Malaysia to attack Singapore

There could not have been a bigger contrast between the two camps on the eve of what is expected to be an explosive Causeway derby, when Singapore face Malaysia in the first leg of the second round of World Cup qualifiers at the Jalan Besar Stadium tonight.

During the joint press conference at the Amara Hotel yesterday, Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic and captain Shahril Ishak were guarded, hands folded across their chests, not giving anything away with their answers.

Their Malaysian counterparts, K Rajagobal and skipper Mohd Safiq Rahim, were a picture of cool and calm from the moment they acknowledged Avramovic's welcome.

While neither side talked about it, make no mistake, the prize of bragging rights would have been a huge motivational tool in both camps in the build up to the match, besides the huge carrot of a place in the third round of the qualifiers.

Malaysia have conceded 14 goals in four matches while Singapore beat Taiwan 3-2 in their final tune-up on Monday.

When asked if the performance of either team's defensive units would decide tonight's outcome, as well as the return leg in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, Avramovic said: "Fans go to a game to see goals, so let there be many goals, why not.

"But it should always be the intention that we score more than our opponents, that is what it is supposed to be."

Rajagobal reminded everyone his team were up against two of the best sides in the world when they lost 4-0 and 6-3 to Arsenal and Liverpool, respectively, last week.

"I realise this and the players are also aware of it and definitely we don't want this to happen again," he said. "But tomorrow will be a different ball game, simple as that."

Rajagobal seemed a little ruffled after he was told of Taiwan coach Lee Tae Ho's assessment that Singapore had more stability and were a more mature side, compared to the Tigers. Malaysia had advanced to the second round of the qualifiers on the away goals rule, after a 4-4 aggregate score against the Taiwanese after two games.

Said Rajagobal: "As a team progresses they become better and perhaps he doesn't know this. Besides, if 80,000 people come and watch a match, we will have 80,000 opinions."

Both sides will be aiming to take an early advantage in the first leg to relieve the mounting pressure on their respective players ahead of the return clash at the Bukit Jalil Stadium.

Insisting there was no pressure on his side to get a winning scoreline at home, Avramovic felt the situation was no different from when they beat Tajikistan in the previous World Cup qualifying edition to advance to the third round.

"I never try to put pressure on the players. I like to take on the pressure myself to release them to get ready and focus on the game," the Serb said.

"Whether we face Malaysia, Vietnam or China to get into the third round again, the stakes are the same.

"But this match is getting a lot of attention because it is Malaysia and maybe that is good for football in our countries."

Rajagobal insisted his charges had all the necessary weapons to shut out the Lions in their own den.

"We have been emphasising a fast-paced game, although at times I also like the passing game. The only team in the world which plays the same way is Barcelona. For us it all depends on the situation," he said.