“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 United.
“Coach Gavin knows how to use me, and I believe in my abilities and the team believes in my abilities as well.”
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.
Each of the six group winners in the third and final round of the Asian Cup qualifiers will advance to the tournament.
Singapore’s path to the Asian Cup has had its share of ups and downs. A home draw with Hong Kong was followed by a narrow 2-1 win over Bangladesh in Dhaka. The Lions dominated India at home in October, only to concede a late equaliser.
Their qualifying hopes appeared to fade.
But after a hard-fought 2-1 triumph in India, Hong Kong’s slip against Bangladesh and Tuesday’s decisive victory, the Lions can finally celebrate a milestone decades in the making.
Asked what the future might hold for him, Lee remained coy. “The organisation will make a decision that’s best for the team and the country … The national team is bigger than any individual.”
The position of Singapore head coach remains vacant after Japanese Tsutomu Ogura resigned on Jun 24 due to personal reasons.
But what the former BG Tampines head coach was clear about is that the historic feat belongs to more than just the Lions.
“This milestone that we’ve achieved is for everyone, its for Singapore,” said Lee. “It’s not just for me or the national team. Its (for) everyone.”