V. Sundramoorthy has set his sights on a AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal berth after being unveiled as the new coach of the Singapore national team on Friday afternoon.

Sundram, a former Lions star, was presented to the media as Singapore's new "caretaker coach" after agreeing terms with Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on a one-year deal.

Immediately, the 50-year-old, who will relinquish his role in charge of S.League giants Tampines Rovers, will focus his attention on the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup, where he is confident he can achieve a final four berth.

"I am confident that we will perform well at the year-end Suzuki Cup," he said. "My initial target is a place in the semifinals."

When asked if he was bothered to have only been appointed on a one-year contract, Sundram added: "The most important thing is the opportunity to lead my country, that has always been my dream.

"I'm not looking at the length of the contract but I'm looking at this more as an opportunity that comes around once in a lifetime.

"Coaches are often measured by results and the duration of the contract makes little difference. Both FAS and I are happy with this one-year deal which ends next May."

Meanwhile, FAS vice-president Lim Kia Tong stressed the organisation's belief that they have appointed the right man in Sundram, whose biggest achievement in his managerial career so far, was when he led the now-defunct LionsXII to the Malaysia Super League title in 2013.

"Today is indeed a very special day as we announce the appointment of our caretaker coach who will lead the national team," said Lim.

"During the past few months, we have received applications from many qualified applicants around the world, including several who have excelled at international level and clinched league titles in top professional leagues.

"After much deliberation, the executive committee of FAS has decided to appoint a local coach and we are delighted to announce that V. Sundramoorthy will be the next coach to lead the national team.

"We are convinced he is the best choice to succeed Bernd [Stange].

"During the panel interview, Sundram demonstrated a lot of hunger to be the national coach.

"He has demonstrated strong conviction and belief in himself to lead the national team, as well as in the players that are available to him.

Sundram's first game will be on June 3 when the Lions take on Myanmar in the AYA Bank Cup, a quadrangular tournament that also includes Vietnam and Hong Kong.

While the former LionsXII boss has not officially announced his first squad, he revealed that there would be two new faces in Home United playmaker Azhar Sairudin and Geylang International forward Amy Recha.

"Azhar has been doing very well with Home United and I've been tracking his performance," Sundram added.

"He deserves the call-up and let's see what he can do on the international stage.

"Amy is a young talent who came from Young Lions and has played at the SEA [Southeast Asian] Games.

"I believe this boy has a lot of potential and we should give him an opportunity at international level."

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by Gabriel Tan

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