In the end, it is all down to the players

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Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011

Singapore’s master tactician, Radojko Avramovic speaks about his optimism in his current batch of Lions who are in Kunming, preparing for their FIFA World Cup Asian Zone Group A opener against China.

Sitting down with his signature black coffee in front of him, coach Raddy as he is affectionately known was still suffering from the effects of a bout of flu but was all smiles as he fielded questions from the contingent of Singaporean reporters at the majestic Grand Park Hotel in Kunming.

He started off explaining how he has been caught by surprise, with the team seemingly unperturbed by the much talked about high altitude in Kunming.

With a slight smile on his face, he said:“In some way, the boys have surprised me with their quick acclimatisation and they have come here with a strong mind. This team is a good team, and when I observe them in training or even in the last three games that we played, they are really serious in what they do and they are trying their best and that is what we want from them and to continue that way while we give them the support on the sidelines.”

Coach Raddy continued to stress that the players are the ones who matter most, as they are the ones who have to turn on the magic and get the job done on the pitch.

“This match is important for us(Singapore) because it gives us an opportunity to see where we are and the other part of it is that we should try and get some good results. However, what will happen in this game or next few games that we play, I don’t think anyone can predict. What I really want to see is that our boys go out and try to play and compete to the best of their abilities. If they give their 100% in any of the games and still lose, there will be no hard words because I will know they have given it their all.” he added.

When quizzed about how the match on 2 September will pan out, the lanky frame of Avramovic leaned forward as he went on to explain what he reckons were the key strengths of the Chinese team.

He elaborated: “This China team will most likely continue to play the way they did under their previous coach(Gao). They have very good full-backs who join their wide players down the wings, putting in a lot of crosses to catch the opponents’ defence. They have also called up some of their most experienced players like Zheng Zhi, Li Wei Feng and Sun Xiang to bolster the squad.

“Don’t forget that this China team was build in the past three years, in preparation for this World Cup qualification. They are the strongest team in this group and I hope they win all their games against the other two teams but not against us. In that way, it will leave the other three of us in Group A to fight for the second spot.”

With a live telecast of the match confirmed by Mediacorp and the Football Association of Singapore, millions of Singaporean viewers will be tuning in to support the Lions who will have to be at their best, to secure a positive result against the strongest team in the Group.

And like Coach Raddy said, “In the end, it is all down to the players. They have to realize that they are the ones who can make the difference on the field. But of course, from the side, the team officials will give them all the support and help they need.”

Mark the date down on your calendar. 2 September 2011. Channel 5. The Lions will walk out to do battle but you can be their 12th man.