No vote for Lions

Source

SINGAPORE - The national football team will take no part in the Aug 27 Presidential election (PE), as they will be overseas preparing for their opening match against China in the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

Said Lions' defensive stalwart Daniel Bennett, 33, who will be making his 100th appearance in a Singapore shirt when the team takes on Thailand in a friendly in Bangkok on Aug 24: "Unfortunately we miss out on a lot of things for football, that's the nature of our job.

"But this match is also for our country, and I've trust in my countrymen that they'll make a good choice in electing our next President."

Singapore kicks off its campaign against China in Kunming on Sept 2, with a home tie against Iraq four days later. Also in the group is Jordan.

A good Lions performance in Kunming could set the tone for a charge into the fourth and final round of qualifiers for the first time in Singapore's football history.

"The most important thing is for us to make sure the team is as best prepared as possible for the game against China, and we have been advised that they need a certain period of time (in Kunming)," Football Association of Singapore president Zainudin Nordin told TODAY.

"Unfortunately if they are away, they cannot vote."

Kunming is 1,900m above sea level, and plans have been put in place to ensure the Lions spend about a week there before their opening fixture.

"I hope that with this preparation, the boys will be able to live up to their potential and play to the best of their ability," added Mr Zainudin.