NO NEED TO FEAR, OGURA TELLS LIONS

He admits defence is shaky, but teamwork can help end 8-match losing run to Thais

- Deepanraj Ganesan

With two wins out of two, world No. 161 Singapore are sitting pretty in second spot in Group A of the Asean Championship, behind Thailand only on goal difference.

But, if they are to reach the last four of the biennial competition for only the second time since 2012, it would take a lot more from Tsutomu Ogura's charges, who host world No. 97 Thailand at the National Stadium on Dec 17.

A win for either side will seal semi-final qualification, while a draw or a loss for the Lions means that their last-four hopes will go down to the final group match against the 132nd-ranked Malaysia at Bukit Jalil on Dec 20.

Judging by Singapore's defensive frailties, a semi-final spot looks to be a tall order.

While the Lions have earned maximum points after beating world No. 180 Cambodia 2-1 and the 196th-ranked Timor Leste 3-0, they have looked vulnerable at the back.

In eight international matches under Ogura, they have conceded 22 goals and will need to shore up their backline, as the War Elephants have scored six goals in their last two encounters with the Lions, winning 3-1 both times.