Robson gets first taste of Asian Cup action

SOCCER

SINGAPORE : Bryan Robson faces a baptism of fire in his first competitive game as Thailand coach when the Kingdom meet Singapore in a crucial Asian Cup qualifying match tomorrow.

The former England captain is confident that his men will return home with a result, while his players want to avenge their defeat against the Lions in the Asean Championship final two years ago.

"When I am a coach at any team, I always believe in my players' potential. I always want my players to have confidence in themselves," said Robson.

"We have the potential and if we have confidence, we will win."

The ex-Manchester United midfielder said Singapore were dangerous in attack with a tall striker in Serbian-born Aleksandar Duric and his partner Nor Alam Shah.

But they have a weak point that their defenders often go up-field when they attack, said Robson, who has guided Thailand in three warm-up games since taking over the Thailand job last month.

"They often concede goals from counter-attack. If our players can pass the ball accurately, we will have chances to score. I'm sure that this will be an interesting match."

Several Thai players are still upset by their defeat in Singapore in the first leg of the Asean Championship final in 2007.

Singapore got a dubious penalty in the last minute prompting Thailand to stage a walkout. When play resumed, Singapore netted from the spot to win 2-1. Singapore went on to claim the title.

"We are looking forward to avenging the defeat," said Thailand captain Datsakorn Thonglao.

Sutee Suksomkit of Australian side Melbourne Victory said Thailand were better than Singapore and believed they would get at least a point.

Therdsak Chaiman, who is playing in the Singapore league, said there was nothing to be worried about Singapore except for their aerial attack.

Strikers Teerasil Dangda and Teerathep Winothai are likely to lead the Thai attack as Robson is trying to add firepower up front.

Thailand have not yet found the net in the Asian Cup qualifying Group E with two scoreless draws in Jordan and at home to Iran.

The Thais are third, one point behind Singapore who have one win and one defeat. Iran lead the group with four points while Jordan have one. The top two teams from each of the five qualifying group advance to the 2011 finals in Qatar.

Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic has closed his training sessions to keep prying Thai eyes out.

"If everyone sees what we are doing, it is not good," the Serb told local media.

Thailand will host Singapore on Wednesday. In the other Group E game tomorrow, Iran are at home to Jordan.

The Singapore v Thailand match tomorrow will be televised live on Channel 7 at 6.30pm.

Thailand probable line-up

Goalkeeper: Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool; Defenders: Nataporn Phanrit, Kiatprawut Saiwaew, Natthaphong Saman, Suree Sukha; Midfielders: Nirut Surasiang, Datsakorn Thonglao, Sutee Suksomkit, Suchao Nutnum; Strikers: Teerasil Dangda, Teerathep Winothai

2011 Asian Cup qualifying standings

(played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points)

Group A

Japan! 3 !2 !0 !1 !8! 2 !6 !Bahrain !2 !2 !0! 0! 4 !1 !6 !Yemen !2 !1 !0! 1! 2! 2! 3 !Hong Kong !3 !0 !0 !3 !1 !10! 0 !

Group B

Australia !3 !1 !1 !1 !1! 1 !4 !Oman !3 !1 !1! 1! 1! 1! 4 !Kuwait !2 !1 !0! 1 !1 !1 !3 !Indonesia! 2 !0 !2 !0! 0! 0! 2 !

Group C

UAE! 2 !1 !0! 1! 5 !1 !3 !Uzbekistan !1 !1 !0! 0 !1! 0! 3 !Malaysia !1 !0 !0! 1 !0 !5 !0!

Group D

Syria! 2 !2! 0 !0 !5 !2 !6 !China !2 !1 !0 !1 !8 !4 !3 !Vietnam !2 !1 !0! 1! 4! 7 !3 !Lebanon !2 !0 !0! 2 !1 !5 !0!

Group E

Iran !2 !1 !1! 0! 6! 0! 4 !Singapore! 2 !1 !0! 1! 2! 7! 3 ! Thailand ! 2 ! 0 ! 2 ! 0 ! 0 ! 0 ! 2 !Jordan !2 !0 !1! 1! 1! 2! 1 ! Note: Top two in each group qualify for the finals in Qatar.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES

Group B: Kuwait v Indonesia; Oman v Australia

Group C: Uzbekistan v Malaysia

Group D: Vietnam v Syria; Lebanon v China

Group E: Iran v Jordan; Singapore v Thailand