V. Sundramoorthy
{{short description|Singaporean footballer and manager}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = V. Sundramoorthy
| image = Sundramoorthy2.JPG
| image_size = 300
| fullname = Varadaraju Sundramoorthy
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1965|10|6}}
| birth_place = Singapore
| death_date =
| height = 1.70 m
| position = Midfielder/Striker
| currentclub = Laos (technical director)
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 1983–1987
| clubs1 = Singapore
| caps1 = 50
| goals1 = 45
| years2 = 1987–1988
| clubs2 = FC Basel
| caps2 = 5
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 1988–1989
| clubs3 = BSC Old Boys
| caps3 =
| goals3 =
| years4 = 1989–1990
| clubs4 = Kedah
| years5 = 1991–1992
| clubs5 = Pahang
| years6 = 1992–1993
| clubs6 = Singapore
| years7 = 1994
| clubs7 = Kelantan
| years8 = 1995–1997
| clubs8 = Woodlands Wellington
| years9 = 1998–2003
| clubs9 = Jurong
| nationalyears1 = 1983–1995
| nationalteam1 = Singapore
| nationalcaps1 = 48
| nationalgoals1 = 20
| manageryears1 = 1999–2003
| managerclubs1 = Jurong (player-coach)
| manageryears2 = 2004–2007
| managerclubs2 = NFA U18{{cite news|last=Raymond|first=Jose|title=Back among familiar faces|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20031217-1.2.65.13|newspaper=Today|p=55|date=17 December 2003|access-date=26 June 2023|archive-date=11 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211161308/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20031217-1.2.65.13|url-status=live}}
| manageryears3 = 2007–2010
| managerclubs3 = Young Lions
| manageryears4 = 2012–2013
| managerclubs4 = LionsXII
| manageryears5 = 2013
| managerclubs5 = Singapore (caretaker coach)
| manageryears6 =
| managerclubs6 =
| manageryears7 = 2014
| managerclubs7 = Negeri Sembilan
| manageryears8 = 2014–2016
| managerclubs8 = Tampines Rovers
| manageryears9 =
| managerclubs9 =
| manageryears10 = 2016–2018
| managerclubs10 = Singapore
| manageryears11 = 2018–2021
| managerclubs11 = Laos U23
| manageryears12 = 2018–2021
| managerclubs12 = Chanthabouly (technical director)
| manageryears13 = 2021–
| managerclubs13 = Laos (technical director)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry | {{SIN}} }}
{{MedalSport | Men's football}}
{{MedalCompetition | Southeast Asian Games}}
{{MedalSilver | 1983 Singapore|Team}}
{{MedalSilver | 1985 Bangkok|Team}}
{{MedalSilver | 1989 Kuala Lumpur|Team}}
{{MedalBronze | 1991 Manila|Team}}
{{MedalBronze | 1993 Singapore|Team}}
}}
{{Indian name|Sundramoorthy|Varadaraju}}Varadaraju Sundramoorthy ({{langx|ta|வரதராஜு சுந்தரமூர்த்தி}}; born 6 October 1965) is a former Singaporean international footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. Widely touted as one of the country's most talented footballers ever, Sundramoorthy is the currently the technical director of the Laos national team.
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{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3880/singapore/2013/05/15/3980251/bernd-stange-unveiled-as-new-singapore-coach?ICID=OP|title=Bernd Stange unveiled as new Singapore coach|publisher=Goal.com Singapore|access-date=15 May 2013|archive-date=20 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220163326/http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3880/singapore/2013/05/15/3980251/bernd-stange-unveiled-as-new-singapore-coach?ICID=OP|url-status=live}} from 2011 to 2013 when he announced his plans to sign with the Malaysian Premier League team, Negeri Sembilan.{{cite web|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/sports/story/football-sundram-resigns-lionsxii-coach-after-2-years-charge-and-winning-|title=Sundram resigns as LionsXII coach after 2 years in charge and winning MSL title|publisher=The Straits Times|access-date=7 October 2013|archive-date=8 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008171241/http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/sports/story/football-sundram-resigns-lionsxii-coach-after-2-years-charge-and-winning-|url-status=live}} 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
Sundramoorthy broke into the Singapore-Malaysia Cup team in 1983 at 18 years of age and in the following season became the top scorer in the tournament.
