Singapore to face Japan in World Cup Qualifiers

Photo: ChannelNewsAsia

SINGAPORE — The Lions have been placed in Group E along with Japan, Syria, Afghanistan, and Cambodia for the second round 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Zone qualifiers that will take place from June 11, 2015 to March 29, 2016.

The draw conducted at the Asian Football Confederation in Kuala Lumpur today (April 14) seeded the top eight FIFA ranked Asian countries and split them into eight groups.

Apart from four-time Asian kingpins Japan, these included reigning champions Australia, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

For the first time, the World Cup qualifiers will also serve as qualifiers for the Asian Cup Finals, which will take place at UAE in 2019.

The eight group winners and four best second-placed teams will advance to Asia's final FIFA World Cup qualifying round as well as the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The competition lasts nine months commencing on 11 June 2015 and running until 29 March 2016, with each team playing home and away in a round-robin format across ten matchdays. The third round of Asia's Russia 2018 qualifiers is scheduled to commence in late 2016.

Head Coach, National Teams, Bernd Stange expressed his thoughts on being in Group E: “Our group is a challenging one. Having said that, I am optimistic. I am not underestimating any of our opponents but we must aim to get as many points as possible from our matches. We will prepare ourselves well for the matches, and we look forward to our fans turning up at our home matches to support and get behind the Lions.”

Singapore’s 2018 World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualification Matches

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11 June 2015

Thursday

Cambodia vs Singapore
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16 June 2015

Tuesday

Singapore vs Japan
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3 September 2015

Thursday

Syria vs Singapore
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8 October 2015

Thursday

Singapore vs Afghanistan
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13 October 2015

Tuesday

Singapore vs Cambodia
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12 November 2015

Thursday

Japan vs Singapore
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17 November 2015

Tuesday

Singapore vs Syria
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29 March 2016

Tuesday

Afghanistan vs Singapore
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Asian Zone World Cup qualifiers after today’s draw:

Photo: Asian Football Facebook Page

Source: http://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/spore-face-japan-world-cup-qualifiers & http://www.fas.org.sg/news/2018-world-cup-qualification-groups-asia-drawn