Football pundits Syed Adney and Roshan share unforgettable moments

KUCHING: Football fans got an exclusive look at the career-defining moments of former Malaysia international goalkeeper Syed Adney Syed Hussein and renowned football host Roshan Narayan as they shared their standout experiences – from championship victories to unforgettable encounters with football icons.

If you have been following Sarawak Tribune’s recent interviews with football experts, you’ll know that the publication recently discussed key football topics with Syed Adney and Roshan.

In a recent interview with Sarawak Tribune, both opened up about the extraordinary moments that shaped their careers in football and media.

Syed Adney, whose iconic career includes playing for the national team, recalled his most significant achievement – winning the 2007 Merdeka Cup.

Reflecting on the championship, he described the overwhelming emotion of playing in front of 70,000–80,000 spectators in the final.

“Winning the Merdeka Cup, especially after defeating teams like Singapore and Myanmar, was surreal. It was an unforgettable moment.

“After the victory, I ran to the grandstand, chanting with the crowd—it was a true highlight of my career.”

Meanwhile, Roshan, known for his insightful football coverage and as a prominent host, shared his own standout memory from his career.

“One moment that stands out is when I was pitchside in Brighton in 2019, witnessing the Premier League trophy presentation.

“I was the first person from Astro to be on the pitch for such a moment.

“I was interviewing (Manchester City star and ex-Germany international) lIkay Gündogan, it was surreal,” he said.

Roshan’s passion for football took him to iconic global events, including the Premier League’s final day, Leicester City’s historic title win, Frank Lampard’s game in England at the Etihad Stadium and David Beckham’s debut for Paris Saint-Germain.

But one of his most emotional encounters came during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when he met legendary footballer Diego Maradona.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw him—Diego Maradona, the hero to so many. I asked for a photo.

“He grabbed my hand, spun me around for a selfie, and even called me back for another picture. It was the moment of a lifetime,” Roshan recalled.

The impact of that encounter was profound. He shared that after meeting Maradona, he emailed his late father to share the experience.

“I told my father, ‘Pa, I just met Diego Maradona.’ It was one of those moments that you never forget.”

Roshan reflected that his encounter with Maradona made him take a step back and evaluate whether he had achieved everything he set out to in his career.

“I thought, ‘Have I done everything?’ That encounter was so surreal that I considered stepping away from the industry. But five years later, here I am, back with TVS,” he said.

Both Syed Adney and Roshan’s stories offer a rare glimpse into the remarkable journeys of two prominent figures in Malaysian football.

While Syed Adney’s Merdeka Cup victory remains a milestone in his career, Roshan’s encounter with Maradona will forever be a defining moment of his career.