The Kedahan died at around 5am yesterday in George Town after battling brain cancer for almost two months. He was 60.
Viatilingam and Azraai go a long way back as they were childhood friends who grew up playing football in Alor Semagom — a small village in Alor Star.
“In fact, Viatilingam and I were neighbours. We lived just one kilometre away from Darulaman Stadium,” recalled Azraai.
“We started playing football at the same time, when we were nine or 10-years-old and we went on to play for our kampung. Our team was known as the Hospital Rangers.”
Both lads went on to represent the state youth team in the Burnley Cup in 1968.
“The first Burnley Cup we played in 1968 was in Malacca followed by the 1969 (Negri Sembilan) and 1970 (Sarawak) editions. Both of us were promoted to the senior squad a year later and we both also joined LLM (now known as TNB) in 1972.”
However, Viatilingam first represented the country at the 1975 Bangkok Sea Games but joined Azraai in the King’s Cup tournament held at the Thai capital two weeks after the regional Games.
“We did many things together but he represented the country before I did. But we played alongside each other in the King’s Cup.”
Viatilingam’s final national cap was at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok while the defender last donned Kedah’s Hijau Kuning colours in 1982.
He retired from TNB in 2008.
“It’s really sad as his wife passed away months ago and he now leaves behind a son,” Azraai added.
Former internationals Reduan Abdullah, Datuk Soh Chin Aun and Datuk Santokh Singh also had fond memories of Viatilingam.
“We called him Mat Boeing as he was a very speedy player, just like the Boeing airplane,” said Reduan.
“It’s really sad to hear of his passing. He was a good player.”
Chin Aun was shocked when told of the news.
“I’m sad, really sad. I didn’t know about it,” said Chin Aun.
Santokh said he was informed of Viatilingam’s death yesterday, adding that the latter was a hard tackler but a nice man off the pitch.
“It’s a sad day for all of us,” Santokh added.
Sunday, April 01, 2012 - 21:29
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