Arul salutes dropped players as they put team above themselves

Fitri Saari (right) and Syafik Hassan will be the notable absentees in the Asian Games in Hangzhou after not making the squad due to injuries. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

PETALING JAYA: National men’s hockey coach A. Arulselvaraj hailed the players who missed out on a place in the Asian Games squad as the unsung heroes who have accepted their omission with true character and professionalism.

Experienced midfielder trained striker Fitri Saari and defender Syafik Hassan could not make it due to knee injuries while defenders Zulpidaus Mizon, Najib Hassan as well as strikers Norsyafiq Sumantri and Shahril Saabah took the decision in their strides.