KUALA LUMPUR – “Lepak” is not in Arif Aiman Hanapi’s dictionary. The Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) winger is not one to be content with the easy life.
At just 23, Arif’s commitment to hard work has been unwavering, constantly driving him toward his ultimate ambition of becoming Malaysia’s greatest footballer.
While others may choose leisure, Arif understands the value of sacrifice, putting his professional goals above the temptations of hanging out with friends or indulging in distractions.
His dedication paid off yet again as he helped JDT secure a historic 2-1 win over Sri Pahang FC in the Malaysia Cup final at Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Arif was named man of the match after scoring the winning goal, a strike that sealed JDT’s third consecutive treble — a first for a Malaysian club.
“I’m never satisfied with what I’ve achieved,” Arif told reporters after the game. “I always have the hunger and desire to do more for my team, no matter the circumstances.”
For the fourth year in a row, Arif was named the M-League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), and with 14 accolades to his name, his trophy haul is a testament to his drive. But Arif remains focused on the bigger picture.
“Many footballers fail to understand that their careers are short,” he explained. “We must strive to achieve as much as we can within the limited time given to us, instead of wasting time on unnecessary matters.”
While his peers may indulge in a social life or seek downtime, Arif has chosen to keep his focus solely on football.
“Of course, I have many urges like lepak (hanging out) with friends,” he admitted, “but I choose not to engage in those activities because they would distract me from my goal of becoming one of the greatest Malaysian footballers of all time.”
The victory over Pahang marked yet another milestone for the 23-year-old, who has now made 153 appearances for JDT, scoring 52 goals.
Despite his personal success, Arif was quick to praise his teammates for their collective effort, particularly as they fought back from a 1-0 deficit after the first half.
“Alhamdulillah, yes, tonight was quite tough for us,” he said, reflecting on the match. “This year’s season has been long, with plenty of ups and downs in our performances from match to match.”
“What’s important is that we always try to give our best. The team’s fighting spirit remained high despite the pressure. The half-time break was crucial for reinvigorating the squad, and I reminded everyone that we still had a chance.”
Looking ahead, Arif is already focused on his next challenge: the national team.
“The plan now is to maintain my form for the national team and focus on the next match against Vietnam in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers,” he said.
“This is a really important match for Harimau Malaya. A break? We’ll see how it goes. I might not have time for a long rest.” — April 27, 2025