In the end, it was evident that Cheng Hoe had already decided who among three players that he will drop prior to the start of the match against Jordan yesterday. Faiz Nasir and Jafri Firdaus Chew were both left out of the playing squad and so it proved their fate today as the head coach revealed the squad that will travel to Jakarta on September 3.
Joining them in missing out the opening joint 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualification is Hazwan Bakri. Even though the Johor Darul Ta'zim player featured as a second half substitute in the 0-1 defeat to Jordan, he did not do enough to convince Cheng Hoe of his form as well as fitness.