Dollah Salleh quits as national coach

Dollah Salleh has resigned as Harimau Malaya chief coach following the squad's humiliating defeat in their third group A match in the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asia Cup Qualifying Round.

He made the decision to relinquish the post he held since June 28, 2014 as he felt responsible for the loss in which the national squad were beaten 0-10 by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, UAE, Thursday.

Dollah said he had informed Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin of his decision through a telephone call Friday morning.

"The decision is final. I have discussed the matter with Datuk Hamidin and all went smoothly," said Dollah, moments after arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport here Friday night.

Dollah conceded he was sad he ended his career as national squad coach with such a humiliating result.

The 0-10 defeat suffered by the national squad is the biggest in any international match.

Meanwhile, Dollah did not expect UAE would be able to inflict such a heavy defeat on Harimau Malaya in the match as the Malaysians launched countless attacks against the team under coach Mahdi Ali.

"I cannot fault the players and I have to accept the results. Mohd Razman Roslan had asked to wait until the match against Saudi Arabia but I said I cannot continue anymore," Dollah said.

Malaysia are scheduled to meet Saudi Arabia in the fourth match of group A on Sept 8 at Shah Alam Stadium.

"I am leaving the matter to FAM on my replacement for the Saudi Arabia game," said Dollah.

The 51-year-old coach is no stranger to the local football scene as he had helmed several local teams to victories in various championships in the Malaysia League and was in fact honoured as the coach with the magic touch.

Dollah's best achievements as a coach was in 2005 when he took the Selangor team to win a treble – the Premier League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup.

He also guided four teams in the Premier League to top of the table namely MPPJ FC (2004), Selangor (2005), Pahang (2012) and police (2014) in the Super League.

For the record, Dollah was appointed by FAM in 2014 after the body decided not to renew the contract of former coach Datuk K. Rajagobal which ended on Dec 31, 2013.