What do the Lions need ahead of November's Suzuki Cup?

Are Singapore ready for November's AFF Suzuki Cup?

If the Suzuki Cup starts this month, then no.

The Lions reached the final of the AYA Bank Cup but lost 3-0 to Vietnam after extra time.

While the Lions are hard to beat, they have also struggled for goals.

All is not lost, however.

New coach V Sundramoorthy has only been at the helm for less than a fortnight and the players are still getting used to the transition from Bernd Stange to the pragmatic Sundram.

The 50-year-old Singaporean told The New Paper: "I took the team for our first training two Saturdays ago.

"We had just four sessions at home and four here, so I have to credit the boys - who were unbeaten against Myanmar and Vietnam over 90 minutes.

"We showed we can compete, and even Vietnam were not that much better than us.

"For the Suzuki Cup, it is all about how we perform on the day."

There are more than five months to go before the Asean showpiece, and key to Singapore's hopes of landing a record fifth title will be making the most out of the overseas training camp in Japan or the Middle East next month.

Said Sundram: "We will have the national team together for three weeks in July during the League Cup period, which is important.

The goal there will be to work on the physical aspect of our game, in terms of strength and fitness, as well as the mental side to improve the players' concentration.

"We will not have the five foreign-based players - Hassan Sunny, Hariss Harun, Safuwan Baharudin, Shahril Ishak and Baihakki Khaizan - which means other players will be given the opportunity to show what they can do."

Where should Hariss and Safuwan play?

There is no doubt as to what their best positions are, but because of their talent and versatility, the question is: Where are they needed most?

After experimenting with Hariss in defence and Safuwan in midfield in the 1-0 win over Myanmar, and Hariss in midfield and Safuwan in attack against Vietnam, Sundram seems to have reached a conclusion.

He said: "Hariss did great in both positions but I need him more in midfield, and that's where he should be playing.

"Madhu (Mohana) did well coming back into central defence against Vietnam, alongside Baihakki, so we can afford to have Hariss in midfield.

"Safuwan also did a good job (up front) to win aerial challenges.

"It may be more efficient to make him the second striker behind (Khairul) Amri when he is fully fit."

Who can still make the cut?

Warriors FC's Shaiful Esah, who has perhaps the most cultured left foot in the land, certainly has a chance.

Fellow defenders Shakir Hamzah and Juma'at Jantan, who are workhorses, can also do a job if they are 100 per cent fit.

Wingers Gabriel Quak and Faris Ramli were livelier against Myanmar and created more chances than they did against Vietnam.

Geylang International duo Stanely Ng and Faritz Abdul Hameed will fancy their chances if they continue to score and contribute assists for the Eagles on a more consistent basis.

Up front, it should be a matter of time before Home United's Khairul Nizam and Garena Young Lions' Fareez Farhan get their chance to show that they can be a solution to the Lions' scoring woes.

"The door is still open. Look at Azhar (Sairudin) and Noh Rahman. I have a long list of more than 30 players. There is no reason for me not to pick someone, even if he is an unknown, as long as he is playing well consistently," said Sundram.

Does Shahril still have an international future?

The 32-year-old Johor Darul Ta'zim II skipper came on for an 18-minute cameo against Vietnam to earn his 134th cap, but like the rest of his teammates, could not find a way to shoot down the Golden Stars.

Shahril had gradually become a peripheral figure in the national team under previous coach Stange, although he did open the scoring in the 2-1 home win over Myanmar as recently as March.

With options like Zulfahmi Arifin, Azhar and Safuwan, it remains to be seen if Sundram will trust Shahril to be his chief playmaker or even lone striker - a position he occupied with distinction for the Lions and LionsXII in 2012 and 2013.

Age may have robbed him of a yard of pace but Shahril is one of only a few Singaporeans who have experience, vision, creativity and good finishing.

"We will monitor his performances with Johor Darul Ta'zim II," said Sundram.

"Shahril can still play an important role for us at the Suzuki Cup."

Can the Sundram-Fandi tandem work ?

It is no secret that Fandi Ahmad yearns to be national coach, and it must have hurt to be pipped to the post.

But the 54-year-old's happy-go-lucky nature has seen him overcome his disappointment and support his former Lions teammate wholeheartedly.

During this trip, they had a number of long and thoughtful discussions, and seemed to be on the same page as they interchanged between drilling the attack and defence in different training sessions.

Sundram seemed to hint that the relationship could go all the way to the Suzuki Cup. Fandi's contract with the Football Association of Singapore runs out at the end of the year.

Said Sundram: "Fandi knows the boys well, is knowledgeable and has been a great help.

"We are good friends and have a good working relationship."

Former national coach and technical director P N Sivaji added: "Both are results-driven and confident.

"If Sundram goes in hard on the players, Fandi can help cool things down and get the team to look at the bigger picture.

"Both have had experience working as head coaches and assistant coaches and will be comfortable planning and managing training sessions. Putting two experienced heads together to manage games - making substitutions, reading the game, changing tactics or positions of players during the game - will be advantageous.

"Managing and motivating the players will play a big part in whether they are successful. Can they work together, put their egos aside, complement each other with their own inherent strengths to achieve greatness for Singapore football?

"Ultimately, it is their decision."

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We will monitor his performances with Johor Darul Ta’zim II. Shahril can still play an important role for us at the Suzuki Cup.

— National coach V Sundramoorthy on attacker Shahril Ishak

Can they work together, put their egos aside, complement each other with their own inherent strengths to achieve greatness for Singapore football? Ultimately, it is their decision.

— Former national coach P N Sivaji on a V Sundramoorthy-Fandi Ahmad coaching tandem

BY THE NUMBERS

164

There are 164 days till national coach V Sundramoorthy's first big test, the AFF Suzuki Cup, kicks off in Myanmar and the Philippines. Singapore and Thailand are the tournament's most successful teams, with four titles each.