News Singapore Premier League • August 17, 2021
Geylang International goalkeeper Zainol Gulam retires
Zainol Gulam during Geylang International’s match against the Young Lions, 20 March 2021.
SINGAPORE, 17 AUGUST 2021 – Goalkeeper Zainol Gulam has called an end to his professional football career after four years at Geylang International.
The Eagles confirmed the news yesterday via their social media channels with a video post that thanked the 29-year-old for his service since his arrival in 2018 and stated that he would be embarking “on a career change with the public sector”.
Zainol said in the video: “I will miss the players – how we prepare for games (and) the ups and downs on the field. Sometimes we argue (but) we push one another, we want the best for each other; even when we lose, the next day we always come back stronger. I will miss that feeling. Most of the games (from now on), I will be coming down to see the boys (as) I am close with them… I really hope the club moves forward and achieves something.”
Zainol made 43 appearances in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) and eight more in the Singapore Cup for Geylang. The shot-stopper is perhaps most remembered for an outstanding individual display against former club Warriors FC in May 2018 during an SPL match at the Singapore Sports Hub to help Geylang to a 2-0 victory. In 2019, he produced the winning save in a marathon penalty shoot-out to help Geylang defeat Brunei DPMM and clinch third place in the Singapore Cup.
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Prior to his Geylang move, Zainol made his professional debut in 2016 with the Warriors, with whom he started his career three years prior. A season at Woodlands Wellington followed in 2014 before he turned out for semi-professional outfit Singapore Recreation Club in 2015. Zainol established himself as first-choice in his first two seasons at Geylang, before injury restricted him to just four appearances last season.
He has been called up to train with the national team on two occasions in 2019 and his boots will now be filled by Hairul Syirhan and Wayne Chew at club level.
Everyone at the SPL and FAS wishes Zainol all the best in his future endeavours!
