Bounce in Shahril's step: News out of Indonesia could see Singapore skipper cleared to play against Malaysia

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SINGAPORE - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) appointed a new president in Djohar Arifin Husin on Saturday and the move appears to have quelled the threat of sanctions by FIFA.

The latest development could well mean Singapore captain Shahril Ishak, who plays in the breakaway Indonesian Premier League (LPI) with the Medan Chiefs, will lead the Lions out in the second round of the Asian Zone FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Malaysia (July 23 and 28).

But the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) have yet to receive official word from FIFA with regard to the 27-year-old attacking midfielder, who is currently training with S-League side Courts Young Lions in a bid to stay sharp for the crunch double-header against old rivals Malaysia.

Speaking to MediaCorp yesterday, Shahril said: "Nothing's confirmed yet but things are looking good for me to be able to play against Malaysia.

"It's a big game for us against an old rival and I really want to be able to be part of it and the election of a PSSI president is the first step to normalising the football situation in Indonesia."

One of the key issues Djohar has to deal with is to bring the breakaway LPI under the purview of the PSSI. Observers predict the LPI will combine with the official Indonesian Super League (ISL).

Djohar is backed by disqualified candidates, General George Toisutta and LPI chief Arifin Panigoro, lending weight to the belief that the LPI will receive official sanction, a situation that will clear Shahril to don Singapore colours.

"I understand that they want to merge the LPI with the ISL and right now they are talking about how exactly to do it," Shahril said.

FAS general secretary Winston Lee says they are keeping their fingers crossed for a positive reply from world football governing body, FIFA.

He told MediaCorp yesterday: "We have written to FIFA to ask about Shahril's situation and we are just waiting for their reply."

Shahril will keep plugging away in training and his attitude has already won him plaudits from Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic.

Said Avramovic: "It's very nice to see how he's responding to the whole situation. He's been working hard in training and clearly wants to play against Malaysia."