Singapore NFA U18 held to a 1-1 draw by Cambodia

Singapore NFA U18 – AFF U19 Championships (Myanmar)

Singapore NFA U18 played their third match in the AFF U19 Championships yesterday, the 15^th of September, against Cambodia.

They were held to a 1-1 draw with Cambodia. Cambodia took the lead in the 60^th minute through Rous Samoeun and looked like grabbing all three points from the encounter, but Muhammad Nur Naiim Ishak struck in the 79th minute with the equalizer to give the Singapore NFA U18 the precious one point.

Singapore NFA U18 head coach, Mohamad Akbar said, “The players showed great character after the big defeat to Malaysia and with the 1-1 draw today, I could not have asked for more from the players”.

Singapore now sits in fourth place in the five-team table with one more game to go.

  They will face up against Thailand on Saturday, the 17th of September 2011.

Singapore NFA U15 gains one point from 'Causeway Derby'

Singapore NFA U15 - AFC U16 Championships 2012 Qualifiers (North Korea)
Singapore NFA U15 played their third match in the AFC U16 Championships 2012 Qualifiers yesterday, the 15^th of September, against their fiercest rivals, Malaysia.

The 'Causeway Derby' between the two youth teams saw some exciting football, with both teams trying to outdo each other.

The Malaysians drew first blood in the 31^st minute through Muhammad Akram Bin Asidi. Singapore NFA U15 then pressed hard in search of the equalizer.

Their efforts eventually paid off when Muhammad Amirul Adli struck in the 56th minute to give Singapore the equalizer.

Singapore NFA U15 now has one more game to play, and they will face Timor Leste on Sunday, the 18th of September 2011.

Late goal denies Singapore NFA U15

The Singapore NFA U15 lost their second match of the tournament to North Korea, 1-0, after conceding the only goal of the match one minute from time.

Substitute Ri Kwang-song scored the decisive goal for the host nation in the 89th minute to deny the NFA U15 any points from the match.

The team is currently away in North Korea, participating in the AFC U16 Championships 2012 Qualifiers and is in Group E together with North Korea, Malaysia, Timor Leste and China.
 
They have two more remaining matches and will return home on the 19th of September 2011.

Their upcoming matches are as follows,

15 September - vs Malaysia

18 September - vs Timor Leste

Tampines managed to win narrowly

                                              Tampines Rovers        1-0    Tanjong Pagar
                                             Aleksandar Duric (27')

 Duric's goal separates this two team with the only goal. 


Details:
Stadium:Tampines Stadium
Kick-off time:8 PM
Date:8 Sep 11

Albirex knock out Etoile

                                  Etoile FC                         2-7       Albirex Niigata FC 

                                                             Sirina Camara (18')                      Shotaro Ihata (29')  

                                                             Aly Doumbouya (19')                   Kunihiro Yamashita (45')         

                                                                                                                 Tatsuro Inui (Pen 50')  

                                                                                                                 Shotaro Ihata (66')       

                                                                                                                 Bruno Castanheira (68')      

                                                                                                                 Shotaro Ihata (73')    

                                                                                                                 Tatsuro Inui (88')     

Albirex managed to own Etoile FC after a 2-0 down.Kunihiro manage to equalized on the half-time mark.

Details:

