Singapore 'highly motivated' ahead of World Cup qualifier away clash with China, says goalscorer Jacob Mahler

SINGAPORE: After Singapore's 2-2 draw with China in the first leg of their World Cup qualifier, the Lions are "highly motivated" to take the game to their opponents, said midfielder Jacob Mahler.

The crunch clash with China will take place on Tuesday and Mahler knows that the job is not done.

"We are all focussed and in the right mindset," the 23-year-old told CNA on Sunday (Mar 24), a day after arriving in Tianjin.

"It's back to work and back to what the game plan will be."

The Lions came back from two goals down last Thursday to score a remarkable draw against China at the National Stadium, in what was Singapore head coach Tsutomu Ogura's opening game.

A first-half double by China's Wu Lei seemed to have dashed hopes of Singapore picking up any points in the third match of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

But substitute Faris Ramli gave the Lions a route back into the game before Mahler came off the bench to smash home a late equaliser.

China fans criticised their team's performance, while captain Zhang Linpeng suggested he would quit international football over the "humiliating" result, before making a retirement U-turn. 

Nevertheless, Mahler is aware of the threat Branko Ivankovic's men pose.

"As a team, they are very strong, a very physical side," he said.

"We know what their strengths are, we have our coaches who are working tirelessly to analyse them and what they are good at."

The Lions will have to face China without three members of Thursday's starting 11, with Safuwan Baharudin and Lionel Tan missing out through suspension. Midfielder Anumanthan Kumar also did not make the trip due to injury.

However, Mahler is confident in the team's ability to cope.

"It's a shame ... but that's football," he said.

"They are key