| By Khalis Rifhan @KhalisRifhan |
Singapore has been drawn in Group A alongside Jordan, Syria and Oman for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
The top two teams in the group and the third best placing team will progress to the tournament proper in 2015. The first qualifier match is scheduled to take place on February 6, 2013.
Singapore, drawn from 'Pot 4' will play their first match away against Jordan before hosting Oman on March 22, 2013.
The closest Singapore had come to qualification was during the 2011 qualifiers. Singapore was then drawn in group E, taking on the likes of Iran, Jordan and Thailand.
Although the Lions started the campaign with a 6-0 rout by Iran, they recovered from the setback and a win against Jordan and Thailand ensured that qualification was on the cards going into the last match.
But it was disappointment all around as the valiant Lions went down 2-1 against Jordan at the King Abdullah Stadium in Amman.
The Lions' only appearance in the Asian Cup proper was back in 1984 when the island nation hosted Asia’s most prestigious tournament.
Singapore ended the tournament with two losses, a draw and a win against India, scoring three goals while leaking four at the back.
Razali Saad and Malek Awab scored against India while the former got his second goal of the competition as the Lions drew with the mighty Iran.
AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ champions Japan, hosts and runners-up Australia, third-placed Korea Republic, AFC Challenge Cup 2012 winners DPR Korea and the champions of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup will get direct berths in the final competition.
|
Group A |
Group B |
Group C |
Group D |
Group E |
|
Jordan |
Iran |
Iraq |
Qatar |
Uzbekistan |
|
Syria |
Kuwait |
China PR |
Bahrain |
UAE |
|
Oman |
Thailand |
Saudi Arabia |
Yemen |
Vietnam |
|
Singapore |
Lebanon |
Indonesia |
Malaysia |
Hong Kong |
