Singapore national team coach Bernd Stange has called up uncapped defender Ismadi Mukhtar for the two international friendlies against Hong Kong and Macau next week, a move that has received the backing of veteran striker Aleksandar Duric.
A total of 21 players were called up -- including experienced centurions captain Shahril Ishak (112 caps) and defender Baihakki Khaizan (106 caps) -- while in-form goalkeeper Hassan Sunny will continue his tussle with Izwan Mahbud to see who gets the nod to start in goal for their AFF Suzuki Cup title defence in November.
While the squad did not surprise many, Ismadi's name caused something of a stir as the Tampines midfielder has been overlooked on previous occasions despite being one of the most consistent all-action wing-backs in the S.League.
The 31-year-old could not believe it when Stange made a personal call to inform him of the call-up and when he finally did respond, he was left dumbfounded by the news.
Ismadi told ESPN FC: "Of course I was surprised and shocked to get my first national call-up at this stage of my football career. To be honest, I gave up the idea of being called up to don the national colours, so this has been a dream come true."
When being asked what he could bring to the table as a player walking into a national team of decorated seniors and upcoming youngsters, Ismadi was unfazed.
"My club (Tampines Rovers) have not had the best consistency all year and it is true that I have been played in many different positions. I see this as a good thing because coaches see me as a versatile player and I don't mind it really." the midfielder added.
"National team coach Bernd Stange has his own ideas on how I can blend into the team and he knows my style is more of a workhorse and I believe my best chance is on the wing or in the full-back position. He(Stange) probably liked the fact that I have experience playing in the AFC Cup for Tampines which gives me the knowledge of what it is like playing in a regional tournament."
Many in the Singapore football fraternity were surprised by Ismadi's call-up but Aleksandar Duric, one of Singapore's top strikers in the past decade, saw it coming and was all smiles when told of the news.
Duric told ESPN FC: "He definitely deserves to be called up by coach Stange for the national team. He has been playing some fantastic football the past couple of seasons and I am so very happy that his hard work is recognised."
Having been a veteran of three AFF Suzuki Cup campaigns, Duric knows what it takes to make it at the highest level and despite being in the squad for the friendlies against Hong Kong and Macau, he knows Ismadi has to show what he is capable off in order to seal a place in the final squad.
"I play with him every week and I feel he can be a very important player for us at the Suzuki Cup but it is now all up to him to go into training from day one and run his socks off to impress the coach and fight for his place to be at the big event." said Duric.
The Lions will take on Hong Kong at the Mong Kok Stadium on Oct. 10 before making the short trip to take on Macau at the Macau Olympic Complex four days later.
And Ismadi issued a rallying cry to his new Lions' teammates when he declared: "Being the oldest player in the squad, I'm not here just to make up the numbers. I believe I have the hunger and desire to fight for a place in the starting XI and my presence in the squad is also good because when you see an 'old man' work his socks off, the younger ones will automatically do the same."
Another international friendly against Bahrain will be played on Nov. 7 before one final warm up game on Nov. 17. Then Singapore embark on their title defence at the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup where they are in Group B alongside Thailand, Malaysia and the winner of the qualifying round.
Singapore squad for Hong Kong and Macau Friendlies
Goalkeepers - Hassan Sunny, Izwan Mahbud
Defenders - Ismadi Mukhtar, Al Qaasimy Rahman, Baihakki Khaizan, Amirul Azmi, Safuwan Baharudin, Afiq Yunos, Shaiful Esah,
Midfielders - Hafiz Sujad, Gabriel Quan Jun Yi, Shahdan Sulaiman, Faris Ramli, Hariss Harun, Zulfahmi Arifin
Forwards - Shahril Ishak, Fazrul Nawaz, Khairul Nizam, Sahil Suhaimi, Khairul Amri, Shahfiq Ghani