Putting in the extra hours transformed ex-footballer Zainal Abidin Hassan from right back to multiple Golden Boot winner

Malaysia's legendary footballer, Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan, remains indebted to his former coach Frank Lord as the Englishman's intensive two weeks of training turned Zainal from a formidable right back to a menacing striker. Recalling his transition in the recent episode of the podcast, Julang, Zainal said he was already used to playing up front during his school days due to his large frame.

"But when I started playing at the club level, there were many good strikers representing other clubs. There were the likes of Datuk K. Rajagobal, Allahyarham Datuk Mokhtar Dahari and many more," said Zainal.

"So the easiest way to get into the team was to be a defender. So I played as a defender with Kelab Sultan Sulaiman and got called up to play for Selangor, as a right back."

Selangor, popularly known as the Red Giants, was then coached by Chow Kwai Lam. The team played against Singapore in the 1980 Malaysia Cup final — Zainal's first appearance in the title decider of the prestigious tournament. Selangor lost 2-1 in that match.

"I played in the quarter-final, semi-final but in the Malaysia Cup final, I only came in the last 20 minutes. This is because before the final, Kwai Lam pulled me aside and said I was 16, and he didn't want to ruin my career in front of 55,000 fans. It was my first time playing in front of such a large crowd at Stadium Merdeka.

"We were trailing Singapore and he put me in. With a pair of fresh legs, Selangor started attacking and we managed to score a goal. But we still lost the match. The next day, the headlines slammed Kwai Lam for not fielding me early on. I felt sorry for him as his intention was good, and I thank him for it. I respect the decision he made. I went on to become successful in my football career."

Zainal and Co. got their revenge the following year as Selangor annihilated Singapore 4-0 in the 1981 Malaysia Cup final. In the 1982 final, Selangor edged Terengganu 1-0 to win the trophy.

"I then got an offer from Pahang and told myself, why not. It was in 1983. I spoke to Mokhtar, seeking his approval. And after much persuasion, he agreed that I should go."

As Zainal had to observe a two-week cooling-off period for changing teams, he was part of the reserve side who trained with the first 11.

"I was playing in my position at right back but 15 minutes later Lord blew the whistle and told me that I'm not a defender but more of an attacker."

Zainal later learnt that Lord and Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who was then the Crown Prince of Pahang and actively involved in Pahang football, had discussed and agreed upon Zainal's new position on the field.

Lord then started a two-week intensive training with Zainal at Stadium Darul Makmur in Kuantan daily.

"I felt like punching him," he joked.

"Lord taught me the basics — the role of a striker. He was a class act. My training at noon was just me and Lord, and it was over and above the 4pm daily training."

"In my first game at Stadium Darul Makmur, Pahang defeated Terengganu and I scored a hat-trick for the team. That was the result of two weeks of intensive training. Had it been two years, I think I would be at the same level with Ronaldo," Zainal said in jest.

Zainal went on to win the Golden Boot in 1983, 1986, 1989 and 1992. He also donned the national colours and scored numerous goals for the Malaysian team.

"That's the importance of putting in the extra hours. In the past, if you didn't put in the extra hours, you'd get ridiculed by the seniors. I remember Datuk Soh Chin Aun telling me why am I not putting in the extra hours when tendang pun tak betul (can't kick right)."

"But I don't see this happening today."

Catch the full episode on Julang's YouTube.