KUALA LUMPUR – Former national football team skipper Ahmad Shahrul Azhar credits speaking Tamil on the pitch as a “secret weapon” that helped forge a unique bond with the late striker T. Gopinath Naidu.
The Perak FC legend’s remarks came following the death of Gopinath — a former teammate with whom he shared great camaraderie in the 1990s — who died of cardiac arrest on May 24 at the age of 51.
Gopinath, affectionately known as the ‘Kuala Lumpur Wonder Boy’, began his professional career with Kuala Lumpur in 1992.
He played a vital role in helping the team clinch back-to-back FA Cup titles in 1993 and 1994, before a brief spell with Perak in 1996.
As a youth, Gopinath trained abroad with English Premier League side Aston Villa and Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen — a rare achievement for Malaysian players at the time.
Internationally, he represented Malaysia at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima and took part in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics pre-qualifying campaign.
Speaking to Scoop, Shahrul said Gopinath was not only a humble and versatile player, but also a feared goal-scorer whose overseas experience set him apart.
Shahrul recalled how speaking Tamil with Gopinath created an unspoken understanding that gave Perak a tactical edge.
“Gopinath was a star player for Kuala Lumpur before joining Perak. He was smart, versatile, and knew how to handle situations both on and off the field.
“We used Tamil on the pitch to communicate discreetly, especially when facing tough opponents. It built trust and helped us coordinate better.
“I was brought up in an estate in Chepor, Perak, and Tamil was part of my environment from a young age. I’ve always connected well with Tamil-speaking teammates because I understand the culture, the humour, the rhythm of the language.
“With Gopi, that synergy was on another level. We didn’t need long conversations — we just clicked. We knew what each other was going to do even before the ball arrived. That kind of chemistry is rare.”
At the same time, Shahrul described Gopinath as a clinical player who had immense potential to become one of Malaysia’s greatest footballers — had it not been for his injuries.
Gopinath’s promising career was cut short by recurring knee injuries, forcing him into early retirement at the age of 25.
“Gopi was calm and clinical in front of goal. As an opponent, you had to play at 200% because of his overseas experience and intelligence.
“Even though he came in as a star player from KL, Gopi was incredibly humble. There was never any arrogance — just quiet confidence and a deep love for the game.
“He was a goal-getter — a versatile forward who could adapt to different roles on the field.
“Unfortunately, injuries disrupted what could have been a legendary career. He carried those knee injuries for years, and the recovery process wasn’t easy.
“It’s really painful to think about what could’ve been. If he had stayed fit, I truly believe Gopi would’ve gone on to become one of the best strikers Malaysia has ever produced. His talent was rare.”
Shahrul also shared fond off-field memories of Gopinath, recalling how they would often enjoy tosai after matches.
“After matches, we’d chill, eat tosai, and talk football. Those were good times — I miss them.
“The last time we met was during a Super League match between KL and Perak in 2022. We laughed and caught up. We had planned to have dinner but never got the chance — I regret that.
“We also reminisced about the late Shebby Singh, who was also our teammate at Perak.
“Losing Gopi now is truly heartbreaking. I’m going to miss the beautiful memories I had with him.” — May 26, 2025
The post ‘Tamil was our secret weapon’: Perak legend Ahmad Shahrul Azhar on his rare bond with the late Gopinath Naidu appeared first on Scoop.