New Singapore coach V. Sundramoorthy will get his first chance to see his charges in match action later this week when they head to Myanmar to participate in the inaugural AYA Bank Cup.
The 50-year-old, who was last Friday unveiled as the caretaker coach of the Lions on a one-year deal, has spent the last four days working with his players as they build towards the end-of-year ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup, which will be co-hosted by Myanmar and Philippines.
While preparations for Southeast Asia's premier international tournament are still in its infancy, Sundram will have the perfect opportunity to cast his eye over his team at the AYA Bank Cup, which takes place from Friday to next Monday at the Thuwunna Stadium.
Although the squad is mainly made up of stalwarts with no shortage of international experience, including captain Shahril Ishak, vice-captain Hariss Harun, Sundram has also taken the opportunity to call up two uncapped names in Home United playmaker Azhar Sairudin and Geylang International forward Amy Recha.
Azhar, in particular, has been in outstanding form for the Protectors in 2016 but admitted to being surprised at receiving the call-up, having initially assumed his chances of representing the country had passed him by.
"I didn't see it coming at all, just that many people around me said it is time for me to get called up," Azhar told ESPN FC in an interview last week.
"I'm enjoying my football with Home at the moment, but I didn't think the call-up would come at this age.
"The pace of football at the international level is different and I'll do my best for Singapore if I get on the pitch."
Singapore will meet hosts Myanmar on Friday evening, with Vietnam and Hong Kong, the other two teams in the competition, meeting earlier that day.
The winners will then face off in Monday's final, while the losing teams will play each other in the third place playoff.
The Lions will travel to Yangon with a full complement of 23 players despite the recent international retirement of defender Noh Rahman, with Warriors FC captain Zulfadli Zainal Abidin having been selected as his replacement.
However, Sundram will be without centre-back Madhu Mohana for the first game against Myanmar, with the 25-year-old serving the second of a two-game suspension following his red card in last November's 2-1 loss to Syria in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The two teams have already met once this year in an international friendly back in March, with Singapore claiming a 2-1 triumph at the Jalan Besar Stadium courtesy of goals from Shahril and Fazrul Nawaz.
The last time both sides locked horns in competitive action was at the 2014 Suzuki Cup group stage when the Lions beat Myanmar 4-2, although it was ultimately not enough to see them advance to the semifinals.
Myanmar coach Gerd Zeise has also named a strong squad for the AYA Bank Cup, calling up big names like Kyaw Ko Ko, Kyi Lin and Yan Aung Kyaw.
Myanmar's last match saw them play out a 0-0 draw against Malaysia in Yangon last week.
Singapore squad for 2016 AYA Bank Cup
Hassan Sunny (Army United), Izwan Mahbud (Tampines Rovers), Zaiful Nizam (Balestier Khalsa), Baihakki Khaizan (Johor Darul Ta'zim II), Madhu Mohana, Zulfadli Zainal Abidin (both Warriors FC), Afiq Yunos, Hafiz Abu Sujad (both Tampines Rovers), Safuwan Baharudin (PDRM), Nazrul Nazari (Hougang United), M. Anumanthan (Hougang United), Hariss Harun (Johor Darul Ta'zim), Izzdin Shafiq, Yasir Hanapi (both Tampines Rovers), Zulfahmi Arifin (Home United), Gabriel Quak (Geylang International), Fazrul Nawaz (Tampines Rovers), Amy Recha, Sahil Suhaimi (both Geylang International), Azhar Sairudin (Home United), Khairul Amri (Garena Young Lions), Shahril Ishak (Johor Darul Ta'zim II)
Myanmar squad for 2016 AYA Bank Cup
Kyaw Zin Phyo (Magwe), Pyae Phyo Aung (Southern Myanmar), Yan Aung Lin (Yadanarbon), Kyaw Zin Lwin, Nada Kyaw, Naing Lin Htun (all Magwe), Zaw Min Tun, David Htan, Thiha Htet Aung (all Yangon United), Aung Zaw (Hantharwady United), Hein Thiha Zaw (Shan United), Phyo Ko Ko Thein (Ayeyawady United), Ko Ko Hein (Zwekabin), Hlaing Bo Bo, Ye Ko Oo, Aung Thu, Myo Ko Htun (all Yadanarbon), Yan Aung Kyaw, Kyi Lin, Thiha Zaw (all Yangon United), Maung Maung Lwin (Hantharwady United), Yan Naing Oo (Shan United), Kyaw Ko Ko, Than Paing (both Yangon United), Win Naing Soe (Yadanarbon), Suan Lam Mang (Chin United)