Post by Rangers on Sept 27, 2003 13:15:03 GMT 8
SOCCER
Lions will be cautious in Kuwait
By G. Sivakkumaran
SUDDENLY, all does not seem lost for Singapore in the Asian Cup qualifiers.
They may be at the bottom of Group B after losing 1-3 to favourites Kuwait at home earlier this month, but the other results in the group mean they still have a chance of making it to next year's Finals in China.
Besides the win over Singapore, Kuwait also have a win and a draw against Qatar, and lead the table with seven points.
But Qatar are second with two points after last Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Palestine, who are above Singapore by virtue of their single point.
With the top two teams in each group qualifying for the Finals, tomorrow morning's game against Kuwait takes on added significance.
If, against the odds, the Lions get a draw, it will put them in good stead in the coming group matches.
'We can qualify,' said coach Raddy Avramovic. 'But the results also show another thing - those three teams are very strong.'
That is why he will not send the Lions into battle tomorrow going all out for a win. 'Let's take it one step at a time,' said the Serb. 'The players must first cut out the mistakes they made in the last few matches - conceding silly goals and giving up possession easily.
'They must work hard and be patient.
'If they do these, we can get a draw. With a bit of luck, even a win is possible.
'But we must create our own luck first.'
The players are quietly confident too.
Defender Daniel Bennett said: 'Having played against Kuwait once, we roughly know what to expect. We're eager to prove ourselves.'
Indeed, they have to, especially since the recent results have made Avramovic say that he will re-evaluate the squad's composition after the match.
Kuwait - who have risen 18 spots to No 78 in the world after their wins over Singapore and Qatar - will be eager get a win in front of their own fans.
Singapore, on the other hand, look like a team in transition.
Avramovic, who took over in July, is still trying to get them to adapt to his favoured 3-5-2 formation.
With captain Aide Iskandar and midfielders Rafi Ali and Azhar Baksin out through injury, several youngsters get their chance to impress.
Mohamed Noh Rahman, 24, who has been called up for the first time since last December's Tiger Cup, takes Azhar's place at right wing-back, while 23-year-old Syed Fadhil takes over Rafi's place beside Tan Kim Leng in central midfield.
In Aide's absence, the backline is likely to be made up of Baihakki Khaizan, Bennett and S. Subramani - who should take over from his Home United team-mate as skipper.
Up front, Singapore Armed Forces FC striker Mirko Grabovac should start alongside Indra Sahdan, with the impressive Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin operating just behind them.
The key area, however, will be the flanks which are fast turning into Singapore's Achilles heel.
Kuwait and Oman exploited them to the hilt, and Noh Rahman and left wing-back Zulkarnaen Zainal have to be alert throughout.
'At the end of the day, the players must show that they are proud to wear the national colours,' said Avramovic.
'If they display that pride, anything is possible.'
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MATCH DETAILS
Singapore's probable XI: Rezal Hassan, Baihakki Khaizan, S. Subramani, Daniel Bennett, Mohamed Noh Rahman, Tan Kim Leng, Syed Fadhil, Zulkarnaen Zainal, Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin, Mirko Grabovac, Indra Sahdan.