Zainal Abidin Hassan

Zainal Abidin
Personal information
Full name Zainal Abidin Hassan Bin Mohd Ali
Date of birth (1962-11-09) 9 November 1962
Place of birth Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia)
Positions
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1980–1982 Selangor FA
1983–1984 Pahang FA
1985–1990 Selangor FA 76 (33)
1991–1996 Pahang FA
1997–1999 Selangor FA
International career
1980–1997 Malaysia 129[1] (50)
1996 Malaysia Futsal
Managerial career
2001 Malaysia U17
2004–2006 Pahang (coach)
2006–2008 Pahang (manager)
2009–2010 Kuantan Port-Shahzan Muda FC (manager)
2011–2013 Pahang (manager)
2013–2014 Pahang (assistant head coach)
2014–2015 Pahang
2016 Selangor
2017–2018 Penang
2019–2021 Melaka United
2022 Penang
2023 Immigration
Medal record
Men's football
Malaysia
Representing  Malaysia (as player)
SEA Games
Gold medal – first place1989Team
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan bin Mohd Ali (born 9 November 1961) is a Malaysian football coach and former player.

Playing career

A versatile footballer who could play in multiple positions, Zainal Abidin is considered one of the best Malaysian footballers in the 80's and 90's. He began his football career in 1980 as a defender at Selangor FA.[2] At only 18 years of age, Zainal made his international debut in the 1980 Merdeka Tournament against Indonesia.[3] He played alongside legendary Malaysian footballers Mokhtar Dahari, R Arumugam, Soh Chin Aun and other recognised faces in Malaysian football. In 1983 Pahang FA head coach Frank Lord changed Zainal's position to a striker. This is where his career began to blossom, becoming one of the most respected strikers at the local and international level.[4]

From the late 80's to early 90's, he regularly partnered with Dollah Salleh in front as they became a fierce striker partnership for Selangor FA and Pahang FA in M-League and also the national team in SEA Games, Asian Games and Merdeka Tournament. In the 1996 AFF Championship, Zainal Abidin was awarded the title of MVP of the tournament, captaining the national team from the centre-back position instead of his usual striking role.[5] Three years later he was awarded the AFC Century Club Award.[6]

During his international career, Zainal scored a total of 78 goals in 180 appearances for Malaysia (including non-FIFA 'A' international matches), according to Globe Soccer Awards in 2020.[7][8] Against other nations' national 'A' teams, he scored 50 goals in 129 appearances.[9]

He also played for the Malaysia national futsal team, and was in the squad that took part in the 1996 FIFA Futsal World Championship in Spain.[10][11]

On 3 August 2021, he was inducted into the FIFA Century Club.[12][13]

Coaching career

He retired from football in 1999 and was selected to coach the Malaysian youth in 2001. In 2002, he was selected as the assistant coach for the Malaysia senior team. He later coached Pahang FA and brought them their first Malaysia Super League title.[14] In 2006, he guided Pahang FA to win the Malaysian FA Cup.[15] After the contract with Pahang FA ended, he reunited with his former striker partner Dollah Salleh while serving as manager and coach for Shahzan Muda FC.

In 2011, at age of 50 he returned to Pahang FA as assistant manager, where he worked again with Dollah, who was the current head coach. The partnership lasted until the end of 2013, when they helped Pahang win the 2013 Malaysia Cup; Pahang's first Malaysia Cup in 21 years. After Dollah left Pahang to coach PDRM FA and Ron Smith was appointed as the new Pahang head coach at the end of 2013, Zainal was appointed as his assistant head coach. But after Smith's contract was not renewed in March 2014, Zainal Abidin was appointed as Smith's replacement. With Pahang, he won the Malaysia Cup in 2014 and also the Malaysia FA Cup in the same year.

