R. Sasikumar and Radojko Avramovic have issued a rallying cry to Singapore's football fans ahead of the National Day Challenge 2009.

By Ian Griffiths

Today's match against China - who have the likes of Shanghai Shenhua's Du Wei and Shandong Luneng's Han Peng in their ranks - comes hot on the heels of Liverpool's high profile visit to Singapore, a game that saw some 45,000 vociferous Singaporeans turning up at the Kallang National Stadium to support the English giants.

Despite Liverpool's presence clearly delighting the vast majority of the crowd, fundamental doubts remain as to the Anfield outfit's genuine commitment to the region and, just as significantly, Singaporean football fans' attitude towards their very own Lions.

Many observers are still questioning the vast PR exercise conducted during Rafa Benitez's men brief stay in both Singapore and Thailand, a break in the sun that saw Singapore's national team shamefully jeered by some sections of the home crowd during their 5-0 defeat.

After such a gratuitous display of non-commitment to Singapore's footballing cause, Red Card Managing Director R Sasikumar, a former Lions hero and scorer of the goal that landed Singapore the 1998 Tiger Cup, believes it is time for local football supporters to step up to the mark and show where their true loyalty lies.

"Against Liverpool we had nearly 45,000 people wearing the wrong red," the former central defender declared.

"I therefore think that this is a great opportunity for the people of Singapore to turn up and wear the right red."

"This is going to be a great game of football, at the end of the day it is an extension of the National Day, so my question to fans is: 'Where are you going to be?""

"If we are seriously proud of our national team and proud of being Singaporeans, we should be at the National Stadium supporting our Lions."

Sasikumar was also quick to deny allegations that ticket pricing for the game had been set too high.

"People paid S$88 to watch Liverpool, all we are asking is for S$10 to watch the Singapore national team."

"After all, you would pay that to go to a cinema, I don't think that is too much," he added.

With the game being used by Singapore as another key indicator ahead of two crucial Asian Cup qualifying matches against Thailand in November, Lions boss Avramovic was also quick to call for a passionate display of home support.

"We hope that the game will be another contribution to the National Day celebrations and of course we hope that we have support from the people of Singapore," he said.

"I think it doesn't matter who we are playing, be it Liverpool or China what is important is that we get the feeling of playing at home."

"Last time (against Liverpool) that was something that was definitely missing. This time around I hope it will be different."

The Football Association of Singapore has also joined the call to arms, by asking fans to raise the roof in support of their country.

"We urge all Singapore supporters coming to the National Day Challenge match against China to wear red on the night and to bring along your Singapore flags, banners and scarves," an official press release declared.

"Be the 12^th man for our Lions as we look to top off our 44th National Day celebrations by claiming the scalp of one of Asia's top teams. Help us create a fantastic winning atmosphere for Singapore by waving your flags and scarves throughout the evening, especially when the teams come out at the start of the match."

Tickets will be on sale on match day at both the East and West gates at the Kallang National Stadium from 5pm onwards.