Yunus confirms elder brother Abdah's marriage after viral photo

KUALA LUMPUR: The question of whether national football legend Datuk Abdah Alif recently married a young woman aged 20 surfaced after a photo of the 72-year-old footballer with a woman purportedly his partner went viral on social media. The image suggested a wedding ceremony, sparking curiosity among football fans about the true status of the legendary player.

The confusion surrounding Abdah's marital status was ultimately resolved when his younger brother, Datuk Yunus Alif, confirmed to the media that his brother had indeed tied the knot. Yunus, also a former national player and coach, revealed that the marriage took place on August 27 in Kuala Terengganu, with both families giving their consent, eliminating any issues.

He expressed his hopes for the couple's happiness and hinted that they might be on their honeymoon, as he had not answered calls due to their absence. The picture confirming the wedding was deemed genuine by a former teammate, though no additional details on the date and location of the ceremony were provided. The news of Abdah's marriage is likely to draw significant attention, considering his status as one of the key players during Malaysia's golden era of football in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Abdah was not only a talented player but also played a crucial role in the national team's qualification for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, alongside other renowned players like Datuk Soh Chin Aun, Datuk Santokh Singh, and Datuk Jamal Nasir Ismail. Malaysia secured its spot in the Olympics by defeating South Korea 2-1 in the decisive match, but Abdah and his teammates' Olympic dreams were dashed when Malaysia decided to boycott the Games in protest against the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.