KUALA LUMPUR: Well-known local football coach Ismail Zakaria died of a heart attack at a private hospital in Cheras today. He was 60.
Ismail, a former head coach of the national beach soccer team, had also guided several teams that played in the M-League, including Sime Darby FC, Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan FA and UiTM FC.
He was FAM Coaching Education Department head in 2017, and was also an instructor for coaching courses.
Among Ismail's successes were leading Sime Darby to the 2010 FAM League title, second place in the 2012 FA Cup and runners-up in the 2013 Premier League.
Kuala Lumpur City midfielder Zhafri Yahya, 27, said the influential Ismail played a pivotal role in his career in 2016.
"It's a big shock for me to hear about his demise. He was a kind coach who believed in young players. He was very involved in my career, signing me for KL in 2016.
"He gave me playing time with KL, at that time not a lot of coaches would give young players much play time but he did.
"He emphasised on players' techniques in training, and it really helped me to reach the level I am at now.
"He always advised players and took care of our welfare. I will never forget his kindness when I was learning as a young footballer," Zhafri said.