R. Arumugam

Datuk Arumugam Rengasamy (also known as Spiderman) was a Malaysian international football player from Selangor. His long arms and difficult saves earned him the nickname "Spiderman".

Career He made his debut for Selangor FA when he was 18 years old in the Burnley Cup youth competition in 1971.

International R. Arumugam was called up to the Malaysian national football team in 1973 for the World Cup qualifying round matches in Seoul, South Korea. He retired during the 1986 Asian Games.

Death and legacy R. Arumugam died in a car accident at Federal Highway near Petaling Jaya on 18 December 1988. His wife, Maria Selvie survived the incident with his two daughters, Subha Arumugam and Rubha Arumugam.

In recognition of his services to both state and nation, the Football Association of Selangor and Public Bank, where Arumugam had been employed, started a trust fund in his name on 5 January 1989. On 4 June 2011, Yang Dipertuan Agong posthumously awarded him the Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN), which carries the title "Datuk".

The character of Muthu Kumar in Ola Bola, a 2016 film chronicling the Malaysian national team's road to the 1980 Olympic qualifiers, was based on Arumugam.

Honours Club F.A. Selangor Malaysian League (1): Champion: 1984 Malaysia Cup (8): Winner: 1973, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986 Malaysia Charity Shield (2): Winner: 1985, 1987

International Merdeka Tournament (5) Winners: 1973, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1986 SEA Games (2) Winners: 1977, 1979 Runners-up: 1975, 1981 Bronze Medal: 1973, 1983, 1985 Asian Games Bronze Medal: 1974

Individual AFC Asian All Stars: 1982, 1985 AFC Century Club Awards 1999 OCM Hall of Fame 2004 Ex-State & Ex-National Footballers Association of Malaysia Honour: 2011 Goal.com The best Malaysia XI of all time: 2020

Records Malaysia national football team all-time most clean-sheets: 50 The first Asian footballers to reach 50 clean-sheets in national team: (1973–1986)