PETALING JAYA: Legendary Malaysian footballer Syed Ahmad Abu Bakar has passed away at the age of 76 after battling prostate cancer for two years.

       He leaves behind his wife, Samihah Razali Abd, and five children, Syed Ahmad Shahazuddin, Syed Zaimuddin, Wan Noor Atikah, Syed Abu Bakar and Syed Zamilluddin.

       Born on April 20, 1946, Syed Ahmad was instrumental in getting Malaysia to the 1972 Olympics in Munich.

       He scored five goals in the qualifiers, helping Harimau Malaya beat sides like South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan. He wore the famed national jersey from 1966 to 1974.

       During his period with the national team, Syed Ahmad won the Pestabola Merdeka in 1966, 1968 and 1974.

       Syed Ahmad also helped Malaysian win the Asian Games bronze medal in 1974, when he, Mokhtar Dahari and Isa Bakar formed Malaysia's attacking trident who scored a total of 20 goals in the tournament.

       In the domestic scene, he played for his home state, Penang and Kedah.