The goalkeeper hasn’t been selected by his country since 2007 but is back in the fold.
Goalkeeper Fadhil Salim admits it is an “honour” to receive a call-up to the Singapore squad after six years in the international wilderness.
The 30-year-old Hougang United custodian has been exceptional for the S.League side this season and Lions coach Bernd Stange has recognised his form by selecting him for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers with Oman.
It is certainly a wish fulfilled for Fadhil following his declaration at the start of the 2013 campaign that he wanted to return to the national team although the Johor-born custodian thought his age might go against him.
“It is an honour to be called up to the national team once again. My previous call-up was in 2007 (under ex-coach Radojko Avramovic) and now after so many years, I get the chance again,” he explained to Goal.com.
“But at my age of 30 years and with the other good young goalkeepers around in Singapore, I never really thought it would happen.
“My coach Johana Johari and the players congratulated me as soon as they found out [about] the news,” he added.
“It certainly feels great for [all of] us in the club as a player from Hougang finally gets the chance to be in the national team after so long.”
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