K. Nanthakumar

In this Indian name, the name Kaliappan is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Nanthakumar. The abbreviation "a/l" (anak lelaki) or "a/p" (anak perempuan), if used, means "son of" or "daughter of" in Malay respectively.

Nanthakumar Kaliappan (born 13 October 1977) or better known as K. Nanthakumar is a former Malaysian footballer where he played as a defensive midfielder. He was a member of the Malaysian national team from 2002 until 2010. Nanthakumar is a former head coach of Malaysia Super League club Negeri Sembilan.

K. Nanthakumar

Personal information
Full name	Nanthakumar a/l Kaliappan
Date of birth	(1977-10-13) 13 October 1977 (age 47)[1]
Place of birth	Perak, Malaysia
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Defensive Midfielder, Centre Back
Team information
Current team	Negeri Sembilan (head coach)
Youth career
1998	Perak President's Cup Team
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1998–2004	Perak FA	89	(5)
2005	MPPJ FC[2]	7	(0)
2006–2008	Perak FA[3]	41	(2)
2008–2010	Selangor FA[4]	22	(2)
2010–2012	Perak FA[5]	31	(1)
2013	Kelantan FA	7	(0)
2014	Negeri Sembilan FA	17	(0)
2015–2017	MISC-MIFA	??	(1)
International career‡
2002–2010	Malaysia	36[6]	(0)
Managerial career
2024–2025	Negeri Sembilan
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 January 2018 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 December 2013

Playing career

He is renowned for his physical appearance which is always quoted to overshadow many strikers in the Malaysian League. Having a six feet tall physique, Nanthakumar is not only tough in defend but also can even score a goal for Perak FA.^[7]

He had represented Malaysia since the 2002 Tiger Cup. From then onwards, he has been a regular on the national team. He helped Malaysia to finish third in the 2004 Tiger Cup and even made a semi final appearance during the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship. Furthermore, he was chosen to be on the national team for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where he played in all of Malaysia's matches. He was also part of the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying squad.^[8][9]

Managerial career

On 15 September 2024, Nanthakumar was appointed as the head coach of Malaysia Super League club Negeri Sembilan.

Managerial statistics

As of 30 April 2025

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	Nat	From	To	Record								Ref.
				G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
Negeri Sembilan		15 September 2024	30 April 2025	21	4	4	13	23	40	−17	019.05	[citation needed]
Career Total				21	4	4	13	23	40	−17	019.05

Honours

Club

Perak FA

• Liga Perdana 1: 2002, 2003
• Malaysia FA Cup: 2004
• Malaysia Cup: 1998, 2000
• Piala Sumbangsih: 1999

Selangor FA

• Malaysia Super League: 2009
• Malaysia FA Cup: 2009
• Piala Sumbangsih: 2009

MISC-MIFA

• Malaysia FAM Cup: 2016