Christopher James van Huizen (born 28 November 1992) is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and wing-back for Tampines Rovers and the Singapore national football team.[1]
Personal information | |||
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Full name | Christopher James van Huizen | ||
Date of birth | (1992-11-28) 28 November 1992 (age 29) | ||
Place of birth | Singapore | ||
Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder, winger, wing-back | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Tampines Rovers | ||
Number | 22 | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2014 | Tampines Rovers | 4 | (1) |
2015 | LionsXII | 18 | (3) |
2016 | Tampines Rovers | 10 | (1) |
2016 | Young Lions | 6 | (0) |
2017–2018 | Home United | 21 | (0) |
2019–2021 | Geylang International | 53 | (4) |
2022– | Tampines Rovers | 11 | (3) |
National team‡ | |||
2014 | Singapore U21 | ||
2015– | Singapore | 8 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 05:24, 6 April 2022 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:34, 14 June 2022 (UTC) |
Christopher went for trials with Geylang International when he was young and duly impressed the coaches at Geylang was rewarded with a place at the Geylang U-16 squad. He was due to play for S.League giants Tampines Rovers' Prime League squad when he turned 17 but saw his opportunity derailed by National Service. Disillusioned, he rejected the chance to play for the SAFSA team during his 2 years of service and almost gave up on continuing professional football.[2]
A second chance came calling for Christopher when he entered the professional football scene in Singapore through his involvement in a MediaCorp Channel 5 TV series, First XI.[3][4]
Following his performance in the reality TV series, Tampines Rovers coach Rafi Ali offered Christopher a two-year contract to play for both the Prime League and the S.League teams.[5]
Alongside Sahil Suhaimi, Wahyudi Wayid and Izzdin Shafiq, Christopher was unveiled as one of the new LionsXII signings by Fandi Ahmad for the 2015 Malaysia Super League season. This marks a remarkable turnaround for the "boy from the reality series" to a potential national team player.[6]
He made his LionsXII debut as a substitute in the opening game of the season, coming on to make a brief cameo appearance against PDRM FA in a 5-3 victory for the Lions.[7]
Following the exit of LionsXII from the Malaysia Super League, Christopher rejoined Tampines Rovers. He scored his first goal of the season in a 1-2 win over Garena Young Lions, helping the Stags climb to joint-top of the 2016 S.League season.[8]
Christopher signed for Garena Young Lions on 1 July 2016. This was following a season at Tampines Rovers where he was used sparingly only.[9]
Christopher then signed for the Protectors but only managed to play a small role in the squad.[10]
Christopher had a stellar season in the 2019 Singapore Premier League season, when he racked up 10 assists, the highest in the league.[11] On 11 November 2021, he leaves Geylang International FC.[12]
Having impressed in his first season in the 2014 S.League Season, Christopher was rewarded with a call-up to the Singapore U-21 squad, by Richard Bok, for the Thanh Niên Cup in Vietnam.[13][14]
He made his senior team international debut in a 3-0 loss against Japan, coming on with 10 minutes left on the clock.[15] He earned his third cap in a friendly against Myanmar, coming on for the final 15 minutes of the game.[16]
Club | Season | League | National Cup[lower-alpha 1] | League Cup[lower-alpha 2] | Asia | Total | ||||||
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Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Tampines Rovers | 2014 | Singapore Premier League | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
Total | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | ||
LionsXII | 2015 | Malaysia Super League | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
Total | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | ||
Tampines Rovers | 2016 | Singapore Premier League | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
Total | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||
Young Lions | 2016 | Singapore Premier League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
Home United | 2017 | Singapore Premier League | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
2018 | Singapore Premier League | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 0 | |
Total | 21 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||
Geylang International | 2019 | Singapore Premier League | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 |
2020 | Singapore Premier League | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
2021 | Singapore Premier League | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | |
Total | 53 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 4 | ||
Tampines Rovers | 2022 | Singapore Premier League | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
Total | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | ||
Career total | 123 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 144 | 12 |
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Singapore | |||
2015 | 2 | 0 | |
2016 | 2 | 0 | |
2022 | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 5 | 0 |
No | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Competition |
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1 | 12 November 2015 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | ![]() | 0-3 (lost) | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round |
2 | 17 November 2015 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | ![]() | 1-2 (lost) | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round |
3 | 24 March 2016 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | ![]() | 2-1 (won) | Friendly |
4 | 29 March 2016 | Takhti Stadium, Tehran, Iran | ![]() | 1-2 (lost) | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round |
5 | 26 March 2022 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | ![]() | 2-1(won) | 2022 FAS Tri-Nations Series |
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