'Special' Erwan to be handed Lions chance

Sundramoorthy, who has been handed the reins on an interim basis as the Football Association of Singapore decide on a permanent successor to ex-coach Radojko Avramovic, named a 23-man squad on Monday for the upcoming 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Jordan in Amman on February 6.

Although a significant number of those he called up were part of the side that won the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup last December, eight players who were not part of that victorious side were given the nod, including experienced campaigners Juma'at Jantan, Noh Rahman and Hassan Sunny.

However, there were also spots for two uncapped players in Zulfahmi Arifin and Erwan, who is known for his ability to deliver on the big stage.

While he struggle to win a regular spot in the Warriors starting XI last season, the 25-year-old came off the bench to net an injury-time winner and hand his side a 2-1 win over Tampines Rovers in the RHB Singapore Cup final, and he also scored the winner when the club - then known as SAFFC - beat Henan Jiaye 2-1 in 2010 to become the first Singaporean side to record a win in the AFC Champions League.

It is his undoubted talent and big-game mentality that have convinced Sundramoorthy that he could do a job up front for the Lions, especially following the retirement of veteran hitman Aleksandar Duric.

"We're lacking in forwards and I think Erwan has got something special in him," the ex-Singapore international said.

"Hopefully, he will be able to fulfil what is required of him if he is called upon."

Sundramoorthy also called up a trio of forgotten men in Noh, Ismail Yunos and Firdaus Idros, who all gradually fell out of favour towards the end of Avramovic's tenure, and was confident they would be able to have an impact despite recently being in the international wilderness.

"I think they [Noh, Ismail and Firdaus] are eager to play for the country," he added.

"It is a proud moment for any footballer to don the Singapore shirt.

"I think the three of them deserve their spots and to be given opportunities. They will definitely be fighting for places in the team."

And even though spirits will be high in the Lions camp given last year's triumph in Southeast Asia's premier international tournament, where they beat favourite Thailand 3-2 on aggregate in the final, Sundramoorthy admitted Jordan would pose a different challenge altogether.

"Jordan are a class team," he said. "We must go there with a lot of tactical awareness when we play teams like Jordan.

"We cannot use our heart and simply go there and run. We must know when to slow the game down and how to delay things and run the clock down."

To warm up for next Wednesday's opening qualifier, Singapore will take on Bahrain in a friendly on Thursday.