2 OKTOBER 1971 – Harimau Malaya layak bergaya ke Sukan Olimpik Munich 1972
Pada hari ini pada tahun 1971, Harimau Malaya dengan rasminya layak ke Sukan Olimpik Munich 1972 setelah membelasah Filipina 5–0. Gol-gol dijaringkan oleh Wong Choon Wah 20’, Syed Ahmad 44’, Looi Loon Teik 36’ 67’ dan Mohamad Bakar 80’.
Ini merupakan kali pertama pasukan Malaysia layak ke Sukan Olimpik.
Pasukan kebangsaan telah menyingkirkan pasukan-pasukan pilihan termasuk Jepun, selaku pemenang pingat gangsa Sukan Olimpik 1968 di Mexico, yang dikalahkan 3–0 sementara tuan rumah Korea Selatan menerima padah yang sama apabila ditewaskan 1–0. Selepas itu, Republik China dijinakan dengan skor 3–0.
Harimau Malaya bukan sahaja layak tetapi mereka melakukannya dengan begitu bergaya sekali setelah berjaya menggegarkan gol lawan sebanyak 12 kali tanpa dibolosi sebarang gol. Ia merupakan satu pencapaian yang amat membanggakan.
Tidak hairanlah apabila tiga pemain Malaysia disenaraikan di dalam kesebelasan terbaik kejohanan Kelayakan Asia Timur ini. Mereka ialah penjaga gol Wong Kam Fook, bek tengah M. Chandran dan penyerang Syed Ahmad yang berada di tangga teratas senarai. Empat pemain masing-masing dari Jepun dan Korea Selatan melengkapkan senarai tersebut.
Foto: “Best Eleven” Kelayakan Sukan Olimpik 1972 (Rantau Asia) termasuk Syed Ahmad, M. Chandran dan Wong Kam Fook
“Luasnya padang bukan penghalang untuk berjuang
Dalam gelanggang pun tak kurang tak kecundang
Sejarah lama kita kaji
Mengatur rencana dengan pasti
Kisah mereka diteladani
Agar tetap teguh tegak berdiri”
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Harimau Malaya Qualifies For the 1972 Munich Olympic Games in Style
On this day in 1971, Harimau Malaya officially qualified for the 1972 Munich Olympics after defeating the Philippines 5–0. The goals were scored by Wong Choon Wah 20′, Syed Ahmad 44′, Looi Loon Teik 36′ 67′ and Mohamad Bakar 80′.
This was the first time the Malaysian national team had qualified for the Olympics.
The national team brought down teams that were poised to advance. Japan, the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games bronze medalists were defeated 3–0 while hosts South Korea suffered the same fate after losing 1–0. The Republic of China then lost to Malaysia 3–0.
Harimau Malaya not only qualified but they did it full of tenacity. They managed to score 12 goals throughout the tournament without conceding any, making it a proud achievement.
It was not surprising when three Malaysian players were listed in the best eleven of this East Asian Qualifying tournament, including goalkeeper Wong Kam Fook, centre back M. Chandran and striker Syed Ahmad, who made it to the top of the list. Four players each from Japan and South Korea respectively completed the list.
Photo: The “Best Eleven” of the 1972 Olympic Games Qualifiers (Asia) including Syed Ahmad, M. Chandran and Wong Kam Fook
