Sundram named Lions caretaker coach

Following the departure of Radojko Avramovic in last december, FAS widened its efforts to recruit his successor who will be tasked to further develop Singapore football.

FAS president Zainudin Nordin said: "Since the announcement in late December, we have received an overwhelming response from interested parties for the post of National Team Head Coach. We will draw up an initial list of about 15 candidates, whom we believe share FAS' footballing vision and are well-qualified to bring Singapore football to the level, before trimming it to a final shortlist of between five and seven candidates.

"As mentioned previously, while we hope to finalise the appointment soon, we will not rush into making any decision. We are determined to appoint the right person for the job."

Mr Zainudin added: "While the upcoming Asian Cup qualifier is important, we must look at the longer-term strategy and objectives of Singapore football as well. We have the SEA Games in December, the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2014 and then the Asian Qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic football tournament and SEA Games in the following year. As a forward-looking organisation, we need to ensure that we have the platform and right personnel to achieve our long-term goals.

"After due consideration, we have decided to appoint V. Sundramoorthy as the caretaker coach and lead the Lions during the upcoming Asian Cup 2015 qualifying match against Jordan. Having worked with Raddy and our national age-group squads in recent years, Sundram has the relevant experience and I am confident that the Lions will be in good hands. FAS will support Sundram and his team, which includes a goalkeeping coach, fitness trainer and physiotherapists, to the best of our abilities as they strive to put up a good performance against a strong Jordan side."

Coach V. Sundramoorthy said: "It is a great honour to have been approached by FAS to be the caretaker coach of the national team and I look forward with eager anticipation to the upcoming match. I am now discussing with the backroom team and staff the composition of the squad for the Singapore vs Jordan match and I hope to finalise the names before the end of this week."

Singapore, which has been drawn in Group A alongside Jordan, Syria and Oman for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, will play its first match away against Jordan on February 6. The Lions' second qualifying match (vs Oman) was originally scheduled to be played at Jalan Besar Stadium on March 22.

However, following a request by Oman Football Association - whose team will take on Australia in the Fourth Round of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on March 26 - and subsequent approval by AFC, the Singapore vs Oman AFC Asian Cup 2015 qualifying match will now be played on August 14, 2013.

FAS will make a further announcement in due course.