With national skipper and defensive stalwart Hariss Harun on the cusp of a staggering 147th cap for the Lions, the return of fresh defensive options in the form of fit-again Irfan Fandi and Nur Adam Abdullah, alongside youngster Raoul Suhaimi, has given the national set-up what he described as a happy problem ahead of their final AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on Tuesday (Mar 31).
“It’s a good problem for coach Gavin to have. We have options and cover when needed,” said Hariss, adding that the team would “rather be in this situation than be depleted and have no options.”
“Aggressive” and “fearless” were among the adjectives the veteran defender used as he spoke highly of proteges Nur Adam and Raoul, who have shown immense potential at club level but are now looking to take the next step in the national team.
“I’m really happy to see them come through. I think that’s how it should be. It’s a cycle, this is how it was when I was young.”
He added that his Lion City Sailors teammate Nur Adam, who last featured in a 3-2 international friendly against Chinese Taipei in November 2024, thoroughly deserved his call-up after enduring disruptions owing to National Service commitments and shoulder surgery.
The left-back did well while biding his time on the sidelines, working on his fitness during an intense six-month rehabilitation period between February and August last year.
“I tried my best to find time to keep up with my fitness and football skills… doing something extra to help maintain that level. I also had a lot of people helping me throughout that period, and it helped me get back on my feet,” said the 24-year-old, who recently tied the knot, of the support he received from his spouse, family members and physiotherapist.
Racking up eight Singapore Premier League (SPL) appearances and three more in the second-tier with the reserves since the completion of his military service has not only helped his match fitness but also earned the nod from the national selectors.
“Match-fitness is very important. You can train very hard, but in-game situations are very different. Because opponents move differently, you have to learn to adapt to them. And that’s why I always try my best to push myself to play SPL 2 if I don’t get the minutes for SPL1. And when it comes to SPL1, it feels so much easier.”
Having gotten his first full 90 minutes in the SPL this year in the Sailors’ 3-0 league victory over Balestier Khalsa on Mar 15, the 2021 SPL Young Player of the Year is raring to go and has put those setbacks firmly in the rearview mirror as he aims to be “the best left-back in ASEAN”.
To reach his lofty ambitions, Nur Adam — who counts Brazilian fullback Marcelo, widely regarded as one of the best to play the position, as his role model — is embracing the challenge of competing with Portuguese defender Diogo Costa for a place in the Sailors’ team sheet, while cutting his teeth against regional opponents in the AFC Champions League Two, ASEAN Club Championship and possibly the upcoming ASEAN Championship and Asian Cup.
“If you want to be the best, you have to compete in the best competitions… These are the tournaments where you can showcase yourself. And also, as part of the national team, you have a lot of competitions (like the Asian Cup). With that, you have to be at your very best during training and every match that you are going to play. So for me, every minute really counts.”
He will look favourably on his chances of adding to his 10 caps sooner rather than later, with national head coach Gavin Lee praising the defender’s determination in bouncing back stronger, not just in his technical attributes, but in mental fortitude.
“These are the kind of characters that are very good for the team because you know when they come into an environment, be it in training or a game, they are always going to be 100 per cent. And when everybody is 100 per cent, that’s how we push each other and become better as a group,” said Lee, who also believes the defender will continue to grow under the tutelage of new Sailors coach Jesus Casas.
“I think under Jesus, he will probably develop even more on the offensive side of his game, because that’s the coach’s style and that’s good for us as well.”
