KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Former Harimau Malaya coach B. Sathianathan died today after almost a year-long battle with cancer.

He was 65.

The news was confirmed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Media, Communications and Public Relations Committee chairman, Christopher Raj, who said Sathianathan died at 1.25pm today at the University Malaya Medical Centre.

"He was fighting cancer for almost a year and was hospitalised for the past two to three months.

"I will update the funeral details later, as we are at the hospital making the arrangements,” he said when contacted here.

Meanwhile, FAM conveyed its deepest condolences to his family.

Sathianathan was also the Malaysian Football Coaches Association (PJBM) president.

His greatest achievement was successfully leading the under-23 squad (B-23) to the 2007 Merdeka tournament title and being appointed the head coach of Harimau Malaya until early 2009.

The former Negeri Sembilan player also coached several local teams, including Kelantan, the Armed Forces, Felda United, Selangor and Sarawak United.

Sathianathan had to take a break from coaching after undergoing cancer treatment last year. — Bernama