Run your socks off, boys: Sundram

SINGAPORE — They ran out of steam in the second-half in their 4-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal on Wednesday, but coach V Sundramoorthy does not expect his Singapore Selection side to fade away again when they take on Stoke City in the Barclays Asia Trophy at the National Stadium tonight.

Their performance in the first 45 minutes earned some praise from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, but the drop in performance after the break came about as the majority of the team was observing the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, added Sundram.

With the start of the Hari Raya festivities yesterday, the Singapore coach said the players have returned to their normal eating routine and he believes there is no reason why they cannot go the distance against the Potters.

“We expect the players to perform much better against Stoke,” said the 49-year-old at a pre-match press conference at the Grand Hyatt.

“It is a game we are looking forward to because we are familiar with the playing style of English teams from watching them play in the Premier League live broadcasts. We know Stoke are physical, hardworking and will run a lot.

“We’ll have to be especially careful with their set-plays, but we also expect that the atmosphere at the National Stadium will lift our performance levels and help our game.”

Stoke were beaten 5-4 on penalties by Everton after their opening match finished goalless and club boss Mark Hughes said he is disappointed they have not made the final against Arsenal. But he put it down to the competitive level of the Barclays Asia Trophy which he said is different from their previous pre-season tours, when they played lower-league teams.

Said the former Welsh international and Manchester United striker: “It is a new experience for us and we would love to be preparing to take on Arsenal in the final of the tournament, but sadly it isn’t to be.

“But we will still face a real test, though, against a Singapore side who I thought looked really lively during the initial stages of their first game.

“I watched the first period of the match and they played at a real high-tempo, so we are going to have to be ready for that. It will be another challenge for us, but certainly one that will help to move us on even further as we move closer to the first game of the season.”

Regardless of the assessment of the 51-year-old, few expect Sundram’s side to end the night victorious against Stoke. The Premier League side are set to field several of their new signings, with defender Glen Johnson and goalkeeper Shay Given expected to be given a run-out.

But the big names have not overawed Warriors FC forward Nicolas Velez, who was particularly impressive against Arsenal.

Said the 25-year-old Argentine: “Stoke are a strong team and they have very good players. For me, I’ll try to do the same things I did on Wednesday and that is to help my defenders when they need it and be a threat going forward. Overall, I hope we can do well again.”

But all Sundram wants out of the match is for his side to give a good account of themselves because he said it will be “great for Singapore football and for the S-League”.

Said the former Lions striker: “Nobody expects us to win, but in football anything is possible.

“Whatever happens, I want to see a good performance from the boys. This is key for me. If the results come, great. But if the boys are willing to run their socks off and work tactically, they should do well and we can grind out something.”