Former Lion Mat Noh passes away

(Photo: The Straits Times)

SINGAPORE, 20 SEPTEMBER 2021 – The FAS is deeply saddened to hear about the passing of former Lion Mohamed Noh Hussein. The 67-year-old suffered a heart attack on Sunday morning and subsequently passed away in hospital earlier today.

Known as “Mat Noh” to a generation of fans in the 1970s, the skillful attacker entertained with his dazzling dribbling prowess and body feints on the pitch. A nightmare for opposition defenders on the flanks, he was a member of the 1977 Malaysia Cup-winning side.

Mat Noh also famously scored the winning goal in the first round of World Cup qualifiers on 6 March 1977, firing home a penalty in a 1-0 win at Kallang Stadium against a strong Malaysian side regarded as one of Asia’s best at the time.

FAS President Lim Kia Tong paid tribute to the ex-international, saying: “My earliest memory of Mat Noh was when I watched the National Team play in the Malaysia Cup at the old Kallang Stadium against our fierce rivals across the Causeway in the 1970s. He was part of the star-studded squad led by the late Uncle Choo Seng Quee and he will always be remembered for being an exemplary footballer who brought joy to Singaporeans every time he played. His wizardry on the wing captured the hearts and minds of fans while befuddling many an opponent, which made him a marked man and subjected him to the toughest of tackles. Yet he was never the sort to retaliate and instead merely got on with the game.

“Like a true professional and role model, Mat Noh shied away from publicity and chose to let his talking be done on the pitch. Even when it was time to hang up his boots, he did it without much fanfare and fuss. Yet the impact that he left upon the generation of Singapore football fans was a lasting one, given the sheer number of messages that I received from numerous members of the football fraternity as well as the fans once they heard the unfortunate news about him yesterday.

“My deepest condolences go out to Mat Noh’s family as I join the Singapore football fraternity in mourning the loss of one of our finest legends.”

Our sincerest thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.