Soccer (Football)
5 best Weigang achievements in Malaysian football
Honouring the fondest memories of Mr. Weigang’s time in Malaysia spanning over 4 decades
A star and legend was lost on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 when Karl-Heinz Weigang took his last breath back in his home country, Germany. The pain and sorrow was felt by all in Malaysia, where he spent over 30 years from 1979-2017 contributing to the most followed sport – football.
The German native left a mark on Malaysian football starting with his time as Malaysia’s national coach in 1979 to leading the Perak Football Association (PAFA) in 1997, to taking over the helm at the Johor Football Association (JFA) in 2005 before returning for another stint in Perak in 2016.
Here’s a look at 5 of Weigang’s best achievements throughout the time he spent in this South-East Asian country.
1. Qualifying for the 1980 Moscow Olympics
Having participated in the 1972 Munich Olympics, Malaysia once again reached great heights just eight years later when Weigang guided the team past a tough qualifying group. Political issues were abound though, and this meant that no Malaysian participant was allowed to compete in Moscow but it takes nothing away from the success that Weigang had with the team.
Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei were easily beaten but the real highlight of the campaign was the wins achieved over heavyweights Japan and South Korea. Coming up against the latter in the playoffs, goals from Bakri Ibni and James Wong secured a memorable 2-1 for the Malayan Tigers that sealed a qualification.
2. 1998 Malaysia Cup
In his first stint in the club football level in Malaysia, Weigang guided Perak to a famous Malaysia Cup triumph in 1998. This final marked the first final ever played at the majestic Bukit Jalil National Stadium and it finally returned the trophy to Perak after an 18-year gap since they last won it in 1970.
Perak’s fifth and final spot-kick was converted by Hungarian import Janos Krecska to give The Seladangs a 5-3 penalty shoot-out win over Terengganu after the two teams were tied 1-1 in extra time. It was Weigang’s first domestic trophy in Malaysia and it definitely wasn’t his last.
3. Clinching the 2000 Malaysia Cup
Weigang repeated the feat just two years later under a different setting: The Shah Alam Stadium. Unlike the more equal final in 1998, Perak was head and shoulders the better team in 2000, pulling off a comfortable 2-0 win over Negeri Sembilan.
The striking duo, Khalid Jamlus and V. Saravanan, produced the goals that helped seal Perak’s seventh triumph in one of Asia’s oldest cup competitions. Weigang was to part ways with Perak after that but he could not have left them in better shape.
Weigang feted as Foreign Coach Expert in 2015
© Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images
4. FIFA Order of Merit
International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) hands out the FIFA Order of Merit during their annual FIFA congress and it’s an award to honour individuals or associations who have been deemed to have made a significant contribution to the football association. Weigang was the recipient of this prestigious award in 1998.
The award was given to Weigang for his work in Asian football and in particular, contributions to Malaysian football. It’s a nod of the highest order that has been bestowed upon Weigang and it clearly marks his incredible output for Malaysia.
5. Saving Perak in 2016
Facing the threat of relegation in the 2016 Super League season, Perak once again turned to a familiar name to save them. In came Weigang at the age of 80, to return once again to his second home.
Taking over the team in March with Perak struggling in 10th spot, Weigang eventually guided The Bos Gaurus to mid-table security of a sixth place finish and thus preventing relegation to Premier League. It also helped Perak to retain the record of being the only team never to have been relegated from the top division.