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SINGAPORE – The Lions have been handed a form draw on Thursday (Feb 24) for the third spherical qualifiers of subsequent 12 months’s Asian Soccer Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup.
World No. 161 Singapore are in Group F alongside Kyrgyzstan (96th), Tajikistan (one hundred and fifteenth) and Myanmar (152nd), having averted heavyweights Uzbekistan (eighty fifth), Bahrain (89th) and Jordan (ninetieth).
The qualifiers, performed in a single round-robin format, might be held between June 8-14 in centralised venues because of the pandemic. Beforehand it was contested in a home-and-away format.
The six group winners and 5 finest second-placed groups will be part of 13 already-qualified sides for the primary match, held in China subsequent 12 months.
The Republic’s sole look on the continent’ flagship males’s match got here in 1984 as hosts.
They open their marketing campaign on June 8 in opposition to hosts Kyrgyzstan within the capital of Bishkek. Each nations final met in a world pleasant final November, which the Central Asian aspect gained 2-1.
A month later on the Suzuki Cup, the Lions beat Myanmar 3-0 within the group stage en path to reaching the semi-finals.
Tajikistan are much less acquainted opponents to Singapore. They’ve met twice beforehand, through the 2010 World Cup qualifiers held in Nov 2007. Singapore gained 2-0 at house and claimed a 1-1 away draw.
Veteran goalkeeper Hassan Sunny, 37, stated: “Qualifiers are by no means simple. We’ve got performed Kyrgyzstan lately and we all know how powerful they are often. They’re internet hosting these qualifiers as nicely so they are going to be up for it. Tajikistan and Myanmar are good groups as nicely. We wish to present the sort of angle we confirmed on the Suzuki Cup and have a superb qualifying marketing campaign.
“In the mean time, we do not know who our head coach is however I’m certain whoever is available in will get us prepared for these matches. As nationwide gamers, we’re wanting ahead to it.”
The Lions are nonetheless with out a nationwide coach after Japanese Tatsuma Yoshida ‘s contract was mutually terminated on Dec 31 final 12 months. The Soccer Affiliation of Singapore had focused an appointment by mid-March.
To organize for the Asian Cup qualifiers, the Lions are anticipated to play pleasant matches in March.
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