KUALA LUMPUR: "We can do it, don't be afraid of this game, we can take on this team," those were usual words of encouragement to teammates by the late Serbegeth Singh in the dressing room before trooping out for matches.
For former national team chief coach, Dollah Salleh those pep-talk memories came rushing back as soon as he received the news of the death of Serbegeth or better known as Shebby last night.
Dollah, who played with Shebby when representing Johor in 1982 and 1983 said he has lost a friend who had a firm character akin to national football legend Datuk Soh Chin Aun.
"I was indeed close to him when playing in Johor before...As my team captain, Shebby can be very vocal through the instructions and advice he gives to his teammates while playing a match," he said when contacted by Bernama today.
Apart from football, Dollah said the late Shebby also often advised him to forge close family ties as he was also really close with his family.
"He was very good with friends including my wife, everyone was comfortable with him," he added.
The former Sri Pahang FC coach also shared interesting stories on Shebby who never missed out on reading the popular football magazine from England, Shoot! during their acquaintanceship.
As such, he said it was no surprise that the former national defensive pillar had vast knowledge of the game and was very technical and detailed when appearing on football programmes.
Meanwhile, another of his teammate, Mohamed Razip Ismail, who together with Shebby was part of the Kuala Lumpur squad that grabbed a Malaysia Cup hattrick from 1987 to 1989, regarded the latter as a tough person on the field but very amiable off it.
The 59-year-old former defender said that he was very fortunate to have been able to play with Shebby whom he regarded as a highly dedicated player and very disciplined during training sessions.
Mohamed Razip, who had coached the Kuala Lumpur and Perlis teams, was also impressed with Shebby's leadership qualities especially in motivating young players to improve their performances during a game.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Youth Unit Chief was also indebted to Shebby for being an important character in helping him to venture into sports commentating world not long ago.
The late Shebby, during his heydays, played for the national team from 1982 to 1991, including in the Asian Games in 1982, 1986 and 1990 and also helped the country win the gold medal at the 1989 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.
In addition, he also played with the Pahang team in the 90s and had also donned the Negeri Sembilan and Perak jerseys.
After retiring as a player, Shebby created a name for himself as a television personality from 1997 including for Astro SuperSport, FoxSports and ESPN Asia other than serving as Global Adviser at Blackburn Rovers in 2012 and Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) as technical adviser.
Shebby, 61, died while cycling at Sunway in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, yesterday evening.
Meanwhile, national assistant coach, S. Balachandran who had played alongside Shebby for Kuala Lumpur told Bernama that he was indeed a golden-hearted man who dedicated his life to football.
Negeri Sembilan FC head coach K. Devan described the news as heartbreaking, and that the country's football had lost a great figure.
Former national goalkeeper Hassan Miksam, who had also played alongside Shebby said the latter was a serious player on the field who motivated the rest of the team on the pitch.
Lahat Dadok Sulik, 59, another close friend of Shebby who played for the national team and Johor in the late 80s, said he would always miss the latter.
"His comments were 'stinging' and straightforward, but it was done for a good reason," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Jan 13 2022
For former national team chief coach, Dollah Salleh those pep-talk memories came rushing back as soon as he received the news of the death of Serbegeth or better known as Shebby last night. - MFL
Cabaran hebat menanti Sivasangari, Eain Yow pusingan ketiga Kejohanan Skuasy Dunia
Jaguh skuasy wanita negara S. Sivasangari mengetuai kemaraan pemain Malaysia dalam kempen Kejohanan Skuasy Dunia 2024 di Mesir.
Projek elektrik dari Sarawak ke Singapura akan beroperasi menjelang 2031
Projek sambung tara bekalan elektrik dari Sarawak ke Singapura dijangka akan beroperasi secara komersial pada tahun 2031, kata Menteri Utiliti dan Telekomunikasi Sarawak Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi.
Dewan Rakyat belum terima notis, 6 wakil rakyat sokong PM masih kekal MP - Johari
Dewan Rakyat masih belum menerima sebarang notis daripada Bersatu berhubung status keahlian enam Ahli Parlimen parti itu yang menyokong Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Kelindan rentung, lori terbakar rempuh treler parkir tepi jalan
Seorang kelindan rentung apabila lori yang dinaikinya terbakar selepas melanggar belakang treler berhampiran bulatan Lebuhraya Lingkaran Utama (LTU) dekat Mempaga di sini pada awal pagi Isnin.
Malaysia libat diri secara aktif dengan negara ASEAN kukuhkan ketersambungan tenaga - Fadillah
Melalui pertukaran sumber, pengetahuan dan teknologi, Malaysia boleh mengatasi pelbagai halangan dan mempercepatkan penggunaan teknologi hijau dalam memupuk langkah kolektif ke arah kemampanan.
Sarjan terima rasuah tutup kes cabul didenda RM8,000
Nur Mastisha Maidinsha, 39, dikenakan hukuman itu selepas mengaku bersalah atas satu pertuduhan pilihan, yang dibaca di hadapan Hakim, Suzana Hussin.
Kejadian rompakan dilaporkan berlaku semasa banjir di Brazil
Hujan lebat yang menyebabkan banjir di Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil kini mengundang kepada berlakunya kejadian jenayah.
Penduduk Rumah Panjang harap sosio ekonomi meningkat
Dalam pada itu penduduk Rumah Panjang Nanga Engkuah yang ditemui Astro AWANI menzahirkan rasa syukur dengan pemilihan rumah panjang mereka sebagai Kampung Angkat Madani.
Perlumbaan di Jepun beri nilai tambah buat Azizulhasni
Azizulhasni berkata pihaknya dan pasukan berpuas hati dengan prestasi yang dicapai pada perlumbaan yang berlangsung di Velodrom Izu di Shizuoka, Jepun itu.
Prosedur graf kulit Faisal Halim tunjuk reaksi positif
Prosedur graf kulit atau tampalan kulit untuk menutup luka lecur tahap empat dialami pemain sayap sensasi Harimau Malaya dan Selangor FC Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim yang cedera disimbah asid baru-baru