That is the defiant mood in the Lions' camp, ahead of their third-round World Cup qualifier against the fearsome Uzbeks in Tashkent tonight.

After losing 3-7 to the Central Asians on Monday, the Lions have their backs to the wall, as far as qualification is concerned.

To reach Asia's final qualifying stage for the 2010 World Cup, they have to beat the Uzbeks tonight, and secure victories against Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.

They also have to hope that the Saudis drop points against either Uzbekistan or Lebanon.

But the Lions' chances were dealt a blow when Fifa moved today's Saudi Arabia-Lebanon tie to the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The match was originally an away game for the Saudis, but political uncertainty in Beirut prompted the change of venue.

Saudi Arabia had already defeated Lebanon 4-1 in Riyadh on Monday.

Still, the Lions are remaining focused on their Herculean task at hand - to nick a result against their conquerors.

'There's no use being careful, because they will kill us if we play for a draw,' said captain Indra Sahdan Daud in a telephone interview from the Uzbek capital. 'We have nothing to lose.'

In the first leg at the National Stadium, Uzbekistan's midfielders ran amok. Four of their five midfielders got on the scoresheet, as the Lions' defence crumbled under the onslaught.

To prevent a repeat of that nightmare, the Lions will have to defend better as a unit.

Mustafic Fahrudin and his central midfield partner, John Wilkinson, are likely to be given orders to form a more effective shield for Singapore's creaky defence.

Said Mustafic: 'We have to be more compact when they are attacking, and reduce the gap between our defence and midfield.

'They will punish us if we make even one mistake.'

Over the last few days, the Singapore players have been busy dissecting videos of their infamous defeat. It was the Lions' worst result on home soil since the 0-4 Tiger Cup hiding at the hands of Malaysia in 2002.

'We've looked at how we conceded the goals and how we could have stopped them,' said defender Baihakki Khaizan.

'But it will still be an open game tonight. We won't sit back and defend for a 0-0 draw.'

Going forward, the pace of winger Khairul Amri will again be key to Singapore's attacking hopes.

The Young Lions star tormented the Uzbeks with his speed and trickery at Kallang, winning a penalty for his efforts.

'I will try to create chances for my teammates,' he said. 'But we have to keep our shape this time, even when we attack.'

Coach Raddy Avramovic, who is still recovering from a bout of fever, is likely to make at least two changes tonight.

Striker Indra has recovered from injury, and could be given the green light to join Aleksandar Duric in attack.

Right-back Noh Rahman is definitely out after picking up his second yellow card of the campaign on Monday. Juma'at Jantan is his likely replacement.

Said Baihakki: 'We believe we can play better than we did on Monday.

'What they did to us at the National Stadium, perhaps we can do the same to them in Tashkent.'

Uzbekistan v Singapore
Live, Ch5, 10pm