SINGAPORE: V Sundramoorthy has been named the caretaker coach for the Lions for their opening Asian Cup group qualifying match against Jordan in Amman next month, while the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) continues its search for Radojko Avramovic's successor.
In a media statement, FAS president Zainudin Nordin said that the LionsXII head coach was appointed because of his experience.
"Having worked with Raddy (Avramovic) and the national age-group squads in recent years, Sundram has the relevant experience and I am confident that the Lions will be in good hands.
"The FAS will support Sundram and his team to the best of our abilities as they strive to put up a strong performance against a strong Jordan side."
This will be the second time that Sundram will be handling the national team as caretaker coach. He had filled in for a World Cup qualifier two years ago when Avramovic was serving a touchline ban.
TODAY understands that the 47-year-old former international was initially hesitant when approached earlier because he felt that the two Asian Cup qualifiers - against Jordan on Feb 6, and against Oman on March 22 - would clash with his coaching duties with the LionsXII.
However, the FAS have been notified since that the Oman has been postponed to Aug 14. The Oman FA had made the request to the Asian Football Confederation as they will be facing Australia in a World Cup fourth-round qualifier on March 26.
Sundram described his appointment as "a great honour" in the media statement and added: "I am now discussing with the backroom team and staff the composition of the squad for the Jordan game and I hope to finalise the names before the end of the week."
Meanwhile, Zainudin said that the FAS have received "an overwhelming response from interested parties" for the national coach position since announcing its availability in December.
"We will draw up an initial list of about 15 candidates... before trimming it to a final shortlist of between five and seven candidates," he said.
"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."
- TODAY
Football: Sundram to be interim Lions coach for Jordan game
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Football: Sundram to be interim Lions coach for Jordan game
