Zainal Abidin Hassan

Who is Zainal Abidin Hassan?

Zainal Abidin Hassan is a former Malaysian footballer and currently team manager for Pahang FA.

Zainal is well known as the best Malaysian footballer in the 80's and 90's. His football career started with Selangor FA in 1980. He played along with Malaysian legendary striker the late Mokhtar Dahari, R Arumugam, Soh Chin Aun and other recognized faces in Malaysian football.

In 1987, he partnered Dollah Salleh in front as they became the fierce striker for Selangor FA and Pahang FA in Malaysia Cup and also the national team in SEA Games and Merdeka Tournament. In 1996 Tiger Cup, Zainal was awarded as the MVP of the tournament. Three years later he was awarded the AFC Century Club.

He also played for Malaysia national futsal team, and was in the squad that took part in the 1996 FIFA Futsal World Championship in Spain.

He retired from football in 1999 and selected to coach the Malaysian youth in 2001. In 2002 he selected as the assistant coach for Malaysia senior team. He later coached Pahang FA and brought them their first Malaysia Super League title. In 2006 he guided Pahang FA to win the Malaysian FA Cup. After the contract with Pahang FA ended, he reunites with his partner Dollah Salleh. This time they act as manager-coach combination for Kuantan Port-Shahzan Muda FC.