Proud mum and dad are footballer Thanabalan’s ardent fans

SEREMBAN: Malaysia’s striker N. Thanabalan (pic) has an ardent fan and she is no other than his mother.

V. Thiru Sundari, 52, said every time the opponents pressured the Malaysian defence, she would be very nervous.

“I was watching the match between Malaysia and Indonesia on Aug 26.

“When the goal was scored, I did not know it was my son who scored until several minutes later when the stadium was filled with shouts of ‘Thanabalan, Thanabalan’.

“He is not just my son. He is the son of Malaysia because the goal was not due to his efforts alone but the whole Malaysian team,” she said when met at her home.

Thanabalan’s father S. Nadarajah, 56, played an important role in the career of the national hero as he was responsible for unearthing the footballer’s talent.

He started training his son from a young age every week at the school field at SJK(T) Sungai Gadut, near here.

His parents cheered at home when Thanabalan was in action during the final match yesterday.

Malaysia qualified for the final yesterday through Thanabalan’s sensational last-minute header, from a Muhammad Nor Azam Abdul Azih cross, in the 87th minute.

Nadarajah, who was paralysed from the chest down due to an accident in April 2013, said his son entered into a contract with the Negri Sembilan football team to help with his medical cost before he was loaned to Felcra FC.

“Although he is busy with his training, he has never neglected us. He is also the source of my strength,” he said.