Sundram wants Lions to be flexible
National coach wants team to be flexible in shape and style as they build up to Suzuki Cup
There was confidence in possession, fluid movement in attack built on short and long passes, and opportunities fashioned from either flank.
Singapore dominated Malaysia in the Causeway Challenge on Friday, much to the delight of the 25,000 fans in the National Stadium.
Despite being satisfied with the Lions' performance, V Sundramoorthy is expected to ring the changes to his team who will face a tougher challenge against Hong Kong at the Mong Kok Stadium on Tuesday.
The international friendly is part of the Lions' build-up to the AFF Suzuki Cup from Nov 19 to Dec 17 and the national coach insists that the team's flexibility in adjusting to different opponents is vital to their chances at the regional tournament.
"This game will be different from the Malaysia game," the 51-year-old told The New Paper before departing for Hong Kong yesterday.
"We're playing a Hong Kong team that are bigger and stronger than Malaysia and our tactical approach to these opponents must be different.
"We must be able to vary our style of play. This is why we chose to play Hong Kong, because they present a different challenge than Malaysia did.
"They are similar to the Philippines in that they are bigger boys who are more physical, and they put more balls into the box.
IMPORTANT
"It's important that we are able to play different types of opponents before the start of the Suzuki Cup."
Singapore will line up in Group A at the Suzuki Cup, alongside defending champions Thailand, an Indonesian side making their international return after a Fifa ban, as well as tournament co-hosts, the Philippines.
Sundram will make no apologies for changing his team around, despite the fact that there were several good performances against Malaysia that brought the fans to the edge of their seats.
"The fans are something I was really happy about. With the kind of football we dished out, you could see that they were enjoying it," said Sundram.
"And I think they'll return to back us when we play next (at the National Stadium).
"We're Singaporeans and, for Fandi (Ahmad, assistant coach) and I, it was a proud moment to lead the Lions out in a game like that, and to have fans back us the way they did."
"The team played credibly (on Friday) and they all have a good chance to start against Hong Kong, but we will be taking a different tactical approach," added Sundram, who wants to use the strengths of different individuals to handle different types of opposition.
"Depending on the kind of opponents, the players pick themselves.
"M Anumanthan, Iqbal Hussein and Hafiz Abu Sujad have been doing well in training, and I thought Sahil Suhaimi did well when he came on.
"We've also got Mustafic Fahrudin who is eager to go out and show what he's got.
"We've got different kinds of options in our squad and that's a good problem for us to have."
Suzuki Cup package for fans
Tour operator Akbar Hashim is offering a $688 four-night package for Singapore fans who want to back the Lions at next month's AFF Suzuki Cup.
The package includes return airfares, match tickets, twin-sharing accommodation with breakfast at the Berjaya Makati Hotel and a half-day city tour.
The matches covered are the Group A games against co-hosts Philippines on Nov 19 and Thailand on Nov 22 at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue.
The group leave on Nov 18 from Changi Airport Terminal 2 and return on Nov 23.
Those interested can contact Akbar at 96644942.
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