Nur Ikhwan Othman
{{short description|Bruneian footballer}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Malay name|Mohammad Nurikhwan|Othman| note = on}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nur Ikhwan
| fullname = Mohammad Nurikhwan bin Othman
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1993|01|15}}
| birth_place = Brunei
| currentclub = DPMM
| clubnumber = 19
| position = Defender, Midfielder
| height = {{height|m=1.72}}
| youthyears1 = 2010–2012
| youthclubs1 = Sports School
| years1 = 2010–2011
| clubs1 = Brunei Youth Team
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2012–2015
| clubs2 = Indera
| caps2 =
| goals2 = 16
| years3 = 2016–
| clubs3 = DPMM
| caps3 = 90
| goals3 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2012–2014
| nationalteam1 = Brunei U21
| nationalcaps1 = 11
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2012–2013
| nationalteam2 = Brunei U23
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2012–
| nationalteam3 = Brunei
| nationalcaps3 = 21
| nationalgoals3 = 2
| club-update = 26 May 2025
| ntupdate = 16 November 2024
| image = Nurikhwan Othman - 53977295005.jpg
| caption = Nur Ikhwan captaining Brunei in 2024
}}
Mohammad Nurikhwan bin Othman (born 15 January 1993) is a Bruneian professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for DPMM and the Brunei national team.
Club career
Nurikhwan attended Brunei's Sports School as a youngster and progressed enough to be a regular in the national youth team side that played in the Brunei Premier League II in 2010 and 2011.{{cite web |title=PIP dip into fountain of youth|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sport-national/2010/03/27/pip-dip-fountain-youth|date=27 May 2010|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=27 May 2015}} After the creation of the Brunei National Football League (precursor to the Brunei Super League) by the newly formed NFABD,{{cite web |title=Let football league begin!|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2011/12/03/let-football-league-begin|date=3 December 2011|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=27 May 2015}} the young prodigy chose Indera SC as his club, becoming league champions in 2012-13 and 2014.{{cite web |title=Indera SC repeat as champs|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2014/09/03/indera-sc-repeat-champs|date=3 September 2014|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=27 May 2015}}
Nurikhwan signed for professional side DPMM of the S.League in 2016 and made his debut in a 3–2 loss to Albirex Niigata (S) on 13 February.{{cite web|title=DPMM FC start season|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2016/02/13/dpmm-fc-start-season|date=13 February 2016|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=15 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223205538/http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2016/02/13/dpmm-fc-start-season|archive-date=23 February 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=S.League.com - Match Details|url=http://www.sleague.com/match-details/?id=SL/16-0001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222153903/http://www.sleague.com/match-details/?id=SL/16-0001|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 February 2016|date=13 February 2016|publisher=S.League|accessdate=15 February 2016}}
Nurikhwan was converted into a defender by new head coach Adrian Pennock in the 2019 season, mirroring his teammate Yura Indera Putera in doing so. On 6 July of that season, in the away game against Warriors FC, he was shown a straight red for felling Sahil Suhaimi in the penalty box and was adjudged by the referee to have denied the Singaporean a goal-scoring opportunity. This turned the tide to the home side's advantage and the game finished in a 3–3 draw.{{cite web |title=Pennock pleased with crucial point against Warriors|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/pennock-pleased-crucial-point-warriors/|date=8 July 2019|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=8 July 2019}}
Nurikhwan became a Singapore Premier League champion in September 2019 in his first season operating as a centre-back, his club also registering the joint-best defense in the league.{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/dpmm-spl-champions-as-hougang-stumble|title=DPMM SPL champions as Hougang stumble|publisher=The Straits Times|date=16 September 2019|accessdate=30 September 2019}}
Nurikhwan scored his first DPMM goal in the first fixture of the 2021 Brunei Super League against BAKES on 28 June 2021.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC stage grand return to action|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-stage-grand-return-to-action/|date=28 June 2021|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=28 June 2021}} With his team playing domestically for the third year in a row in 2022, he performed solidly against local opposition at the 2022 Brunei FA Cup, being awarded the Player of the Tournament after the final where his team won 2–1 against Kasuka on 4 December.{{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}}
Nurikhwan missed the entirety of 2023 due to injury but returned the next season partnering Yura in central defence after a long-term injury to Patrick Flottmann just two games into the season hampered the team and ultimately cost Rui Capela his job.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC defender Patrick Flottman ruptured his ACL. He will be missed for months.|url=https://www.dpmmfc.club/news/dpmm-fc-defender-patrick-flottman-ruptured-his-acl-he-will-be-missed-for-months-2856048.html|date=12 June 2024|publisher=DPMM FC|accessdate=1 May 2025}} His replacement Jamie McAllister adapted a 3-5-2 formation in the second half of the season and Nurikhwan performed well alongside Yura and Damir Muminovic as a result.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC confirms new head coach.Jamie McAllister|url=https://www.dpmmfc.club/news/dpmm-fc-confirms-new-head-coachjamie-mcallister-2860365.html|date=9 July 2024|publisher=DPMM FC|accessdate=1 May 2025}}{{cite web |title=DPMM coach hails team’s organisation and discipline|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-coach-hails-teams-organisation-and-discipline/|date=30 April 2025|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=1 May 2025}}
On 3 March 2025, Nurikhwan scored a header against Albirex Niigata (S) in a 3–1 win in the Singapore Cup.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC close in Singapore Cup qualification|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-close-in-singapore-cup-qualification/|date=7 March 2025|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=1 May 2025}} The following month, he netted his first Singapore Premier League goal in a 3–1 victory over Geylang International on 27 April.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC move up to sixth after Geylang win in Singapore Premier League|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-move-up-to-sixth-after-geylang-win-in-singapore-premier-league/|date=29 April 2025|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=1 May 2025}}
International career
Nurikhwan played with the Brunei Under-21s in the 2012 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy when the home side emerged as victors. He played every game and scored in the semi-final against Myanmar. He was made captain for the 2014 edition although his side failed to defend the title.
