Amri the proven match-winner, Sahil the enigma
He has played in five editions of the AFF Championship and scored in three finals which Singapore won.
If the Lions are to make it past the group stages in this year's competition, striker Khairul Amri has to be fit and in among the goals.
The 31-year-old is one of just four players, along with Faris Ramli, Safuwan Baharudin and Yasir Hanapi, who have scored during V Sundramoorthy's reign as national coach.
The New Paper spoke to some members of the local fraternity and they believe that, while Amri's form will be key to Singapore's fate, Sahil Suhaimi, another talented forward in a similar mould, could have a breakthrough campaign.
That is, if Sundram breaks away from his tendency to play just one striker and deploy defender Safuwan in the No. 10 role.
Tampines Rovers coach Akbar Nawas said: "We all know what Amri can do as he has been Singapore's main striker since Aleksander Duric retired.
"Once he hits form, he cannot stop, like what we have seen in previous Suzuki Cups.
"Sahil has a good eye for goal in and outside the box, but I'm not sure if they can play off each other because they do not fit the conventional big-small striking partnership and neither of them is really a true target man.
"So it's up for debate whether they can play off each other, but I'm sure Sundram knows what he wants from them and he would have communicated his expectations to them."
Sahil Suhaimi (left) and Khairul Amri (right). TNP FILE PHOTOFormer Hougang United coach K Balagumaran added: "Knowing what Sahil is capable of, he didn't have his best S.League season this year.
"But he seems to be able to lift himself for the big occasion.
"We saw him do it at the 2013 SEA Games when he scored the goals to help Singapore qualify for the semi-finals, and in the 2015 Malaysian FA Cup final when he bagged a double for the LionsXII to beat Kelantan 3-1.
"Whether they will play together depends on how the game develops, and whether Sundram wants to play an attacking or counter-attacking game.
"Perhaps Sahil will do better as the second striker behind Amri compared to Safuwan (Baharudin), who I think is better off as a centre back."
Singapore open their Group A campaign against co-hosts Philippines on Saturday, before matches against Thailand (Nov 22) and Indonesia (Nov 25).
CONFIDENT
Amri, who has a total of nine goals from five previous AFF Championships, is confident.
Speaking to TNP yesterday, after the team's workout in Manila, he said: "We have quality and experience in our team.
"Obviously I want to score goals in the competition, but what's important is that our team get the results.
"We have many players who can score from different situations and we will continue to work as a team."
The jury is still out on 24-year-old Sahil, a player of undoubted talent, who has had his critics, who have questioned his attitude and work ethic.
Former Singapore striker Duric, who helped the Lions win the 2012 Suzuki Cup said: "Sahil is an option, but he is an enigma. There's a lot of potential, but he hasn't shown it on the senior international stage yet.
"Hopefully, Sahil will grab the chance to show what he can do if he gets it, because the whole of Asean will be watching and this is a good opportunity to market himself."
Another former Singapore striker, Indra Sahdan Daud, who scored in the 2004 Tiger Cup final which the Lions won against Indonesia, said: "As his teammate at Geylang, I can say that, on his day, nobody can stop Sahil because he is so quick and sharp.
"He hasn't had as much impact on the international scene compared to players from my era, probably because he was always playing among his age group and I was exposed to more mature and older teammates and opponents so I had more experience at the same age.
"Amri, for me, is still Singapore's top striker. He holds the ball well and is lethal inside and outside the box, so it would be good if he is not made to run around too much and allowed to focus on scoring instead.
"If they have to play together, I hope they can hit it off straightaway because the national team need all the firepower they can get right now."
Sahil, who has scored just once in 19 international appearances, is confident he will grab the opportunity when it comes.
"We have a side with good teamwork and I am ready to finish the chances the team create," he said.
"We have been going through intense training to successfully follow through our game plan and finish with goals, and we will soon put what we have practised to the test.
"It is not just me, the whole team are ready to step up and put on a good show."
Sahil Suhaimi
Age: 24
Height: 1.70m
Club: Geylang International (24 games, 7 goals)
Caps: 19
International goals: 1
Honours: SEA Games bronze 2013
Khairul Amri
Age: 31
Height: 1.72m
Club: Garena Young Lions (12 games, 5 goals)
Caps: 110
International goals: 31
Honours: AFF Championship 2004,2007, 2012; SEA Games bronze 2007
On his day, nobody can stop Sahil because he is so quick and sharp.
— Former Singapore striker Indra Sahdan Daud (above)
He has always been a player for this tournament and, even though opponents will know him well, Amri is unpredictable in a good way as he seems to always have a bag of tricks.
— Tampines Rovers coach Akbar Nawas (above)
I know it is difficult for him (Sahil) to come on for just 15 minutes and make an instant impact, but he is one of the few natural strikers we have got now.
— Former Singapore striker Aleksandar Duric (above)
Sahil has good individual technique and willingness to take on players, beat them and score in tight situations, although he can be guilty of holding on to the ball for too long.
— Former Hougang United coach K Balagumaran (above)
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