Hanif Farhan Azman
{{short description|Bruneian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Malay name|Hanif Farhan|Azman}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Hanif Farhan
| fullname = Muhammad Hanif Farhan bin Azman
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|11|2|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Brunei
| height =
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = DPMM FC
| clubnumber = 4
| youthclubs1 = PIP
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs2 = Tabuan Muda
| youthyears2 = 2017–2018
| years1 = 2017–2018
| caps1 =
| goals1 = 6
| clubs1 = Tabuan Muda 'A'
| years2 = 2018–2019
| caps2 =
| goals2 = 2
| clubs2 = Kasuka
| years3 = 2019
| caps3 =
| goals3 = 1
| clubs3 = DPMM II
| years4 = 2020–
| caps4 = 48
| goals4 = 4
| clubs4 = DPMM
| nationalyears1 = 2017–2018
| nationalcaps1 = 11
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalteam1 = Brunei U19
| nationalyears2 = 2019
| nationalcaps2 = 8
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalteam2 = Brunei U23
| nationalyears3 = 2020–
| nationalcaps3 = 12
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalteam3 = Brunei
| club-update = 23 May 2025
| ntupdate = 11 June 2025
| image = Hanif Farhan Azman - 53690009472.jpg
| caption = Hanif with DPMM in 2024
}}
Soldadu (U) Muhammad Hanif Farhan bin Azman (born 2 November 2000) is a Bruneian professional footballer who plays for DPMM FC of the Malaysia Super League and the Brunei national team as a midfielder.{{cite web |title=AFF U18 CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 FINAL REGISTRATION|url=https://www.aseanfootball.org/results/Final_Registration_AFFU18_Championship_2017.pdf|date=|publisher=ASEAN Football Federation|accessdate=10 March 2020}}
Club career
Farhan started his football development with Tabuan Muda, the youth team assembled by the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) for international tournaments.{{cite web |title=TABUAN MUDA A EDGE INDERA SC FOR FIRST WIN OF SEASON|url=https://www.brusports.com/2017/05/14/tabuan-muda-a-edge-indera-sc-for-first-win-of-season/|date=14 May 2017|publisher=BruSports News|accessdate=10 March 2020}} He was placed in the 'A' team that played in the 2017–18 Brunei Super League, finishing sixth in the league with a personal record of six goals from left midfield.{{cite web |title=Tabuan Muda in the hunt for a top 6 finish|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/tabuan-muda-in-the-hunt-for-a-top-6-finish/|date=30 January 2018|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020}}
Farhan signed for Kasuka FC in the first half of the 2018–19 season, along with fellow Young Wasp compatriots Hanif Aiman Adanan, Adi Shukry Salleh and Alinur Rashimy Jufri.{{Cite instagram |user=kasukafc |date=26 October 2018|postid=BpSCCLmBYdR |title=Name: Muhd Hanif Farhan Bin Azman|access-date=24 June 2025}}{{cite web |title=Kasuka FC climb to second place with emphatic win|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kasuka-fc-climb-to-second-place-with-emphatic-win/|date=12 January 2019|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020}} He scored his first goal for Kasuka on his debut in an 11–0 demolition of Setia Perdana FC on 28 October 2018.{{cite web |title=Setia Perdana suffer 11-0 defeat to Kasuka|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/setia-perdana-suffer-11-0-defeat-to-kasuka/|date=30 October 2018|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020}} He added to his tally two months later in a 1–1 draw with MS PDB.{{cite web |title=Kasuka FC draw level with MS PDB|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kasuka-fc-draw-level-with-ms-pdb/|date=25 December 2018|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020}}
When DPMM FC held tryouts for a secondary team to play in the domestic league, Farhan grasped the opportunity and as a result was signed for the 2019 Brunei Premier League.{{cite web |title= Contract Signing Ceremony with DPMM FC Players|url=http://www.rtbnews.rtb.gov.bn/Lists/News%202019/DispForm.aspx?ID=13151&ContentTypeId=0x010048A86AB48F01E14898931A1E07921275|date=6 January 2019|publisher=Radio Television Brunei|accessdate=10 March 2020}}{{cite web | url-access=limited |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/378353025591413/2157375237689174 |archive-date = 2022-04-27| url = https://www.facebook.com/BruneiSuperLeague/photos/a.378574028902646/2157375237689174/ |title = Brunei Football on Facebook |website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}{{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}} He scored the winning goal against Rainbow FC on 19 February to propel DPMM towards the championship at the expense of Tabuan Muda.