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SINGAPORE: The fans I've spoken to ahead of the Lions' clash with Saudi Arabia all seem to be in agreement — Singapore will lose they say, with the majority predicting a 3-0 scoreline.
Asian Cup runners-up last year, the Saudis have been in four successive World Cup finals starting in the United States in 1994.
They are desperate to make it five on the trot in South Africa in 2010 and are determined to start their Asian Zone third round Group 4 qualifying campaign tonight in the best possible way — with a handsome win over the Lions in front of their own fans.
Ranked fifth in Asia and 57th in the world, going up against a side currently pegged at No 126 by Fifa, little wonder Saudi Arabia are raging favourites over Singapore.
Just maybe, though, Radojko Avramovic's Lions deserve better from their own, ahead of their biggest match of all.
After some eye-catching performances and a couple of tremendous results over the last two years, perhaps it is time the fans here at home believe in this team.
These Lions are good enough that if any of Asia's giants underestimate them, they will pay a price.
Iraq, who completed a fairytale run with a 1-0 win over the Saudis in last year's Asian Cup Final, were beaten 2-0 at the National Stadium in 2006 in a qualifier for the tournament.
Group opponents China only managed a win in Tianjin through a last-minute penalty, the return clash at Kallang ended 0-0.
The Lions successfully defended their Asean Championship last year, they lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a friendly in June and put up stiff resistance before going down to Australia 3-0.
Bruno Metsu brought his United Arab Emirates side here last September and the match ended 1-1, the Lions then visited one of Asia's darkhorses, Bahrain, for a friendly in October and lost 3-1.
Two weeks ago, they beat Kuwait 2-0 in Muscat as they ramped up their preparations for the Saudi clash.
Facing one of the best sides on the continent, it would be a huge boost if the Lions knew ahead of the Saudi clash tonight that their fans believe they can pull off the greatest result in the history of Singapore football.
The players believe.
Not too long ago Singapore's best footballers went into such games fearing the worse.
Coaches sent their men out of the dressing room with instructions to keep the score down.
No more.
Avramovic has assembled a team difficult to break down on the pitch.
Crucially, he has also instilled in them self-belief, which ensures they go into every game with no fear, no matter the opposition.
Striker Khairul Amri has speed to burn and deft skills to unlock defences. He is tremendous with a dead ball.
Midfielder Shahril Ishak can create chances with his passing ability. Mustafic Fahrudin is an obdurate sentry in front of the back four and Aleksandar Duric's eye for goal is special.
Crucially, Lionel Lewis is one of Asia's best goalkeepers.
Obviously, he needs to be at his best tonight in Riyadh if the Lions are to get any sort of result.
Indeed, the whole team will have to give 100 per cent if they are to post one of the results of the day among all the international matches that will be played across the globe.
Tonight, the Lions will have to do it without a nation truly believing in them.
It will take one massive effort, and some luck, for them to get at least a draw.
Only then will Singaporeans be convinced our Lions are the real deal.
And the team, and country, can at least start to dream of Round 4. - TODAY/ar
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