Latest news with #ArifAimanHanapi
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Drawing the cheers
Getting intense: Malaysia's Arif Aiman Hanapi (centre) trying to get past two Cape Verde players at the Cheras Football Stadium. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: It was not a win but a performance filled with belief, grit, and glimpses of a new identity taking shape. Malaysia coach Peter Cklamovski was full of pride as Harimau Malaya battled to a 1-1 draw against world No. 72 Cape Verde at the Cheras Football Stadium on Thursday night. Despite trailing early and facing a side boasting several Europe-based talents, the Malaysians refused to bow. The hosts adapted and grew stronger as the game progressed. Cape Verde took the lead in the ninth minute through wingback Sidny Cabral, who rifled a powerful finish past the Malaysian defence. But the equaliser, when it came in the 79th minute via Paulo Josue, was well deserved, the result of sustained attacking pressure and smart substitutions from the touchline. For Cklamovski, it wasn't just about the result – it was about the process. 'I am proud of the professionalism, the mindset and the way the boys carried themselves,' said the Australian tactician, who previously coached FC Tokyo. 'We are building something. You could see the layers in our performance, the structure from defence to attack.' The match played in front of a lively home crowd, served as part one of a two-match series against Cape Verde with the return fixture set for June 3 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. While the draw was encouraging, Cklamovski is already focused on sharpening the team further. 'We played a very good opponent, with world-class players in their ranks,' he said. 'From a defensive standpoint, we were brave. We pressed, we took risks and we improved as the game went on. With the ball, there's still a lot to improve and we will bring that into the next match.' One of the biggest talking points was Cklamovski's starting 11, which featured seven local players - a bold and refreshing approach. Yet, for the coach, the talk of local, mixed heritage and naturalised players does not matter. 'Whether they play abroad or in the Super League, it doesn't matter. I choose the best squad available - players who are ready to give everything for the badge,' he stressed. 'This camp is unique because of the off-season timing and our phased approach. But the stadium was electric, and the players responded. That connection with the fans was special. 'I believe in the potential of Malaysian football. It's time to show the world what Malaysians can do.' Meanwhile, Cape Verde coach Pedro 'Bubista' Brito was gracious in praise for the home team. 'We're not surprised with Malaysia. Rankings mean little. This is football - anyone can beat anyone,' he said. 'We fielded 12 new players and are trying to find our rhythm and chemistry. This was a good test and Malaysia gave us a strong game. We wish them all the best in the future.'
New Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Arif keeps raising the bar for himself
KUALA LUMPUR: For many footballers, scoring in a Malaysia Cup final and being named Man of the Match would be the perfect way to cap a long season, but for Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) Arif Aiman Hanapi, there is no time to rest on his laurels. On Saturday, the 23-year-old winger delivered once again for the Southern Tigers, helping them come from behind to beat Sri Pahang 2-1 and secure a historic triple quadruple at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. After his decisive role, Arif believes he still has much more to give. "This match was tough, Sri Pahang gave us a hard time. Even though we were one goal down, we stayed serious, we kept playing hard because we believed the goals would come. "It was not just me, we are one team, and we all worked hard to get that second goal because we wanted to win tonight," said the Kuantan-born player. Though Arif has won everything that is to be won in Malaysian football, he feels that he needs to keep improving. "Honestly, I do not feel satisfied with myself. As a footballer, my career is short. We do not know how long we will play, so at this age, I need to work hard. "I need to forget about my personal life and focus on my career, to build it, for however long I can. "I have to keep going, I have to keep becoming better. That is it. Sometimes people ask me the same question, and I will keep trying until I succeed. If I fail 10 times, I will try 10 times." Arif, who scored JDT's second goal in the final after Bergson da Silva had equalised from the penalty spot (54th minute), shared that he had kept his teammates motivated at half-time, even when they were trailing. "I told them during the break that we had chances to score. We needed to believe. "Tonight was tough for us. It has been a long season, full of ups and downs, but we gave our best in every match," he said. As Harimau Malaya prepare for their next competition in June, Arif hinted that there will be little rest. "I will prepare as best as I can for the next game in June (Malaysia vs Vietnam Asian Cup qualifier on June 10). Asked about his future with JDT, Arif said he remains committed to the club, but left the door open to whatever lies ahead. "I do not know what will happen, but whatever it is, I know JDT will keep growing because JDT is a big club. I will always be ready to help." Arif made history when he became the first player to be crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) for four consecutive years at the recent National Football Awards. He scored 18 goals and made 15 assists this season in 41 games.
The Star
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Arif will continue to roar for JDT after topping award chart again
PETALING JAYA: Footballer Arif Aiman Hanapi is not done yet, not by a long shot. And he plans to stick with Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) to achieve more success. The JDT winger made history by clinching a record fourth consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) title at the Malaysian Football Awards night on Wednesday, further cementing his status as the face of Malaysian football. The 22-year-old also took home the best midfielder and best goal awards, adding to a growing list of accolades that now totals nine throughout his career. Yet despite all the silverware, Arif remains hungry to achieve more with JDT. Fans have long called for him to test his mettle abroad but Arif said he would remain grounded and loyal. 'My dream is to stay at JDT. The challenge here is already massive. I know how tough it is to keep a place in this team,' said Arif, who made his professional debut for JDT in 2020. 'People talk about going overseas, but I don't think many clubs are seriously looking at players from Malaysia yet. 'Until I reach the level I aim for, I'll continue to fight here.' His sights are set on the season's final prize, the Malaysia Cup, where JDT will take on Pahang in what promises to be a blockbuster clash at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow. 'It's been a long season, but the final is everything. I'm ready to give it my all,' said Arif. The young hotshot added the award would spur him on. 'Winning this award doesn't mean I'll stop working hard,' said Arif. 'In fact, they will only inspire me to push harder in the seasons to come.' Arif's dominance in Malaysian football is unmatched. Since 2021, he's won the MVP title every year, alongside previous nods as best striker and best young player – three times each. But for him, the 2024-2025 season has been his most meaningful yet. 'This was one of the toughest seasons for me. I started off struggling with form and injuries, but coach Hector Bidoglio stood by me. His belief in me, on and off the pitch, gave me the strength to find my rhythm,' Arif shared. 'I'm always pushing myself. I don't settle. Even now, I don't feel like I'm at the level I want to be. I'll keep working until I'm genuinely proud of myself.' His numbers back up the ambition – 13 goals and 14 assists in 31 domestic matches, and a further five goals and two assists in the AFC Champions League Elite. On the international stage, Arif has earned 32 caps and scored seven goals for Malaysia.
New Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Arif hunts for more despite historic fourth MVP crown
KUALA LUMPUR: As Arif Aiman Hanapi continued to make Malaysian football history, the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) star insists he is far from satisfied. The 23-year-old winger became the first player to be crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) for four consecutive years at the National Football Awards on Wednesday, but remains hungry for more. "This is the highest honour for a local player in Malaysia, to win it four times in a row. "But every year is a big challenge for me. I don't take it lightly, and I'm not satisfied with what I've achieved so far. "My performance hasn't yet reached the level I want. Only I know how hard I've worked to reach this level, but I want even more. I still don't feel satisfied, I will give my best until I feel proud of myself," he said. It has been a standout season for Arif, who scored 12 goals and contributed 13 assists to help JDT lift the Super League and FA Cup titles, and book a place in the Malaysia Cup final against Sri Pahang this Saturday. "This success will drive me to end the season beautifully in the Malaysia Cup final," he added. Despite a slow start to the season due to injury, Arif forced his way back into the Southern Tigers' starting 11. "This wasn't an easy year, I had a slow start because of injury, but I didn't give up. Arif also bagged three other awards, Best Midfielder, Best Goal of the M-League, and was named in the Fans XI. It was his first time being named Best Midfielder, after winning Best Forward three times from 2021-2023. As fans speculate on the rare Malaysian talent getting offers from abroad, Arif said: "My dream is to stay at JDT forever. But it's not easy to remain here, I have to work hard for it. I don't think there's any need to look elsewhere. I will stay a Southern Tiger, always." Arif's teammate Bergson da Silva bagged the Super League Golden Boot with 32 goals, and was also crowned Best Import Player for the third time. "Every match I give my all, and thanks to my teammates, I scored 32 goals. This motivates me to give my best in the Malaysia Cup final," said da Silva. JDT's dominance extended across eight major categories at the awards, including Best Team, Best Goalkeeper (Ahmad Syihan Hazmi), and Best Defender (Feroz Baharudin). But Kuching City's Aidil Sharin Sahak stunned many by winning the Best Coach award, guiding the club to a remarkable fourth-place Super League finish. KL City's Paulo Josue claimed the Best Forward award with 17 goals. His teammate Haqimi Azim Rosli was named Best Young Player. JDT II's Gabriel Nistelrooy Tamin won the MFL Cup Golden Boot and Best MFL Cup Player, while JDT's Boys of Straits were named Best Supporters. Terengganu retained the Fair Play Award.
Free Malaysia Today
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
JDT's Arif Aiman wins fourth straight MVP award
Johor Darul Ta'zim midfielder Arif Aiman Hanapi posing with his MVP award at the 2024-2025 National Football Awards in Kuala Lumpur tonight. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT)'s star Arif Aiman Hanapi made history at the 2024-2025 National Football Awards here tonight by becoming the first player to be crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the fourth consecutive time. The national player's remarkable achievement places him in a league of his own, surpassing the record of former national striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, who won the title three times in a row from 2010 to 2012. It was also a memorable night for the 23-year-old Arif Aiman after he won two other awards – Best Midfielder and Best Goal in the Malaysia League (M-League) 2024-2025 – and was named in the Fans XI as a forward. This marks Arif Aiman's first win in the Best Midfielder category having previously won the Best Forward title three times from 2021 to 2023. Arif Aiman excelled in this season's M-League, showcasing his skills with 12 goals and 13 assists to steer the Southern Tigers to the Super League and FA Cup trophies. He also helped JDT reach the Malaysia Cup final against Sri Pahang FC, which will be played at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Saturday. Meanwhile, Arif Aiman's JDT teammate, Bergson da Silva, won the Super League Golden Boot and Best Foreign Player award after having bagged 32 goals this season. The goal tally is his highest since he started playing in the Malaysian League with JDT. He last emerged as top scorer in the 2022 season with 29 Super League goals. Kuching City FC head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak caused an upset by winning the Best Coach award for the first time after beating two other nominees, Hector Bidoglio (JDT) and Kinoshi Katsuhito (Selangor FC). Having been nominated from 2019 to 2021, the Singaporean-born coach finally won the award after leading Kuching City to fourth place in the Super League in only their second season in Malaysia's top-flight league. It marks the club's best achievement since its founding as an amateur team competing in the People's Football League in 2015. Overall, the 2024-2025 National Football Awards saw JDT dominate eight of the main categories contested this time. In addition to the three awards won by Arif Aiman and two by Bergson, Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed lived up to expectations by successfully defending his Best Goalkeeper crown for the third consecutive time, while Feroz Baharudin took home his maiden Best Defender trophy. As Super League champions for the 11th consecutive time, JDT were also named Best Team of the season, bringing their total haul to eight major awards under Bidoglio's leadership.