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC set for Premier League title in debut season|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-set-for-premier-league-title-in-debut-season-2/|date=20 February 2019|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020}} They were crowned as Brunei Premier League champions on 26 February after a 1–1 draw with said rivals.{{cite web|title=DPMM FC crowned Premier League champs|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-crowned-premier-league-champs/|date=27 February 2019|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020|archive-date=5 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305144638/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-crowned-premier-league-champs/|url-status=dead}} In the Brunei FA Cup however, they were unceremoniously dumped at the round of 16 by Kota Ranger FC, despite Farhan getting in the scoresheet.{{cite web |title=Kota Ranger book last eight berth after Esmendy winner|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kota-ranger-book-last-eight-berth-after-esmendy-winner/|date=13 March 2019|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020}}
At the start of 2020, head coach Adrian Pennock invited Farhan for trials with the first team and was largely impressed by what he saw.{{cite web |title=Hanif Farhan set to sign contract with DPMM FC|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/hanif-farhan-set-sign-contract-dpmm-fc/|date=11 February 2020|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020}} A month later, Farhan signed a contract to play for the main squad to compete in the 2020 Singapore Premier League, while converted into a central midfield role for his tenacity.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC INK NEW DEALS WITH PLAYERS AND SPONSORS|url=https://www.brusports.com/2020/02/11/dpmm-fc-ink-new-deals-with-players-and-sponsors/|date=11 February 2020|publisher=BruSports News|accessdate=10 March 2020}} He debuted on the starting eleven in DPMM FC's first match of the season at home to Tampines Rovers on 6 March, emerging victorious with a 2–0 score.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC register perfect start in title defence|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-register-perfect-start-in-title-defence/|date=7 March 2020|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020}} It would be the only match DPMM would play for their 2020 season before withdrawing from the competition due to traveling issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 4 July 2021, Farhan scored his first senior DPMM goal in a 15–0 victory over Rimba Star FC.{{cite web|title=DPMM FC cruise to emphatic victory|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-cruise-to-emphatic-victory/|date=5 July 2021|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=5 July 2021|archive-date=15 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615163228/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-cruise-to-emphatic-victory/|url-status=dead}} A year later, Farhan obtained a FA Cup winner's medal when his team claimed victory over Kasuka FC in the final of the 2022 Brunei FA Cup.{{cite web |title=Crown Prince joins group photo session with DPMM FC|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/crown-prince-joins-group-photo-session-with-dpmm-fc/|date=6 December 2022|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=6 December 2022}} On 25 June 2023, Farhan scored his first Singapore Premier League goal in a 6–0 win against Young Lions at Jalan Besar Stadium.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC enjoy biggest win of the season|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-enjoy-biggest-win-of-the-season/|date=25 June 2023|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=25 June 2023}}
International career
=Youth=
Farhan travelled with Tabuan Muda for the September 2017 AFF U-18 Youth Championship tournament held in Myanmar.{{cite web |title=National U18 Team to use AFF championship as platform for exposure|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/national-u18-team-to-use-aff-championship-as-platform-for-exposure/page/9696/|date=5 September 2017|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020}} The Young Wasps made a good start by beating the Philippines 3–2,{{cite web |title=Brunei beat the Philippines in AFF Under-18 Championship Opener|url=http://www.nfabd.org/press-release/2017090502.htm|date=5 September 2017|publisher=National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam|accessdate=10 March 2020}} but would lose heavily in subsequent matches against Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia.