By Les Tan
Looking like they just came from Snow City in Jurong, the national team are all bundled up while training in the snow in Tehran. (Photo courtesy of FAS)
Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, January 14, 2009 – The Singapore national football team face Iran today in their first Group E AFC Asian Cup qualifying game.
It’s a game that they will be happy to finish with a draw against a formidable Iranian squad.
"As long we do not lose the game, I think that will be a great result," said a pragmatic Singapore coach, Radojko Avramovic.
"For the past 10 years, Iran has been one of the best teams in Asia. They have participated in the World and Asian Cups and have very good club sides who have consistently qualified for the Asian Champions League.
"They also have an abundance of quality players, including a number of them who are playing in top level competitions in Spain and Germany," Avramovic added.
However, the local dailies claim these legionnaires, as foreign-based Iranian players are known, have not been called up to the Iranian squad as they have been told to concentrate on club commitments.
Players such as Javad Nekounam (Osasuna), Masoud Shojaee (Osasuna), Vahid Hashemian (Vfl Bochum) and Andranik Teymourian (Fulham FC) are some of those who have elected to stay with their respective clubs.
Apart from facing an Iranian team that could tear Singapore apart at will in the intimidating Azadi Stadium with a capacity of 100,000, the freezing temperatures are leaving our tropical lions quite numb literally.
"The weather without a doubt is cold here in Tehran but it is something we have to cope with. I know the players will struggle to last the full 90 minutes as they are not used to the cold and the dry air here in Tehran," said Avramovic.
"I know this is a big obstacle but we must put in more effort and I know the players will give it all their best to get a result.”
Given the weather and the quality of the opposition, the team will play a counter-attacking style as they expect Iran to attack from the start, indicated FAS spokesperson Visakan Subramaniam.
Precious and Agu, the two Nigerian-Singaporeans, are finding it hardest to adapt to the cold, judging by the layers of clothing they are wearing, said Visakan.
Said Precious: “The only problem I foresee in this game is the weather. The weather here is really cold and I am trying my best to stay warm. Even with all the clothing that we have, I am still cold.”
AFC Asian Cup qualification Group E
I.R. Iran vs Singapore
Wednesday 14 January
3.00pm, Iran time (7.30pm Singapore time)
Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Singapore probable lineup: Lionel Lewis (GK), Ismail Yunos , Baihakki Khaizan, Precious Emuejeraye, Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak, Fahrudin Mustafic, Isa Halim, John Wilkinson, Noh Alam Shah, Indra Sahdan
Substitutes: Hassan Sunny (gk), Mohd Noh Rahman, Shaiful Esah, Juma'at Jantan, Rosman Sulaiman, Mustaqim Mansur, Shi Jiayi, Ridhuan Muhammud, Agu Casmir
The Alborz mountain range provide a scenic background for the Lions in training but it’s all business when the whistle goes tonight. (Photo courtesy of FAS)
John Wilkinson will be more than used to the cold, given his English roots. (Photo courtesy of FAS)
Good to see an old school friend doing so well in his football career!! If you read this Jon then I had a chat with Dave Walker who mentioned you and your life in Singapore! Great stuff!