vs 
Singapore will attempt to get their World Cup
qualification hopes back on track when they face their West Asian
counterparts Lebanon in a crucial third round clash on Wednesday at
the National Stadium.
With Lions coach Raddy Avramovic instilling the notion that his
charges’ Lebanese assignments could make or break their
qualification dreams at the start of their third round group draw,
the Serb continued to drill home that point during the teams’ pre
match conference at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday.
Raddy said, “I agree we must try to win the game and it will
make things harder for us if we don’t win it as we are looking at
the end product which is to qualify for the next round.” “We are
looking forward to playing Lebanon at home and we will try to win
the match.”
Having had a sparring session with the Socceroos last Saturday
as part of their tune up for Wednesday’s affair, the Lions gaffer
was relatively pleased with his side’s preparations though he
hinted that extra time spent with his charges on the training pitch
would have done them no harm at all.
“As coach, I would have liked to have more space and time to
prepare the squad but the Australia match was part of our
preparation and that game is finished and we are not looking at it
anymore,” he said. “We are now focusing all of our attention on
Lebanon this Wednesday.” “Lebanon are a good team with good
individuals and we saw them play twice against Jordan and
Uzbekistan and we hope we know them but in football, you can’t
predict everything but we will try to take three points.”
While the Lions have had reasonably satisfactory preparations
going into Wednesday, volatile political climates as well as
traveling impediments to certain members of the Lebanese squad
meant that the same could not be said of the visitors, according to
Lebanon chief Emile Rustom.
“The political situation in our country meant that we did not
have the preparation like we wanted,” Rustom explained. “It has
been 50 days since the Uzbekistan qualifying game and we have gone
50 days without playing a friendly game.” “Besides, we are missing
four of our German based players as they had no visas to come here
and with two injured midfielders and one injured defender, we are
trying to work without these players and show our level of Lebanese
football.”
With his side fraught with severe obstacles, Rustom put on a
brave front, though implying that a point away would be a great
result for his depleted team. He said, “You must always try your
best and if you think if you are going to lose then you might as
well don’t come but we are trying to do our best and play
generally.”
Despite the grievances of his opponents, the hardened Raddy
refused to entertain the possibility of the Lions easing off and
dropping their guard in the wake of their opponents’ shortcomings.
“I don’t think the situation is similar to what they have had for
long periods but in such political situations, they still have
produced good results so this means it should not make us think
that they are not well prepared,” he remarked. “They have very fast
players and they would probably stay in their half and go for quick
counter attacks but they also have good passers of ball in midfield
which can create trouble for us so this doesn’t mean we only attack
but also concentrate on defending.” “But we have been doing
specific preparations on passing the ball forward and keeping
possession and working on the scoring elements but it’s going to be
a case where only 100% percent effort and commitment will help us
win the match.”
The Serb also revealed that he would have the luxury of picking
from a full squad, and that striker Khairul Amri has recovered in
time from his bruised thigh niggle. He added, “In the last two
days, all the players have been available and we have been able to
work with all the players.”
Skipper Indra Sahdan Daud also played down doubts about his own
match fitness, having missed his club Home United’s start to the
season due to his trial with MLS side Real Salt Lake and having
only effectively played his first match of the season last weekend
against Australia.
Indra said, “Physically, I’m not worried and I had one hour
against Australia but I could have done a bit better with more
match sharpness but football is about a team effort so everyone has
to play their role.” “The mood in the camp is very good and we
prepared well with a good game against Australia.” “The boys are
having a good feeling against Lebanon but what happens is during
the game day itself.” Indra had one special request for the fans.
“The fans helped us a lot in the last few years and I really wish
they will come down in full force to support us as it’s a really
big game and the boys will be happy if they are down,” he
added.
