Singapore coach V Sundramoorthy did not want to discuss his future and snapped at a reporter on Friday, shortly after his side crashed out of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016.
The Lions, who needed a win against Indonesia in their final group game to keep their hopes alive in the biennial tournament, squandered opportunities and committed errors at the back, to let the game and their chances slip away even after taking the early lead through Khairul Amri's overhead kick in the 27th minute.
Two second half goals from Indonesia saw Sundram's men crash out of the competition with just one point from three games, which is also their worst Suzuki Cup performance. The four time winners also set a new low by not winning even a single game in their group campaign.
Since taking over as caretaker coach in May, Sundram has been able to lead the side to victories only on two occasions. Also the Lions have suffered a goal-drought as they have found the back of the net only four times in their last 10 games.
In the ongoing tournament, Sundram relied more on his side's backline to the job. His strategy to park the bus worked against Philippines but failed against Thailand and Indonesia, who were ready to play the waiting game.
Sundram, whose target was to reach the semi-final stage of the tournament and take it from there, did not go easy on a reporter who queried about his future, at the post-match press conference on Friday.
According to TodayOnline, the 51-year-old tactician replied with a question "What is your future? How long have you been working in your newspaper?" for which the reporter answered "17 years".
"After six months, [did] people judge your future?" Sundram shot back.
The former Lions XII coach wore a disappointed look especially after his side, which had been solid at the back, failed to capitalise on the early lead against Indonesia. He said that the loss was difficult to digest as they had a glimmer of hope of joining Thailand in the last-four stages before losing it in the second half.
"We took the lead and were confident that we could hold on to it, we had enough chances to score, but we didn't take them," Sundram added.
"Obviously it hurts, Indonesia put in two attackers after their midfielder was taken out and we still maintained with two central defenders. But it is difficult for us because we know we can defend as a unit, and we could have preserved the lead."