=Playing in Europe=
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.{{cite web | url=https://www.fcb-archiv.ch/saison/spiele?command=detail&id=21054 | title=FC Bulle - FC Basel 0:2 (0:0) | access-date=2019-11-16 | archive-date=4 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104214143/https://www.fcb-archiv.ch/saison/spiele?command=detail&id=21054 | url-status=live }} He played solely five league games, in which scored three goals.{{Cite book | last1 = Zindel | first1 = Josef | title = Rotblau: Jahrbuch Saison 2015/2016 | publisher = FC Basel Marketing AG | year = 2015 | isbn = 978-3-7245-2050-4}} He was released to Old Boys at the end of the season.{{cite web | url=https://www.fcb-archiv.ch/spieler?command=detail&id=7626 | title=Varadaraju Sundram Moorthy | access-date=2019-11-16 | archive-date=8 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108205440/https://www.fcb-archiv.ch/spieler?command=detail&id=7626 | url-status=live }}
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
Sundramoorthy made several appearances for the Singapore national football team, including at the 1990 Asian Games{{cite web|author=Courtney, Barrie|title=International matches 1990 – Asia|url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1990as.html|date=2 February 2005|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 August 2009|archive-date=28 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128123446/https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1990as.html|url-status=live}} 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
= LionsXII =
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 national team =
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 Radojko Avramović.{{cite web | title= FAS APPOINTS CARETAKER NATIONAL TEAM COACH | url= http://www.fas.org.sg/news/fas-appoints-caretaker-national-team-coach | archive-url= https://archive.today/20130418135721/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/fas-appoints-caretaker-national-team-coach | url-status= dead | archive-date= 2013-04-18 }} 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{{cite web|title=Football: FAS to unveil Bernd Stange as new national coach, replacing Raddy Avramovic|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/sports/story/football-fas-unveil-bernd-stange-new-national-coach-replacing-raddy-avram|publisher=The Straits Times}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3880/singapore/2013/05/15/3980828/sundram-to-lead-sea-games-squad|title=Sundram to lead SEA Games squad|publisher=Goal.com Singapore|access-date=15 May 2013|archive-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801092120/http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3880/singapore/2013/05/15/3980828/sundram-to-lead-sea-games-squad|url-status=live}}
= Negeri Sembilan =
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. 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.{{cite web|last1=Leong|first1=Kelvin|title=Sundramoorthy leaves Negeri Sembilan after one season|url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/football-asia/153/post/2128841/sundramoorthy-leaves-negeri-sembilan-after-one-season|publisher=ESPN FC|access-date=5 November 2014|date=5 November 2014|archive-date=5 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105121004/http://www.espnfc.com/blog/football-asia/153/post/2128841/sundramoorthy-leaves-negeri-sembilan-after-one-season|url-status=live}}
= Tampines Rovers =
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.{{cite web | url=http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/football-sundram-will-lead-tampines?page=0%2C0 | title=Football: Sundram will lead Tampines | access-date=2015-11-29 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208234138/http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/football-sundram-will-lead-tampines?page=0%2C0 | archive-date=8 December 2015 | df=dmy-all | url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/sundramoorthy-feels-good-be-home|title=Sundramoorthy: 'Feels good to be home'|publisher=AsiaOne|date=28 December 2014|access-date=5 January 2015|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208143707/http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/sundramoorthy-feels-good-be-home|url-status=dead}}
= Second stint with the Singapore national team =
Sundramoorthy was unveiled as the head coach of the Singapore national football team in May 2016, on a one-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-v-sundramoorthy-is-national-football-coach-on-one-year-deal-sets-semi-final|title=Football: Sundramoorthy is national football coach on 1-year deal, sets semi-final target for AFF Cup|publisher=The Straits Times|date=27 May 2016|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-date=15 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915014202/http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-v-sundramoorthy-is-national-football-coach-on-one-year-deal-sets-semi-final|url-status=live}} He extended his contract as the Lions head coach for two more years in March 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-fas-extends-contracts-of-national-coach-sundram-and-technical-director|title=Football: FAS extends contracts of national coach Sundram and technical director Sablon|publisher=The Straits Times|date=13 March 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412002512/http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-fas-extends-contracts-of-national-coach-sundram-and-technical-director|url-status=live}} However, one year later, he stepped down from his role by mutual consent on 9 April 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/football-v-sundramoorthy-steps-down-as-lions-head-coach-10120046|title=Football: Sundram steps down as Lions head coach|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=9 April 2018|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001035/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/football-v-sundramoorthy-steps-down-as-lions-head-coach-10120046|url-status=live}}
= Laos national team =
On 15 October 2018, Sundramoorthy became the head coach of the Laos national team where he was also tasked to helms the Laos under-23 team.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/sundramoorthy-leads-laos-fight-aff-championship/1fdp9cb44rzkh1a3yhjqzqtokx|title=Sundramoorthy leads Laos fight in AFF Championship|author=Ooi Kin Fai|publisher=Goal.com|date=10 October 2018|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011142854/https://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/sundramoorthy-leads-laos-fight-aff-championship/1fdp9cb44rzkh1a3yhjqzqtokx|url-status=live}} He was joined by compatriot V. Selvaraj who managed Laos' youth teams and also assisting him in the senior team.{{Cite news|last=Aziz|first=Sazali Abdul|date=2021-12-05|title=Suzuki Cup: Laos coach V. Selvaraj aiming to mark 'happy' homecoming with Vietnam upset|language=en|work=The Straits Times|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/suzuki-cup-laos-coach-v-selvaraj-aiming-to-mark-happy-homecoming-with-vietnam-upset|access-date=2021-12-06|issn=0585-3923|archive-date=6 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206100505/https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/suzuki-cup-laos-coach-v-selvaraj-aiming-to-mark-happy-homecoming-with-vietnam-upset|url-status=live}}
In October 2021, Sundramoorthy became the technical director of the team while Selvaraj took over his head coach position.
