KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah expressed their condolences to the family of national football legend Syed Ahmad Syed Abu Bakar who died today.

Their Majesties expressed their sadness with Syed Ahmad's passing and described his death as a great loss for the country's football sport.

"Their Majesties also expressed the hope that his family would be patient and resolute in facing the situation and pray that his soul will be showered with blessings by Allah SWT and placed with the righteous," according to a post on the Istana Negara Facebook page today.

Syed Ahmad, who began his football career representing Johor in the Combined Schools competition, went on to play in the Burnley Cup in 1961 before representing the country from 1966 to1974, helping the national team to victory in the Merdeka Tournament in 1966, 1968 and 1974.

He will always be remembered for the goal he scored as the hero who helped guide the national team to qualify for the Munich Olympic Games in 1972.

-- BERNAMA