It was not an easy task in naming in his 23-man squad for the 12th edition of the AFF Suzuki Cup as four-time champions Singapore get into the fray with a home match against Indonesia at the National Stadium on Friday.
Singapore’s best-known footballer also named seven newcomers to the squad, including his two sons – defender Irfan and striker Ikhsan. The other five newcomers are Adam Swandi (midfielder), Iqbal Hussain (striker), Jacob Mahler (midfielder), Nazrul Nazri (defender) and Zulqarnaen Suzliman (defender).
“We have faith in the team and together we will do our best, and God will take care of the rest,” Fandi was quoted on the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) website.
“With the players fighting hard for a spot in the team, it was not an easy task to pick the final squad.
“We have selected a group of boys whom we feel will be able to allow us to best play to our strengths in the tournament.”
Influential midfielder Hariss will skipper the Lions. Hariss plays for Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) in the Malaysian Super League (MSL). The Southern Tigers, as JDT are known, have won the MSL a record five times.
Centralized training began on Sunday and play Indonesia in their opening Group B match. Hariss has called on the home fans to pack the National Stadium.
After the match against Indonesia, the Lions fly off the next day to play the Philippines at the Panaad Park & Stadium in Bacolod City on Nove 13. Sven Goran Eriksson now coaches the Azkals. The Swede coached England two FIFA World Cup Finals – in 2002 and 2006.
Among the experienced hands in the Singapore squad are goalkeepers Hassan Sunny and Izwan Mahbud. There are also strikers Khairul Amri, Faris Ramli and Shahril Ishak and defenders Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin.
Singapore’s other group matches are against Timor Leste (home) on Nov 21 and Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Nov 25. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
SINGAPORE NATIONAL TEAM
GOALKEEPERS: Hassan Sunny, Izwan Mahbud, Zailful Nizam
Defenders: Faritz Hameed, Shakir Hamzah, Nazrul Nazari, Zulqarnaen Suzliman, Irfan Fandi, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin
Midfielders: Hariss Harun, Gabriel Quak, Yasir Hanapi, Izzdin Shafiq, Adam Swandi, M. Anumanthan, Jacob Mahler, Zulfahmi Arifin
Forwards: Shahril Ishak, Faris Ramli, Iqbal Hussain, Khairul Amri, Ikhsan Fandi
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