Nurikhwan's full international career began when he played the first half in a friendly against Indonesia on 26 September 2012.{{cite web |title=Hat-Trick Irfan Bachdim Hantam Brunei Darussalam|url=http://www.goal.com/id-ID/news/1387/nasional/2012/09/27/3405055/hat-trick-irfan-bachdim-hantam-brunei-darussalam|date=27 September 2012|publisher=Goal.com|accessdate=27 May 2015}} He played for the Wasps in the 2012, 2014 and 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying rounds. He was also poised to join the national team for the 2022 World Cup first-round qualifying but declared himself unavailable.{{cite web |title=Brunei national team set to miss nine key players|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-national-team-set-to-miss-nine-key-players/|date=4 June 2019|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=18 June 2019}}
Nurikhwan returned to the national team in September 2022 for the friendly matches against the Maldives and Laos.{{Cite instagram |user=bruneifootball |date=20 September 2022|postid=Ciuut9yJy0W |title=The Brunei Darussalam squad list for the upcoming international friendly games.|access-date=20 September 2022}} He started the match against the island nation on 21 September which ended in a 0–3 loss.{{cite web |title=Brunei lose to Maldives 3-0|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-lose-to-maldives-3-0/|date=22 September 2022|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=28 September 2022}} Later that November, he played at centre-back for both legs of the 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup qualifying against Timor-Leste held in Brunei.{{cite web |title=WASPS ON VERGE OF AFF CUP DREAM|url=https://www.brusports.com/2022/11/05/wasps-on-verge-of-aff-cup-dream/|date=5 November 2022|publisher=BruSports News|accessdate=9 November 2022}} The Wasps qualified for the Cup by winning 6–3 on aggregate.{{cite web |title=Brunei DS edge Timor Leste for place in AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022|url=https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/brunei-ds-edge-timor-leste-for-place-in-aff-mitsubishi-electric-cup-2022/|date=8 November 2022|publisher=ASEAN Football Federation|accessdate=9 November 2022}} The following month, he made three starts against Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia and managed to score against Cambodia in a 5–1 defeat.{{cite web |title=REPORT: CAMBODIA 5-1 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM|url=https://www.affmitsubishielectriccup.com/2022/news/2040-report-cambodia-5-1-brunei-darussalam|date=29 December 2022|publisher=AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup|accessdate=18 April 2023}}
After missing the whole of 2023 with injury, Nurikhwan was selected for the national team playing in the 2024 FIFA Series in March 2024. He played two games from the start against Bermuda in a 2–0 loss and against Vanuatu in a 2–3 victory, scoring the second goal for Brunei in the match.{{cite web |url=https://inside.fifa.com/football-development/news/flurry-of-goals-concludes-inaugural-fifa-series|title=Flurry of goals concludes inaugural FIFA Series |publisher=FIFA |date=27 March 2024 |accessdate=28 March 2024}} He also made two appearances in central midfield against Sri Lanka the following June where both games resulted in 1–0 victories to the Wasps.{{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}}
In September 2024, Nurikhwan was selected for the 2027 Asian Cup qualification play-off matches against Macau over two legs.{{Cite instagram |user=fa.bruneidarussalam |date=5 September 2024|postid=C_iDTDNyvE5 |title=Called up national team squad list for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Brunei v Macau|access-date=10 September 2024}} He partnered Yura Yunos in central defence for both matches and contributed to a 4–0 aggregate win for the Wasps, enabling their participation to the third round of qualification to the 2027 Asian Cup.{{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}} The same pairing kept their places at the 2024 ASEAN Championship qualification against Timor-Leste over two legs the following month, but a solitary goal by Gali Freitas that was conceded at home was enough to eliminate them from the competition.{{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}} There was to be one final sting in 2024 for Nurikhwan as he and the Wasps conceded eleven goals against Russia in a friendly at Krasnodar on 15 November.{{cite web |title=Football Union of Russia vs Brunei: Friendlies - BBC Sport - BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cvgwv5jwnp0t|date=15 November 2024|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=16 November 2024}}
International goals
| class="wikitable" | ||||||
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 29 December 2022 | Morodok Techo National Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | {{fb|CAM}} | align=center|1–0 | align=center| 1–5 | 2022 AFF Championship |
| 2. | 27 March 2024 | King Abdullah Sports City Reserve Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | {{fb|VAN}} | align=center|2–2 | align=center| 3–2 | 2024 FIFA Series |
Honours
=Team=
=International=
;Brunei national under-21 football team
=Individual=
- 50x50px Meritorious Service Medal (PJK; 2012){{cite web |title=Sultan sees HBT stars as nucleus of national team|url=http://www.sultanate.com/news_server/2012/6_apr_1.html|date=6 April 2012|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=21 September 2022}}
- 2022 Brunei FA Cup Player of the Tournament
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{NFT|49112|Nur Ikhwan Othman}}
- {{Soccerway|mohammad-nur-ikhwan-bin-othman/271363|Nur Ikhwan Othman}}
{{Brunei DPMM FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nur Ikhwan Othman}}
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Bruneian men's footballers
Category:Brunei men's international footballers
Category:Competitors at the 2013 SEA Games
Category:SEA Games competitors for Brunei