Malaysian hockey salutes the team of '75
The nostalgic embers of that momentous day glowed bright at a commemorative event at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
That great team that reached the semi-finals of the 1975 World Cup at Merdeka Stadium were fittingly honoured at the Sports Flame event, on the 50th anniversary of their remarkable feat.
Sports Flame, founded in 2011, is a collaborative initiative by four former sports journalists — Datuk Lazarus Rokk, George Das, Datuk Fauzi Omar, and the late R. Velu.
In 1975, the national team, skippered by Datuk Sri Shanmuganathan, were the underdogs then (Malaysia finished 11th in 1973), but they defied the odds.
Till today, the achievement of the 1975 team remains unequalled by any other Malaysian national sides.
Shanmuganathan and his men came tantalisingly close to reaching the final after taking a 2-0 lead against India in an epic semi-final showdown.
However, mighty India forced extra-time with goals from S.R. Pawar and Aslam Sher Khan, sending the match into extra time. Harcharan Singh saved India an ignominious exit by scoring the winner.
Shanmuganathan said the national team's rousing run to the World Cup semi-finals held great significance as it came during a time when the country was still healing from the May 13 tragedy.
"Our fourth-place finish came just six years after May 13, and the way the team played — with its multiracial composition — was a powerful symbol of unity for the nation.
"We are thankful to Sports Flame for organising this commemoration of our achievement," he said.
Datuk R. Yogeswaran, the coach of the national team then, recalled the electrifying atmosphere as about 50,000 screaming fans packed the Merdeka Stadium.
"I will never forget the 1975 World Cup. It remains vivid in my mind — how Malaysians from all walks of life came together to fill the stadium," he said.
"Never in Malaysian hockey history have we seen 40,000 to 50,000 spectators at our matches. I'm grateful to Sports Flame for celebrating us year after year."
The legendary national striker, Datuk Poon Fook Loke, expressed disappointment that Malaysia had yet to equal or surpass the 1975 feat.
"I want to thank Sports Flame for reminding the nation of our achievement," he said.
"It happened 50 years ago, and I feel sad that we have never come close to replicating it."
The event also honoured 160 national sports icons who shone between the 1960s and 1980s.
The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, graced the occasion with his royal presence.
Among the former top athletes in attendance were Datuk Santokh Singh (football), Datuk James Selvaraj (badminton), Noraseela Khalid (athletics), and Kevin Nunis (hockey).
The event also paid tribute to the late R. Velu, one of Sports Flame's founding members and a beloved figure in Malaysian sports journalism. Al-Sultan Abdullah presented a commemorative plaque to a representative of Velu's family.
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs made a surprise appearance at the Sports Flame event, and presented Al-Sultan Abdullah with a signed Manchester United jersey.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
23 minutes ago
- The Star
AFF U-23: 1,620-strong security deployment for heated Indonesia-Malaysia football clash in Jakarta
JAKARTA, July 21 (Bernama): Close to 1,620 police officers and servicemen will be deployed for the Asean U-23 Championship (formerly the AFF U-23 Championship) Group A clash between Indonesia and Malaysia in Central Jakarta tonight, according to police. The third group match is scheduled for kickoff at 8 pm local time (9 pm Malaysian time) at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium, Senayan Sports Complex. "The security forces consist of officers from Metro Jaya police, counterparts from the armed forces, and several officers from the Indonesian National Police headquarters,' said a spokesperson from Metro Jaya District Police, Commissioner Ade Ary Syam Indradi, in a statement. He said traffic around the stadium area will be managed according to prevailing needs and situations. The Malaysia U-23 squad is gunning for a semifinal slot in this final Group A match against hosts Indonesia U-23, following a 0-2 loss to the Philippines U-23 in their opener on Tuesday and a 7-1 trouncing of Brunei U-23 on Friday. - Bernama
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Former England star Gascoigne recovering after collapse at home
PAUL Gascoigne is recovering in hospital after the former Tottenham and England star collapsed at his home. Gascoigne was rushed to hospital by his driver and assistant Steve Foster, who found the 58-year-old in a semi-conscious state in his Dorset house. 'Paul is in hospital, which is the best possible place for him to be right now,' Foster told The Sun newspaper. Gascoigne was reportedly admitted to an intensive care ward after being discovered on Friday, but later moved to an acute medical unit, where his condition is said to be stable. Foster said Gascoigne would 'like to thank everyone for the support he's received so far from so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best.' One of the most naturally gifted footballers of his generation, Gascoigne played for Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton. He was capped 57 times by England, becoming a global star after his brilliant form at the 1990 World Cup in Italy reached a tearful crescendo with his emotional reaction to a yellow card, which would have ruled him out of the final, in a last four loss against West Germany. Gascoigne also starred for England during their run to the Euro 96 semi-finals, where they again lost to Germany on penalties. The midfielder's issues with alcohol addiction and depression are well-documented and he has suffered a series of health problems in recent years. In 2020, Gascoigne said he had turned his life around after having anti-alcohol pellets sewn into his stomach. But last year, he admitted on the High Performance podcast that he was a 'sad drunk' living in a spare room at the home of his agent. – AFP
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Pearly-Thinaah lacked fire in Japan Open final, says Rexy
KUALA LUMPUR: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky has pinpointed the reasons behind Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah's underwhelming performance in the Japan Open final on Sunday. The world No. 3 missed out on becoming the first Malaysian women's doubles champions at the tournament, falling 21-15, 21-14 to Chinese world No. 1 and defending champions Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. According to Rexy, the defeat was down to a mix of Pearly-Thinaah's inconsistency and the Chinese pair's flawless tactical execution. "It was the complete opposite of how Pearly-Thinaah played in the semi-finals against Chiharu Shida-Nami Matsuyama," said Rexy. "The Chinese didn't rush. They built momentum patiently and followed their game plan to perfection, striking at the right moments." In Saturday's semi-final, Pearly-Thinaah had produced a near-flawless display to defeat home favourites and world No. 2 Shida-Matsuyama 21-13, 21-11, breaking a long-standing jinx, having previously lost 13 of their 14 encounters. But they couldn't replicate that form in the final. Rexy praised the Chinese pair's tactical discipline, especially Tan Ning's dominance at the net. "They dragged Pearly-Thinaah away from the net and took control up front, making it very uncomfortable for the Malaysian girls," he told Bernama. "We have to give the Chinese pair credit, they played really well, especially Tan Ning." Sunday's loss marked Pearly-Thinaah's ninth defeat in 12 meetings against the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallists. The Malaysians still took home US$33,250 (RM141,000) for their runners-up finish, while the champions pocketed US$70,300 (RM298,000). Pearly-Thinaah matched the feat of Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, who were runners-up at the 2008 edition. Despite the defeat, it has been a strong season for the 2022 Commonwealth Games champions, who claimed the Thailand Open title in May and were runners-up at the Indonesia Masters in January. They now turn their focus to the China Open, which starts on Tuesday in Changzhou.
