Ahmad Hazwan Bakri’s failure to earn a spot in national coach Tan Cheng Hoe’s final squad for the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifying match against Indonesia on Thursday could mark the end of the striker’s international career.
The 28-year-old was once the country’s leading local striker, but his form has since dipped and has hardly figured for his club, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), this season.
The Labuan-born was far from his best when he came on as a 61st-minute substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Jordan in Friday’s friendly in Bukit Jalil.
Selangor’s Faiz Nasir and PKNS FC’s Jafri Fridaus Chew were also dropped by Cheng Hoe yesterday for the match against Indonesia.
“Although Hazwan is a quality striker, he rarely plays and this is why he could not adapt to the demands of international football yesterday (Friday).
“Faiz is down with an illness while Jafri is still short of some qualities to make it as a national player.
“However, the three are still in my plans. They will be called up to join the squad if any of the selected 24 players are injured after the match against Indonesia.
“We may need their services for our second qualifying game against the United Arab Emirates in Bukit Jalil on Sept 10.”
For the record, Cheng Hoe will be taking 24 players to Jakarta although only 23 can be registered for the qualifying match.
“It is a precautionary measure as Gambia-born Mohamadou Sumareh has not fully recovered from his injury,” he added.