= Chanthabouly =
On the same day Sundramoorthy agreed to become the head coach of Laos, he also agreed to join Lao Premier League club Chanthabouly as their technical director.
International goals
| class="wikitable" | ||||||
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 28 May 1983 | Kallang, Singapore | {{fb|MAS}} | align="center" |2–1 | align="center" | 2–1 | 1983 SEA Games |
| 2. | 9 December 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | {{fb|IDN}} | align="center" |1–0 | align="center" | 1–0 | 1985 SEA Games |
| 3. | 24 August 1989 | rowspan="2" | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | {{fb|THA}} | align="center" |1–1 | align="center" | 1–1 | rowspan="2" | 1989 SEA Games |
| 4. | 26 August 1989 | {{fb|MYA|1974}} | align="center" |2–0 | align="center" | 4–0 | ||
| 5. | rowspan="3" | 27 September 1990 | rowspan="3" | Beijing, China | rowspan="3" | {{fb|PAK}} | align="center" |3–0 | rowspan="3" align="center" | 6–1 | rowspan="3" | 1990 Asian Games |
| 6. | align="center" |4–1 | |||||
| 7. | align="center" |5–1 | |||||
| 8. | 11 April 1993 | rowspan="2" | Doha, Qatar | {{fb|PRK}} | align="center" |1–0 | align="center" | 1–2 | rowspan="4" | 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 9. | 13 April 1993 | {{fb|VIE}} | align="center" |3–1 | align="center" | 3–2 | ||
| 10. | 18 April 1993 | rowspan="6" | Kallang, Singapore | {{fb|IDN}} | align="center" |2–0 | align="center" | 2–0 | |
| 11. | 2 May 1993 | {{fb|IDN}} | align="center" |2–1 | align="center" | 2–1 | ||
| 12. | 9 June 1993 | {{fb|PHI}} | align="center" |6–0 | align="center" | 7–0 | rowspan="4" | 1993 SEA Games | |
| 13. | 11 June 1993 | {{fb|IDN}} | align="center" |1–1 | align="center" | 1–1 | ||
| 14. | 15 June 1993 | {{fb|VIE}} | align="center" |2–0 | align="center" | 2–0 | ||
| 15. | 19 June 1993 | {{fb|IDN}} | align="center" |3–1 | align="center" | 3–1 |
Honours
=Player=
Kedah
- Malaysia Cup: 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994
=Manager=
LionsXII
- Malaysia Super League: 2013
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://tnp.straitstimes.com/sports/singapore-football/it-all-boils-down-results-says-sundram V. Sundramoorthy Interview]
{{Tampines Rovers F.C. managers}}
{{Singapore national football team managers}}
{{Laos national football team managers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sundramoorthy, V}}
Category:Singaporean people of Indian descent
Category:Singaporean men's footballers
Category:Singaporean sportspeople of Indian descent
Category:Singaporean expatriate men's footballers
Category:Singapore men's international footballers
Category:Singaporean expatriate sportspeople in Malaysia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Malaysia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Switzerland
Category:Kelantan F.C. players
Category:Kedah Darul Aman F.C. players
Category:Sri Pahang FC players
Category:Singaporean people of Tamil descent
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Singapore Premier League managers
Category:Singapore Premier League players
Category:Young Lions FC managers
Category:Footballers at the 1990 Asian Games
Category:SEA Games silver medalists for Singapore
Category:SEA Games bronze medalists for Singapore
Category:SEA Games medalists in football
Category:Competitors at the 1983 SEA Games
Category:Competitors at the 1985 SEA Games
Category:Competitors at the 1989 SEA Games
Category:Competitors at the 1991 SEA Games
Category:Competitors at the 1993 SEA Games
Category:Asian Games competitors for Singapore
Category:Singaporean football managers
Category:Singaporean expatriate football managers
Category:Singaporean expatriate sportspeople in Laos
Category:Singaporean expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland
Category:Laos national football team managers