Dato' Abdul Shukor bin Salleh DSPN AMN (born 4 December 1948) was a key midfield player for the Malaysia national football team during the 1970s.[2] He was often called the "Mr.Cool" and "Malaysia Ardiles" of the Malaysian national team for the way he steered the Malaysian midfield with calm and composed way.[2] He won the Malaysian National Sportsman Award in 1977 for his contribution to the national team.[3][4] Furthermore, he was the second and the last football player after Mokhtar Dahari to be given that award.[4] He was inducted into the FIFA Century Club in May 2021.[5][6]
 Shukor Salleh in 2019 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Abdul Shukor bin Salleh | ||
| Date of birth | 4 December 1948 | ||
| Place of birth | Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Federation of Malaya | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1965–1966 | Penang FA | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1966–1985 | Penang FA | ||
| International career | |||
| 1970–1981 | Malaysia | 172[1] | (5) |
Medal record | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career overview
Shukor Salleh was born in Tanjung Bungah, Penang in 1948.[7] He received his early education at Tanjung Bungah Malay School, before going to Tanjung Tokong English School.[8] He then completed his high school education at St. Xavier's Institution.[8]
Shukor Salleh made his debut as a player with the Penang state team at the age of 18 in 1966.[9] He went on to play for them until he was 37 in 1985.[9]
Shukor Salleh first played for the Malaysian national team in 1970 King's Cup.[10] He also played for the national B team from 1971 until 1972. He went on to play a total of 215 matches for Malaysia (including non 'A' matches).[11] 172 caps is against full national team.[12] He is the second most capped Malaysian player, behind Soh Chin Aun.[13]
He played for Malaysia at many international tournaments including four editions of the SEA Games, two Asian Games and two AFC Asian Cup.[14]
On 11 May 1975, Shukor is part of the Malaysia Selection that played against Arsenal FC in a friendly match which his team won by 2–0 at Merdeka Stadium.[15][16]
He also was a key player in midfield to the Malaysian team that qualified to the 1980 Olympic games Moscow which Malaysia boycotted.[17]Malaysia won the play-off against South Korea with a 2–1 score in the Merdeka Stadium.[18]
In 2002, He was awarded Maal Hijrah Sports Figure by Penang Malay Association.[19]
On 17 September 2014, FourFourTwo list him on their list of the top 25 Malaysian footballers of all time.[20][21]
Honours
Penang
- Burnley Cup: 1966
- Malaysia Kings Gold Cup: 1968, 1969
- Malaysia Cup: 1974
- Aga Khan Gold Cup: 1976
- Malaysian League: 1982
Malaysia
- Bronze medal Asian Games: 1974
- Gold Medal SEA Games: 1977, 1979
- King's Cup: 1972, 1977
- Merdeka Tournament: 1973, 1974, 1976, 1979
- South Vietnam Independence Cup: 1971[22]
Individual
- Malaysian National Sportsman Award: 1977
- Penang Men’s Athletes Award: 1978/1979[23]
- AFC Century Club Awards: 1999[24][25][26]
- Goal.com The best Malaysia XI of all time: 2020[27]
- IFFHS Men’s All Time Malaysia Dream Team: 2022[28]
Orders
Malaysia
Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (AMN) (1978)[29]
Officer of the Order of the Defender of State (DSPN) – Dato'[29]
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