Firos Had No Health Issues, Was Scheduled To Send Son To KPTM In Bangi Today - Wife

BALIK PULAU, July 6 (Bernama) – Former Penang football goalkeeper, Firos Mohamed, who passed away last night after reportedly collapsing during a four-corner Dr Zambry Abd Kadir Cup match at the Manjung Municipal Council Stadium in Perak, had no prior illnesses, including heart-related conditions.

His wife, Fildaanis Mat, 51, said her 53-year-old husband was very active in football and currently served as a goalkeeping coach for the Penang Football Academy.

"I, along with our children (three sons aged 18 to 29), accompanied him to the tournament because we wanted to watch him play at the stadium. According to our plan, today we were supposed to drop off our youngest son (Mohamad Fairiel Danish, 18) at Kolej Poli-tech MARA (KPTM) in Bangi, Selangor, to continue his studies in sports management there.

"Yesterday, before the match, he didn't show any signs of discomfort; he just looked very enthusiastic, playing like a young man, especially when we were down 0-1 to the EX-Kedah team in the last quarter. Two minutes before the end of the match, he suddenly collapsed," she told reporters after Firos' burial at the Ridwaniah Mosque Muslim Cemetery, Sungai Batu, here.

Earlier, the body was bathed and shrouded before funeral prayers were held at the Kampung Melayu Surau in Air Itam which was attended by over 100 people, including friends and family members, attended the burial ceremony, which concluded fully at 4:30 pm.

Fildaanis said her family is still shocked by the incident, especially their youngest son, who rushed to the field after seeing his father collapse. Mohamad Fairiel Danish even fainted after realizing his father was unconscious on the field.

"He never complained of any pain and had no serious illnesses. I was just struck by how he kept looking at my face these past few days, and the last time I saw him was when we were together on the bus from the hotel in Manjung to the stadium for the tournament," she said.

Mohamad Fairiel Danish, although deeply saddened by his father's passing, said he needs to be strong to continue his studies in sports education as he wants to become a sports teacher.

"My father was very happy when he knew I would be pursuing studies in sports because he had always taken us to the field since we were young to watch him play, especially football," he said.

Meanwhile, ExPenang team manager Mohd Azmi Ali, 57, said he and the deceased had been close for the past 20 years, having played together in the President's Cup team and the Penang Football team.

"He was among the best goalkeepers in Penang and was once selected as one of six state players to represent Malaysia for a Barcelona Football Club training program in the 80s, besides being Malaysia's goalkeeper in the 90s," he said.

Meanwhile, ExPenang team coach Radzuan Putah, 60, who is also a former Penang football player, said that during training last week, the deceased complained of chest pain but did not undergo further examination as he informed them he had recovered.

"His death is a great loss to the football industry in Penang and the country," said Radzuan, who is also the President of the Penang Former Football Players Association.

Earlier, several videos went viral on social media showing Firos collapsing while playing against a legendary team from Kedah, before Manjung District Police Chief ACP Hasbullah Abd Rahman confirmed that Firos Mohamed died of a heart attack.

-- BERNAMA