Robson gets first taste of Asian Cup action

Former England captain Bryan Robson gets his first taste of Asian Cup football on Saturday when Thailand travel to Singapore for a must win qualifying clash against their Southeast Asian neighbour.

It is one of seven matches being played as the race to Qatar in 2011 heats up, with another round of games next Wednesday.

In Group B, Pim Verbeek’s Australia are in Oman with both sides on four points from three games, while Kuwait (three points from two games) host Indonesia (two points from two games).

Uzbekistan play Malaysia in Tashkent in the only Group C game while leaders Syria take on Vietnam in Group D and China travel to bottom-of-the-table Lebanon.

There are no Group A games, with table toppers Bahrain facing New Zealand in Wellington for a place in the World Cup on the same day.

Only the top two in each group qualify for the finals in January 2011 with hosts Qatar as well as Iraq, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, the top three in the 2007 tournament, into the finals automatically.

India have also qualified after winning the AFC Challenge Cup last year.

Former Middlesbrough and West Brom manager Robson, who took over from Peter Reid in September, will be in charge for his first competitive game and said he was confident of the right result.

“I have studied tapes of Singapore. Although they are a strong side, I think we are capable of getting an impressive result,” the ex-Manchester United legend told reporters.

Thailand are third in Group E after two goalless draws — in Jordan and at home to Iran.

They are a point behind Singapore who have one win and one defeat. Iran top the group with a win and a draw, while Jordan have just one point.

Robson’s assistant Steve Darby said it was critical that Thailand do not lose.

“We must try to get at least a point in such an important game. A result in Singapore will be crucial for Thailand’s campaign,” he said.

Such is the importance of the clash that Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic has closed his training sessions to keep prying Thai eyes out.

“If everyone sees what we are doing, it is not good,” the Serb told local media.

Iran, meanwhile, warned up for their match against Jordan with a 1-0 win over Iceland on Tuesday.

Australia, who will play at next year’s World Cup, have wheeled out their big guns for the Oman showdown, with Europe-based stars Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill, Harry Kewell and Mark Schwarzer all called up.

A win in Muscat will put Verbeek’s team in a strong position as they look to qualify for the their second Asian Cup, after making an unconvincing debut in 2007.

Kewell, who has been in great form for Turkish club Galatasaray, said they were determined to make Qatar and put the record straight.

“We’re going to go for it. We were disappointing in the last Asian Cup and I think a lot of people have ridden that wave a lot now,” he told reporters.

“I think this is why they’re still giving us stick because maybe they’re trying to push us to achieve more knowing that were capable of doing more.

“We want to put the record straight.”

In the other group match, Indonesia must pick up points against Kuwait but are struggling, with injury ruling out defender Ricardo Salampessy.

Indonesia coach Benny Dollo is also sweating over the fitness of influential striker Boaz Solossa, who has a thigh strain.