Namat Abdullah – Sang Kapten Menjulang Dua Piala
“Saya sebagai kapten masa tu saya perhati tengok, pemain-pemain Penang depa tu ramai yang pandai mengawal bola.” – Dato’ Namat Abdullah
50 tahun lalu, kepimpinan legenda Namat Abdullah telah membawa kejayaan kepada dua pasukan pada tahun 1974. Beliau terkenal dengan permainan yang keras dan digeruni pihak lawan.
Pertama, sebagai ketua pasukan Pulau Pinang, Namat berjaya membawa pasukannya kembali beraksi di pentas final Piala Malaysia setelah 5 tahun. Penampilan terakhir Harimau Kumbang di pertandingan akhir adalah pada tahun 1969 di mana mereka tewas kepada Selangor 0–1.
Perak yang akan menentang Pulau Pinang merupakan pasukan kegemaran untuk memenangi edisi 1974 setelah muncul sebagai juara pada tahun 1970 sebelum menjadi naib johan pada tahun 1971 dan 1972.
Pada tanggal 13 Julai 1974, Stadium Bandaraya menjadi riuh rendah setelah tuan rumah berjaya merampas kembali Piala Malaysia dengan menundukkan Perak 2–1. Gol-gol Pulau Pinang dijaringkan oleh Shaharuddin Abdullah dan Mohamad Bakar manakala Syed Ahmad berjaya mencuri satu gol Perak. Pada malam itu, Perak dikatakan bernasib baik mendapat satu jaringan kerana benteng pertahanan Pulau Pinang yang diterajui oleh kapten Namat Abdullah sangat kental.
Namat menjulang piala kejohanan buat pertama kali setelah Pulau Pinang memenangi Piala Malaya pada tahun 1958 dan ia kekal sebagai kali terakhir mereka.
10 hari kemudian, Namat sekali lagi memakai lilitan kapten di lengan beliau untuk mengetuai pasukan kebangsaan di Pestabola Merdeka 1974. Namat ditugaskan dengan tanggungjawab yang baharu untuk Harimau Malaya setelah M. Chandran, ketua pasukan yang terdahulu, bersara selepas edisi yang sebelumnya dan kini menjadi penolong jurulatih.
Malaysia bermula kejohanan dengan mengalahkan Korea Selatan 1–0 di perlawanan penentuan kumpulan menerusi jaringan gol Syed Ahmad pada minit ke-27. Malaysia ditempatkan dalam Kumpulan A bersama Hong Kong, dan India manakala Kumpulan B terdiri daripada Korea Selatan, Thailand, Indonesia dan Singapura.
Dalam perjalanan ke pertandingan akhir, Malaysia menewaskan India (4-1), Hong Kong (1-0), dan Thailand (3-2).
Pasukan kebangsaan sekali lagi bertemu Korea Selatan di peringkat akhir untuk menentukan juara Pestabola Merdeka ke-18. Kedudukan seri tanpa jaringan sehingga hampir tamat perlawanan. Pada minit ke-84, Mokhtar Dahari menjaringkan gol kemenangan dengan sepakan kencang di atas kotak penalti dan berjaya mempertahankan kejuaraan.
Malaysia: R. Arumugam, Lim Fung Kee, Namat Abdullah, Soh Chin Ann, Wong Voon Leong, Wong Kuw Fou, P. Umaparan, Shukor Salleh, Wong Choon Wah, Ali Bakar, Wan Hassan, Santokh Singh, Wan Zawawi, Syed Ahmad, Shaharuddin Abdullah, Mokhtar Dahari, Mohamad Bakar
Jurulatih: Jalil Che Din
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“As captain, I could see that there were many Penang players who were good at controlling the ball.” – Dato’ Namat Abdullah
50 years ago, national football legend Namat Abdullah brought two teams to victory in 1974. He was known for his tough game and was feared by his opponents.
Firstly as captain of Penang, the island state team were back at the Malaysia Cup finals after 5 years. Their last appearance at the finals was in 1969 where they lost to Selangor 0–1.
Awaiting Penang at the final round was Perak, who were the popular vote to win as they championed the 1970 edition before emerging as runners-up in 1971 and 1972.
On July 13, 1974, City Stadium roared as Penang were declared champions of the Malaysia Cup after defeating Perak 2–1. Their goals were scored by Shaharuddin Abdullah and Mohamad Bakar while Syed Ahmad gave Perak their sole goal. Perak were considered lucky to score, as Namat took the helm and kept Penang’s defence line strong until the final whistle blew.
It was their first championship win after lifting the Malaya Cup in 1958 and it remains the last time they lifted the coveted trophy.
10 days later, Namat donned the captain’s hat again to lead the Malaysian national team at the 1974 Merdeka Tournament. Namat was tasked with his new responsibility as previous captain M. Chandran retired after the last edition and was now assistant coach.
Malaysia first met South Korea for the group allocation match, defeating them 1-0 through a goal from Syed Ahmad in the 27th minute. They were then placed in Group A with Hong Kong and India while Group B comprised of South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.
On their journey to the finals, Malaysia defeated India (4-1), Hong Kong (1-0) and Thailand (3-2).
The national team met South Korea again at the final match to determine the champion of the 18th Merdeka Tournament. After a long 84 minutes, Mokhtar Dahari secured their win with a goal from the top of the penalty box and Malaysia managed to defend their championship title.
Malaysia’s full squad: R. Arumugam, Lim Fung Kee, Namat Abdullah, Soh Chin Ann, Wong Voon Leong, Wong Kuw Fou, P. Umaparan, Shukor Salleh, Wong Choon Wah, Ali Bakar, Wan Hassan, Santokh Singh, Wan Zawawi, Syed Ahmad, Shaharuddin Abdullah, Mokhtar Dahari, Mohamad Bakar
Coach: Jalil Che Din
