View source for Singapore vs Penang Malaysia Cup Final (1977)

[[File:Malaysia Cup Final 1977 Victory Lap.jpg|thumb|''The Singapore team doing a victory lap with the Malaysia Cup trophy. Photo from [https://www.asiaone.com/1977-malaysia-cup-heroes-action The Straits Times].'']]
On 28 May 1977, Singapore won the Malaysia Cup after defeating Penang in the final. This was the first time in 12 years that Singapore emerged champions. Held at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, the match attracted reportedly over 40,000 spectators.<ref>Seneviratne, Percy. “[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19770529-1.2.127?ST=1&AT=search&k=The%20Malaysia%20Cup%20is%20Ours%20After%2012%20Long%20Years&QT=the,malaysia,cup,is,ours,after,12,long,years&oref=article The Malaysia Cup is Ours After 12 Long Years]”. ''The Straits Times''. May 29, 1977. Accessed on 2 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> It was estimated that over 900,000 adults (aged 15 and above) tuned in to the live telecast. Out of those who had watched the programme, 40% (estimated 370,000) of viewers re-watched the second telecast the following day.<ref>“[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19770613-1.2.9?ST=1&AT=filter&DF=&DT=&AO=false&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=newnation&CT=&WC=&YR=1977&k=Malaysia+cup+final%26ka%3dMalaysia+cup+final&P=4&Display=0&filterS=0&QT=malaysia,cup,final&oref 900,00 saw the final ‘live’ on TV]”. ''New Nation''. June 13, 1977. Accessed on 28 November 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>

== Match summary & team details ==
[[File:Quah Kim Song winning header Malaysia Cup Final 1977.jpg|thumb|''Quah Kim Song scored the winning goal for Singapore in 1977 Malaysia Cup Final.'']]
The referee for the match was Koh Guan Kiat from Selangor, Malaysia.<ref>Seneviratne, Percy. “[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19770529-1.2.127?ST=1&AT=search&k=The%20Malaysia%20Cup%20is%20Ours%20After%2012%20Long%20Years&QT=the,malaysia,cup,is,ours,after,12,long,years&oref=article The Malaysia Cup is Ours After 12 Long Years]”. ''The Straits Times''. May 29, 1977. Accessed on 2 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Singapore
!Penang
|-
|'''Final Score'''
|3
|2
|-
|'''Goal Scorers'''
|Quah Kim Song (4’, 105’)

Nasir Jalil (71’)
|Isa Bakar (29’)

Ali Bakar (54’)
|}

=== Team details<ref>“[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19770528-1.2.77 Yes, we have the edge, but we need God's grace too—Gani]”. ''New Nation''. May 28, 1977. Accessed on 27 November 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>Tan, Philip. “[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19770513-1.2.94?ST=1&AT=search&k=Zainal%20holds%20the%20key%E2%80%A6&QT=zainal,holds,the,key&oref=article Zainal holds the key…]”. ''New Nation''. May 13, 1977. Accessed on 28 November 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>Koay, Kok Chiang. “[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19770525-1.2.122?ST=1&AT=search&k=Cheng%20Hoe:%20My%20boys%20are%20fit%20and%20happy&QT=cheng,hoe,my,boys,are,fit,and,happy&oref=article Cheng Hoe: My boys are fit and happy]”. ''The Straits Times''. May 25, 1977. Accessed on 28 November 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>Low, Jeffrey. “It’s as good as ours!”. ''New Nation''. May 28, 1977. Accessed on 27 November 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref> Robert, Godfrey. ''The Malaysia Cup''. Singapore: 2A Publications, 1991.</ref> ===
[[File:Malaysia Cup Final 1977 players.jpg|thumb|''A cartoon illustration showing the Singapore team roster and positions. Retrieved from [https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/newnation19770528-1.1.17?ST=1&AT=filter&K=malaysia%20cup%20winner&KA=malaysia%20cup%20winner&DF=&DT=&Display=0&AO=false&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=1977&QT=malaysia,cup,winner&oref=article NewspaperSG].'']]
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Singapore Line-up
!Penang Line-up
|-
|'''Coach'''
|Choo Seng Quee
|Lim Boon Keng
|-
|'''Manager'''
|Chan King Fook
|Tan Cheng Hoe
|-
|'''Players'''
|Edmund Wee (GK)

