Versatile: Shaharuddin was also known as “The Black Cat” for his dribbling abilities and speed.
PETALING JAYA: It was the 1972 Merdeka Tournament and the mighty Japanese were on a roll.
After beating the Khmer Republic (now Cambodia) 4-1, Sri Lanka 5-0, the Philippines 5-1 and Burma B 6-1, the 1968 Olympics bronze medallists faced off against Malaysia in the top-of-the table clash.
Their super striker Kunishige Kamamoto got them off to a brilliant start with a spectacular goal in the 15th minute, but Wan Zawawi Wan Yusof made it 1-1 seven minutes later.
Then, up stepped Shaharuddin Abdullah.
The “Sharpshooter” fired twice in the 68th and 86th minutes, one of them a brilliant bicycle kick to match Kamamoto’s goal to give Malaysia a 3-1 win.
Malaysia lost in the final to South Korea but Shaharuddin had etched his name as a legend in Malaysian football.
He would go on to take Malaysia to the 1972 Olympics, scoring the country’s first ever Olympics goal against the United States in a 3-0 win. The other goals were scored by Salleh Ibrahim and Wan Zawawi.
Shaharuddin, who passed away yesterday at 75, was one of the greatest strikers the country has produced.
His former teammate Wong Kam Fook says he was such a “predatory force” upfront that he was called the ‘sharpshooter’.
He was also known as “The Black Cat” for his dribbling abilities and speed.
“His basic football was just amazing. Imagine a player who shoots, heads, passes, dribbles and runs well ... That is Shaharuddin for you. To me, he was one of the greatest strikers,” said Kam Fook, who is now based in Hong Kong.
“Shaharuddin was not a big player, he was small in size but he had confidence upfront. On the field, he was amazing, and I will never forget his displays for Malaysia.
“Even when he played for Penang, he was such a dangerous opponent. As a goalkeeper, yes, it would be a challenge facing him. He could score from anywhere.”
Shaharuddin, who was born in Bagan Dalam on mainland Penang took his last breath at the Taiping Hospital yesterday morning.
His second child, Shahrina Shaharuddin, 42, said her father died at about 5.07 am surrounded by his seven children.
Shaharuddin, who had asthma, had complained of being unwell on Saturday and was placed in an induced coma at the Taiping Hospital.
There were positive developments on Monday but a few days later, there was no response from him.
“Allah loves him more. Al-Fatihah to my father. And I also want to thank people who have sent their condolences to us,” said Shafiq, who also plays football professionally and won one cap with Malaysia in 2018.
His father, on the other hand, has at least 70 caps, having played for the country from 1967-1981.
Besides being the first goal scorer at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, he also helped the national team win the bronze medal at the 1974 Teheran Asian Games. Shaharuddin also won the Merdeka Tournament in 1968, 1973 and 1974.
With the state team Penang, Shaharuddin won the Burnley Cup in 1965 and 1966 and the Malaysia Cup in 1974, which was the last time the state won the coveted trophy.
Another teammate of his in the national team, Datuk Soh Chin Aun said his loss would be deeply felt by the footballing community.
“We were not aware of his health issues but whenever we met during social events, we spoke about our footballing days,” said Chin Aun, who has the most number of national caps with 195.
“He has done a lot for the national team, especially during the Olympics in 1972. Off the field, he was a normal person but on the field, he was a highly respected striker.”
The 1972 Olympics goalkeeper Lim Fung Kee said Shaharuddin was always a joyful person.
“He was my roommate during the Merdeka tournament in Ipoh 1975. We last met on the King’s birthday in 2019.”
Shaharuddin was laid to rest at the Kamunting Islamic Cemetery at around 2.30pm.
