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When Singapore’s football team took to the field against China in a World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium last night, the game must have surely brought back memories for Ramasamy Krishnan.
One of the 72-year-old’s proudest moments was at the old National Stadium in 1974 when he donned his country’s colours in a match against China. A speedy left winger back in the day, Krishnan – or Roy as he’s affectionately known – netted Singapore’s shock equaliser in the 1-1 draw.
Though the memories of his playing days are a little hazy, he still recalls the moment vividly.
“It was in the second half, my teammate (Quah) Kim Song was waiting for the ball, but if I played it to him and ran, I’d be offside. So I went through (the defence), faked the goalkeeper to one side and scored,” he tells tabla!.
“Everyone was surprised. Nobody knew who this China team was because it was their first time playing outside their country. They were a really good team.”
Like many celebrated local footballers back in the day, Krishnan was talent-spotted at the famous Farrer Park field in the early 70s, during the heyday of Singapore football.
Known for his blistering pace on the wing, he played a prominent role in numerous Malaysia Cup campaigns and thrilled fans with his scintillating dribbles, elastic body feints and sudden acceleration; his pinpoint crosses from the left often a threat to opposing defenders.
Sadly, it was a career that lasted just under six years, until injuries – to both knees – forced Krishnan into retirement in 1977.
“I made a comeback in 1978, but was not the same. I was slow already,” he says. “So, I played on for another one, two years and I called it quits.”
When memories of his playing days fail him, Krishnan turns to his weighty tome of newspaper clippings, stashed conveniently under a coffee table in his Shunfu Road flat, just metres away from a glass cabinet stock-filled with trophies and medals from his glory years.
Flipping through the pages of clippings, he points at one and tells me about his national team debut against Burma in 1971 at Malaysia’s Merdeka Stadium, where the Lions won 1-0.
Then there was the time he bagged the top scorer award during a Vietnam National Day quadrangular tournament. “Four or five goals I scored in that one,” he says.
I ask him about the match where he twisted his right knee – and ultimately, his footballing fate. He does not recall the opposition or the venue, but assures me he was playing for Singapore at the time. “I was on the ball, an opponent came so I turned and twisted my knee. I tore my cartilage.”
Krishnan later also injured his left knee in similar fashion at Jalan Besar Stadium.
“I went for surgery on both knees, so the cartilage on both have been removed. When I tried playing again after that, it was difficult. I had to build back the muscle. One part of the leg was strong, but the other part (above the knee) was lembik (weak) like tahu.”
After retiring, Krishnan – who had his first name shortened to Roy by a British journalist during a training tour in England – went into coaching, first at local club Pioneer Arsenal and later Jurong FC, as an assistant coach to ex-international V. Sundramoorthy.
At Jurong, Krishnan also doubled up as the team’s kit man, making sure jerseys were ready for matches and that refreshments were at hand all around the training ground.
In 2003, when Jurong pulled out from the league, Krishnan found himself jobless. Thankfully, a referral from Sundram landed him a job at S. League side Albirex Niigata (S), a satellite Japanese team who entered the league that same year.
Krishnan remains with Albirex as their logistics manager. The club recently presented him with a long service award of 21 years along with a bonus cheque.
“I wanted to retire earlier, but the club told me to wait until I hit 21 years, so they can give me the award,” he says half-jest. “Now I’m still with them, but (on a) part-time (basis).”
Albirex chairman Daisuke Korenaga said the club is “truly grateful” Krishnan has been with them for so long.
“He has been with us since the days of Jurong FC, who used our home stadium, Jurong East Stadium, before Albirex Niigata Singapore was established,” Korenaga said.
“He knows the club well and also the history of Singapore football, so his presence has always been an asset to us.”
These days, Krishnan, now conspicuously bow-legged, has to use a walking stick whenever he’s outdoors. His knees don’t hurt, he says, but he does have to watch his diet – a requirement his wife ensures he adheres to.
“But I don’t regret anything, even (having to) walk around with a stick,” he says, as he flips through his album of news clippings.
“Ahh, here – the goal I scored against China,” he says, sitting up excitedly while pointing to a polaroid photo in black and white.
“Everyone was surprised. Nobody knew who this China team was because it was their first time playing outside their country. They were a really good team.”