Hasli Ibrahim

Syed Mutalib

Samad Alapitchay

Robert Sim

Zainal Abideen

V. Khanisen

Mohamed Noh

Quah Kim Song

Dollah Kassim

S. Rajagopal
|Rahim Mohamed (GK)

Anuar Osman

Ooi Hock Kheng

Lim Cheng Hock

N. Baskaran

Shukor Salleh

Radzi Ahmad

Fadzli Ismail

Isa Bakar

Ali Bakar

Ravei Varma
|-
|'''Substitution(s)'''
|Lim Teng Sai

Nasir Jalil
|Nik Husin

N. Gopalakrishnan
|}

== Match breakdown<ref>Seneviratne, Percy. “[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19770529-1.2.127?ST=1&AT=search&k=The%20Malaysia%20Cup%20is%20Ours%20After%2012%20Long%20Years&QT=the,malaysia,cup,is,ours,after,12,long,years&oref=article The Malaysia Cup is Ours After 12 Long Years]”. ''The Straits Times''. May 29, 1977. Accessed on 2 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>Low, Jeffrey. “The Young Lions bring it home”. ''New Nation''. May 29, 1977. Accessed on 2 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>S., Murali. ''50 Greatest Moments in Singapore Football''. Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2012.</ref><ref>Song, Quah Kim, and Jacintha Stephens. ''The Quah Kim Song Story: Pass Kim Song the %#@* Ball!!'' Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2015.</ref> ==

=== First goal (4’) by Quah Kim Song - 1 : 0 ===
[[File:Quah Kim Song Malaysia Cup Final 1977 goal.jpg|thumb|''Quah Kim Song pictured scoring the first goal of the match against Penang. Photo credit to Mak Kian Seng (ST PHOTO).'']]
4 minutes into game time, Quah “Mercurial Speed Demon” Kim Song scored the opening goal for Singapore with a diving header. Quah Kim Song had received a cross from S. Rajagopal who manoeuvred past Penang defender, Annuar Osman, down the left flank. Penang forced 7 corners before equalising.

=== Penang equaliser (29’) by Isa Bakar - 1 : 1 ===
Penang striker Isa Bakar equalised for Penang at the 20th minute. The striker capitalised on Samad Alapitchay’s careless back-pass to Singapore’s goalkeeper, Edmund Wee. Before the equaliser, Edmund Wee had deflected a 50-metre driver by Penang’s Ooi Hock Kheng over the crossbar. Samad was substituted out for Lim Teng Sai and his Captain armband was passed to Dollah Kassim.

=== Penang goal (54’) by Ali Bakar - 2 : 1 ===
Ali Bakar’s goal at the 54th minute placed Penang in the lead. Isa Bakar took a Penang corner kick which found its way to Ali Bakar who placed it in the back of the net.

=== Singapore equaliser (71’) by Nasir Jalil - 2 : 2 ===
Nasir Jalil entered the pitch as a substitute for S. Rajagopal at the 53rd minute. He converted a corner kick into a goal-scoring grounder after slipping past two defenders.

=== Extra time winner (105’) by Quah Kim Song - 3 : 2 ===
Quah Kim Song won the match for Singapore with a set-piece conversion. Dollah ‘Gelek King’ Kassim’s free-kick found Quah Kim Song who brought in the winning goal with another diving header. The Singapore team defended their lead until the final whistle.

