ASEAN final is Avramovic's target Doors open for Singapore squad as Serb coach works on battleplan for AFF Suzuki Cup

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SINGAPORE - He remembers it clearly, that Feb 4 night in Bangkok in 2007, his finest moment as coach of Singapore.

It was not the bullet from Khairul Amri's right boot that Radojko Avramovic remembers most fondly, even if it was the goal that saw Singapore defend its ASEAN crown.

What continues to stand out in Avramovic's mind was the dogged determination his men displayed protecting their goal after Amri's equaliser, allowing them to draw 1-1 on the night and beat Thailand 3-2 on aggregate to claim their second successive ASEAN Football Championship.

It was a professional backs-against-the-wall performance, and the Serb is plotting another such campaign for his Lions this year, starting in nine days in Doha.

The Lions face Azerbaijan in a friendly (Feb 24) before taking on Iraq (Feb 29) in their final Group A third round World Cup qualifier, and with Singapore already out of contention, those two games will be played with December's AFF Suzuki Cup in mind.

Speaking to Today, Avramovic, 62, said yesterday: "No one expected us to beat Thailand, and after Amri's goal, the team showed desire, professionalism and a will to win against the odds.

"And that was the best satisfaction for all the work done."

After two poor ASEAN campaigns in 2008 and 2010, few will rate Singapore this time out. Avramovic believes that will play into their hands.

"Our target is to qualify for the final, and it's easier when you are not the favourites. No one expected much of Vietnam (2008) and Malaysia (2010), and they won. This time, no one expects us to win."

Avramovic will pull out the stops for Singapore to regain their ASEAN title.

Before he announces his final squad, the door will be thrown open to all players regardless of age.

A programme has been drawn up for to get the Lions in prime shape by the end of the year.

"The core of the team will come from the players in the LionsXII squad, but there's no sentimentality, the best players will be selected and the door is open for everyone," he said.

"I will give a chance to young players, but if they don't take their chance, I will call older players as long as they are in the right shape and have the right attitude."

The Serb has a schedule in place to get his Lions in top form by the time the tournament comes around.

"We will use dates set aside by FIFA for internationals to play matches.

"However, the biggest difference is that this year, we will have the team together for 15 days just before the tournament," said Avramovic, who revealed that he only had two days with his full squad before leaving for the previous two tournaments.

Said Avramovic: "At the moment, our only target for the year is the Suzuki Cup. We have several players from that 2007 team still playing and matured players too. Every player will get opportunities to prove that they belong in the team."