The door was firmly shut on Ismail Abu despite his audience with HRH Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah during the Third Test Match between Malaysia and Australia at the Std Hoki Kuantan today.
Ismail who withdrew on his own accord after being accused of skipping gym training only to be spotted at a gaming centre, had stated his desire to return to the national team fold when he met the MHF President.
However during a hastily convened discussion attended by Deputy President Nur Azmi Ahmad, Vice President M. Gobinathan, Hon Secretary Hashim Yusof, Team Manager George Koshy, Chief Coach Tai Beng Hai and Asst. Coach Nor Saiful Zaini, it was decided that Ismail was surplus to the teams requirements at this stage.
Beng Hai when approached after the discussion was evasive on the decision reached but Gobinathan, who is the National Team Stand In Manager confirmed that the decision taken was a firm no.
The firmness of MHF in this case is applauded as Ismail had a ten day window to reconsider his decision and this is now a case of a little too late for the top rated Pahang born striker.
