ROBSON DEMANDS CONCENTRATION; LIONS NOT GIVING UP

Goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool and Natthaphong Samana are both suspended after picking up their second yellow cards in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over the Lions.

Add to that, there is a big possibility that midfielder Surat Sukha may not be fit enough for the return game due to an injury.

Thailand, whose win on the road over Singapore has put them on second in Group E with five points, will be aiming for the full points at the Rajamangala Stadium.

And Robson remained confident that Thailand can score back-to-back wins over their ASEAN neighbours with Kittisak Rawangpa taking over in goal while Natthaphong will be replaced by Rangsan Vivatchaichok.

And if Surat is not fit, he will be replaced by either Peter Laeng or Nirut Surasiang.

Robson said that although he was pleased with the team’s performance, he was not happy with the lack of concentration at the end of the game which saw Singapore score a consolation goal.

“The players have learned a lesson and that they must concentrate for the full 90 minutes,” added Robson.

In the meantime, Singapore have not given up the fight to win a place in the 2011 Asian Cup despite their 3-1 loss at home to Thailand on the weekend.

“I believe that we have the same chance with Thailand of making the Asian Cup in 2011. We should not feel too disappointed with the loss we conceded in our last game,” said striker Aleksandar Duric.

“I admit that we did not play as well as we had hoped in the first half. But once we got into the rhythm, we just did not convert the chances we created. But then, this is football,” said Duric, who has been the S-League’s top scorer for three seasons in a row.

“We managed to be competitive in the second half and the presence of Khairul (Amri) as well as Indra (Sahdan Daud) added pressure on the opponent. But unfortunately, this caused our defence to be a little in the open and that allowed Thailand to capitalize.”