Sundram names 23-man squad for Asian Cup qualifier against Jordan

Interim Singapore national team coach V. Sundramoorthy has picked a final 23-man squad for the upcoming Asian Cup 2015 qualifier against Jordan, due to be played on February 6.

Home United defender Noh Rahman has been recalled to the international fold following a solid season for Singapore Armed Forces FC (now Warriors FC) in 2012, while his former teammate Erwan Gunawan is one of two uncapped players in the squad, with the other being midfielder Zulfahmi Arifin.

Other faces to return to the squad include the likes of Ismail Yunos and Sufian Anuar, with nine LionsXII players included as well. Regulars Shi Jiayi and Qiu Li have been dropped, while Mustafic Fahrudin and Hariss Harun are ruled out with injury and veteran striker Aleksandar Duric has retired from the international scene.

Sundram, who is taking charge of the national team for the first time, is confident that the blend of experience and youth in the squad will serve them well in their quest for Asian Cup qualification.

“We have several young players who may be playing in the Asian Cup qualifiers for the first time, but I believe they have shown their potential and have also matured over the past months," he said.

"I look forward to the senior players, including those who were part of the AFF Suzuki Cup winning team, to play a key role in guiding the younger ones during the competition.

"I am confident that the players will give their all for the Asian Cup qualifiers."

Singapore are bidding to qualify for the Asian Cup for only the second time in their history, as they open their Group A campaign in Amman, with Syria and Oman the other teams in the group.

The team will depart for Bahrain on Tuesday, January 29 for a friendly against the hosts on February 1, before traveling to Jordan. The flight number is EK 355, scheduled for 9.35pm at Terminal 1, Changi Airport.