Bersama Legenda – Dato’ M. Chandran dan Ibrahim Mydin
Menuju puncak bersama kapten Harimau Malaya:
M. Chandran dan Ibrahim Mydin
Mendiang Dato’ M. Chandran dan Allahyarham Ibrahim Mydin merupakan bekas ketua pasukan Harimau Malaya yang telah mengharumkan nama negara pada era 1960an dan 1970an.
Kedua-dua mereka mula mewakili pasukan belia kebangsaan yang berentap di Kejohanan Belia Asia. M. Chandran yang bermain di bahagian pertahanan tengah mula bersama pasukan yang dibimbing oleh Choo Seng Quee pada tahun 1961 manakala Ibrahim Mydin pada tahun berikutnya. Ibrahim, seorang pemain tengah dan penyerang, turut mengetuai pasukan pada tahun 1964.
Ibrahim Mydin yang dilahirkan di Pulau Pinang pada 2 Ogos 1944, telah berjaya memenangi pingat gangsa di Sukan Asia 1962 dan mengetuai pasukan yang menjuarai edisi pertama Kejohanan Ulangtahun Jakarta pada tahun 1970.
Sementara itu, M. Chandran yang dilahirkan di Perak pada 4 Mei 1942, telah mengetuai pasukan Harimau Malaya dan berjaya menjuarai beberapa kejohanan besar termasuklah pingat gangsa di Sukan Asia Teheran 1974. Kemuncak perjalanan bola sepak bagi M. Chandran pastinya apabila mendiang mengetuai pasukan kebangsaan di Sukan Olimpik Munich 1972.
Kejohanan-kejohanan lain yang turut disertai antara mereka termasuk Pestabola Merdeka, Piala Raja Thai, Kejohanan Jemputan Vietnam dan Sukan SEAP.
M. Chandran digeruni lawan dengan permainan keras mengawasi benteng pertahanan. Selain daripada menjaringkan gol, Ibrahim Mydin diingati dengan skil melowongkan bola diantara kaki lawan sehingga mendapat nama jolokan ‘King of Kangkang’.
Kedua-dua mereka telah pun meninggalkan kita, Dato’ M. Chandran pada 28 September 2019 dan Ibrahim Mydin 9 Ogos 2023. Semoga segala jasa, bakti, pengorbanan dan kejayaan mereka menjadi inspirasi kepada generasi muda dan yang akan datang. Jadikanlah mereka ikon untuk melonjakkan prestasi sendiri.
//
Rising to the top with two Harimau Malaya captains:
M. Chandran and Ibrahim Mydin
The late Datuk M. Chandran and Allahyarham Ibrahim Mydin were former captains of Harimau Malaya who shone a light on our country’s name during the 1960s and 1970s.
Both of them first represented Malaysia with the national youth team that competed at the Asian Youth Football Tournament. M. Chandran, who plays as a centreback, began playing with the team coached by Choo Seng Quee in 1961 while Ibrahim Mydin joined the following year. Ibrahim, a midfielder and striker, became captain for the team in 1964.
Born on August 2, 1944 in Penang, Ibrahim Mydin has won a bronze medal at the 1962 Asian Games and led the team to victory at the first edition of the Jakarta Anniversary Tournament in 1970.
Meanwhile, M. Chandran who was born May 4, 1942 in Perak, led Harimau Malaya to successfully win several major tournaments including the bronze medal at the 1974 Tehran Asian Games. A highlight of his career is certainly leading the team at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
More tournaments that they have participated in include the Merdeka Tournament, Thai King’s Cup, the South Vietnam Independence Cup, and the SEAP Games.
M. Chandran was feared by opponents as he played a tough match on the defence line. Apart from scoring goals, Ibrahim is remembered for his skill of passing the ball between his rivals’ legs, earning him the nickname ‘King of Kangkang’.
Both of them have unfortunately left us, Dato’ M. Chandran on September 28, 2019 and Ibrahim Mydin, just last year, on August 9, 2023. May all their successes, sacrifices and devotion to the sport be an inspiration for the younger generation and the ones to come. Make them the icons they deserve to be to boost your own performance.
