Sundram insists Lions possess creativity
Just before half-time, Singapore won a free-kick on the left flank and the Lions packed the Vietnam penalty area.
Most in the stadium anticipated Azhar Sairudin to whip in a cross, but he smartly cut it back to the lurking Gabriel Quak, who unfortunately thumped his left-footer well over.
Just a day earlier, Quak had scored from the same scenario in training, and it was the exact routine which Tampines Rovers had used to beat Mohun Bagun during extra time in the AFC Cup Round of 16 under V Sundramoorthy.
It is clear that national coach Sundram continues to work on various match-winning set-pieces.
But do his Lions have the creativity to score goals from open play?
The 50-year-old said: "We need to create more. We could have done more, especially the flankers, who did better in our 1-0 win over Myanmar.
"But we have attacking options, players like Khairul Amri, Faris Ramli, Azhar... who can create and score in the matches to come."
Awarded his second cap after shining for S.League side Home United, Singapore playmaker Azhar Sairudin was a nuisance with his set-play deliveries, but otherwise had a quiet game.
While he has developed a good understanding with the likes of Ken Ilso, Shamil Sharif, Song Ui Young and Faris at club level, Azhar failed to replicate that kind of form in the two matches here.
Last night, he said: "It was a tougher match than against Myanmar and we found it hard to penetrate Vietnam through open play because they were quick to cover.
"We can definitely improve in terms of creating chances for each other.
"With more training sessions together, we will understand each other's style of play better and the chances and goals will come."
- DAVID LEE
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