== Post-match celebrations ==
[[File:Dollah Kassim Malaysia Cup 1977.jpg|thumb|''Dollah Kassim (left) pictured hugging his then-girlfriend while holding onto the Malaysia Cup with S.S. Dhillion''. ''Photo from [https://uncledicko.blogspot.com/2009/05/that-unforgettable-malaysia-cup-win-in.html source].'']]
The Singapore team was overwhelmed by their fans following the win. Dollah Kassim, the player who assisted in Singapore’s winning goal, described the experience in a 2003 interview:<ref>Zarina bte Yusof. “Dollah Kassim Sports Personalities of Singapore (Reel 6)”. ''National Archives of Singapore''. September 24, 2003. Accessed on 26 November 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online</ref><blockquote>'''''Zarina Yusof (Interviewer):''' “How was the atmosphere if you can describe it to us?”''</blockquote><blockquote>'''''Dollah Kassim:''' “Wah, electrifying is the first word I can say. I don’t know what word to use, after the finals when we won the game you look at the celebration, the jubilation from the Singapore crowd was fantastic. We could hardly move into our hotel in KL, it was so crowded.”''</blockquote><blockquote>'''''Zarina Yusof (Interviewer):''' “ You mean, they knew where you were staying?”''</blockquote><blockquote>'''''Dollah Kassim:''' “Yes, we were in Holiday Inn. It was so jubilant, we could hardly move into the hotel I tell you. The whole night long we had to entertain, well, we were proud to be there, I am sure the Singaporeans were all proud that we won after 15 years. The boys were so happy that we stayed all night long to entertain them, no regrets.”''</blockquote><blockquote>'''''Zarina Yusof (Interviewer):''' “You entertained your fans?”''</blockquote><blockquote>'''''Dollah Kassim:''' “Yes.”''</blockquote><blockquote>'''''Zarina Yusof (Interviewer):''' “Really?”''</blockquote><blockquote>'''''Dollah Kassim:''' “Yes, I think, the fans deserved that. Wah, marvellous.”''</blockquote><blockquote>'''''Zarina Yusof (Interviewer):''' ”How did you entertain them? This is interesting.”''</blockquote><blockquote>'''''Dollah Kassim:''' “They came to our hotel, we talked, we sat down, they wanted to know, took photographs, signing autographs; that’s wonderful, that was really wonderful. That was in KL itself. Can you imagine when we were at the airport? Wah, marvellous. Well, well, well; well received all the way from the airport to Jalan Besar Stadium. Airport; the airport workers itself already, a throng of them, I was carried, I was lifted. Even in the papers it came out the photos. Then from Paya Lebar Airport straight to Jalan Besar Stadium we were paraded; wah, unofficial motorcades.”''</blockquote>

== Ticketing prices & gross earnings ==
[[File:Causeway jam Malaysia Cup Final 1977.jpg|thumb|''An image of the jam at the causeway caused by the spectators driving out from Singapore to catch the 1977 Malaysia Cup final. Photo from National Archives Singapore.'']]

=== Ticketing ===
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) reserved 7,200 tickets for Singapore fans. The tickets were priced according to tiers. The total estimated attendance of Singaporeans amounted to over 7,000 spectators.<ref>“[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19770527-1.2.30?ST=1&AT=search&k=Live%20telecast:%20YES&QT=live,telecast,yes&oref=article Live telecast: YES]”. ''New Nation''. May 27, 1977. Accessed on 28 November 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Seating type
!Price
!No. of seats available
|-
|Grandstand
|S$10
|200
|-
|Covered
|S$5
|2,000
|-
|Gallery
|S$3
|5,000
|}

=== Gross earnings ===
The total gross ticket sales for the Cup Finals at the Merdeka Stadium amounted to S$133,911.<ref>“[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19770604-1.2.108?ST=1&AT=search&k=Cup%20finalists%20will%20each%20get%20$40,000&QT=cup,finalists,will,each,get,40000&oref=article Cup finalists will each get $40,000]”. ''The Straits Times''. June 4, 1977. Accessed on 27 November 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> The revenue was distributed among the following entities:
{| class="wikitable"
!Entity
!Amount (S$)
!% (of ticket revenue)
|-
|Merdeka Stadium
|20,086.65
|15%
|-
|Common Pool
|20,086.65
|15%
|-
|Players Welfare
|5,695.55
|5%
|-
|Referees Funds
|5,695.55
|5%
|-
|Team Singapore
|40,173.30
|30%*
|-
|Team Penang
|40,173.30
|30%*
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>In previous years, the visiting team received 55% of the remaining collective sum while the home team received 45%. As the 1977 final was played on neutral ground, the pool was equally shared between both teams.<ref>“[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19770604-1.2.108?ST=1&AT=search&k=Cup%20finalists%20will%20each%20get%20$40,000&QT=cup,finalists,will,each,get,40000&oref=article Cup finalists will each get $40,000]”. ''The Straits Times''. June 4, 1977. Accessed on 27 November 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>

== Singapore players' bonuses ==
[[File:N Ganesan and Choo Seng Quee.jpg|thumb|''N. Ganesan (FAS Chairman) (left) and Coach Choo Seng Quee (right) pictured holding the 1977 Malaysia Cup.'']]

