Zainal Abidin Hassan

Zainal Abidin Hassan bin Ali (born 9 November 1961) is a Malaysian former footballer and the former head coach of Malaysia Super League side Penang.

In this Malay name, there is no family name. The name Ali is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Zainal Abidin Hassan. The Arabic-derived word "bin" or "binti"/"binte", if used, means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Zainal Abidin
Personal information
Full name Zainal Abidin Hassan Bin Ali
Date of birth (1961-11-09) 9 November 1961
Place of birth Selangor, Malaysia
Position(s) Defender . Striker
Team information
Current team
 Penang (head coach)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1980–1982 Selangor FA
1983–1984 Pahang FA
1985–1990 Selangor FA
1991–1996 Pahang FA
1997–1999 Selangor FA
International career‡
1980–1997 Malaysia 180[1] (78)
1996 Malaysia Futsal
Managerial career
2001 Malaysia U-17
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
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 November 2012
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11 November 2012

Playing career

A versatile footballer who can playing in multiple positions, Zainal Abidin is well known as the best Malaysian footballer in the 80's and 90's. His football career started with Selangor FA in 1980.[2] At the age of 18 years 6 month, Zainal made his international debut in the 1980 Merdeka Tournament against Indonesia.[3] He played along with Malaysian legendary striker the late Mokhtar Dahari, R Arumugam, Soh Chin Aun and other recognised faces in Malaysian football. In 1983, Pahang FA head coach, Frank Lord responsible for changing Zainal position from defender to striker and this is where the beginning of his career began, 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 the fierce striker for Selangor FA and Pahang FA in M-League and also the national team in SEA Games, Asian Games and Merdeka Tournament. In 1996 AFF Championship, Zainal Abidin was awarded as the MVP of the tournament captaining the national side 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 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 selected to coach the Malaysian youth in 2001. In 2002, he selected as the assistant coach for 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 reunites with his former striker partner Dollah Salleh. This time they act as manager-coach combination for Shahzan Muda FC.

In 2011, he returns to Pahang FA as assistant manager, where he works again with Dollah, who were the current head coach. The partnership lasts until the end of 2013, when they helped Pahang win the 2013 Malaysia Cup; Pahang's first Malaysia Cup after 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 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 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 next 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 again for a short period of time in 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 is also a Malaysian footballer.[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 goals

List of international goals scored by Zainal Abidn Hassan. Scores and results list Malaysia's goal tally first.[9]

International goals by date, venue, opponent, score, result and competition.

#DateVenueOpponentResultCompetition
1.13 November 1981Bangkok, Thailand Pakistan2–31981 King's Cup
2.4 June 1983Singapore Thailand1–11983 SEA Games
3.5 June 1983Singapore Brunei5–0
4.
5.19 September 1983Kota Bharu, Malaysia   Nepal7–01983 Merdeka Tournament
6.
7.
8.10 October 1983Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Saudi Arabia3–11984 Olympic Games qualification
9.
10.16 October 1983Singapore Indonesia1–1
11.20 October 1983Singapore Singapore2–0
12.28 October 1983Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Indonesia2–0
13.18 April 1984Singapore Japan2–1
14.12 August 1984Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Singapore1–0Ovaltine Cup
15.18 August 1984Singapore Singapore1–1
16.24 August 1984Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thailand1–01984 Merdeka Tournament
17.26 August 1984Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Indonesia2–2
18.29 August 1984Kota Bharu, Malaysia Liberia3–1
19.
20.
21.4 September 1984Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Papua New Guinea5–1
22.11 October 1984Calcutta, India Pakistan5–01984 AFC Asian Cup qualification
23.
24.14 October 1984Calcutta, India India1–2
25.18 October 1984Calcutta, India North Yemen4–1
26.
27.31 March 1985Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Nepal5–01986 FIFA World Cup qualification
28.
29.
30.13 October 1985Singapore Brunei4–01985 Merlion Cup
31.10 December 1985Bangkok, Thailand Philippines6–01985 SEA Games
32.
33.14 December 1985Bangkok, Thailand Singapore2–2
34.24 July 1986Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia India3–01986 Merdeka Tournament
35.
36.27 July 1986Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thailand2–0
37.1 August 1986Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Japan2–1
38.7 April 1988Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Pakistan4–01988 AFC Asian Cup qualification
39.
40.7 June 1989Singapore   Nepal3–01990 FIFA World Cup qualification
41.28 August 1989Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thailand1–01989 SEA Games
42.8 August 1992Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia1–11992 Independence Cup
43.5 May 1993Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Macau9–01994 FIFA World Cup qualification
44.5 June 1993Singapore Brunei3–11993 SEA Games
45.11 June 1993Singapore Laos9–0
46.10 December 1995Lamphun, Thailand Cambodia9–01995 SEA Games
47.6 June 1996Shah Alam, Malaysia India5–21996 AFC Asian Cup qualification
48.
49.8 September 1996Singapore Thailand1–11996 AFF Championship
50.31 March 1997Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Bangladesh1–01998 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Selangor FA
Malaysia Super League
  • 1989, 1990
Malaysia Premier League
  • Runner-up: 1999
Malaysia Cup
  • 1981, 1982, 1986, 1997
  • Runner-up: 1980
Malaysia FA Cup
  • 1991, 1997
  • Runner-up: 1990
Malaysia President Cup (as Selangor Youth Team)
  • 1988
  • Runner-up: 1987, 1999
Malaysia Charity Shield
  • 1985, 1987, 1990, 1997
  • Runner-up: 1998

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

Malaysia
Merdeka Tournament
  • 1986
SEA Games

Individual
AFC Asian All Stars
Malaysian League Golden Boot
AFF Championship Most Valuable Player
AFC Century Club Awards

Pahang FA
Malaysia FA Cup
  • 2006, 2014
Malaysia Cup
  • 2014
Malaysia Charity Shield
  • 2014

Selangor FA
Malaysia Charity Shield
  • Runner-up: 2016

Individual
FAM Football Awards – Best Coach Award

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.
  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.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  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.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  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. 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.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. Husin, Nik Naizi (16 June 2006). "Celebration of Pahang victory". The Star online. Malaysia.
  16. "Football: Surprise, surprise, Zainal's back in the red and yellow | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. 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. 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. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  30. "AFC war on footbrawl". Gov.sg. The Straits Times. 10 May 1985. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  31. "Selamat Hari Lahir, Dato' Zainal Abidin Hassan" (in Malay). Legasi Lagenda. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
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  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. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
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