At Singapore’s pre-match press conference, head coach Takayuki Nishigaya said that while LCS’ results give confidence, the national and club levels are “quite different”.
“We have just (to be) focused on tomorrow’s game, (and) what we can do,” he said.
Midfielder Song Ui-young added that some of the Lions have experience playing against South Korean teams and that could prove beneficial.
“My teammates have experienced in a direct way (what it is like to play) against Korean players and Korean teams,” he said.
“Korean players are very technical and they are physically very strong … It’s really important to have a good first half tomorrow night and see where the game goes afterwards.”
FANDI BROTHERS BACK
Singapore will be boosted by the return of key players such as defender Safuwan Baharudin. Also included in the Lions’ ranks are the Fandi brothers – Irfan, Ikhsan and Ilhan.
All three are on the comeback trail following major injuries.
Ikhsan has been out about 10 months since suffering a knee injury in an international friendly last December, while Irfan suffered a serious injury while playing for his club BG Pathum last May and has faced setbacks in his recovery.
Prior to his call-up against Guam, striker Ilhan was out of action for nine months due to an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee.
Speaking to CNA on Tuesday, Ikhsan, who also plays for BG Pathum, said he was pleased to be back in the Singapore ranks.