Road to South Africa: Lions look to clip Green Falcons' wings
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa TM Asian Qualifiers Round 3, Group 4
Saudi Arabia vs Singapore
Wednesday 6 February 2008
Kick off: 2015hrs (Singapore time Thursday 7 February 0115hrs)
King Fahad International Stadium
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
*The FAS Official Website (www.fas.org.sg) will carry ‘live’ text commentary and updates.
RIYADH, 5 February 2008: Singapore will kick off their 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Zone Round 3 Qualifying campaign on Wednesday 6 February against four-time World Cup Finalists Saudi Arabia at the King Fahad International Stadium in Riyadh.
The match kicks off at 8.15pm local time.
“It’s the biggest game, I would say, since we met China (in an Asian Cup Qualifier in 2006),” said Lions’ coach Radojko Avramovic on the eve of the match.
“It’s definitely our most important challenge ever.”
Singapore has trained thoroughly in preparation for the match having played three friendly matches against Kuwait, Oman and Jordan in the past two weeks.
There is a small doubt over defender Daniel Bennett’s fitness. He reported a minor groin strain after Monday’s evening training.
“If Daniel is not fit we will bring in Ismail Yunos,” said the coach. “Daniel will train with us this evening and we will see how it goes then.”
Avramovic also noted that Lionel Lewis would be handed the captaincy for this important match as regular captain Indra Sahdan will start on the bench.
“Indra is still our captain,” he said. “There is no change there. When he is on the field he will carry the armband as usual.”
Avramovic hinted that his aim will be to contain the Saudis in the first half and he may then unleash some of his other players as the game unfolds in the second half.
The Saudis are likely to field a side that has changed little over recent months though Abdul Rahman Al-Qahtani has not been included in their squad due to a lack of regular playing time following his transfer to Al-Ittihad.
Saudi’s Brazilian coach, Helio dos Anjos had stressed that he would only be including players with regular first team football at club level.
But it is the star performer, the more well-known Al-Qahtani, Yasser, who will be the man to watch
Avramovic has been emphasising the importance of keeping the reigning AFC Player of the Year quiet as any coach might.
Apart from the 25 year old Yasser, striker Malek Mouath, a year older, is an ever-present danger.
The Green Falcons’ recent form is patchy, with their recent 2-1 friendly win over Luxembourg only their second win in five matches. They had lost 3-1 at home to Syria in December as well as 2-1 away to both Egypt and Libya in November. They had however beaten Estonia 2-0 in that month too.
Avramovic continues to stress the importance of playing as a team.
“My players know that this is no time for individuals, it is vital we all give 100 per cent as a team in this match.”
“We all want to go to the World Cup and the players will all be putting their hearts into it. That is all I can ask of them, to give their best for Singapore.”
Probable lineup: Lionel Lewis (gk) (captain), Noh Rahman, Baihakki Khaizan, Precious Emuejeraye, Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak, Mustafic Fahrudin, John Wilkinson, Shi Jiayi, Khairul Amri and Aleksandar Duric.
faizal_rocks says:
Sorry its suppose to be 0115am not 0130am. My mistake..;P
I hope my score prediction will come true
