Kelvin Leong believes that it will be a battle of the midfield when Singapore take on Thailand in the AFC Asian Cup Group E.
The group also consist of Asian powerhouse, Iran, while Jordan prop up the group.
Iran lead the way with four points, Singapore in second with three while the Thais and Jordan are third and fourth with a single point each.
This Saturday, South-East Asian football will enjoy one of the most glamorous nights ever with former Manchester United and England captain, Bryan Robson, leading the Thais out for the first time in a competitive match as the national team coach.
Also, the ever-growing rivalry between Singapore and their Thai counterparts will resume when the whistle is blown.
Whilst there will be quite a few sub-plots in the making, the highlight and potential match-winner will most likely come from the midfield area.
Singapore's midfield will probably be a solid pack of four, Mustafiq Fahrudin, John Wilkinson, Shahril Ishak and Muhammad Ridhuan.
Thailand's midfield will boast the likes of Sutee Suksomkit, Datsakorn Thonglao, Suchao Nuchnum and Therdsak Chaiman.
Eight of the best midfielders in this region will lock horns and seek to outwit each other and see who breaks down first.
In Sutee and Suchao, the Thais have two of the best crossers of the ball while Datsakorn's dynamism reminds one of a certain Roy Keane.
The chief playmaker for the Thais could very well be the same man who has called Singapore home for the last four seasons with S-League champions, SAFFC, Therdsak Chaiman.
Chaiman who has been aiming deadly accurate missiles for Aleksandar Duric to nod home for their club side all season-long will surely feed Bryan Robson and Steve Darby with information on how Singapore's star man, Duric, likes to play his game.
Over in the Lions' den, Wilkinson and Mustafiq will play a game of one up one down when the Lions go on the offensive and this could work in the home side's favour if Duric and Noh Alam Shah can lay the ball back for the two combative midfielders to shoot on sight especially with Kittisak Rawangpa in goal.
As for Ridhuan and Ishak, they will have to nullify the double-threat of Suchao and Sutee on the flanks. Of the four wide-men, Sutee could turn out to be the most influential of them all as his pinpoint crosses are a big feature of the Thai tactics.
All in all, which of the eight will turn out to be a star?
Be at the Kallang National Stadium this Saturday, 7.30pm, to find out!
Match Details
Match : 2011 AFC Asian Cup Qualifying Round Group E (Singapore vs Thailand)
Date : Saturday, 14th November 2009, 7.30pm
Venue : National Stadium, Singapore
Ticket Details
Grandstand - $10
Gallery (Adult) - $6
Gallery (Student and Senior Citizen) - $2
On Sale:
10-12 November: 10am to 7pm, at the SAF FC Club House (Choa Chu Kang Stadium) & Geylang United FC Club House (101 Bedok North Avenue 3).
10-13 November: 12pm to 7pm
Jalan Besar Stadium, South Entrance Ticket Booth
14 November (Match Day): from 5.30pm
National Stadium, East Entrance (for Gallery Tickets, subject to availability)
National Stadium, West Entrance (for Grandstand Tickets, subject to availability)
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