Stadia:Queenstown Stadia

Kick-off time:8 PM

Date:7 Sep 11                          

Iraq takes three points off the Lions

SINGAPORE, 6^TH September 2011: Singapore succumbed to their second consecutive defeat in their 2014 World Cup Brazil (TM) Asian Qualifiers Round Three Group A match against Iraq, 2-0, that was played on 6^th September at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
It was end-to-end stuff which saw both sides going for the kill right from the get-go. It was a must win for both teams as the both failed to grab any points from their opening encounters.
The Lions came out fighting despite not having head coach Radojko Avramovic on the bench and as early as the fourth minute, Qiu Li, sent a through pass to defender, Shaiful Esah who drilled a low cross in, but no one was at the end of that cross to slot the ball home. It was a chance gone begging.
A few minutes later, Qiu Li turned provider for Singapore’s second attempt with an almost similar set-up, but Mustafic Fahrudin’s shot was blocked by Iraqi defender, Qusay Muneer.
Iraq almost broke the deadlock when a short corner allowed Number 16, Samal Saeed a crack at goal. His shot was cleared off the line by Singapore’s defender Juma’at Jantan.
The next few minutes of the first half saw some impressive football from both sides. A through ball from the centre of the pitch in the 26^th minute released Iraqi striker, Nashat Akram, who was well towards goal. Lions’ defender, Safuwan Baharudin made a last ditch tackle and swept the ball off the striker’s feet.
Safuwan, who was impressive in holding the fort throughout the game, was at his best again a minute later when he blocked a shot that was goal-bound by Nashat.
The first half ended with both teams having a fair share of possession and shots.
The second half saw more action as both teams went in search of a goal. Speedy forward, Fazrul Nawaz came on for Qiu Li and added some pace upfront for Singapore.
Iraq was quick to have a go at Singapore when a shot from captain Younis, forced a save out of keeper, Lionel Lewis.
The deadlock was broken in the 50^th minute when a long ball forward by Iraqi defender, Basem Abbas found Nashat in the penalty box. Nashat laid it off for Ala’a Abdulzehra, whose header went beyond the reach of Lionel.
The Lions’ went on to play with some urgency and went all out in search for the equalizer, they almost got it in the 58^th minute. A long ball forward by Juma’at found captain Shahril in the penalty area. Shahril then carefully headed and released target man, Aleksandar Duric, but Iraqi keeper, Mohammed Kassid, rushed and got it first.
Mustafic Fahrudin then lashed out a powerful shot from outside the penalty box in the 63^rd minute but his attempt was straight to the Iraqi keeper.
Singapore then got a free kick 15 minutes from time. Shaiful Esah, known for his powerful left foot, drilled the ball into the box and it was destined for goal, but the ball was headed out to safety by the Iraqi defence.
Several more attempts at goal by Singapore but they just could not find a way to break down the strong Iraqi defence
Things just got bad to worse for Singapore when they conceded the second goal four minutes from time. A long ball towards the Singapore goal caught the Singapore defence totally off-guard. A freakish bounce caused the ball over Lionel and it floated into goal.
Speaking at the press-conference, Iraqi coach, Zico said, “I am very happy with the win as we have had to play two games in seven days, and I have not had much time with the players. We have very good players and we were given space and time on the ball and we took advantage of it”.
Singapore team manager, Eugene Loo, too shared his thoughts of the game in the press-conference, in place of coach Avramovic and commented, “Despite the loss, the players tried very hard and showed great character. It is tough to lose two consecutive matches but it is not over yet and the players still have the fight in them.
The Lions will play hosts to Jordan on 11^th October at the Jalan Besar Stadium, in what seems to be a do or die match.
Final Score: Iraq 2-0 Singapore
Singapore Starting Line-up: Lionel Lewis, Daniel Bennett, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Juma’at Jantan, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim (Shahdan Sulaiman 81’), Shahril Ishak(C), Hafiz Rahim (Shi Jiayi 57’), Aleksandar Duric, Qiu Li (Fazrul Nawaz 45’)
Substitutes: Jasper Chan, Afiq Yunos, Delwinder Singh, Sevki Sha’ban, Hamqaamal Shah, Shukor Zailan, Shahdan Sulaiman, Zulfahmi Arifin, Ruzaini Zainal, Ridhuan Barudin, Fazrul Nawaz, Shi Jiayi
Iraq Starting Line-up: Basem Abbas, Qusay Muneer, Nashat Akram (Saad Abdulameer Luaibi 68’), Mustafa Kareem (Ameer Sabah 66’), Younus Mahmood, Mohammed Kassid, Salam Shaker, Ali Erhaima, Smal Saeed, Ala'a Abdulzehra, Muthana Khalid Salih (Fareed Majeed 88’)
Substitutes: Jalal Hassan Hachim, Saad Abdulameer Luaibi, Fareed Majeed, Emad Mohammed, Samer Saeed, Hawar Mohammed, Mustafa Ahmed Abdulameer, Mahdi Kareem, Husam Kadhim, Ameer Sabah, Haider Raad, Amjed Radhi

Iraq coach,Zico, is unhappy with the pitch

Asian World Cup qualifier Group A

Singapore vs Iraq

SINGAPORE - Iraq's national head coach Arthur Antunes Coimbra will speak to the media today at the official press conference ahead of tomorrow's World Cup third round Group A Asian qualifier against Singapore.

