Football: Improving Lions 'need more work'

Former players praise positive attacking play but see weakness in defence, concentration

Ikhsan Fandi, who scored in the 3-1 loss to Uzbekistan, challenging for the ball during the World Cup 2022 qualifier at the National Stadium on Tuesday. Singapore, fourth in Group D with four points, will have to finish top or among the four best run
Ikhsan Fandi, who scored in the 3-1 loss to Uzbekistan, challenging for the ball during the World Cup 2022 qualifier at the National Stadium on Tuesday. Singapore, fourth in Group D with four points, will have to finish top or among the four best runners-up to advance to the third and final round of the qualifiers. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
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The Lions' fearless displays in their four World Cup 2022 qualifying games have not gone unnoticed but while encouraging to see, current and former players acknowledge there is some way to go till Singapore are on a par with some of Asia's best.

After a 2-2 draw with Yemen and a surprise 2-1 win over Palestine, Singapore's undefeated start was halted by losses to Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan in the past week.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 17, 2019, with the headline Football: Improving Lions 'need more work'. Subscribe