Former players 'worried' about 'keepers situation

Former national football custodians Lionel Lewis and Yakob Hashim have expressed concern over the future of goalkeeping in the country, describing the situation as "worrying" and calling for urgent measures to discover and develop new talents for the position.

- Deepanraj Ganesan

The recent retirement of veteran No. 1 Hassan Sunny, 40, has left a significant void, while potential successors like Izwan Mahbud, 34, and Syazwan Buhari, who turns 32 at the end of the month, are nearing the latter stages of their careers.

The other goalkeepers in the squad for the September international window are uncapped: Geylang International's Rudy Khairullah, 30, and his club deputy Hairul Syirhan, 29.

Other recent call-ups to the squad include Zaiful Nizam, 37, and 27year-old Zharfan Rohaizad, who is now the second choice at Lion City Sailors, behind Izwan.

Younger goalkeepers who have had game time at club level are Balestier Khalsa's Hafiz Ahmad, 25, who has started all 13 matches this season; Young Lions' Aizil Yazid, 19, who has over 30 appearances in the Singapore Premier League (SPL); his deputy Travis Ang, 19, with five matches; and Tanjong Pagar United's 23-year-old Prathip Ekamparam, who has nine appearances in the league.

The current situation is in stark contrast to the times when outstanding goalkeepers have worn national colours over the years, from Eric Paine and Edmund Wee in the 1970s to David Lee, Rezal Hassan, Lewis, Hassan and Izwan.