Home duo asked to explain absence

THE Football Association of Singapore is asking two national Under-23 players to explain their failure to answer a call-up.

Defenders Juma'at Jantan and Kamarulariffin Abdul Karim will have a chance to plead their case in a disciplinary hearing next week.

The duo, both Home United players, had failed to show up at Changi Airport for their 11.05am flight on Monday, when the U-23 team left for Alor Star for last night's Malaysia FA Cup first-round tie against Kuala Muda Naza.

Kuala Muda Naza beat them 1-0.

Said P. Sivakumar, the FAS' chief of development and planning: 'This matter has been referred to the disciplinary committee, and there will be a hearing some time next week.

'The committee will send letters to the players, asking them to explain their behaviour.'

The duo had contacted team manager Eugene Loo at about 11pm on Sunday, asking to be excused from the trip.

They had just played the full 90 minutes against the Korean Super Reds in the S-League's opening match, which Home won 5-1.

Juma'at said his left thigh was strained, while Kamarulariffin said he was tired.

Home team manager K.T. Velu said that, as far as the club are concerned, the players had been released for the trip.

Home's other national U-23 players, Shahril Ishak and Shahril Alias, travelled with the team.

If found guilty, the players can be fined and/or suspended from club and national games.

Juma'at played for the Young Lions side that reached the semi-finals of the Malaysia FA Cup last year.

The 23-year-old left-back was also in the starting XI at the 2005 South-east Asia Games in the Philippines.

Kamarulariffin, a central defender, had said he was celebrating his 23rd birthday when contacted on Monday.

He had started most of Balestier Khalsa's S-League matches last season.

Apart from the ignored national call-up, the FAS is also upset that the duo are missing important preparations for December's South-east Asia Games in Thailand.

Cameroonian centre-back Moudourou Moise, a key Young Lions player in the S-League, was deliberately omitted for the game as he will not be eligible for the SEA Games.

Called up instead were Singaporeans who ply their trade at other clubs, such as Geylang United goalkeeper Hassan Sunny.

The U-23s were earlier hit by the withdrawals of skipper Baihakki Khaizan and Tengku Mushadad.

They had not been cleared to play in the S-League by the Ministry of Defence, as they were injured and were medically excused from military training.

limze@sph.com.sg