{{cite web |title=Brunei return from AFF Under-18 Championship|url=http://www.nfabd.org/press-release/2017091501.htm|date=15 September 2017|publisher=National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam|accessdate=10 March 2020}} A month later the same squad embarked for South Korea for the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship qualification matches, placed with Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia and Timor-Leste.{{cite web |title=AFC U19 TEST FOR BRUNEI IN SOUTH KOREA|url=https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/afc-u19-test-brunei-south-korea/|date=29 October 2017|publisher=ASEAN Football Federation|accessdate=10 March 2020}} Brunei at that time only managed one point after a 2–2 draw with Timor-Leste.{{cite web |title=Brunei ends AFC U-19 run on a positive|url=http://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-ends-afc-u-19-run-on-a-positive/|date=9 November 2017|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020}}
In June 2018, Farhan was in the Tabuan Muda squad for the 2018 AFF U-19 Youth Championship, hosted by Indonesia.{{cite web |title=BRUNEI TO COMPETE AT AFF U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP IN INDONESIA|url=https://www.brusports.com/2018/06/30/brunei-to-compete-at-aff-u-19-championship-in-indonesia/|date=30 June 2018|publisher=BruSports News|accessdate=10 March 2020}} The team eventually placed last in their group. Farhan was the provider of the only Brunei goal in the tournament in their last game, scored by Rahimin Abdul Ghani in a 7–1 loss to Myanmar.{{cite web |title=Brunei under-19 team arrive from AFF meet|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-under-19-team-arrive-from-aff-meet/|date=10 July 2018|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=10 March 2020}}
Farhan's next excursion with the Young Wasps was to Vietnam for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship qualification in late March 2019. He was a substitute in their opening match against the hosts which finished 6–0.{{cite web |title=AFC U-23 CHAMPIONSHIP THAILAND 2020: VIETNAM 6 - 0 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM|url=http://stats.the-afc.com/match_report/14579|date=|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|accessdate=11 March 2020}} He made the starting eleven for the other two matches against Thailand and Indonesia that also ended in defeats.{{cite web|title=Brunei miss late penalty in dramatic end to AFC U-23 meet|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-miss-late-penalty-in-dramatic-end-to-afc-u-23-meet/|date=27 March 2019|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=11 March 2020|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327050946/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-miss-late-penalty-in-dramatic-end-to-afc-u-23-meet/|url-status=dead}} Towards the end of the same year, he was selected for the 30th SEA Games football tournament in the Philippines.{{cite web |title=Brunei athletes for 30th SEA Games|url=https://www.brusports.com/2019/11/21/brunei-athletes-for-30th-sea-games/|date=21 November 2019|publisher=BruSports News|accessdate=11 March 2020}} He played four games overall in a pretty forgettable tournament for Brunei, being sent off for two bookable offences against Singapore in the last group match.{{cite web |title=Singapore end SEA Games campaign with 7-0 win over Brunei|url=http://www.fas.org.sg/singapore-end-sea-games-7-0-win-brunei/|date=6 December 2019|publisher=Football Association of Singapore|accessdate=11 March 2020}}
= Senior=
File:Indonesia-Brunei 17 October 2023 (Players) 55.jpg
In October 2020, he was selected for the Brunei national football team for the first time.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC duo earn first call-ups|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/2020/10/dpmm-fc-duo-earn-first-call-ups/|date=15 October 2020|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=16 October 2020}} He made his unofficial Brunei debut in a 1–3 defeat to Sabah FC on 6 September 2023.{{cite web |title=Royalty grace football friendly|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/royalty-grace-football-friendly/|date=7 September 2023|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=7 September 2023}} His first cap came when he was a second-half substitute in a 0–6 defeat at the hands of Indonesia at the second leg of the 2026 World Cup qualification matches held in Bandar Seri Begawan on 17 October 2023.{{cite web |title=Timnas Indonesia Bantai Brunei 6-0, Melaju di Kualifikasi Piala Dunia|url=https://www.cnnindonesia.com/olahraga/20231017203952-142-1012526/timnas-indonesia-bantai-brunei-6-0-melaju-di-kualifikasi-piala-dunia|date=17 October 2023|publisher=CNN Indonesia|accessdate=23 October 2023}} He made two further appearances for the Wasps at the 2024 FIFA Series held in Saudi Arabia against both Bermuda and Vanuatu.
