AFF Suzuki Cup - Stange:"Home Advantage Pressures Away Team To Spur Us on"

Singapore's coach Bernd Stange

Speaking ahead of their AFF Suzuki Cup opener against Thailand tomorrow at the National Stadium, Singapore National Coach Bernd Stange maintained his usual confidence at the joint pre-match press conference at M Hotel.

"I believe we are well prepared to show that we are the top team since we are hosting the tournament," said the German coach.

"With expecting crowds of thirty, forty thousands behind us, this is always an advantage to any home team because they added pressure to the away team and motivate the (home) players to do well just like anywhere in the world."

Only Thailand (far right) was not represented by their head coach

Despite last minute changes that saw the Lions not able to conduct their final training at the pristine Kallang surface prior to the opener, the former Belarus national coach is least worried for the lack of familiarization.

Explained Coach Stange:"This is not the first time the players play on the surface, as some of them played for the Singapore Selection (against Juventus in August),

"(Friendly results versus Cambodia and Laos) meant nothing, as we are absolutely focused for the game against Thailand, as it is a big big battle for this match."

"We need to strike a good balance by playing safe and attacking football against Thailand, it's extremely important for us to deliver the result and I am optimistic about this."

Met some of the Lions posed for this shot - "SMILE..."

Despite not being one of those featured in that August match against the Bianconeri and be probably starting his first game on the much-criticized surface, defender Ismadi Mukhtar shared the same sentiments as his coach.

Sharing his thoughts after the team's training session at the Jurong West Stadium, the 31-year-old said:"I don't focus much on things that are not relevant to the game (i.e.: the National Stadium field) but chose to stay focused on the match itself,

Ismadi hopes to inspire

"So far, I have been coping well with the team and it's not much different to what I am doing at my club (Tampines Rovers), so I know what to do and it's a personal achievement for me (to play for the national team) that given my age, I hope I can work hard to inspire my younger teammates." added the newly-capped Lions when begin asked of his thoughts and role that might differ from that at club.

In the meantime, the final squad of the 22 for the tournament was made known around this noon, as follows.

THE FINAL 22

S/NO	FULL NAME	POSITION	AGE	CAPS	GOALS	CLUB
1	MOHAMAD IZWAN BIN MAHBUD	GK	24	27	0	LIONSXII
2	HASSAN BIN ABDULLAH SUNNY	GK	30	45	0	WARRIORS FC
3	MUHAMMAD AL QAASIMY BIN ABDUL RAHMAN	DF	22	5	0	COURTS YOUNG LIONS
4	BAIHAKKI BIN KHAIZAN	DF	30	111	4	LIONSXII
5	MOHAMAD SHAIFUL BIN ESAH NAIN	DF	28	40	2	TAMPINES ROVERS
6	ISMADI BIN MUKHTAR	DF	31	4	0	TAMPINES ROVERS
7	MOHAMMAD AFIQ BIN YUNOS	DF	24	6	0	LIONSXII
8	MUHAMMAD AMIRUL ADLI BIN AZMI	DF	18	3	0	COURTS YOUNG LIONS
9	MUHAMMAD SAFUWAN BIN BAHARUDIN	DF	23	40	2	LIONSXII
10	MUHAMMAD SHAKIR BIN HAMZAH	DF	22	10	0	LIONSXII
11	MUHAMMAD HAFIZ BIN ABU SUJAD	MF	24	12	0	LIONSXII
12	HARISS S/O HARUN	MF	24	45	1	JOHOR DARUL TAKZIM 1
13	MUHAMMAD ZULFAHMI BIN MOHD ARIFIN	MF	23	10	0	LIONSXII
14	SHAHDAN BIN SULAIMAN	MF	26	40	2	TAMPINES ROVERS
15	MUHAMMAD FARIS BIN RAMLI	MF	22	10	1	LIONSXII
16	MOHAMMAD SHAHRIL BIN ISHAK	MF	29	117	13	JOHOR DARUL TAKZIM 2
17	GABRIEL QUAK JUN YI	MF	24	7	2	LIONSXII
18	MUHAMMAD SHAHFIQ BIN GHANI	FW	22	17	2	LIONSXII
19	MOHAMMAD KHAIRUL AMRI BIN MOHAMMAD KAMAL	FW	29	89	23	LIONSXII
20	MOHAMAD SAHIL BIN SUHAIMI	FW	23	8	0	COURTS YOUNG LIONS
21	MUHAMMAD KHAIRUL NIZAM BIN MOHAMMAD KAMAL	FW	23	8	0	LIONSXII
22	FAZRUL BIN NAWAZ	FW	29	68	6	HOME UNITED