LIONS TO PLAY KUWAIT AND OMAN

SINGAPORE (Jan 5, 2008) – The Singapore national team have lined up matches against Kuwait and Oman as part of their tune-up games before playing Saudi Arabia in the third round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.

Singapore and Thailand are the only Asean teams to be playing in the third round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Towards that, Singapore national coach Radojko Avramovic recently named his provisional squad which will play the friendlies against Kuwait and Oman in Muscat before departing for Riyadh on Feb 3.

Singapore, in Group 4 with Lebanon and Uzbekistan as well, will take on Saudi Arabia on Feb 6.

In the meantime, Thailand are on an all time high following their recent win of the 38th King’s Cup in Bangkok after overcoming Iraq, Uzbekistan and DPR Korea in their earlier matches.

Thailand in Group 2, have Japan, Bahrain and Oman for company and where they will open their campaign in the third round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan on Feb 6.

“We have to work hard for the World Cup qualifiers (against Japan),” said Thailand head coach Chanvit Phalajivin, whose team will start training on Jan 7.

“Winning the King’s Cup was good for Thailand’s preparations.”

Only the top two teams from each of the five groups will make the next round.