Big names do not faze Lions Avramovic's men will not be cowed by Camacho's Real Madrid credentials

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Asian World Cup qualifier, Pool A

China vs Singapore



SINGAPORE - As a Real Madrid player, he chalked up nine league titles and a couple of European trophies.

He went on to manage the Galacticos of Real Madrid and guided Spain to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup.

But tomorrow, when China host Singapore in the opening Group A clash in the third round of Asia's World Cup qualifiers, Jose Antonio Camacho will just be a man screaming on the sidelines at Kunming's Toudong Stadium in a language his Chinese players will not understand, as far as the Lions are concerned.

Big name or not, Camacho does not strike fear within Radojko Avramovic's 22-man squad, who believe the pressure is piled high on their opponents.

"Camacho is a big name, but knowing Raddy, I don't think he will care who is sitting on the other bench at all," Singapore hitman Aleksandar Duric told Today in a telephone interview from Kunming.

"We players certainly don't care."

Spaniard Camacho took over the reins of the Chinese team on Aug 14, a big-name signing charged to awaken the sleeping Asian giants.

Duric, 41, asserts that while Camacho will look to implement changes in the Chinese team, it will take time for it to bear fruit.

Team-mate Shaiful Esah echoed the sentiment. Said the Lions' left-back: "He might change the Chinese system of play and the players might be confused by it. Of course, players also tend to play well in the first game of the new coach to stake their claim for a spot in the first XI."

China made the World Cup finals in 2002 but have failed to feature in the last two editions.

The 40,000-capacity Toudong Stadium tomorrow will be full of excited partisan support but Shaiful believes the Lions won't be cowed.

"What we have is hunger. We want to prove that Singapore football can match the best in Asia. We want to win this game, and make history by qualifying for the fourth round of the qualifiers, and we are all willing to work for each other to get a good result," said the 25-year-old.

According to Duric, the Lions will not park the proverbial bus in front of the Singapore goal. "We are always looking to score goals, because scoring is important for the team's confidence. But we are aware that we are playing away and that China are a team full of good individuals. We need to work as a unit if we are to achieve anything," he said.

The Tampines Rovers forward has been singled out by Camacho in the Chinese press, along with fellow forward Qiu Li, as the players who could threaten China's goal.

While flattered, Duric tips his hat to Camacho for his professionalism.

"He may have only been in charge for a short time, but it is clear China are preparing well under him ... they are watching tapes of our recent matches and are taking this game seriously," said Duric.

The other teams in the group are Iraq and Jordan. They will take on Iraq at the Jalan Besar Stadium four days after the crunch tie with China.

Iraq also have a big name as coach, recently appointing Brazilian legend Zico on a year-long contract. Big names or not, Duric has a good feeling about Singapore's chances.

"This campaign is not just about Friday's game, it is a long campaign, but I have a feeling there will be several upsets in this group," he said.