Yesterday at the Jalan Besar Stadium, the man known the world over as Zico, the Brazil football legend, kept to his word of not speaking to the media - but only just.

After taking his team through 90 minutes of light training, the 58-year-old paused on his way out to the team bus to ask the handful of journalists why the turf was no longer natural grass.

"What happened to the grass here?" Zico asked. "I came here in 2004 with Japan and we played on grass. I don't like artificial turf, I prefer natural green."

He also asked about the National Stadium and was surprised when told the Kallang facility has been levelled for the construction of the billion-dollar Sports Hub.

And then he was off, not even breaking stride when told by his team liaison that the reporters wished to talk to him.

Hailed as the "White Pele" during his heyday in the '70s and early '80s, playmaker Zico played in three World Cups - 1978, 1982 and 1986.

It has not been an auspicious start to his latest coaching stint when Zico saw his charges go down 2-0 to Jordan last Friday in Arbil, Iraq.

It was his first game in charge.

Arriving yesterday, the Iraqis showed up for their training session at 8pm. After taking instructions from Zico, the players limbered up before settling on shooting and passing drills.

As manager of Japan, Zico suffered a close call here when his men, led by their big star at the time, Nakata, eked out a 2-1 win over the Lions in a World Cup qualifier for the 2006 finals.

Judging by his comments on the pitch, he remembers the result well.

Warming down with his players last night, Zico impressed with his agility. Despite carrying a lot more weight around his midriff, he still looked every bit a footballer.

As the Iraqi players headed for the team bus, their coach took a last look at the Jalan Besar pitch.

Zico will be eager for his men to have as much time as possible on the playing surface in today's final training session there as he plots to extend his winning run in Singapore.

Image 1 of 1

Iraqi Head Coach Zico (right), during a training session at Jalan Besar Stadium yesterday. Photo by SYAFIQAH HAMID Copyright © MediaCorp Press Ltd

Spying player Profile(Iraq):Younis Mahmoud

                                           South Africa v Iraq - FIFA Confederations Cup

Name:Younis Mahmoud
No.10
Nickname:-NIL-

Date of Birth:March 2, 1983 (1983-03-02) (age 28)
 Height:1.85 m(6 ft 1 in)


Younis Mahmoud Khalef (Arabic: يونس محمود خلف‎; born 2 March 1983 in Al-Dibs, Kirkuk, Iraq) is an Iraqi football striker who currently playes for Al-Wakrah^[1]. He was recently removed from his previous club, Al-Gharafa in Qatar despite being the top goal scorer in the league for the third time in five years. He is also the captain of the Iraq national football team. In 2007, he captained the Iraq football team to Asian Cup glory.

The Youth Team

Younis Mahmoud called up to the Iraqi U-19 squad; scored 4 goals from 8 matches but he was also sent-off twice.

[edit] Iraq National Team Debut

In March 2002, while many were questioning his temperament and lack of experience, coach Adnan Hamad named Younis in his squad for Iraq's training camp in Italy and gave him his first start against Serie B club Cagliari Calcio and later went on to score. A month after landing both the Iraqi league and cup, Younis made his first full international debut against Syria but failed to score; his first goal came in dramatic style as he netted in the 90th minute in the WAFF Championship final against Jordan to put the game into extra-time; where Haidar Mahmoud headed in the winner. His 6 goals at the Emir Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup including a hat-trick in the 5-1 win over Al-Nasr turned several heads; he earned even more praise with 7 goals in the 2004 Asian Cup qualifiers with four goals in a 5-1 drubbing of Bahrain. Younis was nominated for the 2003 Asian Young Footballer of the Year.

[edit] The Olympic Team

In 2004 Younis was part of the Olympic team in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games who became 4th. Younis scored 1 goal against Portugal. In 2006 Younis Mahmoud was part of the Iraq Olympic team in the 2006 Games, he scored 3 goals as the team claimed the fourth place. after his successful efforts in 2006 and in the Asian Games, Younis nominated for the 2006 Asian Footballer of the Year.

