Chin Aun's birthday wish: Give us another classic at Bukit Jalil, please

Source

Today is special for me. I turn 61 and at this age there is plenty to look back at and be grateful for.

As a Malaysian international and then as captain during my footballing days from 1970 to 1985, I have many great memories playing for my country.

The fondest, of course, are my encounters with Singapore.

I could tell you that our 6-0 defeat of the Lions in the Merdeka tournament here two weeks shy of my birthday in 1978 was the best, but it is not.

There were just so many matches between us when I wore the Malaysian shirt and they all are special, each one of them.

Because we are neighbours and our football tradition is so steeped in history, there is always this intensity on the pitch that brings out the passion in the players from both sides of the Causeway, each time we meet.

And tonight, it is not going to be any different as Malaysia host Singapore in the return leg of the second round of the World Cup qualifier at Bukit Jalil Stadium. The fact that it falls on my birthday, lends it that much more significance.

It brings back great memories when Santokh Singh and I had to play above ourselves to stop the likes of Dollah Kassim, Quah Kim Song, his brother Kim Lye and that great footballing son of Singapore Fandi Ahmad.

Our battles were fierce and, yes, there were scuffles on occasions, and even the odd fisticuffs.

And this is what I want the current lot of Malaysian and Singaporean players to remember when they step onto the Bukit Jalil green tonight: The ferocity we displayed during our matches ended the moment we got out of the stadium.

Outside of it, we were great friends and I count former Singapore skipper Samad Alapitchay, a hard-tackling defender, the late Dollah Kassim, the man they fondly called the "Gelek King" for his wiggles on the pitch, and the Quah brothers, as some of my best buddies.

Fans from Malaysia and Singapore must understand this as well: Shout your lungs out all you want in support of your teams, but do not go beyond that, for our relationships go a long way back.

There will always be fierce competition between us in football, and as in all sports, we must keep it within the arena.

Tonight, I am sure, Malaysia will go out and attack from the start.

I just hope our Tigers keep in mind that Singapore have a solid strike force and to keep it tight at the back.

The outcome, I am not going to predict.

How I wish the result from the first leg could spare me the tension of wondering whether the Tigers can reverse the 5-3 advantage Singapore have secured.

But if both sides play to entertain, as they did last Saturday, at the Jalan Besar Stadium, then I will have a great birthday, regardless of who wins.



Soh Chin Aun, also known as "The Towkay", is one of the greatest defenders in Malaysian football history.