By FAS NewsSingapore will meet Jordan, Thailand and three-time winners Iran in Group E of the Final Qualification Round for the AFC Asian Cup 2011™ in Doha.
The Lions kick off their Asian Cup qualifying campaign when they travel to Tehran to meet Iran, who are lead by 1999 Asian Footballer of the Year Ali Daei, on 14 January 2009.
Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic knows that the 43rd ranked Iran will the favourites to qualify for the finals and it will be a three way battle with Jordan and Thailand for the last qualifying spot.
“Iran is the main team in the group and they are the favourites to get to the finals.
"They may have been undergoing some changes but they have done well recently in the World Cup qualifying and seem to have found the right balance in their team.
“They have a number of younger players but they are still one of the best in Asia and should be able to go through.”
The Lions will host Jordan on 28 January in Singapore before they face Thailand in November 2009.
Little separates the other three teams vying a spot in the finals with Jordan ranked 124, Thailand ranked 126 and Singapore ranked 132in the latest FIFA rankings.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the finals in 2011 joining hosts Qatar as well as the top three finishers in last year’s AFC Asian Cup Finals – Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic.
2008 AFC Challenge Cup winner India gets an automatic slot together with the winner of the 2010 Challenge Cup.
Ticket details for the Jordan game on 28 January 2009 will be released shortly.
AFC Asia Cup 2011 Fixtures
14 Jan 2009
Iran vs Singapore
Tehran, Iran
28 Jan 2009
Singapore vs Jordan
Singapore, Singapore
14 Nov 2009
Singapore vs Thailand
Singapore, Singapore
18 Nov 2009
Thailand vs Singapore
Bangkok, Thailand
6 Jan 2010
Singapore vs Iran
Singapore, Singapore
3 March 2010
Jordan vs Singapore
Amman, Jordan
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