Fresh from their first defeat to the Philippines in forty years, Singapore Lions will next square up against Myanmar, the perennial underdogs of South East Asia football.
It has never been easy for Raddy in the past months as fans have constantly called for the Serbian native to take up responsibility for the Lions' dismal performance that has seen them dropping to their lowest ever FIFA ranking of 162 in August 2012.
Singapore’s only victory in the past 12 months was a 2-0 win over Hong Kong at the Jurong West stadium on August 2012 and the hero on that night was 42-year-old Aleksandar Duric who grabbed a brace for himself.
That victory, temporarily, lifted the pressure off coach Raddy who had been facing immense criticism from fans for the Lions' dismal performance prior to the match.
But the pressure was soon back on the Serbian native minutes after his side was humbled by the basketball-loving nation of the Philippines; a match in which Duric was a spectator being out nursing an injury.
Joining the injury list that day was Hariss Harun, Jumaat Jantan, Isa Halim, Safuwan Baharudin, Khairul Amri and Yasir Hanapi who have all also been left back home to recuperate to full fitness and will not feature against Myanmar.
Although Myanmar coach Park Sung-Hwa has named a relatively young squad for the friendly with 28-year-old Yan Paing of Yadanarbon FC being the oldest, Singapore must bear in mind, that after the Philippines defeat, there is no longer any ‘easy game’ against fellow regional nations.
Leading the home side on Tuesday will be 23-year-old Khin Maung Lwin who will be providing the ammunition to Yan Paing upfront and the lively Kyaw Zayar Win.
It may be tough times for the Lions and coach Raddy, but a victory will do well not only to lift the pressure off the coach but will also be a morale booster for the players as they head into the final phase of preparations for the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup.
