Former Singapore national footballer Adrian Dhanaraj dies after battle with cancer

Gombak United's Adrian Dhanaraj (right) battles for the ball with Harimau Muda's Thamil Arasu in this Feb 9, 2012 file photo. Former S-League footballer Adrian Dhanaraj passed away last night, losing a battle against Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of can
Gombak United's Adrian Dhanaraj (right) battles for the ball with Harimau Muda's Thamil Arasu in this Feb 9, 2012 file photo. Former S-League footballer Adrian Dhanaraj passed away last night, losing a battle against Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer of the white blood cells. -- ST FILE PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

Former S-League footballer Adrian Dhanaraj passed away last night, losing a battle against Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer of the white blood cells.

The 29-year-old, who earned two caps for Singapore in 2010 against Vietnam and North Korea, had suffered a relapse after undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

The defender, who played for Gombak United, Geylang United, Singapore Armed Forces FC and Young Lions, earned a reputation as an uncompromising hard tackler.

After his early retirement last year, he moved into television punditry, making a name for himself with frank and well-versed views on local and European football.

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