Former Malaysian captain Soh Chin Aun vividly remembers the day he led Malaysia to a magnificent 2-0 win over Arsenal in a friendly at Merdeka Stadium on May 11, 1975.
"It was a classic match with classic goals. Both goals from Mokhtar (Dahari) were brilliant. I like the first one especially, when he burst into Arsenal's half before scoring," said Chin Aun, 61, better known as 'Towkay' yesterday.
"We played our hearts out on that day Everyone in the stadium was celebrating after the final whistle.
"We played our hearts out on that day Everyone in the stadium was celebrating after the final whistle.
"Isa Bakar, Santokh Singh and Mokhtar and everyone else had a great game."
The local football legend, who is from Alor Gajah, represented Malaysia 252 times and scored 10 goals from 1971 to 1985.
Chin Aun played for Malaysia in the 1972 Munich Olympics and also captained the team who qualified for the 1980 Moscow Games, which Malaysia boycotted.
Chin Aun played for Malaysia in the 1972 Munich Olympics and also captained the team who qualified for the 1980 Moscow Games, which Malaysia boycotted.
"I was the captain of the victorious Malaysian side against Arsenal. It is something to be proud of," he said.
Arsenal, then parading England internationals Brian Kidd, John Radford and Peter Storey, were the first visiting English Premier League team to lose to a Malaysian side.
The national team had Mokhtar to thank for his two superb strikes.
The striker outsprinted defender Terry Mancini before sending a powerful shot into Arsenal's goal three minutes before the first half. The second was a result of a three-man move -- goalkeeper R. Arumugam, Isa Bakar and Mokhtar.
Three days later, both teams played to a 0-0 draw in Penang.
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