After a tune-up, it's off to China Lions now head to Kunming to open third round World Cup qualifying campaign next Friday

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SINGAPORE - One thing was certain after last night's friendly between Singapore and Thailand - Daniel Bennett (picture) still has to wait before he can join the select club of Lions with 100 caps to their name.

Bennett turned in a professional performance at the heart of the Singapore defence in the 0-0 draw at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium in the Lions' final warm-up fixture before they head to Kunming to open their third round World Cup qualifying campaign against China next Friday.

But with the match officials hailing from Thailand and more than six substitutions made, the fixture will not be considered an 'A' international, leaving Bennett on 99 caps until he steps out against China next Friday.

Still the match served its purpose in giving Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic the opportunity to test his squad players, especially with regulars - the likes of Hariss Harun (National Service commitments), Ismail Yunos (injury), and Fazrul Nawaz (personal commitments) - all failing to travel with the team.

Speaking to Today over the phone after the game, Avramovic said: "It was a competitive game played at a good tempo, but you can feel that it was a friendly, with both teams not pushing all the way, to stay injury-free.

"We saw some good things and some things that we needed to work on."

Singapore started the game strongly, carving out half-chances, but they slowly faded and gave the home side more possession and opportunities, especially in the second half.

Mustafic Fahrudin shrugged off his knee injury to play in the first half and was his usual hard-tackling self, with Isa Halim working his socks off alongside him in midfield.

Avramovic said: "This was a competitive game and good preparation for us."

Said Bennett: "We struggled to contain Datsakorn Thonglao in the midfield for a bit. At times we gave them too much space in the middle, and were a bit stretched, but Isa worked really hard, and it was important to see Fahrudin come through the 45 minutes.

"We desperately need some experience in the midfield against China."

Upfront, the Lions looked sprightly when Qiu Li and Shahril Ishak turned on their magic. Once Qiu Li faded, Singapore's attacking threat disappeared.

"He's got individual flair, and he'll play better against China for sure, he wants to do well against them," said Bennett, who revealed the Lions back four are finally starting to understand each other.

"It has taken a bit of time, but we are starting to feel comfortable now, and it was good to see Lionel Lewis playing for the national team again," the 33-year-old added.

Lewis turned in a professional performance, making one phenomenal save to keep Singapore in the game in the second half, but Avramovic is faced with a difficult decision with 21-year-old Izwan Mahbud also doing well, especially with his ability to distribute the ball.

While Avramovic admitted he has no answer yet to which of the two keepers will start in goal, he will have to ponder much more, especially with some uncertain performances from his substitutes, of whom Hafiz Rahim was the performer who stood out.