If you’re a fan of football, you would have watched a lot of matches and perhaps even participated in competitions yourself. Plus, you would probably be familiar with the footballers who played for Singapore too.
Shariff Samat
Shariff Samat, the son of former Singapore captain Samad Allapitchay, was a footballer who made many appearances in the Singapore Premier League (SPL), formerly known as S-League, for Sembawang Rangers, Home United, Young Lions, Tampines Rovers, Hougang United, Woodlands Wellington, and Geylang International.
In 2013, he managed to earn his only cap with the Lions when he played during the last 20 minutes in a friendly match against Myanmar. He also previously won a bronze medal with the Under-23 team during the 2007 SEA games in Thailand.
He had a lot of passion for football and it could be seen from the way he played each time on the pitch.
Unfortunately, he passed away on Monday, 10 February, suddenly due to a heart attack, and he left behind his wife and four-year-old daughter.
Upon hearing this piece of sad news, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) took it to Twitter to express their condolences.
The FAS is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of former player Shariff Samat. The defender earned one cap for Singapore in 2013 and made over 100 league appearances. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Shariff's family and loved ones during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/dFBWnUE9qK
— FAS (@FASingapore) February 10, 2020
Home United midfielder Shahril Ishak also joined in and expressed his grief. He spoke fondly of Shariff, saying that the latter was “really happy when [they] won the bronze medal, it meant so much to him and his dad.”
They were teammates during the 2007 SEA games. Ishak further added, “There was pressure on him because he’s the son of a football legend and people kept talking about whether he would take his father’s place, but I knew no matter what, he would give 100% in the game.”
36-year-old Thai club PT Prachuap defender Baihakki Khaizan, Shariff’s teammate from Young Lions in 2006, said that he was a great friend and that he was always “full of sincerity”. One could easily tell that he was “a very passionate person”.
Temper Issues
Other than being known for his passion, Shariff was also known for his bad temper. As a result of that, he has gotten into trouble with the law a few times.
He hurt his brother-in-law in 2016 and was given a jail term of two weeks afterwards.
On another occasion in 2003 when he was playing for Sembawang Rangers, he ran across the pitch during a match and punched Geylang defender Peter Bennett in an off-the-ball incident, causing him to suffer from a broken nose.
This resulted in him being banned for nine months and being subjected to a fine of $500 by the FAS.
When Shariff played in Hougang colours in 2011, he had a brawl with Etoile FC goalkeeper Hadama Bathily. The match ended up getting cancelled before the kick-off and as punishment, Shariff was not allowed to play for five games and was fined $1,500.
While it is true that he had temper issues, no one could deny the passion he had for football, and that was what earned him the respect and trust of those who believed in him.
35-year-old national goalkeeper Hassan Sunny, who played at Tampines with Shariff in 2008 and 2009, attested to this fact by saying that Shariff played every game “like it was a final”.
“When we lost, he would be in tears, but when we won, he would be hugging us.”
It is heartwrenching that the football scene has lost one passionate footballer at such a young age.
We at Goody Feed offer our deepest condolences to Mr Shariff Samat’s family and hope that they can get through this trying time.
