It was the Malaysia Cup Final of 1968. Selangor and Penang, two fierce rivals of that era, met on the grand stage. Selangor ultimately claimed victory, but what many have forgotten is the brilliance of a young striker who lit up the field that night.

A player who scored not one, not two, but four goals in a Malaysia Cup final, a record that remains unbroken even after 45 years.

That young man was Thanabalan Nadarajah, fondly known to fans as N. Thanabalan.

Thanabalan’s journey began early. At just 17, he first represented Malaysia in the 1960 Asian Youth Tournament before rising to the senior national team from 1963 to 1971. Over his career, he earned 107 caps, earning a reputation as a sharp, fearless striker who made defenders tremble.

In the 1968 Merdeka Tournament where Malaysia defeated the then Asian powerhouse Burma 3-0 : Thanabalan scored eight goals in six matches. His passion for the game was unmatched. He even played the Merdeka final on the eve of his wedding. And the next day, at the reception, team manager Datuk Harun Idris told his bride, “Take good care of our national property.”

That sentence alone captured who Thanabalan was to Malaysian football, a treasure.






He represented Malaysia at the Merdeka Tournament, SEAP Games, Asian Games, King’s Cup in Thailand, Vietnam Cup, and also featured in friendlies against Arsenal FC, the Asian All Stars, and the Western Australian team.

He played alongside some of the greatest names of the 1960s, and those who would later become legends, Soh Chin Aun, Santokh Singh, Shukor Salleh, Mokhtar Dahari, R. Arumugam, grew up admiring him.

And yet, as time passed, we seem to have forgotten the man who gave so much to the nation. While he received honours such as the AMP and AIS, many of his juniors went on to receive titles that eluded him. It was a silent oversight, and one that feels undeserved for a player of his calibre.

Even after retiring, Thanabalan never walked away from the game. He dedicated himself to developing youth players and contributed to clubs such as Kilat Club, TPCA FC, and Sentul Indian Rangers. He also helped found the Ex-State & Ex-National Footballers’ Association of Malaysia, where he continues to serve as vice president, working tirelessly for the welfare of former national and state players.

Thanabalan’s story is more than just football history, it is a story of passion, loyalty, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to the country.

Legends like him deserve to be remembered, honoured, and celebrated not just in statistics, but in the hearts of Malaysians.

May his legacy continue to inspire generations, and may we never again overlook the heroes who built our sporting history.


Source / Image Credit : Press Reader , FMT