In 2016, Zainal Abidin made his return to Selangor as head coach, replacing Mehmet Durakovic.[16] This was not without controversy, as negotiations between Zainal and Selangor was made public when Durakovic was still Selangor coach,[17] and Durakovic's contract was terminated even after he won the 33rd Malaysia Cup title with Selangor in 2015.[18] Zainal, however, was sacked in August the same year, after poor performances by the team in the Super League and Malaysia Cup.[19]

Zainal Abidin then coached Penang FA from May 2017 until September 2018. In November 2018, he was unveiled as the new head coach of Melaka United.[20] After two years with Melaka, he returned back to coach Penang for a short period of time in the 2022 season.[21]

Personal life

Zainal Abidin's father is of Kenyan descent.[22][23] His oldest brother Khalid Ali and oldest son Mohd Zaiza are also Malaysian footballers.[24][25]

Zainal has been married to Zalina binti Zaini since 1985 and they have five children.[26] In 2023, he married his second wife, Malaysian singer Fyna Jebat.[27] However, their marriage only lasted a few months as Zainal divorced his second wife and ended their marriage later this year.[28]

Career statistics

International

Scores and results list Malaysia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zainal Abidin Hassan goal.
List of international goals scored by Zainal Abidin Hassan[9]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
113 November 1981Bangkok, Thailand Pakistan2–31981 King's Cup
24 June 1983Singapore Thailand1–11983 SEA Games
35 June 1983Singapore Brunei5–01983 SEA Games
4
519 September 1983Kota Bharu, Malaysia   Nepal7–01983 Pestabola Merdeka
6
7
810 October 1983Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Saudi Arabia3–11984 Olympic Games qualification
9
1016 October 1983Singapore Indonesia1–11984 Olympic Games qualification
1120 October 1983Singapore Singapore2–01984 Olympic Games qualification
1228 October 1983Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Indonesia2–01984 Olympic Games qualification
1318 April 1984Singapore Japan2–11984 Olympic Games qualification
1412 August 1984Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Singapore1–0Ovaltine Cup
1518 August 1984Singapore Singapore1–1Ovaltine Cup
1624 August 1984Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thailand1–01984 Pestabola Merdeka
1726 August 1984Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Indonesia2–21984 Pestabola Merdeka
1829 August 1984Kota Bharu, Malaysia Liberia3–11984 Pestabola Merdeka
19
20
214 September 1984Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Papua New Guinea5–11984 Pestabola Merdeka
2211 October 1984Calcutta, India Pakistan5–01984 AFC Asian Cup qualification
23
2414 October 1984Calcutta, India India1–21984 AFC Asian Cup qualification
2518 October 1984Calcutta, India North Yemen4–11984 AFC Asian Cup qualification
26
2731 March 1985Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Nepal5–01986 FIFA World Cup qualification
28
29
3013 October 1985Singapore Brunei4–01985 Merlion Cup
3110 December 1985Bangkok, Thailand Philippines6–01985 SEA Games
32
3314 December 1985Bangkok, Thailand Singapore2–21985 SEA Games
3424 July 1986Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia India3–01986 Pestabola Merdeka
35
3627 July 1986Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thailand2–01986 Pestabola Merdeka
371 August 1986Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Japan2–11986 Pestabola Merdeka
387 April 1988Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Pakistan4–01988 AFC Asian Cup qualification
39
407 June 1989Singapore   Nepal3–01990 FIFA World Cup qualification
4128 August 1989Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thailand1–01989 SEA Games
428 August 1992Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia1–11992 Independence Cup
435 May 1993Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Macau9–01994 FIFA World Cup qualification
445 June 1993Singapore Brunei3–11993 SEA Games
4511 June 1993Singapore Laos9–01993 SEA Games
4610 December 1995Lamphun, Thailand Cambodia9–01995 SEA Games
476 June 1996Shah Alam, Malaysia India5–21996 AFC Asian Cup qualification
48
498 September 1996Singapore Thailand1–11996 AFF Championship
5031 March 1997Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Bangladesh1–01998 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

As a player

Selangor FA

Pahang FA

  • Malaysia Super League: 1992, 1995
  • Malaysia Cup: 1983, 1992
  • Malaysia Charity Shield: 1992, 1993

Malaysia

Individual

As a head coach

Pahang FA

Selangor FA

  • Malaysia Charity Shield runner-up: 2016

Individual

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
1989 Kolej 56[37] Footballer

Television series

Year Title Role TV channel Notes
2000 Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu (Season 29) Himself TV3

