylang International FC players
Singapore Premier League players
Singaporean expatriate men's footballers
Expatriate men's footballers in Malaysia
Singaporean expatriate sportspeople in Malaysia
Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. players
Malaysia Super League players
Expatriate men's footballers in Indonesia
Singaporean expatriate sportspeople in Indonesia
Persija Jakarta players
Persib Bandung players
Liga 1 (Indonesia) players
Indonesian Premier Division players
FIFA Men's Century Club
LionsXII players
Singaporean people of Malay descent
Men's association football central defenders
Young Lions FC players
Udon Thani F.C. players
Footballers at the 2006 Asian Games
Footballers at the 2014 Asian Games
SEA Games bronze medalists for Singapore
SEA Games medalists in football
Competitors at the 2007 SEA Games
Asian Games competitors for Singapore