SINGAPORE AND THAILAND NOT GIVING UP YET

Following from their 7-3 loss to the Central Asian the previous week, the Lions will need to win at least a point in Tashkent if they hope of claiming one of the two spots from Group 4.

Apart from Bahrain in Group 2, Uzbekistan are the only team with a 100% record in the third round of qualifiers.

“That last match wasn’t a true reflection of what we are capable of,” said Selangor skipper Indra Sahdan.

“We gave away a few soft goals and as long as we cut down on our mistakes and be more disciplined, we should do ok.

“Everyone has settled well here despite the rather warm weather. We want a win tomorrow as we need the points. It’s not our style to play for a draw so we’ll be going for it.”

Head coach Radojko Avramovic must make at least one enforced change from the last match with right full-back Mohd Noh Rahman suspended after picking up his second yellow of the 3rd round.

Home United full-back Juma’at Jantan, who is comfortable playing on either flank, will make his full senior competitive debut if he starts in place of Noh.

In the meantime, Asean neighbours Thailand will be anxious to make up for lost ground when they take on Bahrain in the next match of the qualifiers tomorrow.

The Thais had conceded a 3-2 loss to Bahrain in their last match at the Stadium Rajamangala in Bangkok.

Thailand arrived in Manama still seeking their first point after suffering consecutive defeats in Group Two.

Coach Chanvit Phalajivin is attempting to revive confidence in his side after the disappointment of Monday when his side twice fought back from deficits before Sayed Mohamed Adnan’s second-half strike sealed victory for the Bahrainis.

“We conceded the three goals too easily,” said Chanvit who will probably still be missing the trio Kiatprawut Saiwaew, Sutee Suksomkit and Teerasil Dangda.

“We had several chances to score more goals but we couldn’t convert them.”

Thailand’s chances of reaching the final round are all but over but Chanvit vowed that they will continued to battle for results until the end.

“We are virtually out of contention in the group,” he said.

“However we still have three matches to play and we will do our best in these matches and try to get the best possible results from them.”