[edit] The Asian Cup

Younis scored the winning and only goal in the 2007 AFC finals versus Saudi Arabia giving the Iraqis a one goal lead that eventually secured the Championship title for Iraq, their very first. Younis won the MVP award and shared the Top scorer's sheets with Naohiro Takahara and Yasser Al-Qahtani with 4 goals. In 2007 Younis Mahmoud was Asian Footballer of the Year runner-up.

Hougang United manage to get three points from Etoile FC

                                                             Hougang United         2-1         Etoile FC
                                                             Vitor Borges (23')                    Selim Kaabi (64') 
                                                             Azhar Sairudin (66')

Hougang united manage to get three points against Etoile FC at the Hougang Stadium.

Details: Hougang Stadia(cheetah lairs)
            Kick-off time:8 PM
            Date:4 Sep 2011

Lions angry and down, but not out

Asian World Cup qualifier, Group A, third round

Singapore vs Iraq

SINGAPORE - It was 24 hours after their opening Group A clash with China in the third round of Asia's World Cup qualifiers, and the Lions were clearly still angry and aggrieved when they returned from Kunming last night.

Amidst it all, though, there was also a sense of optimism in the air at Changi Airport's Terminal 1, as they looked ahead to their meeting with Iraq on Tuesday at the Jalan Besar Stadium, aiming to get their challenge back on track.

A couple of controversial decisions by referee Andre El Haddad denied the Lions a shock result on Friday when they lost 2-1 to China in Kunming.

Speaking to Today last night, Singapore captain Shahril Ishak believes the experience will serve as a platform for the Lions to do better against the Iraqis.

"We're playing on home ground again, and we'll be playing at 110 per cent and going all out (to get a result)," he vowed. "We just have to keep playing the way we have been doing. We're confident, of course."

Around 30 fans turned up at the arrival hall to welcome the Lions home.

As the players and coaching staff waited for their baggage, some of the fans broke in song and waved scarves in a show of support for the team.

The players eventually emerged to loud cheers, with fans giving the players the thumbs-up, handshakes and a pat on the back.

Aleksandar Duric, who scored Singapore's goal in Kunming, was grateful.

"Thank you very much to all of you for coming," said the 41-year-old, flashing his boyish smile.

However, the controversial circumstances of Friday's defeat were never far away.

The Lions had silenced the crowd in Kunming's 40,000-capacity Tuodong Stadium after Duric gave them a shock 33rd minute lead after some great work by Qiu Li.

A controversial 69th-minute penalty from Zheng Zhi and a strike minutes later by Yu Hai eventually gave China victory.

While El Haddad awarded two spot-kicks to the home side, Singapore felt they were denied one after Duric was tripped by Chinese skipper Li Weifeng.

The incident saw El Haddad sending Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic to the stands for his protestations.

"We feel very disappointed. We deserved a point, but we've to accept the referee's decision," said Shahril. "Everyone was down as we felt we could have at least got a point."

Goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, who was walking with the aid of crutches after sustaining an ankle injury, added: "Some players were worked up, others quiet as they came into the dressing room after the match. But today, everyone's mood was a bit better."

The Lions will check into the Amara Hotel today and resume training this evening, ahead of their meeting with Iraq.

The Lions beat them 2-0 in a 2007 Asian Cup qualifier - the only defeat suffered by the Iraqis in their victorious campaign four years ago.

China and Jordan, who beat 2007 Asian champions Iraq 2-0 in Irbil on Friday, lead Group A, with Singapore and Iraq third and fourth respectively. Only the top two sides progress into the fourth round.

"I believe the players are strong enough (to cope with Friday's defeat), and we'll look forward to the game against Iraq," said Shahril. "They are alright now, and we're happy to be back home with so many fans here to cheer us up.

"It's a huge boost for the next game."

Added Izwan: "I can't make predictions, but football's a funny game. You never know."

Player Profile:Qiu Li

 

Name:Qiu Li

No.11
Nickname:Ah Pui

Date of Birth:6 June 1981

Current Club:Home United FC


Qiu aka Ah Pui started his senior career in Changchun Yatai and transferred to Liaoning Zhongyu in 2001. He was released by the club in 2005 as he was surplus to requirements.

