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Sundram welcomes selection headache for AYA Bank Cup

SINGAPORE — During his first training session with the national team on Saturday evening, newly appointed national coach V Sundramoorthy was seen — and heard — belting out instructions to his players to stay in their positions, and heighten the intensity of their game during various drills.

New Lions coach V Sundramoorthy overseeing a training session on Saturday evening. Photo: FAS

New Lions coach V Sundramoorthy overseeing a training session on Saturday evening. Photo: FAS

SINGAPORE — During his first training session with the national team on Saturday evening, newly appointed national coach V Sundramoorthy was seen — and heard — belting out instructions to his players to stay in their positions, and heighten the intensity of their game during various drills.

However, on Tuesday (May 31) morning during the Lions’ final training session before they depart for the AYA Bank Cup in Yangon, Myanmar on Wednesday, he stood at a distance on the Geylang field touchline with his arms folded, and looked on intently as his players faced off in a 11-a-side practice match. There was the occasional loud instruction, but nothing more because it was clear that the players understood what was required.

Senior defender Baihakki Khaizan was his usual commanding vocal self at the back; debutant Amy Recha showed good movement on the ball as he sought to impress; while forward Fazrul Nawaz lurked dangerously in search of the back of the net.

There were also plenty of heavy challenges flying in, with everyone eager to get a piece of the ball.

With his players giving their all and looking to impress, it looks like Sundram could be facing a possible selection headache for the Lions’ opening match against hosts Myanmar on Friday.

But he sees it as a happy problem though. “You can’t say that we are spoilt for choice because I feel it is always better to have a wider base of players to select from,” the 50-year-old told TODAY after training. “At the end of the day, we need to try out various players in different positions and give everybody a chance (in the build-up to the AFF Suzuki Cup).”

This is why the former Singapore international will be using the AYA Cup to test out a number of squad players, even though he would like to get his maiden tournament off to a perfect winning start.

“I will be looking to experiment with players in their positions and ­also want to take a look at some players in the squad,” he said, referring to debutants Amy and Azhar Sairudin, as well as the likes of M Anumanthan and Zulfadli Zainal.

Since his appointment last Friday, Sundram has only had four days to work with the team, leaving him with little choice but to conduct longer sessions with defenders on Sunday, and the midfielders and forwards on Monday.

“I feel we need a few more days to prepare and for the boys to gel, but it is a very tight schedule,” said the former Tampines Rovers head coach. “However, I must praise their work ethic because it is clear that everyone is fighting for their places and raring to go.”

Winger Faris Ramli believes his team-mates are heavily motivated and full of confidence every time they step onto the field.

“You can see during training that we are all giving 100 per cent,” said the 23-year-old. “Just look at today, everyone was putting their bodies on the line and going in for tackles. It’s good to see this and I am sure coach Sundram will have a difficult time choosing his starting 11.”

“As a team, we are still upset about our Suzuki Cup exit on home soil two years ago and we want to make up for lost time, starting with this week’s tournament.”

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