Lions hero Nasir Jalil dies

Source

Jun 09, 2011 SINGAPORE - He was thrown into the fray by Choo Seng Quee with 15 minutes to go and the Lions down 2-1 in the 1977 Malaysia Cup final against Penang. With the clock ticking down, Nasir Jalil lived up to his nickname "Crazy Horse" when he collected the ball, charged at the Penang defenders and scored to pull Singapore level at 2-2 and force extra-time.

Nasir will always be fondly remembered for the goal that inspired a come-from-behind Malaysia Cup win, with Quah Kim Song's diving header in extra-time sealing Singapore's victory.

Aged 56, Nasir died yesterday afternoon in the Malaysian state of Terengganu, after falling into a coma last week.

A hero of the of the Singapore team in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with two Malaysia Cup titles (1977 and 1980) to his name, Nasir was known for his tireless running and complete commitment. He was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2003 and suffered a relapse late last year, undergoing an operation.

Tanjong Pagar United coach Terry Pathmanathan will never forget Nasir. The former Singapore captain told MediaCorp: "He flicked on the ball for me to score my first goal as a national player in 1980, in a pre-World Cup qualifier against Hong Kong. I'm really sad that he's passed away, and I'll always remember him as that jovial guy, full of life, and the man who kept the whole team upbeat."

Nasir's brother, Nasaruddin Jalil, assistant coach of S-League side Balestier Khalsa and also a former Singapore international, has been in Terengganu since last Friday and will only return after all his brother's matters have been settled.