By The AFC.comBANGKOK – Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic feels his side are just “one good result” away from reaching the 2011 AFC Asian Cup following their crucial 1-0 victory over Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium.
Aleksandar Duric headed home the only goal of the game after 38 minutes to settle the contest as Singapore avenged Saturday's home defeat and, more importantly, leapfrogged their regional rivals in the Group E table.
They next face Iran at home in January before completing their campaign in Jordan and Avramovic believes victory in either of those games could seal their spot in Qatar.
“I think it's a great opportunity now,” said Avramovic, who is popularly known in Singapore as Raddy.
“There's everything to play for and from those two games, we need one good result to maybe qualify.
“This competition is now really open for all the teams and I think if we win our next game, we have a great opportunity.”
Avramovic was also delighted with the way his side responded to the disappointing 3-1 loss in Singapore at the weekend.
“This means a lot for the players because they all felt very bad after the game in Singapore and this gives them extra strength and showed that against a good Thailand team, we can win,” he added.
“It's very special for us. I said to players they have to believe in themselves and that we have the experience after bad games to bounce back but it was not easy. I think these are the best two teams in South East Asia."
Duric nodded home the winner from a corner while standing unmarked almost on the goal line in front of Thailand keeper Kittisak Rawangpa and boss Bryan Robson admitted it proved a costly mistake.
“We knew all about Singapore's set-pieces and our marking was wrong for their goal,” he said.
“But they were very well organised and tough to break down and I couldn't really ask much more from my players.”
Thailand next host Jordan in January before travelling to Iran but despite now trailing Singapore by one point, Robson is still optimistic Thailand can make it to Qatar.
“I don't think I've got to make too many changes, we had two out but that's no excuse, I feel that the squad we have is capable of getting good results and we've still got a good chance,” he added.
“We've got Jordan at home in January and that's an important game now that we take three points.
“It's disappointing that it's not in our own hands but I do feel that we still have a great opportunity and I'd sooner have the fixtures our way round.”
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