November 18, 2004

They were expected to suffer a heavy defeat at the hands of reigning Asian champions Japan in the Saitama Stadium but thanks to goalkeeper Lionel Lewis, who produced a sterling performance & a steady defence, the Lions trooped off the pitch with their heads held high after going down 1-0 in the Pre-World Cup Asian Zone Group 3 qualifier.

Despite that, National coach Raddy Avramovic felt it could be better & his charges were robbed of at least a draw with Japan having the referee to thank for the victory.

Avramovic said it should not have been a goal because the player (Keiji Tamada) was offside when he scored. The referee helped Japan to win.

Tamada's goal breached the otherwise solid Lions' defence, which was well marshalled by S Subramani & Daniel Bennett.

Another hero at the back was keeper Lewis, who has been on the fringe of the national team this season, who was a surprise starter ahead of regular Hassan Sunny.

National team administrator Eugene Loo explained that Avramovic picked Lewis ahead of Hassan because he has been sharp and in form since the Lions began their training stint in Korea last week.

Loo said Lewis did very well & he vindicated the coaches' decision to field him for this game.

Avramovic had nothing but praise for his Lions & the way they finished the match before a boisterous & partisan crowd.

That the Japanese played without their European-based stars like former Asian Player of the Year Hidetoshi Nakata, Shinji Ono and Junichi Inamoto did not put a dampener on the result.

Avramovic also defended his tactics, when questioned by members of the media after the match.

He insisted the Lions did not go into the match wanting to defend but as Japan took the game to us in the opening minutes, there was no choice but to sit back. It was only when we were able to find our footing that we began to attack. Also we could have equalised in the final minute of the match.

Indeed, if only Itimi Dickson angled shot, set up by substitute Noh Alam Shah, had not been well saved by Japanese keeper Yoichi Doi Singapore could have left Japan with a well-deserved point.