Syihan’s injury blow to Kim Swee’s squad
GOALKEEPER Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed’s hopes of playing in the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games in August took a massive hit after he suffered a hand fracture on Tuesday.
The Kelantan custodian was injured in a collision with a Felda United forward during the national under-22 team’s 1-1 friendly draw at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya.
While the injury is expected to keep Syihan out for two months, it then leaves him with just one month to regain his fitness and place in national youth coach Ong Kim Swee’s squad.
“The severity of Syihan’s injury and the length of his absence will depend on his medical report and the surgery he has to undergo,” said Kim Swee after the team’s final training session yesterday ahead of their departure for a three-game tour of China today.
“Only then will we know how long his recovery will take. Injuries like this normally means a player is sidelined for six to eight weeks.
“The important thing is to recover first and if all goes well then he might be able to return for the Sea Games.”
Syihan’s injury meant Kedah’s Ifwat Akmal Che Kassim, Darul Ta’zim’s Haziq Nadzil and Terenggau’s Amierul Hakimi Awang secured the three goalkeepers’ positions in the 22-man squad to China.
Three other trainees excluded from the eight-day trip are Kelantan striker Danial Ashraf Abdullah, Kedah full-back Ariff Farhan Isa and Petaling Jaya Rangers defender Raphi Azizan Mariappen.
Injuries earlier deprived Kim Swee of the services of Perak midfielder Ahmad Khairil Anuar Zamri, Sarawak winger Nur Syahmie Iszuan Amin and Felda midfielder Ahmad Azriddin Rosli.
“We know Syihan is an experienced player and his absence will have an impact on our plans.
“But we have three other capable goalkeepers in the squad and I will discuss with (goalkeeping coach) Kris Yong if we need to call up anyone else.
“The excluded players (including Ahmad Khairul) will remain here and rejoin the squad after we return from China,” said Kim Swee.
Kim Swee’s side will play China’s under22 team in Xiangtan on Sunday, followed by matches against the reserve sides of Guangzhou R&F (June 13) and Guangzhou Evangrande (June 15), and Super League side Melaka at Hang Jebat Stadium on June 22.
“This trip will allow us to analyse our strengths and weaknesses, and also assess combinations. Most important is how we are going to perform as a team rather than results.
“It’s a matter of getting the players used to our system and these three games in China will be important in that respect,” Kim Swee added. Devinder Singh