Malek Awab is a player who was once known as a diminutive livewire in midfield for his energy levels and was one of the very recognisable faces in the team. He was one of the key members of the cup winning Singapore team in the 1994 Malaysia Cup, the last time Singapore participated in the competition. Malek shares his experiences of the Malaysia Cup, of winning the Malaysia Cup in 1994, as well as on his own personal involvement in the game in an interview for the National Library Board as part of the Singapore Memory project.
Involvement with the game and development of career
Malek started playing the game in school. In secondary school, Malek was often reminded that he was too small to play at a competitive level. It was when he was 15 that a friend Anwar brought him to Farrer Park United one Wednesday and he was asked to come back on a Sunday when children in both primary and secondary levels would play and he remembers going on a day when there was a friendly game in which he was put in in the second half and scoring two goals which resulted in the team winning from a 1-1 score at half time.
At that time, Malek was in the Vocational Institute and asked for early dismissal during match days to enable him to sell drinks and snacks on the terraces at the National Stadium to earn some income. It was during one match that involved a friendly match at the stadium that involved Farrer Park United that Malek in seeing some of his friends on the field, think to himself that he would one day play competitively.
The midfield was as Malek describes the position that suited him most being small and having been a long distance runner and it was a position he grew into quite easily.
Malek received his call up to the National side when he was 19, on the 13th of October 1980, just after Farrer Park United had won a game. And not having progressed through the ranks of the youth squad, Malek felt lucky to be called up. He was happy on receiving the call as every player wants to play in the National side.
For him, it was an achievement to warm the bench as he watched the senior players play. Many served as an inspiration for young players such as Malek, Samad Alapitchay was one who Malke describes as being a brotherly figure. Also there were a few that Malek was already familiar with such as Fandi and Nasir Jalil.
Malek’s debut as a second half substitute (when he came on for 20 minutes) was at the National Stadium and the crowd did not affect him as playing in front of a big crowd was what he felt that every footballer dreamt about. And being on the field was all about entertaining the crowd.
Malek’s first year in the Malaysia Cup was in 1981 and Singapore did reach the finals that year and lost. Malek was an unused substitute on the bench.
On the 1994 Malaysia Cup
Malek felt that despite the loss of Ken Worden as a coach in1994, the season started well enough with Douglas Moore in-charge. Ken Worden had in his pre season preparations already brought up the fitness level of the team to a level that helped the team through the tournament.
Winning the league and the good run to the finals had instilled confidence and reaching the finals the team couldn’t let the fans down, especially seeing that there were 50,000 fans in a sea of red at the Shah Alam Stadium – ¾ of the crowd.
He didn’t remember much from the game, recalling how tense it was, even after the first goal was scored. Half time – the team focused on the task at hand and on the coach’s half time instructions. The second half started with Pahang attacking and Singapore scored the all important second goal on a counter easing the pressure. The task was easier then knowing that Pahang had to attack and would leave gaps in the defence. The third goal soon came and by that time he knew that they had won, before fandi scored the final and fourth goal.
When the final whistle did come, the magnitude of the occasion finally got to Malek. He broke down, thinking to himself that he had finally in the twilight of his career, won the cup in the colours of the team of his home country – it was the first time he had done it, and was possibility the last opportunity for him to have won it. Having his hand on the Malaysia Cup and holding it high for all to see, was a feeling for Malek that he can’t describe.
Singapore’s re-entry into the Malaysia Cup
Malek feels that it is a positive thing. Will develop the sport on both sides of the causeway. Allows Singaporeans to identify with the team and with players.
He does not intend to get involved but thinks Fandi and several others may be interested.
Miscellaneous
Working with different coaches, styles may be different but for players, it is much the same. Local coaches are better able to understand local culture and also can be the backbone of the sport and there is little need to rely on foreign coaches.
Playing with foreign players isn’t difficult as football is one language.
