Singapore take on Chinese Taipei in a Group E clash of AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday.
The Lions head into the game on the back of an impressive 0-0 draw against higher-ranked Bahrain on the road in their campaign opener in April. On the other hand, Chinese Taipei went down 3-1 to group leaders Turkmenistan at home in their first round match.
Match: Singapore v Chinese Taipei
Date: 10 June, Saturday
Time: 9pm SGT
Competition: AFC Asian Cup Qualifier 2019
Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium
TV Channel: Eleven Sports will provide live TV coverage of the match in Singapore.
Live streaming: Eleven Sports Facebook Page, Toggle, StarHub Go
Singapore have struggled to play consistently well, winning only two in 13 matches and scoring only six goals in the process ever since V Sundramoorthy was appointed as the caretaker coach last year. However, the 157th-ranked side received a huge boost when they held Bahrain.
Also read: Win against Chinese Taipei crucial step towards qualification, says Hariss Harun
The Lions have not qualified for the Asian Cup group stages since 1984, when they made it as the host nation. Sundramoorthy's side, if manages to beat Chinese Taipei on Saturday, will retain its position in the two-two spots of the group, with four matches left in the campaign.
SIngapore will be confident after the way they came back from behind to snatch a late-equaliser against Myanmar in a closed-door friendly on Tuesday. Sundramoorthy has reportedly hinted his side will be going for goals on Saturday.
With striker Khairul Amri set to miss the game with illness, utility player Safuwan Baharudin is set to take the striker role. The bench strength is solid as Lions also have in-form veteran Shahril Ishak and Khairul Nizam as options for the position.
Also, Singapore are likely to continue with the combination of Daniel Bennett and Irfan Fandi at the centre-back positions and Home United custodian Hassan Sunny is set to be back between the sticks, which makes it a formidable backline.
A young Chinese Taipei unit are no pushovers, but Singapore can snatch a win if they manage to take their chances well. Having quite a few in-form players in the front, including Home's Faris Ramli, Hariss Harun and Tampines veteran Yasir Hanapi is a big boost to the team.
Team News
Singapore
Possible XI: Sunny; Jantan, Bennett, Irfan, Hameed; Ramli, Hamzah, Hanapi, Hariss, Shafiq; Baharudin
Chinese Taipei
Possible XI: Chiu Yu Hung; Chen Yi wei, Wei Pei Lun, Chen Ting Yang, Yaki Yan; Chen Po Liang, Chen Hao Wei, Wen Chih Hao, Chien Hsun; Chu En Le, Chun Ching
