Lions angry and down, but not out: Skipper Shahril vows team will give it their all against Iraq to get back on track

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Asian World Cup qualifier, Group A, third round

Singapore vs Iraq

SINGAPORE - It was 24 hours after their opening Group A clash with China in the third round of Asia's World Cup qualifiers, and the Lions were clearly still angry and aggrieved when they returned from Kunming last night.

Amidst it all, though, there was also a sense of optimism in the air at Changi Airport's Terminal 1, as they looked ahead to their meeting with Iraq on Tuesday at the Jalan Besar Stadium, aiming to get their challenge back on track.

A couple of controversial decisions by referee Andre El Haddad denied the Lions a shock result on Friday when they lost 2-1 to China in Kunming.

Speaking to Today last night, Singapore captain Shahril Ishak believes the experience will serve as a platform for the Lions to do better against the Iraqis.

"We're playing on home ground again, and we'll be playing at 110 per cent and going all out (to get a result)," he vowed. "We just have to keep playing the way we have been doing. We're confident, of course."

Around 30 fans turned up at the arrival hall to welcome the Lions home.

As the players and coaching staff waited for their baggage, some of the fans broke in song and waved scarves in a show of support for the team.

The players eventually emerged to loud cheers, with fans giving the players the thumbs-up, handshakes and a pat on the back.

Aleksandar Duric, who scored Singapore's goal in Kunming, was grateful.

"Thank you very much to all of you for coming," said the 41-year-old, flashing his boyish smile.

However, the controversial circumstances of Friday's defeat were never far away.

The Lions had silenced the crowd in Kunming's 40,000-capacity Tuodong Stadium after Duric gave them a shock 33rd minute lead after some great work by Qiu Li.

A controversial 69th-minute penalty from Zheng Zhi and a strike minutes later by Yu Hai eventually gave China victory.

While El Haddad awarded two spot-kicks to the home side, Singapore felt they were denied one after Duric was tripped by Chinese skipper Li Weifeng.

The incident saw El Haddad sending Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic to the stands for his protestations.

"We feel very disappointed. We deserved a point, but we've to accept the referee's decision," said Shahril. "Everyone was down as we felt we could have at least got a point."

Goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, who was walking with the aid of crutches after sustaining an ankle injury, added: "Some players were worked up, others quiet as they came into the dressing room after the match. But today, everyone's mood was a bit better."

The Lions will check into the Amara Hotel today and resume training this evening, ahead of their meeting with Iraq.

The Lions beat them 2-0 in a 2007 Asian Cup qualifier - the only defeat suffered by the Iraqis in their victorious campaign four years ago.

China and Jordan, who beat 2007 Asian champions Iraq 2-0 in Irbil on Friday, lead Group A, with Singapore and Iraq third and fourth respectively. Only the top two sides progress into the fourth round.

"I believe the players are strong enough (to cope with Friday's defeat), and we'll look forward to the game against Iraq," said Shahril. "They are alright now, and we're happy to be back home with so many fans here to cheer us up.

"It's a huge boost for the next game."

Added Izwan: "I can't make predictions, but football's a funny game. You never know."