SINGAPORE – Former national football coach Hussein Aljunied died on Saturday (March 5) afternoon after a long illness. He was 73.

According to the Football Association of Singapore, Hussein took charge of the Lions from 1984 to 1986. During that period, he led the team to the Malaysian League title as well as the 1985 SEA Games football final in which Singapore eventually lost to Thailand.

Singapore also finished joint champions with Yugoslavia in the 1985 Merlion Cup after drawing 1-1 with their rivals in the final at the National Stadium.

Well respected by his players for being a disciplined yet understanding coach, who cared for his men, Hussein was also known as a master tactician especially at set pieces.

Former national captain and defender Terry Pathmanathan said he was saddened to hear of his former coach’s death.

“When I saw him three weeks ago at a wedding, he was still the same old Hussein, very jovial and full of laughter. But he was also carrying quite a bit of medication on him, which means his health wasn’t too good,” said Pathmanathan, 60, who is now a senior manager with Active SG and assists in its Football Academy.

Other Lions who played for Hussein during that period include Fandi Ahmad, V. Sundramoorthy, Hashim Hosni, Malek Awab, R. Suriamurthi, Lim Tang Boon and Au-yeong Pak Kuan.

Pathma said he will forever be grateful to Hussein for resurrecting his international football career after being cast out into the wilderness in 1982 for his decision to join Pahang FA in the Malaysian League.

“When Hussein became national coach, one of the first things he did was to contact Suria and me to ask us to return to the national team,” said Pathma, who had joined Pahang with Suriamurthi.

“He was a player’s coach. We respected him a lot and we played our hearts out for him. During the 1985 SEA Games, team morale was so high. It was a pity we couldn’t deliver the gold at the final hurdle.”

According to Pathma, Hussein was a master tactician especially at set-pieces. “He had so many ideas and strategies that we were very dangerous at corner kicks and free kicks,” he said.

“Every time there was a set piece, we would turn to the bench to look at him. He would give us a signal for which tactic he wanted us to use.”

It is understood that Hussein’s body is currently at his son’s house at Blk 131 Tampines St 11, #04-250. Prayers will be held at Sultan Mosque at around 10am before burial.