YANGON — Pacing purposefully around the pitch at the YTC Stadium in Myanmar, Singapore national head coach V Sundramoorthy was a picture of intense focus as he assessed his players methodically at training yesterday.

Well-known for his geniality off the pitch, the 50-year-old was a different man during the 45-minute session as he whistled, gesticulated and barked out orders to his team. He also had no qualms in making the Lions repeat their drills and exercises whenever he felt they had not executed them to his standard.

“Get moving quicker! There’s no time to waste,” he shouted at one point, displeased at the speed at which the players had assembled into position. Each misplaced pass was greeted by a furious yell from the former Singapore international.

It was clear Sundram was not taking his first assignment as national head coach — leading the Lions against Myanmar this evening at the AYA Bank Cup quadrangular — lightly.

Although the tournament will be used as a tune-up for the team ahead of the Suzuki Cup at year’s end, it has also been close to 15 years since Singapore were last beaten by Myanmar — a 2-1 loss at the South East Asian Games — and Singapore’s first local football coach in 16 years plans to ensure that the proud record does not fall by the wayside tonight, especially not in his first match in charge of the Lions.

“It’s a good record for us, and we’ll do our best to keep it intact,” said Sundram.

“So we’ll use our best players against Myanmar. We know how good they are and it’s important to be composed, because they’ll come up pressing and put us under pressure.

“There are no nerves for us ... it’s all about preparing for the Suzuki Cup and so I’m very focused on the performance of the players. Still, this is my first time being in charge of the national team, and it is good to have this (experience).”

The Republic’s hopes are aided by the fact that Sundram is not an unfamiliar coaching presence to the players.

Many trained under him back when he was head coach of Tampines Rovers, as well as the now-defunct LionsXII, including Hariss Harun, who blossomed into one of the region’s top midfielders when playing for the LionsXII.

Revealing that Sundram had learnt a few new tricks since then, Hariss said: “He has implemented a few new drills and ideas during training. We all know him and we’ll do our very best to get the win for him and Singapore.

“We have a good mix of experience and youngsters, and the key is to stay focused. It won’t be easy going up against the host nation, but (these types of games) are how we grow as players and as a team.”

Both teams last met in a friendly in Singapore back in March, which Singapore won 2-1.

But despite having home ground advantage and strong home support this time, Myanmar head coach Gerd Zeise reckons his team will struggle to get anything out of the match.

“Singapore have a very strong squad and they play good football,” said Zeise.

“We know Sundram is a great coach as well and the players are used to him and his tactics. That gives them an advantage.

“We have a very young squad which still needs time to reach a higher (level). But we have changed our style of play to be a more possession-oriented side, and our performances have improved. We are (the underdogs) but that just means we know we have to work even harder for a victory.”

TV TIMES:

The match will be shown live on Singtel TV Ch109 at 7.45pm, tonight