ONG SWINGS THE AXE

Raphi, Ahmad Khairil, Thivandaran chopped from team

NATIONAL youth coach Ong Kim Swee has finalised his 23-member squad for next month’s AFC Under-23 Championship in China.

Those dropped were defender Raphi Azizan Mariappen (of PJ Rangers), and midfielders Ahmad Khairil Anuar Zamri (Perak) and K. Thivandaran (Penang).

“Although the three were nursing injuries, they did their best in training,” said Kim Swee in a statement yesterday,

“I took into consideration all aspects before finalising my squad. The three will return to KL tomorrow.

“However, they are on standby in case any of my 23-member squad sustain serious injuries before our opening AFC match on Jan 10.”

Among those in the squad are Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat, A. Shivan Pillay, Akhyar Rashid and Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak, who are members of the national Under-19 team.

The team will depart for Jiangsu today and will face Syria in their final friendly before the tournament on Jan 5.

Kim Swee’s side will travel to Changshu on the following day to face Iraq (Jan 10) and Jordan (Jan 13) in their opening Group C matches.

They will then head to Kunshun for their final group game against Saudi Arabia on Jan 16.

THE SQUAD — Goalkeeper: Haziq Nadzli, Ifwat Akmal Chek Kassim, Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed; Defenders: Matthew Davies, Dominic Tan, Adam Nor Azlin, A. Shivan Pillay, Adib Zainudin, Irfan Zakaria, Syazwan Zaipol Bahari;

Midfielders: Syamer Kutty Abba, Nor Azam Abdul Azih, Syazwan Andik Ishak, Danial Amier Norhisham, Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat, Tommy Mawat Bada, Syahmi Safari;

Forwards: Safawi Rasid, R. Kogileswaran, Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak, Akhyar Rashid, N. Thanabalan, Jafri Firdaus Chew.