Singapore will go into Thursday's match at the Bukit Jalil Stadium facing a hostile crowd of between 70,000 and 80,000 football die-hards willing their opponents on. The Lions will also be without Ismail Yunos, the right-back suspended after his dismissal in Saturday's 5-3 win over Malaysia in the first leg of their second round World Cup qualifier at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
With the Singapore defence suffering some alarming lapses in the eight-goal thriller, coach Radojko Avramovic has much to ponder. But 19-year-old central defender Safuwan Baharudin insists they will be ready for Malaysia.
The decision on who will fill in for Ismail could prove decisive. Malaysian speedster S Kunalan ran riot down Singapore's right flank and Safuwan said: "After Ismail was sent off, Kunalan was free to roam on the right and we lost our focus and took awhile to regroup. It was a costly lesson and we have to make sure we do not lose our concentration no matter what happens in Kuala Lumpur."
There were fears left-back Juma'at Jantan would also be ruled out after suffering a nasty knock on his knee, but a medical scan after the match has cleared him.
Though disappointed he has been reduced to watching the match "live" on television, Ismail is confident Avramovic will find the right man to replace him.
"Fortunately, we have players who are versatile and can play in any position. One of them is Ruzaini Zainal. The pressure will be on us for sure, but I believe we can defend better this Thursday," he said.
The Singapore defence will be in for a huge test, and their leader, Daniel Bennett, who had a poor game on Saturday, will have to command and direct the Lions' rearguard, who will definitely face sustained pressure at times from a Malaysia side looking for goals.
While he admitted he was initially overawed in his first Causeway derby, Safuwan vowed he won't buckle under the pressure.
"I was nervous for a little while on Saturday, but when I got my rhythm I was able to play my usual game. I know it will be different at Bukit Jalil, but this is what we have prepared ourselves for and I am ready," he said.
Just 358 tickets were sold for the KL clash. Fans without tickets for the match at Bukit Jalil Stadium on Thursday will have to get them in Kuala Lumpur. The Football Association of Singapore's (FAS) deputy director of marketing and competitions, Ridzal Saat, said only 358 tickets were sold when counters closed at 2pm yesterday. Travel operator Akbar Hashim was among those that purchased tickets and is set to send six buses of fans to KL.
Another travel organiser, Walter Koh, has yet to get his tickets. "I'm still finalising my bookings and will have to ask the FAS if they can help me with tickets," said Koh. "If not, I will have to go up and get it from the Football Association of Malaysia."
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