See also

References

  1. ↑ Malaysia - Record International Players - RSSSF.
  2. ↑ "Veterans put on the boots again". The Star. Malaysia. 31 August 2007. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Only 19 yet so cool. - New Sunday Times, 26 October 1980 (Page 82).
  4. ↑ "Sentimental Piala Malaysia sejak 1967, transisi 'gila' Zainal pada final 1983". Cakap Sukan (in Malay). 26 September 2021. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  5. ↑ "Flash Back: AFF Championship 1996". goal. 1 November 2018. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  6. ↑ "Anugerah Kelab Satu Abad AFC 1999, 11hb Februari 1999" (in Malay). Chedinsphere. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  7. ↑ "Former international Zainal in seventh heaven". The Star. 10 April 2020. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  8. ↑ Globe Soccer Awards [@globe_soccer] (6 April 2020). "Highest International football goalscorers of all time⁠" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020 – via Twitter.
  9. 1 2 Mamrud, Roberto. "Zainal Abidin Hassan – Century of International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  10. ↑ 1996 FIFA Futsal World Championship-Malaysia - FIFA
  11. ↑ "Top five all-time top scorers for Malaysian football team". Khelnow. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  12. ↑ "FIFA Century Club" (PDF). FIFA. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  13. ↑ "SEVEN LEGENDS ARE NOW MEMBERS OF THE ELITE FIFA CENTURY CLUB". FAM. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  14. ↑ "Statistik: Kenali 5 Ketua Jurulatih Paling Berjaya Di Liga-M Sejak 1994" (in Malay). Axello.net. 2 December 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  15. ↑ Husin, Nik Naizi (16 June 2006). "Celebration of Pahang victory". The Star online. Malaysia. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012.
  16. ↑ "Football: Surprise, surprise, Zainal's back in the red and yellow | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  17. ↑ "Merah Kuning ikat Zainal sebelum final Piala Malaysia". BH Online (in Malay). 16 December 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  18. ↑ "Zainal Abidin Hassan moves closer to taking over as Selangor coach". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  19. ↑ "Selangor's Zainal sacked as coach, K. Gunalan takes over as caretaker". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  20. ↑ "Melaka United unveil Zainal Abidin Hassan as head coach | FourFourTwo". www.fourfourtwo.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2018.
  21. ↑ Penang FC 2022 - NFT
  22. ↑ Mohd Sofi Munajir, Zainal Abidin Hassan, Pertahanan Kental, Penyerang Yang Tajam dlm. 20 Tokoh Sukan, Medium Publication, Bandar Baru Bangi, 2009, pp.131.
  23. ↑ "Zainal Abidin Hassan Bio, Parents, Wife, Children, Career". GH Gossip. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  24. ↑ "Khalid Ali dan Zainal Abidin Dua Beradik Yang Pernah Mencetus Fenomena Dan Menjadi Siulan". Kapten Labola (in Malay). La Bola Malaya. 12 April 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  25. ↑ "Football: Zaiza puts honeymoon on hold to prepare for Premier League season | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  26. ↑ "Biar gambar berbicara – Anak bujang Zainal Abidin" (in Malay). Kosmo. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  27. ↑ "Kemunculan Fyna Jebat, Zainal Abidin jadi perhatian" (in Malay). Malaysia Gazette. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  28. ↑ Zainal Abidin, Fyna Jebat divorced 2 weeks ago - NST
  29. ↑ "นักฟุตบอลเจ้าของฉายา "กัปตันกระดูกเหล็ก" พล.ต.อำนาจ เฉลิมชวลิต" (in Thai). Siamsport.
  30. ↑ "AFC war on footbrawl". Gov.sg. The Straits Times. 10 May 1985. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  31. 1 2 "Selamat Hari Lahir, Dato' Zainal Abidin Hassan" (in Malay). Legasi Lagenda. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  32. ↑ "Zainal Abidin Hassan, Kisah Pemain Total Yang Hebat!" (in Malay). Semuanya Bola. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  33. ↑ "Saat Indah Pasukan Dan Penyokong Pahang - Zainal Abidin" (in Malay). Mstar. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  34. ↑ "Malaysian Football Legends: Zainal Abidin Hassan". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  35. ↑ 14 EX-INTERNATIONALS INDUCTED INTO AFC CENTURY CLUB - BERNAMA, 11 February 1999.
  36. ↑ National Library of Singapore.
  37. ↑ "Bukan sahaja lincah di padang, 5 bintang bola sepak pernah cuba nasib di dunia seni" (in Malay). Majoriti. 20 October 2022. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
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