NATIONAL coach Dollah Salleh yesterday called up a goalkeeper found guilty of match-fixing for next month’s friendly matches against Indonesia and Cambodia while handing recalls to former captain Shukor Adan and Indra Putra Mahayuddin in preparation for the AFF Cup.
Police goalkeeper Azizon Kadir, whose last appearance for the national team came at the 2007 Asian Cup debacle, was seemingly handed an international lifeline by his former coach despite being found guilty of fixing matches while with Kuala Lumpur during the 2012 season.
Azizon, 34, was one of 17 KL players fined RM5,000 after admitting to fixing matches though they avoided a ban after claiming they did so under duress. Five other players who failed to respond to the charges were banned for life.
In his last three appearances for the country, Azizon played in Malaysia’s defeats by China (1-5), Uzbekistan (0-5) and Iran (0-2) at the 2007 Asian Cup and has not featured since.
Asked if he trusted Azizon to play for the national team, Dollah curtly told Timesport: “Once I’ve called him up, of course I trust him. He has been playing well and I don’t want to talk about what happened to him before.”
Former Police coach Dollah explained that he selected Azizon, Indra and Shukor in the 29-man training squad, who were all part of that 2007 team coached by Norizan Bakar, purely on current form.
“Their age is not important. As long as they can perform I will pick them,” said Dollah, whose first match in charge ended in a 4-1 defeat by Tajikistan on Aug 8.
“They have been playing well not just in the Malaysia Cup but also during the league. My philosophy is simple. Whoever is performing well, I will include them.”
Dollah confirmed the trio are part of his plans for the AFF Cup in November and December though they must still earn their place in the squad.
“We have registered 35 players and will reduce that to 23. But nobody is guaranteed a place yet,” he added.
Indra’s last appearances for Malaysia was in the two friendlies against Manchester United in 2009 while his Felda United teammate Shukor has not played international football since the 2008 AFF Cup.
Also recalled are Sarawak captain Joseph Kalang Tie, whose two caps came in 2011, Terengganu forward Manaf Mamat and Selangor left-back Azmi Muslim.
Three uncapped players — Police midfielder Ahmad Ezrie Shafizie Sazali, Kelantan left-back Zairul Fitree Ishak and Police defender Afif Amiruddin — are also included as Dollah is deprived of several players due to the Asian Games.
Malaysia play Indonesia in Jakarta on Sept 14 and Cambodia in Phnom Penh on Sept 20 with matches against Jordan (Oct 11), Syria (Nov 11) and Vietnam (Nov 18) also lined up.
SQUAD — Goalkeepers: Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (Kel), Khairul Azhan Khalid (Pah), Azizon Kadir (Pol), Farizal Marlias (Sel).
Defenders: Asraruddin Putra Omar, Mahalli Jasuli (both DT), Zairul Fitri Ishak (Kel), Razman Roslan (Pah), Afif Amiruddin, Muslim Ahmad (both Pol) Ronny Harun (Sar), Azmi Muslim, Bunyamin Umar (both Sel).
Midfielders: Amri Yahyah, Safiq Rahim (both DT), Indra Putra Mahayuddin, Shukor Adan (both FU), Badhri Radzi (Kel), Hafiz Kamal, R. Gopinanthan (both Pah), Ahmad Ezrie Shafizie Sazali (Pol), Joseph Kalang Tie, S. Chanturu (both Sar), S. Kunanlan (Sel).
Forwards: Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Safee Sali (both DT), Ahmad Fakri Saarani (Kel), Manaf Mamat (Ter).