=== Tiered bonuses ===
Under the chairmanship of Mr N. Ganesan, the FAS council distributed tiered bonuses to the players following the 1977 Malaysia Cup. The bonuses were categorized as such (with Tier 1 being the highest remuneration):<ref>“[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19770616-1.2.125?ST=1&AT=search&k=Four%20tiers%20in%20bonus%20system&QT=four,tiers,in,bonus,system&oref=article Four tiers in bonus system]”. ''The Straits Times''. June 16, 1977. Accessed on 3 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>“Let’s be fair to all the boys, FAS!”. ''New Nation''. June 19, 1977. Accessed on 3 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Tier
!Criteria
|-
|Tier 1
|Squad members who contributed to winning the Malaysia Cup
|-
|Tier 2
|Squad members who contributed to the placing in Finals 
|-
|Tier 3
|Squad members who contributed in the placing in the Semi-finals
|-
|Tier 4
|Squad members who played in 10 preliminary matches
|}
Robert Sim, Nasir Jalil, Dollah Kassim and Quah Kim Song received four-figure bonuses.<ref>Low, Jeffrey. “[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19770614-1.2.79?ST=1&AT=filter&K=What%20a%20big%20load%20of%20rubbish!&KA=What%20a%20big%20load%20of%20rubbish!&DF=&DT=&Display=0&AO=false&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=1977&QT=what,a,big, What a big load of rubbish!]”. ''New Nation''. June 14, 1977. Accessed on 3 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Ganesan revealed that the 11 players and 2 substitutes who had played in the final received extra bonuses over the squad members who did not.<ref>“[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19770616-1.2.125?ST=1&AT=search&k=Four%20tiers%20in%20bonus%20system&QT=four,tiers,in,bonus,system&oref=article Four tiers in bonus system]”. ''The Straits Times''. June 16, 1977. Accessed on 3 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>

=== Discontent ===
The difference in bonuses caused discord in the team.<ref>Low, Jeffrey. “[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19770614-1.2.79?ST=1&AT=filter&K=What%20a%20big%20load%20of%20rubbish!&KA=What%20a%20big%20load%20of%20rubbish!&DF=&DT=&Display=0&AO=false&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=1977&QT=what,a,big, What a big load of rubbish!]”. ''New Nation''. June 14, 1977. Accessed on 3 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>Heng, Eric. “[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19770622-1.2.77.3.6?ST=1&AT=search&k=An%20%E2%80%98eye-opener%20for%20the%20FAS&QT=an,eye-opener,for,the,fas&oref=article An ‘eye-opener for the FAS]”. ''New Nation''. June 22, 1977. Accessed on 3 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> When the players were called in for the first training back from the cup final, only a quarter had turned up.<ref>Dorai, Joe and Yeo, Wilfred. “[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19770625-1.2.117?ST=1&AT=filter&K=Boycott%20by%20the%20players&KA=Boycott%20by%20the%20players&DF=&DT=&Display=0&AO=false&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=1977&QT=boycott,by,the,players&or Boycott by the players]”. ''The Straits Times''. June 25, 1977. Accessed on 3 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> One of the players, Arshad Khamis, who had made four appearances in the cup matches stated the following:
 "I did not receive a single cent from the FAS."<ref>Tan, Philip. “[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19770617-1.2.85?ST=1&AT=search&k=Arshad:%20I%20didn%27t%20get%20a%20cent&QT=arshad,i,didnt,get,a,cent&oref=article Arshad: I didn't get a cent]”. ''New Nation''. June 17, 1977. Accessed on 3 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
This claim was later refuted by S.C. Vadivale, Executive Secretary of the FAS. He disclosed to ''The Straits Times'' that Arshad had received a bonus of S$210 on 10 May 1977.<ref>“[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19770625-1.2.118?ST=1&AT=filter&K=Sportsletter&KA=Sportsletter&DF=&DT=&Display=0&AO=false&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=1977&QT=sportsletter&oref=article Sportsletter]”. ''The Straits Times''. June 25, 1977. Accessed on 3 December 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>

