More than two decades after Fandi Ahmad (pictured below) scored on the opening day of the very first edition of the AFF Suzuki Cup two of his sons are likely to be key pillars for Singapore as they bid to win their first regional title since 2012.

Defender Irfan and forward Ikhsan Fandi are perhaps two of the more high profile players that come from renowned footballing families but they’re far from the only ones amongst the stars that are set to turn out at the 12th edition of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Remarkably the Fandi brothers are just one set of what could be three pairs of brothers that turn out for the Lions.

Khairul Nizam and his older brother, Khairul Amri, are both pushing for spots up front for Singapore whilst defender Zulqarnaen Suzliman is hoping to see his younger brother, 20-year-old midfielder Zulfadhmi, also selected.

If all three sets of brothers do get the nod it would mean that, astonishingly, those three families (and remembering that Fandi Ahmad is now the national coach) would comprise more than a quarter of the Lions squad.

The Philippines too are expected to have multiple sets of siblings turn out at the regional showpiece with Mike and Manny Ott set to join the Younghusbands – Phil and James – in comprising a decent chunk of the Azkals squad.

Things don’t stop there though with Myanmar also boasting a pair of brothers who are set to make their mark with 23-year-old midfielder Maung Maung Soe looking to join his younger brother, defender Win Moe Kyaw, in making the Asian Lions’ squad after both played alongside each other at the recent Asian Games in Indonesia.

It’s there too with the Garudas where the family connections run deep as veteran Boas Solossa (pictured above) will hope to keep his international career going almost a decade after his older brother, Ortizan, last played for Indonesia.

Abduh Lestaluhu is another with deep family connections in the Indonesian squad with his older brother, Ramdani, scoring twice on his debut for the Merah Putih at the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup whilst his two younger brothers, 24-year-old Rafid and 21-year-old Pandi, are both promising players as well.

Goalkeeper Andritany Ardhiyasa is also part of a football family with his older brother, Indra Kahfi, a defender who plays domestically.

Those connections are also present in Cambodia where another keeper, Um Vichet, has a brother, Um Sereyroth, who is also a gifted gloveman and who was part of the Angkor Warriors squad at the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup.

Keo Sokpheng is another from the nation who comes from solid stock with his older brother, Keo Sokngon, featuring in qualification for both the 2010 & 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup tournaments.

Malaysia too are no strangers to those family bloodlines with both of defender Shahrul Saad’s older brothers, Sharizal and Syamsul, also having played for the Harimau Malaya whilst impressive Vietnam keeper Bùi Tiến Dũng has a younger brother, 19-year-old midfielder Bùi Tiến Dụng (pictured above), who is a rising star in the youth ranks of their nation.

Finally, the defending champions also have several familial ties with Tanaboon Kesarat’s older brother, Somjets, having had a lengthy club career in Thailand and Thitiphan Puangchan being the son of former national team defender Pairote Puangchan who played for Thailand at the 1992 Asian Cup.

It’s definitely an exhaustive list and shows just how deeply ingrained the sport is amongst families right across Southeast Asia and if we are to revisit this collection in another couple of decades the current sons and brothers of former stars could well be the fathers and uncles of those sure to shine in future editions.

Photos: Getty Images