Skipper Shahril raring to go against Afghanistan

GROUP E: SINGAPORE v AFGHANISTAN

(Thursday, 7.30pm, Singtel TV Ch 109 - ELEVEN)

He remains national captain, but the armband no longer sits on his arm.

These days, when the Lions play, Shahril Ishak more than likely starts on the bench.

He is fit, but hasn't played a minute in the last three World Cup/Asian Cup Group E qualifiers since his last appearance, a 10-minute cameo in the 4-0 win over Cambodia in June in their opening game.

And it's killing the 31-year-old.

Singapore Football

Shahril's form gives Sundram food for thought

Aug 05, 2017

"To be called up for the national team is always an honour for me, regardless if it's to win the first cap or the 125th cap," said Johor Darul Ta'zim II skipper, Shahril, who is hoping he will start when Singapore take on Afghanistan in a vital group clash at the National Stadium on Thursday.

"To be called up and not play, however, has been frustrating because I can still contribute."

Having played a record 124 times for his country, the 31-year-old will be honoured by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on Thursday.

He made his debut for Singapore in 2003 and hit his peak in 2012, when he scored four goals to help the team lift the Asean title for what was then a record fourth time (Thailand equalled the feat last year).

Shahril, who along with veteran defender Baihakki Khaizan play for Johor Darul Ta'zim II in the second-tier Malaysian Premier League, was voted MVP in the tournament.

Mostly deployed as a playmaker in his career, Shahril's scoring form was impossible to ignore and then-coach Radojko Avramovic used him as a centre forward, moving regular No. 9 Aleksandar Duric to the wing.

Current coach Bernd Stange, appointed in May 2013, instituted a change in the way the Lions operated.

The German's use of the 4-3-3 or the 4-2-3-1 system has forced Shahril on to the bench.

Over the last few internationals, Hariss Harun, Safuwan Baharudin and Izzdin Shafiq have formed a solid three-man midfield, while the front three have featured striker Khairul Amri alongside two quick wide men.

The formula has worked.

In three away World Cup qualifiers, the Lions blasted Cambodia 4-0 before the stunning 0-0 draw with Japan, followed by a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat by Syria.

Hariss and Safuwan are both suspended for Thursday's game and Shahril may be about to feature in the starting 11 again.

He said: "This is football. When you get the chance, you have to grab it. I have been in this position before.

"So in another way, I am happy that the younger players have stepped up and done so well.

"I understand now that we have a different approach and system, which have been getting results recently, so I have to make way for other players.

"I am frustrated but I will be professional about it. I just want to work hard ahead of the Afghanistan and Cambodia games to fight my way back into the first team.

"And that means doing the best I can for JDT II in the Malaysia Cup now."

Stange, 67, has consistently made it clear he is building a national team for the future.

Asked whether Shahril will play on Thursday, the German would only say: "I hope a man with such experience can step in at the right moment.

"It is not helpful for us to have two of our most experienced players in the second division in Malaysia. But I believe in them and they have delivered every time we called upon them."

OTHER MATCH

Thursday

• Syria v Japan