Goal.com
26th Jan 2008
Singapore have progressed by leaps and bounds under the tutelage of the Serbian, who took over the Lions in 2003.
The improvement was showcased in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, when Singapore performed a giant-killing act to beat eventual champions Iraq 2-0 in their opening game.
And in the preliminary qualifying rounds of the 2010 World Cup, Singapore comfortably beat Palestine and Tajikstan to reach the last 20 in the third round. Singapore are grouped together with three-time Asian champions Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Lebanon.
With the islanders set to take on Saudi Arabia on February 6, Avramovic is confident of springing a surprise against the Asian giants.
"There are no easy groups at this level but we'll look to surprise the favourites in our section," said the Serbian at his team's training camp in Muscat, Oman.
"Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan may be the favourites in our group but football is not just about the favourites. Otherwise the game wouldn't be as intriguing as it is."
On Thursday, Singapore beat Kuwait 2-0 in a warm-up match held in Muscat, which no doubt will boost Avramovic confidence further. The current Lions national team, however, feature seven foreign-born footballers who were given citizenship to play for the islanders.
Despite the morale boosting win, Avramovic’s charges are not going to rest on their laurels. For Precious Emuejeraye, he is looking forward to the showdown against the Saudis.
"It will be a hard match but we are not looking at Saudi Arabia as the end point. We plan on going well beyond that," said the Nigeria-born defender.
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=561383