Pui was brought to Singapore to play for the now defunct S. League club, Sinchi FC. After the club decided to pull out of the S-league for the 2006 season, he stayed in Singapore and agreed on a contract with the Young Lions where he excelled with 19 goals from 25 matches played.^[1] He joined Home United in 2007 but failed to find his form and joined Tampines Rovers FC in 2008. Impressive displays in his debuting two seasons earned him Singapore citizenship.^[2] He returned to Home United FC in 2011.

He made his debut for the national team in 28 May 2008, in the friendly against Bahrain.

However on the 24th of November 2008, FIFA banned Qiu Li from playing for Singapore because he did not meet the new criteria stating that a new citizen needs to reside in his new country for 5-years. Qiu Li had only lived in Singapore for 3 years. Thus he would be only eligible for international football come 2010.^[3]

On 23 July 2011, Qiu Li scored his first goal for Singapore in the first leg of the World Cup Qualifier played at a sold out crowd at Jalan Besar Stadium. Singapore won 5–3. ^[2]

China PR take all points despite Lions giving their all

                        Lionel Lewis receiving a yellow card in the match


SINGAPORE, 2 September 2011: Singapore went down to a 2-1 defeat in their first 2014 World Cup Brazil (TM) Asian Qualifiers Round Three, Group A match against China PR that was played on 2 September 2011 at the Tuodong Stadium in Kunming, China.

It was an all important match for both nations as they both were looking to continue their winning streak from the previous round.

Singapore got the first real chance of the match in the 17th minute when Captain Shahril Ishak and Aleksandar Duric teamed up well in front of goal, only to be stopped by China’s defenders led by their Captain Li Weifeng.

The Lions came close again a minute later and this time through Qiu Li who ghosted in between two Chinese defenders. But he floated his header way over the crossbar.

China PR’s No.9, Yang Xu got his side their first chance upfront through a header which was comfortably held by Singapore’s custodian, Izwan Mahbud.

In the 33rd minute, a brilliant display of football between Singapore’s strikers, Qiu Li and Duric saw a neat one-two before Qiu threaded a perfect pass to Duric who drilled the ball into the net.

The first half came to close with China PR almost equalizing through a freakish deflection that came off Yu Hai who saw the effort come off the post.

Coming back into the second half with a goal down, China took the game to Singapore with numerous attacking chances being created from the middle of the park. One such effort by Chen Tao hit the post in the 47th minute.
Singapore’s No.1, Izwan had to be replaced by Lionel Lewis in the 54th minute as he injured his ankle after landing awkwardly from a jump.  

Coming into a big match after recovering from a groin injury, Lionel was immediately called into action when the referee awarded a penalty to China in the 58th minute.

Lionel made a tremendous left hand save to deny China PR from equalizing with its penalty effort. He could not have asked for a better way to announce his return to the National Team.

Shortly after, another player made his arrival known on the international stage from the Singapore squad and it was none other than Hafiz Rahim who came on for Shi Jiayi in the 64th minute.

In the 67th minute, China PR was awarded another penalty after a Shaiful Esah foul in the box. And this time, it was Zheng Zhi who took it and he converted it successfully.

Shortly after, Coach Raddy was sent to the stands but the Lions continued with their fine performance on the pitch and looked to bring the match back into their favour.

With the score level again, both teams surged forward to get into the lead and dictate the pace of match. And Yu Hai did just that in the 73rd minute for his team when he pounced on a rebound that was presented to him in the six yard box.

Shahril almost got the equalizer in the 81st minute but his shot was blocked by China’s Yang Zhi who rushed forward to challenge Shahril.

Isa Halim then gave way to Shahdan Sulaiman in the 84th minute as he was introduced into the game to change things around.

However, the match came to an end with the scoreboard reading China PR 2-1 Singapore.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Coach Raddy said “I would like to thank all my players for putting in a great effort. We started and played well in the first half and could have scored more than one goal. In the 2nd half, China came back and managed to win by a one-goal margin.”

Lionel too shared his thoughts on the match and said ”I came on for Izwan and tried my best. I managed to save one of the penalties but I feel that we should let this game pass and focus on our preparation for the next game.”

