PETALING JAYA: P. Maniam can still vividly remember the good times he had with Selangor teammate and fellow coach Anuar Abu Bakar (pic), who passed away on Monday night.
They helped their home state Selangor win several Malaysia Cups as players and then as assistant coaches in the team’s triumph in the 33rd edition in 2015.
Anuar’s death after weeks of battling stage four liver cancer is painful for many former players and especially for Maniam, who has fond memories of the gifted midfielder.
“We played and coached together in Selangor. Anuar is very kind and communicates with everyone easily,” said Maniam.
“He was part of the Selangor coaching staff during Mehmet Durakovic’s time, and he was very attentive and friendly with everyone in the club. We have lost a very good coach.”
Anuar passed away at the Shah Alam Hospital and was buried at the Section 21 Muslim Cemetery yesterday.
A day before Anuar’s death, former Selangor winger Shahril Arsat visited him at the Shah Alam Hospital. Earlier former Selangor stars K. Gunalan and A. Jayakanthan accompanied Anuar to the hospital.
“We were supposed to visit him at his house but suddenly we got a call saying that he was admitted at the hospital.
“Anuar was a good player and as a coach, he has produced lots of talented footballers.
“Some of them are playing for professional sides,” added Maniam.
The late Anuar, who turned 48 on April 28, played for Johor, Selangor, Kelantan, MPPJ and Penang.
From 1991 to 1997, the midfielder played for Malaysia 49 times and scored 13 goals.