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Thailand national team boss Bryan Robson has issued a rallying cry to his troops ahead of Saturday's crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore.

Ian Griffiths from Singapore

Robson, who succeeded fellow Englishman Peter Reid as head coach of the Southeast Asian nation in October, has targeted maximum points against Radojko Avramovic's men in a Group E clash that could go a long way to deciding who finishes second behind Asian powerhouse and group leaders Iran.

As the race to Qatar 2011 reaches its halfway stage, Thailand find themselves occupying third spot in Group E, a solitary point behind Singapore and ahead of bottom-placed Jordan by the same margin.

Despite a home clash with Singapore next Wednesday and ties away against Iran and against Jordan in Bangkok still to come, Robson is adamant that a win is an absolute must at the Kallang National Stadium.

"We are looking forward to the challenge," declared the former Manchester United star.

"Raddy (Avramovic) has his team well organised so we know that it will be a difficult game but the Thai team wants to the give the Singapore team a really tough game.

"As a coach, no matter when it is, you always try to win a game. You always try to breed into your players that when you play, and it does not matter whether you are at home or away, you want to try and win the game.

"I have never sent a team out to try and just get a point. When your team is on the ball they have to express themselves, they have to enjoy playing football.

"I have told the Thai lads that if we think we are good enough to win at home, we should think that we are good enough to win away from home, and that is our mindset."

"If we win and then Singapore win in Bangkok there is no advantage taken there. If the two games are drawn the only things that happens there is that we open the door for Jordan to get back nito the group.

"Over the two games, if somebody takes advantage and they take more points than the other team they will be in a strong position."

With memories of the controversial 2007 ASEAN Football Championship final still fresh in the mind, a double header that saw Thailand, at one point, storm off the pitch in protest during a 2-1 defeat in Singapore, Robson revealed that he is expecting no repetition of the chaotic scenes.

"What happened two years ago, happened two years ago. For me, the players have been very focussed since I have been in charge and they know what they have to do to qualify for the Asian Cup finals.

"I am sure the players will be disciplined and they will give every effort to qualify without any problems."

Thai skipper Datsakorn Thonglao was similarly quick to play down the events two years ago, whilst also stressing just how crucial the appointment of Robson could be for the development of football in Thailand.

"That game is a thing of the past, All we are doing now is looking forward to the next game and the game after that. We hope that we will win," the 26-year-old explained.

"Every player we have in the squad is skilful and capable of winning games.

"Now we have a very good coach and so we are willing to follow his (Robson's) direction and we believe that with him in charge we are capable of fulfilling our goal."