Mohamad’s daughter, Siti Mardhiana, told Astro Awani that he died from “sepsis secondary to myelodysplastic syndrome”.

She said he died at 10.50am at the Advanced Institute of Medicine and Dentistry, Universiti Sains Malaysia, in Kepala Batas, Penang.

He was previously receiving treatment at the Penang Hospital Haematology ward in George Town.

His body will be brought back to his home in Teluk Ayer Tawar. He will be buried at the Bagan Ajam cemetery in Butterworth this evening.

Mohamad, who began his football career in the 1960s, had worked as an assistant coach for the 1980 Moscow Olympics national team before he was appointed the head coach of the Harimau Malaya team in 1985.

Youth and Sports Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican extended his condolences to Mohamad’s family in a Facebook post.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah hoped Mohamad’s family would be patient in their moment of grief, Bernama reported.

“His deeds, services, and contributions are highly appreciated and his death is a huge loss to the country’s football arena,” according to a posting on the official Istana Negara’s Facebook page.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his family expressed their condolences to Mohamad’s family.

He also expressed the government’s thanks for his services to the nation throughout his footballing career, especially in helping the national squad qualify for the 1972 Munich Olympics.