PIALA OVALTINE: Harimau Malaya v The Lions
Piala Ovaltine, yang pertama kali diadakan pada tahun 1981, menyaksikan pertemuan antara pasukan bola sepak negara jiran Malaysia dan Singapura. Satu perlawanan diadakan di Stadium Nasional dan diikuti oleh satu perlawanan di Stadium Merdeka.
Pada masa itu, pasukan Harimau Malaya sedang bersiap sedia untuk menghadapi Kelayakan Piala Dunia 1982. Piala Ovaltine merupakan satu-satunya perlawanan persiapan sebelum jurulatih Karl Weigang membuat senarai akhir 20 pemain untuk dibawa ke Kuwait.
Malaysia dianggap pasukan pilihan untuk menjuarai Piala Ovaltine selepas menampilkan barisan mantap termasuk pemain tengah Shukor Salleh dan G. Torairaju, kapten Soh Chin Ann bersama rakan pertahanannya Santokh Singh, serta gandingan penyerang James Wong dan Hassan Sani. Barisan hadapan dikuatkan lagi dengan kehadiran Mokhtar Dahari yang telah kembali ke persada bola sepak antarabangsa pada 1980.
Setelah dua pertarungan di negara masing-masing, Singapura memenangi edisi pertama Piala Ovaltine selepas mengalahkan Malaysia 3–2 secara agregat dengan Fandi Ahmad menjaringkan ketiga-tiga gol. Pemain sensasi yang baru berumur 19 tahun ketika itu mengejutkan ramai pengikut bola sepak di dalam dan luar padang dengan bakat yang tinggi serta karismanya. Sementara itu, gol-gol Malaysia dijaringkan oleh Mokhtar Dahari dan Soh Chin Ann. Sebelum kejohanan ini, kali terakhir Malaysia tewas kepada Singapura adalah semasa saingan Kelayakan Piala Dunia 1978 dengan skor 0–1.
Singapura berjaya mempertahankan kejuaraan pada edisi berikutnya sebelum Malaysia membawa pulang Piala Ovaltine buat pertama kalinya pada tahun 1983. Setelah seri 0–0 di Stadium Merdeka, penyerang berumur 21 tahun, Zainal Abidin menjaringkan gol tunggal perlawanan yang berlangsung di Stadium Nasional.
Malaysia akan bertemu Singapura malam esok pada September 4 di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil untuk Perlawanan Antarabangsa Tier 1. Selamat maju jaya kami ucapkan.
(Foto merakamkan aksi jaringan gol kemenangan Zainal Abidin di Piala Ovaltine 1983)
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LIONS v TIGERS
OVALTINE CUP
In 1981, the inaugural Ovaltine Cup brought the national football teams from neighbouring countries Malaysia and Singapore up against each other. One match was played at the National Stadium, followed by a match at Merdeka Stadium.
This time, Malaysia were gearing up to prepare for the 1982 World Cup Qualifiers. The Ovaltine Cup was the only warm-up match before coach Karl Weigang finalised the 20-man squad to bring to Kuwait.
Malaysia were considered the favourites to win after presenting a strong line-up including midfielders Shukor Salleh and G. Torairaju, defender and captain Soh Chin Ann, as well as striker-duo James Wong and Hassan Sani. Joining them at the front was Mokhtar Dahari’s who made a comeback on the international scene in 1980.
After a match each in both countries, Singapore won the first Ovaltine Cup after defeating Malaysia 3–2 on aggregate with Fandi Ahmad scoring all of their three goals. The 19 year-old player was called a prodigy at the time, surprisingly everyone on and off the field. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s goals were scored by Mokhtar Dahari and Soh Chin Ann. Prior to this meet, the last time Malaysia lost to Singapore was at the 1978 World Cup qualifying tournament, where the match ended 0-1.
Singapore went on to win the second edition as well before Malaysia brought the Cup home for the first time in 1983. After a 0-0 draw at Merdeka Stadium, 21-year old striker Zainal Abidin Hassan scored the only goal at National Stadium for a 1-0 win against Singapore.
Malaysia will meet Singapore tomorrow night on September 4 at Bukit Jalil National Stadium for a Tier 1 International Friendly match. We wish the national team all the best.
(Photo captures the winning goal by Zainal Abidin Hassan at the 1983 Ovaltine Cup)
