Forget the crowd, focus on the game, say ex-internationals

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SINGAPORE - Fandi Ahmad (picture), one of Singapore's greatest footballers, believes the key to the Lions' getting a positive result from tonight's second round, second-leg World Cup qualifier against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, is to ignore the crowd and focus on the game.

With more than 85,000 tickets sold, the Bukit Jalil Stadium will be turned into a boiling cauldron with Malaysian fans doing their best to unsettle the Lions, who hold a 5-3 lead from the first-leg last Saturday.

"Just forget the crowd," said Fandi, 49, who also turned out for Kuala Lumpur (1986-1990) and Pahang (1991-1992) during the Malaysia Cup days. If they can stay focused and disciplined, and frustrate the Malaysians for the first 20, 25 minutes, they should be alright ... And don't forget, Malaysia will be under a lot of pressure from their own fans because they must score, or they are out."

Malaysia must win by two clear goals to go through to the third round for the first time ever.

And earlier this week, Malaysian captain Safiq Rahim upped the ante by claiming the Lions are nothing without their naturalised players - Aleksandar Duric, Qiu Li, Mustafic Fahrudin and Shi Jiayi.

But other ex-Singapore internationals Today spoke to felt the Lions should not be distracted by these "mind games".

"The Lions must keep their cool and not lose their heads," said ex-Lions left-back Robert Sim, 59.

"The Malaysian fans will be shouting at the Singapore players but they cannot let it affect them and retaliate."

Former midfield maestro Malek Awab, 50, added: "They must be strong mentally, and hit on the counter-attack because Malaysia will be attacking furiously. But I'm confident they will be alright, as some of them have experience playing in places like Senayan."

Jakarta's 100,000-seat Senayan Stadium, now known as the Gelora Bung Karno, is one of Asia's most intimidating arenas.

Three of the current Lions, goalkeeper Lionel Lewis, defender Daniel Bennett and skipper Shahril Ishak, appeared in the first-leg of the 2004 AFF Cup final against Indonesia at Senayan which they won 3-1, and their experience will be crucial tonight.

It remains uncertain if national coach Radojko Avramovic will risk Lewis, 28, who is recovering from a groin injury, or stick with Izwan Mahbud, 21, who will be making only his third senior appearance.

But former national goalkeeper David Lee believes Lewis' experience can be a key factor.

"Singapore need to beef up their defence, and an experienced goalkeeper like Lionel will help," said Lee, now a freelance goalkeeping coach with the Singapore Sports School.

Still, Fandi is optimistic the Lions will clinch this one: "National coach Raddy Avramovic knows what he's doing and I believe Singapore should go through." Tan Yo-Hinn