Latest news with #ArifAimanMohdHanapi
The Sun
26-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Heritage players strengthen Harimau Malaya, says Arif Aiman
HARIMAU Malaya winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi dismissed any notion of rivalry between local-born and heritage players in the national squad, emphasizing unity as the team prepares for crucial friendlies in September. 'The presence of heritage players has been a big help to the team from time to time,' he said. 'Mentality is key, and every player shares the same goal under one flag.' Arif Aiman, speaking after being named ambassador for a leading sports brand, confirmed the team's full focus on the upcoming Tier 1 friendlies against Singapore and Palestine. Malaysia will face Singapore on Sept 4 and Palestine on Sept 8, matches that serve as warm-ups for the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers in October. When asked about Malaysia's withdrawal from the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup, the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) star declined to comment, stating, 'To me, I just focus on what's ahead. Preparation is important.' - Bernama
Barnama
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
Arif Aiman Never Doubted JDT's Goals Would Come
KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- High fighting spirit proved to be the key to Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) success in winning the 2024/2025 Malaysia Cup after coming from behind to defeat Sri Pahang FC 2-1 in the final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here last night. The Southern Tigers' sensation Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi admitted that the Elephants gave a strong fight but JDT did not easily succumb to the pressure. He said conceding an early goal did not dampen the team's spirit, which was firmly focused on winning the prestigious title for a third consecutive time. bootstrap slideshow "Sri Pahang gave a tough fight but we kept playing with full effort even when trailing 1-0. We believed the goals would come, and not just myself, the entire team worked hard to equalise, and the second goal came because we really wanted to win this match," he said at the post-final press conference. The high-intensity final saw both teams reduced to 10 men after referee Razlan Joffri Ali showed red cards to Sri Pahang striker Sergio Aguero and JDT defender Park Jun Heong. Sri Pahang, coached by Singaporean football legend Fandi Ahmad, had earlier stunned JDT when winger T. Saravanan scored the opening goal in the 14th minute. Drawing on their experience, JDT fought back to equalise through a penalty converted by prolific striker Bergson Da Silva in the 54th minute, before Arif Aiman struck the winning goal in the 74th minute. The victory completed a historic triple treble for JDT, making them the only team to achieve such a feat since Kedah's double treble in the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The triple treble refers to winning the three major Malaysian football competitions — the Super League, FA Cup, and Malaysia Cup — in a single season.
The Sun
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Arif Aiman never doubted JDT'S goals would come
KUALA LUMPUR: High fighting spirit proved to be the key to Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) success in winning the 2024/2025 Malaysia Cup after coming from behind to defeat Sri Pahang FC 2-1 in the final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here last night. The Southern Tigers' sensation Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi admitted that the Elephants gave a strong fight but JDT did not easily succumb to the pressure. He said conceding an early goal did not dampen the team's spirit, which was firmly focused on winning the prestigious title for a third consecutive time. 'Sri Pahang gave a tough fight but we kept playing with full effort even when trailing 1-0. We believed the goals would come, and not just myself, the entire team worked hard to equalise, and the second goal came because we really wanted to win this match,' he said at the post-final press conference. The high-intensity final saw both teams reduced to 10 men after referee Razlan Joffri Ali showed red cards to Sri Pahang striker Sergio Aguero and JDT defender Park Jun Heong. Sri Pahang, coached by Singaporean football legend Fandi Ahmad, had earlier stunned JDT when winger T. Saravanan scored the opening goal in the 14th minute. Drawing on their experience, JDT fought back to equalise through a penalty converted by prolific striker Bergson Da Silva in the 54th minute, before Arif Aiman struck the winning goal in the 74th minute. The victory completed a historic triple treble for JDT, making them the only team to achieve such a feat since Kedah's double treble in the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The triple treble refers to winning the three major Malaysian football competitions — the Super League, FA Cup, and Malaysia Cup — in a single season. Meanwhile, Arif Aiman expressed his determination to further elevate his career to the highest level. 'At my age now, I just have to work hard. I need to forget about any other lifestyle. I must focus on building my career and continuing to improve. That is all,' said the 22-year-old player. Arif Aiman made history when he became the first player to be named Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the National Football Awards for four consecutive years, last Wednesday.
Barnama
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
JDT Completes Triple Treble With Malaysia Cup Win Tonight
KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) achieved a triple treble when they clinched the Malaysia Cup by beating Sri Pahang FC 2-1 at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil here tonight. The local powerhouse has won the country's three major footballing titles - the Super League, the FA Cup and the Malaysia Cup - in a single season thrice, completing an amazing feat known as the triple treble. Southern Tigers strikers Bergson Da Silva and Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi rose to the occasion tonight by scoring a goal apiece in the second half to overcome the early goal by Sri Pahang scored by T Saravanan early in the first half. bootstrap slideshow Defending champions JDT had started out strong, striking through an Oscar Arribas header from a corner kick that was cleared off the line by Sri Pahang defender Muhammad Syazwan Andik Mohd Ishak. The first half's sole goal came not from the defending champions but from Sri Pahang, when Saravanan slotted home the loose ball after JDT keeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed failed to catch Aleksandar Cvetkovic 's header. A shocked JDT redoubled their efforts, culminating in a shot by Da Silva in the 26th minute that was cancelled following confirmation by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) that he was offside and later came close to scoring again in the 31st minute, but his effort was just shy of Sri Pahang's goal. Sri Pahang's luck began to wane after their first goal as Sergio Aguero was sent off after receiving his second yellow card in the 35th minute. JDT came back on the pitch exuding confidence in the second half, and Arif Aiman's shot from outside the penalty box in the 47th minute that was deflected by goalie Muhammad Zarif Irfan Hashimuddin certainly put Sri Pahang on notice. Not more than 10 minutes later, an incident inside the penalty area between Sri Pahang's Mohd Azril Nasrulhaq Badrul Hisham and JDT's Arribas let to a VAR review and referee Razlan Joffri Ali awarding a penalty to JDT, which Bergson calmly converted in the 54th minute.
Barnama
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
Arif Aiman Pledges To Stay With JDT
KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- Despite having the potential to make a name for himself abroad, sensational winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi remains loyal to local football giants Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT). The 2024-2025 National Football Awards (ABK) Most Valuable Player (MVP) said he still needs to work hard to become a higher quality player to help the Southern Tigers face greater challenges in the future. "My challenges in Malaysia or in JDT are enormous. But it's not easy for me to stay in JDT forever and I need to work harder to keep my position. bootstrap slideshow "Maybe the supporters or the media like to say there are offers from outside (clubs). But as a player, I know how difficult it is for clubs from outside to find players in Malaysia. I think I will stay at JDT forever,' he said. He said this when met after the ABK 20242-2025 ceremony here, last night. Yesterday, Arif Aiman made history when he became the first player to be named MVP for the fourth consecutive time in ABK 2024-2025. The success put the national player in a class of his own when he surpassed the achievements of former national striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha who won a hat-trick in the 2010 to 2012 seasons. The 22-year-old player also dominated three other categories, namely the Best Midfielder, the Best Goal of the Malaysia League (M-League) 2024-2025 and also the Fans XI (Forward). Arif Aiman continued to make the Malaysia League this season a stage for him to demonstrate his prowess by scoring 12 goals and 13 'assists' to help the Southern Tigers lift the Super League, Charity Shield and FA Cup and advance to the Malaysia Cup final against Sri Pahang FC at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, this Saturday.
