Singapore national team coach V. Sundram Moorthy has urged his charges to “step up”, amid the negativity surrounding local football.
“Looking at what’s happening, I think the national team need to step up,” Sundram said at a press conference ahead of Thursday’s friendly against Hong Kong, as quoted by The Straits Times.
“From my point of view, we are ready to bounce back and try to put ourselves right against Hong Kong and Turkmenistan.
“I feel that the match is very good preparation for the game against Turkmenistan, because Hong Kong physically will be strong and similar to the Turkmens,” Sundram added.
The Lions will host Hong Kong in a friendly on Thursday before their third Asian Cup qualifier against Turkmenistan on 5 September, with their qualifying hopes on the line.
After the national teams experiencing early elimination at important competitions, including 2018 AFC U-23 championship qualification and 2017 SEA Games, the Football Association of Singapore expressed their disappointment with the teams’ dismal performance.