News @ AsiaOne

Three points a must for Singapore

The Lions need a win to get their World Cup qualification back on track. -myp
Daryll Disa

Wed, Mar 26, 2008
my paper

NOTHING less than a win will do for Singapore tonight.

The Lions will face Lebanon for a crucial 2010 World Cup third-round qualifier at the National Stadium, and coach Raddy Avramovic made his expectations clear during yesterday's press conference.

"Three points will be a good thing," said the Serb.

"Lebanon have good individuals and it will be interesting to play against them. But we must try to take all three points."

Indeed, after their 0-2 Group Four loss to Saudi Arabia last month, the Lions need a win to get their World Cup qualification back on track.

They have already gone further into the qualifying route than before, and a win tonight will provide the impetus for June's home-and-away clashes with Uzbekistan.

Their task is apparently made easier, as Lebanon are missing seven of their regulars. Four of them are based in Germany, and could not get visas in time for the match.

Three of their players - two midfielders and a defender - are injured.

Their coach Emile Rustom also bemoaned the fact that he has not had sufficient preparation ahead of tonight's clash.

He said: "We played Uzbekistan about 50 days ago. In between, we did not even have a friendly game.

"But we have to do our best. We didn't come here to lose. Getting a point would be very nice."

However, the Lions look determined to deny their opponents any points. Avramovic has been working on fine-tuning his midfield ahead of the clash.

While he believes his defence is more or less settled, he has been working hard with his midfielder on passing and keeping possession.

He added: "Good passes from the Lebanon midfielders can be a danger. We must not be complacent."

Indeed, the Serb is demanding total focus from his players to get the win.

"We must be involved 100 per cent," he said.

 
 
 
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