Discipline key for Shakir against Tampines

Inconsistency on the pitch has cost Shakir Hamzah this season, both for Geylang International and the national team, as the defender was not selected for the Lions' recent games against Nepal and Hong Kong.

- Melvyn Teoh

Admitting that he "felt upset" at being left out of the national squad, the 32-year-old said: "From my point of view, I think it's just my performance, it's not consistent.

There are certain games that I perform well, but there are certain games that I don't perform... and I admit that.

So I think that's the reason why I didn't get called up, but I respect whatever decision they make. You know you are representing Singapore, so they have to take the best team."

One of the senior players in the Eagles squad, Shakir's experience has helped in guiding younger teammates such as Akmal Azman and Keito Hariya.

Geylang have scored the highest number of goals (82) in the Singapore Premier League (SPL), but their defensive woes continue to haunt them.

On March 27, they were knocked out of the Singapore Cup after a 3-1 loss to Lion City Sailors to finish bottom of their group, conceding 11 goals in four games.