Dato' Abdul Shukor bin Salleh DSPN AMN (born 4 December 1948) is a Malaysian former professional footballer. He was a key midfield player for the Malaysia national football team during the 1970s.[2] He was often called the "Mr.Cool" and "Malaysia Ardiles" of the Malaysian national team for the composure with which he steered the Malaysian midfield.[2] He won the Malaysian National Sportsman Award in 1977 for his contribution to the national team.[3][4] Furthermore, he was the second and the last football player after Mokhtar Dahari to be given that award.[4] On 17 September 2014, FourFourTwo list him on their list of the top 25 Malaysian footballers of all time.[5][6] He was inducted into the FIFA Century Club in May 2021.[7][8]
Shukor Salleh was born in Tanjung Bungah, Penang in 1948.[9] He received his early education at Tanjung Bungah Malay School, before going to Tanjung Tokong English School.[10] He then completed his high school education at St. Xavier's Institution.[10]
Shukor Salleh made his debut as a player with the Penang at the age of 18 in 1966.[11] He went on to play for them until he was 37 in 1985.[11]
Shukor Salleh first played for the Malaysian national team in 1970 King's Cup.[12] He also played for the national B team from 1971 until 1972. He went on to play a total of 215 matches for Malaysia (including non 'A' matches).[13] 172 caps is against full national team.[14] He is the second most capped Malaysian player, behind Soh Chin Ann.[15]
He played for Malaysia at many international tournaments including four editions of the SEA Games, two Asian Games and two AFC Asian Cup.[16]
On 11 May 1975, Shukor is part of the Malaysia Selection that played against Arsenal FC in a friendly match which his team won by 2–0 at Merdeka Stadium.[17][18]
He also was a key player in midfield to the Malaysian team that qualified to the 1980 Olympic games Moscow which Malaysia boycotted.[19] Malaysia won the play-off against South Korea with a 2–1 score in the Merdeka Stadium.[20]
For his contribution to Malay football community in Penang state as a coach and speaker, he was awarded Maal Hijrah Sports Figure by Penang Malay Association in 2002.[21]
During his international career, Shukor had a total of 215 appearances for Malaysia (including matches played against club sides, national 'B' teams and selection teams).[13] Against other nations' national 'A' teams, he had a total of 172 appearances and scored 5 goals for the national team.[1] He is one of the most international caps with 150 or more appearances for national team in international history and the second most capped Malaysian player, after Soh Chin Ann.[14]
| Shukor Salleh International Goals | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 15 November 1970 | Bangkok, Thailand |  South Vietnam |
— | 2–1 | 1970 King's Cup |
| 2. | 2 September 1973 | Singapore |  Thailand |
— | 1−1 | 1973 SEAP |
| 3. | 23 March 1975 | Bangkok, Thailand | South Vietnam |
— | 3−0 | 1976 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 4. | 14 August 1975 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |  Indonesia |
— | 2−1 | 1975 Merdeka Tournament |
| 5. | 13 September 1976 | Seoul, South Korea |  Singapore |
— | 4–1 | 1976 President's Cup |
Penang
Malaysia
Individual
Malaysia
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Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (AMN) (1978)[29]
Officer of the Order of the Defender of State (DSPN) – Dato'[29]
