Shahril back in reckoning for Speedy Tigers spot after long layoff

TNB’s Muhammad Shahril Saabah (right) fight for the ball against TNB Thunderbolts Muhammad Fahmi Khalid (left) during the TNB Malaysian Hockey League (Premier) 2020 at Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. FEBRUARY 2,2020- MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star.

PETALING JAYA: Any other player who had seen action in just two international matches in 17 months would have quit but that’s not the case for warrior Shahril Saabah.

Shahril, a prolific striker with 150 caps, picked up a knee injury during the Speedy Tigers’ European tour in September 2022 and made a comeback at the World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, in January.

However, he could only play two matches (against Holland and Chile) before a left hamstring tear ended his campaign.

That was the beginning of an agonising wait for another 11 months where Shahril missed the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Chennai in August and the Hangzhou Asian Games as he could not return to full training.

However, national team manager Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi said the 29-year-old Shahril has been involved in matchplays during training since Monday and was back in the reckoning for selection for the FIH Olympic Qualifiers squad.

The Olympic Qualifiers will be held in Muscat, Oman, from Jan 15-21.

“Shahril was injured for such a long time. In fact, he didn’t play since the World Cup and we feared that he would consider retiring as he has been under rehabilitation for such a long time,” said Mirnawan.

“It was heartbreaking sometimes to see him at the sidelines watching others in training but he didn’t give up.

“He was so eager and determined to play that he managed to recover from his injury and started training several weeks ago.

“In fact, we included him in the tour of New Zealand earlier this month but didn’t field him as we didn’t want his injury to recur.

“However, he has been involved in matchplays held daily for the past week and he has been performing well.

“Shahril’s return will give us plenty of options and will further strengthen the strikeforce ahead of the Olympic Qualifiers,” added Mirnawan.

The Speedy Tigers have 25 existing players while national coach A. Arulselvaraj has also included another eight from the junior squad.

The eight - Shahmie Irfan Suhaimi, Alfarico Lance Liau Jr, Shamir Rizmi Shamsul, Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Shafiq Ikhmal Daniel, Azmil Muizzuddin Misron, Che Nur Aqilrullah Khairulzi and Mughni Mohd Kamal - played in the recently concluded Junior World Cup in Bukit Jalil.

Arulselvaraj is expected announce the final 18 players and two reserves for the Olympic qualifiers squad early next week.