JOHOR Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) Arif Aiman Hanapi should thank teammate Mohamadou Sumareh for earning a late call-up for the AFF Cup.
Sumareh withdrew from the 28-member squad yesterday citing personal reasons.
The 19-year-old Arif made his unofficial national team debut in the 4-1 defeat to Kuwait in a non-A friendly in May.
The winger has attained three official caps so far, with two of his appearances coming from the pre-World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in June.
"Sumareh will not be joining us for the AFF Cup, so we have called up Arif as a replacement. We are happy to have the youngster with us," said national coach Tan Cheng Hoe in Kelana Jaya yesterday.
"After the Malaysia Cup final on Tuesday, I had a chance to speak to Arif. He cited that he was ready if called up for the AFF Cup.
"He is among our rising stars, and his inclusion will be an asset,"
PJ City goalkeeper Kalamullah Al-Hafiz Mat Rowi, 26, also reported for centralised training yesterday, replacing Perak custodian Azri Ghani, who picked up an injury.
"Unfortunately, Azri has shoulder issues, so we had to drop him and call up Kalamullah."
Others who have been dropped are PJ City's Darren Lok, KL City's Akram Mahinan and D. Kenny Pallraj, who are injured.
With the changes in the squad, Harimau Malaya will only have two central midfielders in Baddrol Bakhtiar and Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi.
However, Cheng Hoe believes utility players Junior Eldstal, Syafiq Ahmad and Kogileswaran Raj will provide options in the middle of the park.
"We have lost five players just a few days before the AFF Cup. However, we still have a well-balanced team for the tournament. Some of the trainees are good enough to play in several positions."
Cheng Hoe will announce his 24-member squad today before departing for Singapore.
Malaysia will open their Group B campaign against Cambodia on Monday.