In June 2024, Farhan played the whole 180 minutes in two friendly matches against Sri Lanka held in Bandar Seri Begawan.{{Cite instagram |user=fa.bruneidarussalam |date=8 June 2023|postid=C79Ak8bSoIB |title=Starting XI for Brunei Darussalam|access-date=13 June 2024}}{{Cite instagram |user=fa.bruneidarussalam |date=11 June 2023|postid=C8Eu7XhyG1E |title=Starting XI for Brunei Darussalam|access-date=13 June 2024}} The Wasps claimed 1–0 victories in both matches.{{cite web |title=Brunei beat Sri-Lanka 1-0 in international friendly|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-beat-sri-lanka-1-0-in-international-friendly/|date=12 June 2024|publisher=DPMM FC|accessdate=12 June 2024}} Later in early September, he was selected for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup play-offs for the qualification round against Macau in a two-legged affair. He made two appearances, starting the match in the second leg away in Taipa where Brunei won 1–0 on the night and 4–0 on aggregate, making them progress to the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualification.{{cite web |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/news/qualifiers_brunei_darussalam_book_spot_in_style.html|title=Qualifiers: Brunei Darussalam book spot in style|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=10 September 2024|accessdate=10 September 2024}} A month later, he took the field twice against Timor-Leste at the 2024 ASEAN Championship qualification, but this time the Wasps failed to advance to the tournament proper, losing 0–1 on aggregate.{{cite web |title=Timor-Leste qualify for ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024|url=https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/timor-leste-qualify-for-asean-mitsubishi-electric-cup-2024/|date=15 October 2024|publisher=ASEAN Football Federation|accessdate=18 October 2024}}
Farhan was selected to go to Qatar in March 2025 for the first fixture of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification, against group favourites Lebanon who have to play their home games in a neutral venue.{{cite web |title=National team announced ahead of Asian Cup qualifiers|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/national-team-announced-ahead-of-asian-cup-qualifiers/|date=17 March 2025|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=27 March 2025}} He made the starting lineup in midfield supporting Abdul Hariz Herman and Azwan Saleh.{{Cite instagram |user=fa.bruneidarussalam |date=25 March 2025|postid=DHoYusuSFZu |title=Here’s the Brunei starting XI for tonight’s clash against Lebanon! Kick-off is at 2:30 AM Brunei time.|access-date=27 March 2025}} The Wasps were defeated by a score of 5–0 to their Middle Eastern opposition.{{cite web |title=Group B: Lebanon 5-0 Brunei Darussalam|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/news/group-b-lebanon-5-0-brunei-darussalam|date=26 March 2025|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|accessdate=27 March 2025}}
In June 2025, Farhan made the starting lineup for both the friendly against Sri Lanka held in Thailand and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification fixture against Bhutan.{{Cite instagram |user=fa.bruneidarussalam |date=5 June 2025|postid=DKgxZbSBw9s |title=Here are the starting XI for Brunei Darussalam vs Sri Lanka — kick off in just 1 hour!|access-date=11 June 2025}} Although going down 1–0 at Bangkok,{{cite web |title=Sri Lanka wins against Brunei 1-0|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/sri-lanka-wins-against-brunei-1-0/|date=6 June 2025|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=11 June 2025}} the Wasps rallied to a 2–1 victory at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium where Farhan assisted the first goal for Nazirrudin Ismail as the set-piece taker.{{cite web |title=Match Report of Brunei Darussalam vs Bhutan - 2025-06-10 - AFC Asian Cup Qualification - Global Sports Archive|url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2025-06-10/brunei-darussalam-vs-bhutan/3587565/|date=|publisher=Data Sports Group|accessdate=11 June 2025}}
Honours
DPMM
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|muhammad-hanif-farhan-bin/653403}}
- {{Sofascore|muhammad-hanif-farhan-bin-azman/1652074}}
{{Brunei DPMM FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hanif Farhan Azman}}
Category:Bruneian military personnel
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Bruneian men's footballers
Category:Brunei men's international footballers
Category:Competitors at the 2019 SEA Games
Category:SEA Games competitors for Brunei