Thai star Chappuis out of Suzuki Cup squad
He played a starring role for Thailand when they lifted a fourth AFF Suzuki Cup two years ago, scoring four goals.
But Charyl Chappuis will not be a part their title defence next month against Singapore, Indonesia and Group A hosts Philippines.
The 24-year-old half-Swiss midfielder, whose movie-star looks earned him many female admirers across the region, was missing from the list of 23 names released by the Thai Football Association yesterday.
No reason was given for Chappuis' absence, which is the only surprise in an otherwise full-strength Thai team, with goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan, left back Teerathon Bunmathan, forward Chanathip Songkrasin, and former Almeria striker Teerasil Dangda all included.
While Chappuis will not feature in the Suzuki Cup, the door is open for a number of Singapore players thought to be forgotten men.
The New Paper understands that former Suzuki Cup winners Ridhuan Muhammad and Shaiful Esah - who have not been in the national team since V Sundramoorthy took over in June - are on a 40-man shortlist submitted to the AFF.
Also included are those whose season has been disrupted by injury, such as Tampines Rovers playmaker Shahdan Sulaiman, Home United defender Abdil Qaiyyim and Geylang International striker Shahfiq Ghani.
The trio were not in Sundram's recent squad that took on Malaysia and Hong Kong in friendlies.
Abdil, 27, was called up for the first time in July, and made his international debut in the 2-1 defeat by Cambodia in Phnom Penh on July 28.
But, just two weeks later, he suffered a hairline fracture in his right leg during an S.League game against Hougang United. That sidelined Abdil for 10 weeks.
He returned to action only on Thursday, coming on as a substitute as Home beat newly minted S.League champions Albirex Niigata 3-1.
Said Abdil: "I was very excited when I got the call-up (in July), and I learnt a lot from the experience.
"I was hoping to build on from there, but the injury stopped me from doing that.
"The last 10 weeks have been hard, because I thought I was out of the picture for the Suzuki Cup.
"But, if I'm part of the list and, knowing I have a chance, I won't give up."
Shahdan, meanwhile, has been plagued by injury since breaking his foot in 2014.
The 28-year-old, who was in the Singapore side that last won the Suzuki Cup in 2012, suffered two hairline fractures in the same leg this year, but made his comeback last week.
He played half an hour of Tampines' 2-0 win over Balestier Khalsa at the Jurong West Stadium last night.
Earlier in the week, Shahdan told TNP: "I very much want to get back into the national team, I really miss it.
"I haven't really been in the team for about two years now, but it's up to Sundram if he thinks I deserve a call-up."
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
