“King James” Hero Malaysia di Perlawanan Akhir Pra-Olimpik 1980
40,000 penonton memenuhi kapasiti Stadium Merdeka menyaksikan Harimau Malaya sekali lagi mencipta sejarah pada 6 April 1980. Korea Selatan terpaksa menggigit jari apabila terlepas ke Sukan Olimpik setelah Malaysia menang 2–1. Pada tahun 1971, Malaysia juga telah memusnahkan harapan mereka. Kekalahan 0–1 di tempat sendiri turut memberi jalan kepada pasukan bola sepak negara untuk layak ke Sukan Olimpik Munich 1972.
Korea Selatan bermula garang dengan mengasak kubu Malaysia dan berjaya membuat tiga percubaan ke arah gol dalam limit minit pertama. Walau bagaimanapun pasukan kebangsaan berjaya mengawal keadaan. Pada minit ke-13, sepakan silang Hassan Sani berjaya disambar oleh Bakri Ibni yang memecut dari tengah padang untuk menjaringkan gol setelah James Wong dan Khalid Ali terlepas umpanan tersebut.
Setelah separuh masa yang penuh dengan aksi mendebarkan, Korea Selatan memperhebatkan lagi serangan mereka dan berjaya menjaringkan gol penyamaan pada minit ke-59 melalui Kim Kang Nam. Pada kedudukan 1–1, perlawanan menjadi semakin tegang menanti untuk menyaksikan siapa dapat memecah kebuntuan.
Korea Selatan yang terlalu fokus menyerang akhirnya membawa padah kepada mereka. Tiga minit sebelum perlawanan ditamatkan, James Wong menjaringkan gol kemenangan setelah mendapat hantaran daripada rakan senegeri Sabah, Hassan Sani. Memang tepatlah dengan nama jolokan “Raja Bola Sepak Malaysia” yang diberikan oleh peminat.
Walaupun Malaysia menewaskan Korea Selatan 2–1 dan layak ke Sukan Olimpik Moskow 1980, kerajaan Malaysia telah membuat keputusan untuk memulau temasya sukan tersebut kerana pencerobohan Rusia ke atas Afghanistan. Korea Selatan ditawarkan tempat sebagai pengganti tetapi mereka menolak.
Sebagai imbuhan bagi mengubati kepahitan tidak beraksi di Sukan Olimpik, FAM membuat keputusan untuk membawa pasukan melancong ke Eropah dan Brazil pada bulan Julai. Jadual perjalanan termasuklah seminggu di London dan Brazil sebelum terbang ke Zurich dan Jerman Barat. Beberapa perlawanan persahabatan turut diatur supaya pemain-pemain tetap berada di tahap kecergasan yang tinggi untuk menghadapi Piala Asia AFC 1980 di Kuwait pada bulan September.
Skuad Malaysia: R. Arumugam, Jamal Nasir, Soh Chin Ann, Santokh Singh, Kamaruddin Abdullah, Shukor Salleh (Abdah Alif), Bakri Ibni, Khalid Ali, Abdullah Ali, James Wong, Hassan Sani
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40,000 spectators, reaching Merdeka Stadium’s capacity, witnessed Malaysia make history again on April 6, 1980. South Korea were left disappointed after losing to Malaysia 2–1 and their opportunity to play at the Olympic Games. In 1971, Malaysia had dashed South Korea’s hopes after winning 1-0 on their road to the 1972 Olympic Games.
South Korea took charge early on in the match, attempting three shots in the first five minutes, However, Malaysia managed to take control. In the 13th minute, a low cross from Hassan Sani that was missed by James Wong and Khalid Ali led to Bakri Ibni sprinting from midfield and slamming the ball in.
After a tense first half, South Korea strengthened their attack with Kim Kang Nam scoring the equaliser in the 59th minute. However, by focusing on their attack, it led their defence to be weakened. The match turned into a nail-biter to see if either team could break the tie.
Three minutes before it was all over, James Wong succeeded in giving Malaysia their winning goal through a pass from fellow Sabah player, Hassan Sani. Fans had already deemed James “King of Malaysian football” after his impressive performance with the national team.
Although Malaysia defeated South Korea 2–1 and qualified for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, the Malaysian government had already decided to boycott the Games due to Russia’s invasion in Afghanistan. South Korea received an offer to send their football team in place of Malaysia but they declined.
As it was a bittersweet moment for the national team, FAM decided that they would instead be rewarded with a tour of Europe and Brazil in July. The itinerary included a week each in London and Brazil before flying to Zurich and West Germany for a few more matches. Malaysia would need to be in top form before they head to Kuwait for the 1980 AFC Asian Cup in September.
Malaysian squad: R. Arumugam, Jamal Nasir, Soh Chin Ann, Santokh Singh, Kamaruddin Abdullah, Shukor Salleh (Abdah Alif), Bakri Ibni, Khalid Ali, Abdullah Ali, James Wong, Hassan Sani
