K. Rajagopal
Encyclopedia
Datuk K. Rajagopal, (Rajagopal Krishnasamy) (Tamil: கி.ராஜகோபால்; born July 10, 1956) is a Malaysian football
manager and former professional player. He is currently the head coach of Malaysia
and former Under-23 Malaysia
coach.
Rajagopal is also a football pundit
for Malaysian satellite television network Astro
, including the twice-weekly FourFourTwo TV Show
.
in the Malaysian semi-professional league from 1978 until 1989. He is a former national striker, with 20 international caps between 1980 and 1983.
. He also had stints as club coach with Selangor FA
and Kelantan FA
.
He was made the national coach for the young Malaysia U-20
team from 2004 until 2006; and the Malaysian U-19 (known as Harimau Muda A) in 2007 to 2009. Under his guidance, Harimau Muda A became the Premier League champion in 2009. Since July 2009, he is the head coach for both the Malaysian national and the Malaysian U-23
squad.
Rajagopal is best-known for guiding Malaysia's Under-23 side to its first gold medal in 20 years at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games
in Laos where the team defeated Vietnam 1-0 in the final on December 17 after earlier knocking out 8-time defending champions, Thailand, in the group stage. After the victory, Rajagopal earned the nickname "King Raja". In July 2009, Rajagopal coached Malaysia in two games against English champions, Manchester United
, losing in both matches 2–3 and 0–2. He also lead Malaysia national football team to successfully win the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2010.
His philosophy of changing the tactical approach from a defensive to offensive playing style has been rewarded. His young team has shown a high standard of football possession, good defensive structure and clinical finish en route to clinch the AFF Suzuki Cup although his side lost their main charismatic and influential defender (Aidil Zafuan)and many more potential young players from the first team lineup.
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Balairong Seri, Istana Negara.
Malaysia
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
manager and former professional player. He is currently the head coach of Malaysia
Malaysia national football team
The Malaysian national football team nicknamed Harimau Malaya, as the Malayan Tiger, is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia...
and former Under-23 Malaysia
Malaysia national under-23 football team
Malaysia national under-23 football team represents Malaysia in international football competitions in Olympic Games, Asian Games and SEA Games, as well as any other under-23 international football tournaments...
coach.
Rajagopal is also a football pundit
Pundit
Pundit may refer to:* Pandit or pundit in India, a scholar or expert, especially of traditional Indian law, philosophy, or music* Pundit , a 19th century term to denote native surveyors who explored regions to the north of India for the British Empire* Pundit , an expert or opinion-leader who...
for Malaysian satellite television network Astro
Astro (Malaysian satellite television)
Astro is the brand name of the Malaysian direct broadcast satellite pay television service. It transmits digital satellite television and radio to households in Malaysia & Brunei...
, including the twice-weekly FourFourTwo TV Show
FourFourTwo TV Show
FourFourTwo is a thrice-weekly football magazine television show on Asian cable channel, Astro SuperSport, broadcasting to Malaysia and Brunei in association with global football magazine, FourFourTwo. In its third season, FourFourTwo has highlights from European leagues including England's Premier...
.
As player
K. Rajagopal played for PKNS FCPKNS FC
Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor Football Club or PKNS FC is a Malaysia club based in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. This team is currently playing in the second tier of Malaysian football, the Malaysia Premier League. It is also involved in the Malaysian FA Cup and the Malaysian President's Cup...
in the Malaysian semi-professional league from 1978 until 1989. He is a former national striker, with 20 international caps between 1980 and 1983.
As manager
Rajagopal started his coaching career in 1990 with PKNS FCPKNS FC
Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor Football Club or PKNS FC is a Malaysia club based in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. This team is currently playing in the second tier of Malaysian football, the Malaysia Premier League. It is also involved in the Malaysian FA Cup and the Malaysian President's Cup...
. He also had stints as club coach with Selangor FA
Selangor FA
The Football Association of Selangor , commonly referred to as FAS or simply Selangor, competes in Malaysian football competitions representing the state of Selangor Darul Ehsan. The team is based in Shah Alam city. They are currently playing in Malaysian Super League, the top-flight of Malaysian...
and Kelantan FA
Kelantan FA
The Kelantan Football Association enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. The team is based in the city of Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. They are currently playing in the top division in Malaysian football, the Malaysia Super League...
.
He was made the national coach for the young Malaysia U-20
Malaysia national under-20 football team
Harimau Muda A, or Malaysia national under-22 football team also known as Malaysia U-22, represents Malaysia in international football competitions such as AFC Youth Championship, Champions Youth Cup and as well as any other under-22 international football tournaments. It is controlled by the...
team from 2004 until 2006; and the Malaysian U-19 (known as Harimau Muda A) in 2007 to 2009. Under his guidance, Harimau Muda A became the Premier League champion in 2009. Since July 2009, he is the head coach for both the Malaysian national and the Malaysian U-23
Malaysia national under-23 football team
Malaysia national under-23 football team represents Malaysia in international football competitions in Olympic Games, Asian Games and SEA Games, as well as any other under-23 international football tournaments...
squad.
Rajagopal is best-known for guiding Malaysia's Under-23 side to its first gold medal in 20 years at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games
Southeast Asian Games
The Southeast Asian Games , is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia...
in Laos where the team defeated Vietnam 1-0 in the final on December 17 after earlier knocking out 8-time defending champions, Thailand, in the group stage. After the victory, Rajagopal earned the nickname "King Raja". In July 2009, Rajagopal coached Malaysia in two games against English champions, Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, losing in both matches 2–3 and 0–2. He also lead Malaysia national football team to successfully win the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2010.
His philosophy of changing the tactical approach from a defensive to offensive playing style has been rewarded. His young team has shown a high standard of football possession, good defensive structure and clinical finish en route to clinch the AFF Suzuki Cup although his side lost their main charismatic and influential defender (Aidil Zafuan)and many more potential young players from the first team lineup.
Awards and recognition
On June 4, 2011, K. Rajagopal was awarded the Panglima Jasa Negara (P.J.N) which carries the title Datuk in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's birthday, 2011. He was among 67 recipients of the awards from His MajestyYang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Balairong Seri, Istana Negara.
MalaysiaMalaysia national football teamThe Malaysian national football team nicknamed Harimau Malaya, as the Malayan Tiger, is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia...
- ASEAN Football Championship
- Winners (1): 20102010 AFF Suzuki CupThe 2010 AFF Cup, sponsored by Suzuki and officially named the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, took place on December 1–29, 2010. Indonesia and Vietnam hosted the preliminary stage from 1 to 7 December for Group A and 2 to 8 December for Group B. The semi-finals were played home and away with the first legs...
- SEA Games
- Winners/Gold medals (1): 2009 SEA GamesFootball at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games----------------- Group B :--------- Knockout stages :- Semi-finals :----- Third place match :- Final :- Group stage :----------------- Final :- References :...