MALACCA: "He was like a son to me, I am saddened over his passing."
This was the sentiment of President's Cup team manager and Melaka United Soccer Association vice president Khairi Anuar Ahmad, after learning of young Malacca goalkeeper Stefan Petrovski's death on Sunday.
"I was shocked when I was told of the news by the assistant to the association's team manager Datuk Yusof Mahadi," he said when contacted in Sabah by the New Straits Times.
Khairi said he was very fond of Petrovski as he was a dedicated goalkeeper.
"He was a dedicated goalkeeper and boasted that he wanted to be the best goalkeeper in the country.
"He was very jovial, a good boy, liked by his teammates and always wanted to be better.
"It is God's will that He wanted to take him (Petrovski) away from us and it is a blow to us all," he added.
Khairi said it was a double blow for him as he was unable to be by Petrovski's side in Malacca as he is now in Sabah.
"I was informed of the news at about 4.15pm, not long after I touched down at Kota Kinabalu at 3pm for the match with Sabah on Monday," he said.
Khairi remembered Petrovski's performance during the last game he played against Terengganu in March.
"He (Petrovski) played very well and made several crucial saves which saw Melaka United winning by 2-0.
"It was the first game in which he represented the team and he performed well," he said.
Meanwhile, Malacca United head coach Mat Zan Mat Aris expressed shock at Petrovski's untimely death.
He said the young goalkeeper had the potential to become an outstanding goalkeeper in the future.
"He was just 18. He had the physical features required to become a good goalkeeper.
"It is tragic that he left us at such a young age," he said.
Mat Zan said Petrovski had expressed his intention to end his football career in Malaysia because he loved the country.