Speaking from the Tokyo Dome hotel where the team is camped ahead of the World Cup qualifier, Alam Shah revealed his sadness at missing his baby son Ithar Shah's first Hari Raya Puasa - the feast day that marks the end of fasting for Muslim festival Aidilfitri.

But simply walking out onto the pitch in the 63,000 seater Saitama Stadium where Singapore trained on Monday evening conspired to ease the aggressive striker's blues and remind him of the task ahead.

"I'm definitely not enjoying the fact that I'm missing Ithar's first Hari Raya. I also miss my wife Shakina and all the things that we would do with family during this time," said Alam Shah. "It's a sacrifice that has to be made though.

"Just seeing the Saitama Stadium though, that has made all that I am missing worthwhile. It's simply the best stadium I've ever been to and it's things like this which make me grateful to be a footballer and for the opportunities we footballers get."

Saitama hosted the semi-final between Brazil and Turkey at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, as well as group matches between Japan and Belgium, and England and Sweden.

The Tampines Rovers forward also said that the Lions - rated as overwhelming underdogs for Wednesday's clash by just about everybody - were in good cheer and determined to earn a result against the Japanese.

"The team is doing well, we're all in high spirits. We spent Hari Raya just chatting in groups in each other's rooms and listening to Raya songs, and we also celebrated Itimi Dickson's birthday on Sunday.

"Obviously a win on Wednesday would be a fantastic result but I think a draw would be good for us as well, being away from him and facing a top team like Japan," said Alam Shah.

"These are the kind of matches we footballers look forward to and we're going to put up our best show."