\n<\/p>\n
“I’ve always said, whether I give 15 minutes, 20 minutes, (or) when I start the game, I just try to give it my all,” said the forward, who is on loan at Thai League 1 outfit Buriram.<\/p>\n
“Coach Gavin knows how to use me, and I believe in my abilities and the team believes in my abilities as well.”<\/p>\n
Asked what was the injury that forced him off, Ilhan said that he heard a “crack” in his foot. “For me it’s no problem. Anything for the country,” he said.<\/p>\n
Each of the six group winners in the third and final round of the Asian Cup qualifiers will advance to the tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n Singapore’s path to the Asian Cup has had its share of ups and downs.<\/span> A home draw with Hong Kong<\/span> was followed by a <\/span>narrow 2-1 win<\/span> over Bangladesh in Dhaka. The Lions dominated India at home in October, only to <\/span>concede a late equaliser<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Their qualifying hopes appeared to fade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But after a <\/span>hard-fought 2-1 triumph in India<\/span>, Hong Kong’s slip against Bangladesh and Tuesday’s decisive victory, the Lions can finally celebrate a milestone decades in the making.<\/span><\/p>\n Asked what the future might hold for him, Lee <\/span>remained coy<\/span>. “The organisation will make a decision that’s best for the team and the country … The national team is bigger than any individual.”<\/span><\/p>\n The position of Singapore head coach remains vacant after Japanese Tsutomu Ogura <\/span>resigned on Jun 24 due to personal reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n But what the former BG Tampines head coach was clear about is that the historic feat belongs to more than just the Lions.<\/span><\/p>\n