Suzuki Cup Day 1 Preview
Lions manager Raddy Avramovic wants full concentration from his men as they take on Cambodia in the opening game.
The Lions have won all three previous meetings in the Asean championship against the Cambodians without conceding a goal and have not been beaten in their past 17 games in the competition, 15 under Avramovic.
However, the Serbian is not about to become complacent against the team that earned its berth by finishing second in a qualifying tournament in October.
"All three teams might be stronger than Cambodia but they are here and if they are here they deserve to be here," said Avramovic on the eve of the opening Group A game at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
"Psychologically it is important to win the first game as we head to our second game and third game. It is important to play positive football in this first game and transfer what we learnt during our preparation for this tournament.
"Goal difference will make a difference but it doesn't mean 100% we will qualify. Cambodia will play 200% more than what they can as this will be the first game and against the defending champions.
"We must try to dictate game and achieve what we want."
Singapore drew 2-2 against both Vietnam and Malaysia in their build-up and will be missing Hariss Harun, Fazrul Nawaz and Khairul Amri through injury while striker Qiu Li has been ruled ineligible after failing to fulfil FIFA's five-year residency requirement.
Cambodia, who have managed only two wins in the competition since its inception in 1996, will be looking to striker Khim Borey, top scorer in the Cambodia Premier League this season, to help them improve on their poor record.
"We're well prepared. We will put in the effort to make sure that we can be successful for the country. We changed our tactics because Singapore are very strong and so is the rest of the competition," said coach Prak Sovannara.
Friday's other Group A fixture will see co-hosts Indonesia take on Myanmar, seeking to make amends for their opening-round exit in Singapore 23 months ago.
Indonesia have never lost to Myanmar in the competition with emphatic victories in the first three editions, although the last meeting in Jakarta six years ago finished goalless.
Myanmar will be boosted by a pair of victories against the Indonesians in a warm-up tournament in Yangon last month and the good form of striker Soe Myat Min who bagged a brace in the 2-1 win over Indonesia in the tournament final.