'Malaysian football loses a tactical genius'
KUALA LUMPUR - National football lost a tactical expert when former Harimau Malaya coach B. Sathianathan died of cancer at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) at 1.25pm yesterday.
Aged 65, Sathianathan’s life as a sportsman spanned more than four decades of experience as a footballer and leaving a legacy of outspokenness as a coach who dared to speak out on those wrong-footed.
In addition to proving his authority as a planner when he was named the National Coach of the Year three times (2010, 2012, 2017), he also became a point of reference in matters related to football.
As the president of the Malaysian Football Coaches Association (PJBM), he was also a defender of the plight of local coaches entangled in the issue of salary arrears and often become the ‘scapegoat’ if the team’s performance was not satisfactory.
Born on May 9, 1958 in Parit, Perak, Sathianathan started his career as a footballer with the Negeri Sembilan Chinese Recreational Club in 1977.
He then played for Negeri Sembilan and Melaka in the Malaysian League (M-League) from 1978 to 1989, and wore the national jersey in 15 matches between 1979 and 1983.
Sathianathan, who started his coaching career with NS Youth in 1990, once steered the national under-23 squad (B-23) from 2006 until it emerged as the Merdeka Cup champion in 2007.
The success saw him bestowed the trust to shoulder the responsibility as head coach of Harimau Malaya until the beginning of 2009, before his contract was terminated.
He then spread his wings as one of the best coaches in the M-League when he led several teams such as Kelantan, Armed Forces (ATM), Felda United and Selangor.
Sarawak United became the last team to get his touch, before Sathianathan decided to take a break due to ill health from mid-2022.
In the 2009-2022 period as coach of several teams in the M-League, Sathianathan won the Malaysia Cup title with Kelantan in 2010, as well as the Premier League championship with ATM and Felda United respectively in 2012 and 2018.
He was also one of only a few local coaches who have led teams to beat Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) who were considered invincible, when he guided Felda United to a 3-2 victory in the 2017 Super League.
In addition to being vocal on the issues of player and coach salary arrears, Sathianathan also fought for the rights of local coaches, in addition to helping players financially when the club did not pay salaries.
The public can pay their last respects starting at 3pm today (Wednesday) at his residence at No.19, Jalan Panglima Awang 35/120, Alam Impian, Seksyen 35, 40460 Shah Alam.
The cortege will leave for Nirvana Memorial Park, Shah Alam for cremation after prayers are held at his residence at 11am on Thursday. - BERNAMA
