Wednesday 27 July 2011

Defending Ain't An Option

Singapore will go into the Tiger's Den tonight holding a two goal advantage over Malaysia but Raddy Avramovic will know that for all his team's five goals in the first leg at Jalan Besar Stadium, the lead is paper thin.

Roared on by 90,000 Malaysians keen to rip a new one for their rivals Avramovic will be wary of a defence that shipped three goals including one that came about because of a comedy of errors at the back while many fans will still entering the stadium.

Ideally Singapore would need to emulate that early, early goal. That would turn the home support jittery and it would also leave the Malaysian defence on edge. Because the rearguard has been like Deep Throat...the source of many a leak.

Malaysia have concede four against Arsenal, six against Liverpool and five against Singapore in their last three outings and while coach Rajagobal may be confident his attack minded team will penetrate the Lions back line he knows his team remain vulnerable and confidence low in that area of the field.

It doesn't help Malaysia's cause that captain and inspirational midfielder Safiq Rahim as well as striker Norshahrul will both be missing.

Right from the get go Singapore will want to be getting among the Malaysians. Mustafic Fahruddin and Hariss Harun, both so impressive in the first leg, will need to be on top form again tonight to break up any Malaysian attacks early on.

An early goal and perhaps Singaporeans may start to believe round three beckons...

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