KUALA LUMPUR: Former national footballer Datuk M. Chandran died at his residence in Ampang Jaya, here, this morning. He was 77.
The former national and Selangor captain died at 7.30am surrounded by his family members.
Chandran, who was born in Sungai Siput, Perak, started his career with the Selangor Indian Association (SIA).
He was spotted by then Selangor team manager Datuk Harun Idris when he was with working for Chartered Bank.
Playing in the centre-back position, Chandran helped Selangor win several trophies including the prestigious Malaysia Cup.
He also played an instrumental role when Malaysia qualified for the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Two years later, he retired and became a coach.
Former teammate, Datuk Soh Chin Aun said: "He had excellent leadership qualities and was respected by his teammates and the football fraternity."
Datuk N. Thanabalan, also a former teammate, said: "Chandran's passing is a great loss to me personally as he was more of a close friend than a teammate.
"We played together for Malaysia for seven years."
Former international Datuk Santokh Singh said: "He was a player with the highest level of discipline, commitment and dedication to the sports that he loved so much and sacrificed part of his life to.
"He was always there to provide moral support when the odds were against us.
"A true leader who held the team together and led the team to its highest achievement the nation had achieved so far, qualifying and playing in the 1972 Munich Olympics. He will be greatly missed."