A love for football

By B. [e-mail] 

HE IS one of the country's most highly qualified coaches, having attained numerous licenses including the AFC Professional License, the German 'A' license and a Brazilian coaching diploma during a stint in Rio de Janeiro, not to mention the fact that he has also been a FIFA Coaching Instructor. 

Sathianathan all decked out in hisfootball gear.

Currently the Senior Assistant coach of Selangor MPPJ, B. Sathianathan has been involved in football all his life having been a player, coach and fan. 

“I grew up in Muar but only got my first real taste of the game when I moved to Seremban to attend college as an 18 year-old,” said Sathianathan. 

Starting out with the NSCRC (Negeri Sembilan Chinese Recreation Club) in Seremban, he was quickly discovered by the then Negri Sembilan Malaysia Cup coach, Paul Nathan. 

“Nathan saw me playing during an NSCRC match in the 70s and approached me after the game saying that if I came under his wing, I would be playing for the national side within six months,” explained Sathianathan. 

He fulfilled this earlier than expected when he earned his first national call-up five months after making his Negri Sembilan debut. 

“I was asked to join the Malaysian “B” team. I was just 19 and it was a massive boost for me, thanks mainly to Nathan's coaching abilities,” said the 48 year-old. 

In a playing career that lasted a decade, Sathianathan spent all but one season with Negri Sembilan, the odd one being a short stint with neighbours, Malacca.  

He earned 15 Malaysian caps during that period but, by his own accord, spent most of it warming the bench.  

“There were too many good players in the Malaysian squad and as an attacking midfielder I had to bide my time, hoping to come on as a substitute.” 

Sathianathan scored just once for his country during the 3rd and 4th place match in the 1983 SEA Games against Brunei.  

“It was my only goal for Malaysia but it is one I shall treasure.” 

Early on, he realised his true calling would be to shout instruction from the bench and began learning about coaching while still a player.  

“My inspiration was obviously the man who gave me my first chance in the game, Paul Nathan, as well as the master tactician who fathered the concept of 'Total Football,' former Holland coach Rinus Michels,” he explained.  

“I really wanted to break into the coaching side and made certain that I took all the necessary exams and licences to earn my coaching badges,” he added. 

Just as Negeri Sembilan gave him his first break as a player, the state also provided Sathianathan with his initial foray into coaching.  

“I was in charge of Negri's U18 and U20 youth sides from 1990 - 1991 before taking over the first team in 1992,” he explained. 

As head coach of Negeri Sembilan, Sathianathan got his first taste of glory when he led the team to victory over Terengganu in the 1992 Sultan's Gold Cup final. 

In 1995, Sathianathan joined the FA of Malaysia (FAM) as an assistant coach of the national 'B' team.  

“I was offered a coaching position with FAM after assisting Richard Bate at the Thailand King's Cup tournament with the national 'B' team in 1994.” 

“I worked under Richard Bate and Claude Le Roy but mostly with Hatem Soussi as we prepared a side for the FIFA World Youth Cup in 1997, which Malaysia hosted,” he said. 

After 1997, Sathianathan served FAM in a variety of coaching positions and assisting the head coach of the national and Olympic teams.  

“I was Alan Harris' assistant during his time here and gained a lot of experience working with him.” 

In 2004, Sathianathan left FAM after almost 10 years with the national body.  

“My time with FAM was a huge learning experience and I gained a lot of knowledge from the coaches I worked with.” 

Sathianathan feels that one of the reasons the national team is not doing well is because there is not enough football played at the school level.  

“Kids nowadays concentrate on the academic side of things and this has caused a decrease in the number of children actually playing football.” 

“They may be fans of the game by watching it on TV but many are not going out to play football with their friends either at school or in the padangs near their homes.” 

“If youngsters are shunning the physical game, it translates to a smaller pool of players,” he explained. 

For a man who has dedicated his life to the beautiful game, Sathianathan is hopeful that Malaysian football can get back on track but it will take time and lots of hard work.