Wong Choon Wah – Maestro di Tengah Padang

Mendiang Wong Choon Wah merupakan antara pemain bola sepak terbaik yang pernah Malaysia lahirkan. Beliau seorang pemain yang selesa dengan bola, mempunyai kawalan bola yang sangat kemas, pintar membuat umpanan kepada rakan pasukan serta tidak kurang juga sepakannya yang menggegar gawang lawan.

Dilahirkan pada 31 Mac 1947, Choon Wah mewakili alma maternya, Methodist Boys’ School, Kuala Lumpur dan kemudian pasukan campuran sekolah-sekolah Selangor sebelum dipanggil mewakili negara untuk kejohanan Bola Sepak Belia Asia pada tahun 1967.

Pemain bergaya dengan bakat semula jadinya mula menarik perhatian dan diserapkan dalam pasukan Selangor untuk beraksi di Piala Malaysia pada tahun 1968. Beliau membantu pasukannya merangkul pingat kejuaraan pada tahun itu dengan menjaringkan dua gol di pentas final mengalahkan Pulau Pinang 8–1.

Pada tahun yang sama, beliau mendapat panggilan pertama untuk mewakili negara di Pestabola Merdeka dan membuat penampilan sulungnya dalam perlawanan menentang India. Kejohanan luar negara pertama beliau pula adalah di Piala Raja Thai edisi sulung yang diadakan di Bangkok.

Choon Wah menjadi wira pasukan Selangor pada tahun 1969 apabila beliau menjaringkan gol tunggal perlawanan akhir Piala Malaysia di mana mereka bertemu Pulau Pinang sekali lagi.

Sinar kerjayanya terus bercahaya apabila pada tahun berikutnya beliau mewakili negara di Sukan Asia dan Pestabola Merdeka serta menjuarai Kejohanan Ulang Tahun Jakartaraya pertama, di mana beliau turut menyumnbang gol bersama Ibrahim Mydin untuk mengalahkan Korea Selatan 2–0 pada pentas akhir.

Nantikan kami paparkan lagi kisah Wong Choon Wah termasuk kemuncak kariernya apabila beliau layak ke Sukan Olimpik 1972 bersama Harimau Malaya.

//

Wong Choon Wah – Midfield Maestro

The late Wong Choon Wah was arguably one of the best footballers Malaysia has ever produced. A stalwart who was comfortable with the ball and had good ball control, smart in making passes to teammates as well as kicks that shook the opponents’ goal.

Born on 31 March 1947, Choon Wah first represented his alma mater, Methodist Boys’ School, Kuala Lumpur and then the mixed team of Selangor schools before being called to represent the country for the Asian Youth Football Tournament in 1967.

The stylish player with his natural talent began to attract attention and not long after was called to play with Selangor at the 1968 Malaysia Cup. He won the championship in his debut year after scoring two goals in the final match, defeating Penang 8–1.

In the same year, he received his first national call-up to play in the Merdeka Tournament and made his debut in a match against India. Later that year, he played at his first tournament outside of Malaysia, the inaugural Thai King’s Cup.

Choon Wah became the hero of the Selangor team in 1969 when he scored the only goal in the Malaysia Cup final, where they met Penang once again.

His career continued to shine when the following year he represented the country in the Asian Games, the Merdeka Football Festival and won the first Jakartaraya Anniversary Championship where he also contributed a goal with Ibrahim Mydin to defeat South Korea 2–0 in the final.

Stay tuned as we reveal more about Wong Choon Wah’s story including the highlight of his career when he qualified for the 1972 Olympics with Harimau Malaya.