Mokhtar Dahari
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| Mokhtar Dahari | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mokhtar Dahari | |
| Date of birth | 13 November 1953 | |
| Place of birth | Setapak, Selangor (now Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia | |
| Date of death | July 11, 1991 (aged 37) | |
| Playing position | Striker | |
| Senior career1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1972-1987 1988 |
Selangor FA Kwong Yik Bank |
(177) |
| National team | ||
| 1972-1985 | Malaysia | 167 (125) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Mokhtar Dahari (13 November 1953 – 11 July 1991) was a Malaysian football player from Setapak, Selangor (now Kuala Lumpur). He was one of the best players in Asia in the 1970s.
Born in Setapak, Mokhtar showed interest in playing football at an early age. He played for his school and later for his home state, Selangor FA. He was only 19 years-old when he first played for the Malaysia national football team in an international game. Mokhtar helped Selangor FA win the Malaysia Cup 10 times and scored 177 goals altogether. In international games, he helped the Malaysia national football team score a total of 125 goals in 167 caps. He was the best striker in Malaysia. His first game for Malaysia national football team was against Sri Lanka national football team in 1972.
The Merdeka Stadium was his second home. Roars of "Supermokh" was all over the crowds including the young generation who tried to imitate his move.
Along with goalkeeper R Arumugam, defenders Santokh Singh and Soh Chin Aun, midfielders Reduan Abdullah and Shukor Salleh and Mokhtar's partner upfront Isa Bakar, Mokhtar Dahari's Selangor FA and Malaysia national football team were powerful forces in the '70s.
In 1975, he represented the Malaysia national football team against English giants Arsenal F.C.. Malaysia national football team won the game 2–0, with Mokhtar scoring both goals. After the game, Mokhtar was rumoured to have been offered a chance to play for the Gunners. He also famously scored a goal in a 1–1 draw against England national football team's B team in 1978, dribbling past half of the opposing team coached by Bobby Robson. Paul Mariner was on the scoresheet for England that day.
He won his 100th cap for Malaysia national football team when he played in a Merdeka Football Tournament match against Japan national football team in 1976. This number 10 of Selangor FA also had a friendly game against another number 10, Diego Maradona's Boca Juniors of Argentina in January 1982. The match ended with a 2-1 result; won by Boca Juniors of Argentina.
Mokhtar Dahari retired in May 1986 after winning the Malaysia Cup for Selangor FA and himself the man of the match. He also gave his number 10 jersey to Raja Muda Selangor. He came out of retirement in January 1987 to play one more season for Selangor FA.
In January 1988, he joined Kwong Yik Bank and won the Selangor League that year.
Mokhtar died at age 37 years-old of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) at 8:25 am on 11 July 1991. His body was laid to rest at Bukit Permai, Taman Keramat Permai Muslim Cemetery.
[edit] References
- Biodata at Selangorfc.com (Malay)
- Biodata at F.A.S Online
- Biodata at Berita Harian (Malay)
