Striker Thamil out of Asian Games squad with injury

National U-23 striker Thamil Arasu (centre) has been dropped from the Asian Games squad after picking up an injury in the friendly against Yemen at the Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday. Malaysia lost 1-0. - FAIHAN GHANI/ The Star

SHAH ALAM: Selangor’s A. Thamil Arasu is one unlucky guy. As a regular striker in the national Under-23 side, he was expected to be a shoo-in for this month’s Incheon Asian Games in South Korea.

But Thamil’s dream was shattered after he injured his back in Malaysia’s 1-0 friendly loss to Yemen at the Shah Alam Stadium yesterday. Head coach Ong Kim Swee had no choice but to drop him from his final 20-man squad for the Games.