'I wish I was out there on the pitch tonight'

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I've had many memorable moments playing for Singapore, but the one I cherish most is my debut against Malaysia at the National Stadium during the 1983 SEA Games which we hosted.

To play in a Causeway derby, in an arena filled with 55,000 fans roaring as one, was a sight and sound to behold for a 17-year-old schoolboy and I was delirious after scoring the winning goal in our 2-1 triumph.

As a young team, the odds were stacked against us facing a side that had giants like Soh Chin Aun and Santokh Singh - players I had often watched and admired from the stands.

So, victory against them was unbelievable and, it was even more special because it was my first time out in a Lions jersey.

Our football battles with Malaysia have always had that extra spice and I'm sure tonight will be no different.

Now, as a specialist striker coach for the Singapore squad, I have felt the adrenaline pumping among our boys over the last few days and the tension and excitement has increased steadily.

It is working the excitement in me, too.

The build-up to the match in the media, and the talk around the country, has been fantastic.

Raddy (Singapore's national coach Radojko Avramovic) has prepared the team well and our boys are ready.

Jalan Besar Stadium may hold only 6,000, but it will be a packed arena that will work the magic on our players.

I am sure the Malaysians will respond in equal measure.

But that roar, akin to the one that I heard when playing at home, and which worked its charm on me then, will motivate each of our current Lions into delivering something special for the fans. There is nothing more exhilarating than to play in front of your home crowd, especially when it is a Causeway derby.

A part of me wishes I could be out there on the pitch guiding our younger players and steadying them, just as the likes of David Lee and Fandi Ahmad did for me on that May 28 night before I scored my first international goal.

It is now up to the likes of captain Shahril Ishak and Daniel Bennett to play that role, and I am sure they will do it well.

Winning matches for country and fans is always special, but doing so against Malaysia always tastes that much sweeter.



V Sundramoorthy, aka The Dazzler, is a former national striker.