The Lions will now return to Singapore and prepare for the next Group A match against Iraq that will be played on 6th September 2011 at Jalan Besar Stadium, 7.30pm.
Final Score: China PR 2-1 Singapore


China PR  Starting Line-up: Yang Zhi, Sun Xiang, Li Weifeng (C), Zhao Xuri, Yang Xu, Qu Bo (Yu Dabao 66’), Liu Jianye, Huang Bowen (Zheng Zhi 67’), Du Wei, Chen Tao, Yu Hai (Hao Junmin 91’)

Substitutes: Zeng Cheng, Li Xue Peng, Wu Xi, Feng Xiaoting, Hao Junmin, Zhang Wen Zhao, Zhang Lie, Feng Ren Liang, Huang Xi Yang, Yu Dabao, Yang Hao, Zheng Zhi


Singapore Starting Line-up: Izwan Mahbud (Lionel Lewis 54’), Daniel Bennett, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Juma’at Jantan, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim (Shahdan Sulaiman 84’), Shahril Ishak(C), Shi Jiayi (Hafiz Rahim 64’), Aleksandar Duric, Qiu Li

Substitutes: Lionel Lewis, Afiq Yunos, Delwinder Singh, Sevki Sha’ban, Hamqaamal Shah, Shukor Zailan, Shahdan Sulaiman, Zulfahmi Arifin, Ruzaini Zainal, Hafiz Rahim



Do note that the Lions will be arriving back to Singapore on 3rd September 2011. The flight details are as follow: Flight No: CZ 351, Arrival: Changi Airport, Terminal 1, 9.50pm. 

Singapore President, Dr Tony Tan has a special message for the Lions

The Singapore national football team is hours away from walking onto the pitch at the Tuodong Stadium in Kunming, China where they will face host nation China in their FIFA World Cup Asian Zone Group A opening match.
A day after being sworn in as Singapore’s seventh president, Dr Tony Tan sent an encouraging message to the Lions as they prepare for a tough fixture away from home.
The President had this to say to the Lions, “You have a daunting challenge ahead of you this evening, but just do your best and Singapore will be proud of you.”
Another boost for the team came in the form of Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry(Singapore).
Mr Teo arrived early in the morning on match-day and joined the team for lunch before delivering a short message to the players.
In his message were words of how football is a sport that brings Singaporeans from all walks of life, religion and race together. And that we have to believe that we can advance and move forward towards qualifying for the next round.
With the immense support coming from the President, Dr Tan and Mr Teo, the Lions will definitely take to the pitch with fire in their belly, ready to do the Lion City proud.


Match Details
Date – 2 September 2011
Venue – Tuodong Stadium, Kunming China
Time – 7.55pm (Live on MediaCorp Channel 5)


You can also get the latest images, updates, starting line-ups and news from the Football Association of Singapore Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Football-Association-of-Singapore/135596068254.

Spying player Profile(China):Qu Bo

 

Qu Bo receiving his yellow card durind the Asians Cup

Name:Qu Bo

No.11

Nickname:-NIL-

Date of Birth:15 July 1981 (1981-07-15) (age 30)

Club career

Qu Bo started his football career playing for the Tianjin Locomotive youth team where he was spotted by and then transferred to top tier side Qingdao in 2000 for 4.3 million yuan. He would quickly establish himself as an exciting young player and go on to play in seventeen league games while scoring eight goals, which would enough to personally win the Chinese Football Association Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2000 league season.^[1] Qu Bo would continue to be a vital member of the team and after playing in the 2002 FIFA World Cup where he would draw considerable interest from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur where he had a month-long stint with them before leaving due to a lack of a work permit.^[2] On his return to Qingdao, Qu Bo would show his importance to the team by helping the team win the clubs first ever Chinese FA Cup at the end of the 2002 league season.^[3] On February 22, 2010,he transferred to Shaanxi Chanba.^[4]

International career

Qu's lightning pace first caught the eye at the 2000 Asian Under-19 Championships where he grabbed four goals for his country.^[5] After playing in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship he would quickly catch the attention of Bora Milutinovic who included him into the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad where he preferred to place Qu at the wing where he can get the best out of the young prospect's pace.^[6] Since his initial rise to the national team Qu has had difficulty in retaining his position as a consistent member of the team. He was not selected for the 2004 AFC Asian Cup squad and was forced out with injury in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup squad. He was however brought back into the national team for several world cup qualifying games.^[7]