Varadaraju Sundramoorthy (Tamil: வரதராஜு சுந்தரமூர்த்தி; born 6 October 1965) is a former Singaporean international footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, is widely touted as one of the country's most skillful and talented footballers ever. He is the current technical director of the Laos national football team.
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Varadaraju Sundramoorthy | ||
| Date of birth | 6 October 1965 | ||
| Place of birth | Singapore | ||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder/Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Laos (Technical Director) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1983–1987 | Singapore | 50 | (45) |
| 1987–1988 | FC Basel | 5 | (3) |
| 1988–1989 | BSC Old Boys | ||
| 1989–1990 | Kedah | ||
| 1991–1992 | Pahang | ||
| 1992–1993 | Singapore | ||
| 1994 | Kelantan | ||
| 1995–1997 | Woodlands Wellington | ||
| 1998–2003 | Jurong | ||
| International career | |||
| 1983–1995 | Singapore | 48 | (20) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1999–2003 | Jurong (player-coach) | ||
| 2004–2007 | NFA U-18[1] | ||
| 2007–2010 | Young Lions | ||
| 2012–2013 | LionsXII | ||
| 2013 | Singapore (caretaker coach) | ||
| 2013 | Singapore Selection XI | ||
| 2014 | Negeri Sembilan | ||
| 2014–2016 | Tampines Rovers | ||
| 2015 | Singapore Selection XI | ||
| 2016–2018 | Singapore | ||
| 2018–2019 | Laos | ||
| 2021– | Laos (Technical Director) | ||
Medal record | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
He coached the LionsXII, a Singapore-based team playing in the Malaysia Super League, and held a dual appointment as the head coach of the Under-23 team[2] from 2011 to 2013 when he announced his plans to sign with the Malaysian Premier League team, Negeri Sembilan.[3] After coaching Negeri Sembilan for half a season in 2014, he returned to Singapore to take the helm at Tampines Rovers for almost 2 years, then a 2-year stint as head coach of Singapore.
Playing career edit
Sundramoorthy broke into the Singapore-Malaysia Cup team in 1983 at just 18 years of age and in the following season, he became top scorer in the tournament.
Playing in Europe edit
In 1988, Sundramoorthy became the second player from Singapore to play in Europe when he signed for Swiss club FC Basel. He played there during the second half of their 1987–88 season (the season that Basel suffered relegation) under head coach Urs Siegenthaler. After playing in eight test games, he played his first match in the Swiss Super League in an away game on 20 March 1988 against Bulle. He scored his first goal for the club in the same game as Basel won 0–2.[4] He played solely five league games, in which scored three goals.[5] He was released to Old Boys at the end of the season.[6]
He then joined Kedah FA for the Malaysia Cup tournament as he returned in 1989. During his playing days in Alor Setar playing his trade for Kedah FA, Sundramoorthy helped Kedah to defeat Singapore 3–1 in the final of the 1990 Malaysia Cup, scoring Kedah's opening goal.
During Singapore's run-up to the 1993 Malaysia Cup Final appearance, Sundramoorthy was one of the most influential players in the team. He was a player well known for his dribbling skills and his finishing.
One of Sundramoorthy's most famous goals was a bicycle kick scored against Brunei in a 1993 FAM Division II League tie at the National Stadium. He also scored a spectacular backheel during his days with Jurong FC. In a match against Pahang that same year, Sundramoorthy audaciously faked a backheel that fooled the Pahang defenders before crossing for Fandi Ahmad to score the winner late in the game.
In his later days, Sundramoorthy played domestically, first turning out for Woodlands Wellington in the league's inaugural year in 1996 before moving on to become the first-ever player-coach in S.League history for Jurong FC.
Sundramoorthy was nicknamed 'The Dazzler', which was also the name of his autobiography, at the height of his prowess and 'King Cobra' when he was at Jurong.
International career edit
Sundramoorthy made several appearances for the Singapore national football team, including at the 1990 Asian Games[7] when he scored a hat-trick against Pakistan.
Sundramoorthy also represented Singapore in several SEA Games and helped the Lions reach the final in 1989 when his last-minute through ball led to Fandi Ahmad's winner against Indonesia. He was one of the most feared Southeast Asian strikers the 1980s and early 1990s.
Coaching career edit
LionsXII edit
Since 2012 Sundramoorthy has been the head coach of the LionsXII, who played in the Malaysian Super League. In his first season in charge he led the LionsXII to 2nd place in the Malaysia Super League and the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup.
Singapore edit
On 21 January 2013, it was announced that Sundramoorthy would be appointed caretaker coach of the Singapore national football team while the Football Association of Singapore searched for a replacement for former coach Raddy Avramovic.[8] His first game in charge was against Jordan on 6 February 2013 at Singapore's Jalan Besar Stadium.
On 15 May 2013, German coach Bernd Stange was announced as the new manager of the Singapore national football team[9] while Sundramoorthy was appointed as the head coach of the Singapore national under-23 football team for the 2013 SEA Games. Aide Iskandar was named as his assistant.[10]
Negeri Sembilan edit
On 7 October 2013, Sundramoorthy announced that he would not be renewing his contract with the Football Association of Singapore to coach the Malaysian Super League side LionsXII. He took over as head coach at second tier Malaysian Premier League side Negeri Sembilan on a two-year contract from 1 November 2013.[3] After finishing sixth in the 2014 Malaysia Premier League and failing to qualify for the Malaysia Cup, Sundramoorthy was relieved of his duties by Negeri Sembilan.[11]
Tampines Rovers edit
In December 2014, Sundramoorthy was confirmed as the new head coach of the Tampines Rovers. This was the first time after 5 years that he held the head coach post in the S.League.[12][13]
Singapore edit
Sundramoorthy was unveiled as the head coach of the Singapore national football team in May 2016, on a one-year contract.[14] He extended his contract as the Lions head coach for two more years in March 2017.[15] However, one year later, he stepped down from his role by mutual consent on 9 April 2018.[16]
Laos edit
In October 2018, Sundramoorthy became the head coach of the Laos national football team.[17] He was joined by V. Selvaraj who managed Laos' youth teams and also assisting him in the senior team.[18] In October 2021, Sundramoorthy became the Technical Director of the team while Selvaraj took over his head coach position.[18]
Honours edit
Player edit
Kedah
- Malaysia Cup: 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994
Manager edit
LionsXII
- Malaysia Super League: 2013
References edit
- ^ Raymond, Jose (17 December 2003). "Back among familiar faces". Today. p. 55. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Bernd Stange unveiled as new Singapore coach". Goal.com Singapore. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
- ^ a b "Sundram resigns as LionsXII coach after 2 years in charge and winning MSL title". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ "FC Bulle - FC Basel 0:2 (0:0)". Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
- ^ Zindel, Josef (2015). Rotblau: Jahrbuch Saison 2015/2016. FC Basel Marketing AG. ISBN 978-3-7245-2050-4.
- ^ "Varadaraju Sundram Moorthy". Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
- ^ Courtney, Barrie (2 February 2005). "International matches 1990 – Asia". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
- ^ "FAS APPOINTS CARETAKER NATIONAL TEAM COACH". Archived from the original on 18 April 2013.
- ^ "Football: FAS to unveil Bernd Stange as new national coach, replacing Raddy Avramovic". The Straits Times.
- ^ "Sundram to lead SEA Games squad". Goal.com Singapore. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
- ^ Leong, Kelvin (5 November 2014). "Sundramoorthy leaves Negeri Sembilan after one season". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "Football: Sundram will lead Tampines". Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
- ^ "Sundramoorthy: 'Feels good to be home'". AsiaOne. 28 December 2014. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
- ^ "Football: Sundramoorthy is national football coach on 1-year deal, sets semi-final target for AFF Cup". The Straits Times. 27 May 2016. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "Football: FAS extends contracts of national coach Sundram and technical director Sablon". The Straits Times. 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ "Football: Sundram steps down as Lions head coach". Channel NewsAsia. 9 April 2018. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ Ooi Kin Fai (10 October 2018). "Sundramoorthy leads Laos fight in AFF Championship". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ a b Aziz, Sazali Abdul (5 December 2021). "Suzuki Cup: Laos coach V. Selvaraj aiming to mark 'happy' homecoming with Vietnam upset". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.