SINGAPORE, 27 MAY 2016: The Football Association of Singapore today announced the appointment of Mr V. Sundram Moorthy as the Caretaker Coach on a one-year contract.

An ex-international footballer who played for Singapore in the 1980s and 1990s, Coach V. Sundram Moorthy was part of former Head Coach Bernd Stange’s backroom team for the FIFA World Cup 2018/ Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers.

Mr Lim Kia Tong, FAS Vice-President, said: “We had received applications from many qualified and experienced applicants around the world, including several who had excelled at the international level and/or had clinched league titles in top professional leagues. At the same time, we have – for some time – been considering giving a local coach the opportunity to lead the National Team. After much deliberation, the Executive Committee decided to appoint a local coach and today, we are delighted to announce that Sundram will be the next coach to lead the National Team.”

“We undertook a rigorous selection process with the aim of appointing the best local person whose objectives are aligned with our vision and strategy and who can continue to raise the standards of the National Team while working around the challenges and constraints. We are pleased to have qualified candidates who have strong coaching qualifications and experience. Our panel, which included members with strong expertise in various areas such as sporting and technical backgrounds, subsequently reached a unanimous decision that Sundram is the best candidate to take on the post.”

“In addition to his coaching credentials and detailed plans aimed at strengthening the National Team, Sundram also knows the players well – many of whom had played under him when he was the coach of the Young Lions and/or LionsXII. He is the best choice for the role and FAS will support him fully as we continue our preparations for the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup.”

Coach Sundram expressed his delight at being named the Caretaker Coach. “I’m extremely happy and honoured to be given the chance to lead our National Team. I will do my very best to prepare the team for the Suzuki Cup and I hope everyone in the country will come forward and support us in various areas.”

“I am grateful to FAS for always giving opportunities to me – even after I had left in late 2013. My appointment as the Head Coach of the Singapore Selection team which participated in the Barclays Asia Trophy competition and attachment to the National Team during the FIFA World Cup 2018/ AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifying campaign are just some examples of how the FAS has always been seeking to expose local coaches, including myself, to international football. While I had previously worked at FAS for almost a decade, the opportunity to work with the National Team during the past one year allowed me to better understand every individual, including the backroom staff who are professional and dedicated.”

“I know that there are several high-profile foreign candidates with strong CVs and I appreciate that FAS decided to appoint a local coach. I am grateful to have the FAS’ trust and confidence and I am extremely pleased to have signed a one-year contract which will allow me to prove myself at the international level. I am thankful to Coach Bernd Stange for his guidance and support over the past few years and I look forward to tapping Technical Director Michel Sablon’s wisdom, experience and insight to further improve myself as a coach. I will continue to work hard and demonstrate that I am ready to lead the National Team beyond 2017. I am now fully focused on the year-end Suzuki Cup and will discuss other matters, including a possible renewal of the contract, only after the competition.”

Coach Sundram added: “Our young National Team was unlucky to lose through late penalties in two group matches at the previous Suzuki Cup. Since then, the players have matured and I am confident that we will perform well at the year-end Suzuki Cup. My initial target is a place in the semi-finals. I believe in the direction of the National Team, and I will continue to identify and select young talents as part of the rejuvenation process.”

“FAS has achieved much success despite a limited budget. While I know that I will receive full support from FAS, I also hope every stakeholder will play a part and maximise our potential by providing the much-needed level of support and resources on a long-term basis.”

“I am also thankful to Tampines Rovers’ management and colleagues – both past and present Рfor their support towards me over the past 18 months. It is not an easy decision to leave the club, which has a great team both on and off-the-field. However, the opportunity to lead the National Team is one which many local coaches cannot decline. I wish Tampines Rovers all the best for the remainder of the 2016 season.”

Welcoming the appointment, National Team skipper Shahril Ishak said: “We are very happy that Coach Sundram has been named the new coach of the Lions. I believe most, if not all, of the National Team players have played under him over the past few years. In fact, many of the current National Team players were in his LionsXII team which clinched the 2013 Malaysian Super League.”

“Despite him being familiar with the players, it is a good move by the FAS to attach Coach Sundram to the National Team during the past one year as it allowed him to gain a better understanding of every individual’s strengths and weaknesses at the international level. I am sure Coach Sundram will use the knowledge to strengthen our capabilities – both at the team and individual levels.”

National Team vice-captain Hariss Harun noted: “Coach Sundram is very meticulous and detailed in his planning and together with the support of the FAS management, I am confident that we will be fully prepared for the year-end Suzuki Cup. The National Team has gained much experience over the past few years and we look forward to working with Coach Sundram to further raise our standards.”

 

 

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE