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
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.