== 1977 Malaysia Cup Road Map ==

=== Training regime under Coach Choo Seng Quee ===
[[File:Quah Kim Song and Choo Seng Quee.jpg|thumb|''Quah Kim Song (left) and Choo Seng Quee (right) pictured in an embrace. Photo from [https://stylemestiada.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/6-march-1977-singapore-1-malaysia-0/ source].'']]
The Singapore team had thoroughly prepared for the final under the no-nonsense and charismatic Choo Seng Quee. Before the 1977 Malaysia Cup, the team had reached the finals in the ‘75 and ‘76 Malaysia Cup.<ref>Zarina bte Yusof. “Dollah Kassim Sports Personalities of Singapore (Reel 6)”. ''National Archives of Singapore''. September 24, 2003. Accessed on 26 November 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.</ref>


A week before the ‘77 Malaysia Cup Final, the team had undergone strict regimental training. Variables like food, rest and training time were conscientiously controlled and followed dutifully. The afternoon before the final, the team was not allowed to take naps to prevent lethargy. Coach Choo also banned cold or fizzy drinks and haircuts before matches.<ref>Cheong, Suk-Wai. ''The Sound of Memories: Recordings from the Oral History Centre, Singapore''. Singapore: National Archives of Singapore, 2019.</ref>

=== Semi-finals ===
[[File:Quah Kim Song 1977 Trengganu goal.jpg|thumb|''Quah Kim Song pictured scoring the third goal for Singapore against Trengganu in the South Zone group stage match. Photo credit to Yow Yun Woh (ST PHOTO).'']]
The four semi-finalists were Penang (North Zone Winner), Trengganu (South Zone Runner Up), Singapore (South Zone Winner) and Selangor (North Zone Runner Up).<ref>Robert, Godfrey. ''The Malaysia Cup''. Singapore: 2A Publications, 1991.</ref>

==== First leg (14 May 1977): Penang vs. Trengganu ====
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |Kuala Trengganu Stadium
|-
|
|Penang (away)
|Trengganu (home)
|-
|'''Score'''
|5
|2
|}

==== Second leg (23 May 1977): Penang vs. Trengganu ====
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |City Stadium
|-
|
|Penang (home)
|Trengganu (away)
|-
|'''Score'''
|3
|1
|}
Penang advanced to the final after beating Trengganu with the aggregate score of 8 (Penang) - 3 (Trengganu).<ref>Robert, Godfrey. ''The Malaysia Cup''. Singapore: 2A Publications, 1991.</ref>

==== First leg (15 May 1977): Singapore vs. Selangor ====
[[File:Crowd at 1977 Malaysia Cup semi-final.jpg|thumb|''The crowd pictured at the National Stadium when ticket sales opened for the Singapore vs. Selangor semi-final. Photo from [https://www.asiaone.com/50-year-flashback-istana-welcome-1977-malaysia-cup-heroes The Straits Times].'']]
On 13 May 1977, in a bid to obtain tickets for the Singapore vs. Selangor semi-final, 44 Singaporeans were injured as a result of a stampede at the National Stadium. 500 policemen and 15 dogs were deployed as crowd control. The event led to the death of Mr Lim Kim Pheng, a 33-year-old father of three who had died of a heart attack.<ref>“[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19770514-1.2.2?ST=1&AT=search&k=Victim%20of%20soccer%20madness&QT=victim,of,soccer,madness&oref=article Victim of soccer madness]”. ''New Nation''. May 14, 1977. Accessed on 28 November 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>“[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19771231-1.2.87?ST=1&AT=search&k=MONTH-BY-MONTH%20ROUND-UP%20OF%20MAJOR%20EVENTS&QT=month-by-month,round-up,of,major,events&oref=article MONTH-BY-MONTH ROUND-UP OF MAJOR EVENTS]”. ''New Nation''. December 31, 1977. Accessed on 28 November 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |National Stadium
|-
|
|Singapore (home)
|Selangor (away)
|-
|'''Score'''
|2
|1
|}

==== First leg (23 May 1977): Singapore vs. Selangor ====
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |Merdeka Stadium
|-
|
|Singapore (away)
|Selangor (home)
|-
|'''Score'''
|2
|1
|}
Singapore advanced to the final after beating Selangor with the aggregate score of 4 (Singapore) - 2 (Singapore).<ref>Robert, Godfrey. ''The Malaysia Cup''. Singapore: 2A Publications, 1991.</ref>

== References / Citations ==
[[Category:Newsworthy Incidents]]