Top Malaysian Footballers of All Time

When it comes to football in Southeast Asia, Malaysia has undoubtedly produced some remarkable talents. With its rich history and passion for the sport, Malaysia has given the football world numerous players to remember. 

Although the Malaysian football team barely ever wins a game, football is huge in the country with thousands of supporters of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona (source: https://www.basketballinsidersmalaysia1.com/online-gambling-sites/). But, that’s not to say the country’s local teams should be completely written off. As we’ll find out, there are plenty of famous names in Malaysian football with impressive track records, like Mokhtar Dahari’s average of 0.62 goals per international game during his career (the fourth-highest international goalscorer in men’s football worldwide!).

Let’s dive into the list of top Malaysian footballers of all time, based on their achievements, talent, and influence in the game.

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1. Mokhtar Dahari

Stats: Scored 89 goals in 142 appearances for Malaysia.

Widely considered the best Malaysian footballer of all time, Mokhtar Dahari, also known as ‘Super Mokh,’ was a phenomenal striker. With his unparalleled scoring ability, he led the Malaysian team during its golden era in the 1970s.

2. Soh Chin Aun

Stats: Over 200 caps for Malaysia, which was a world record during his retirement.

Fondly known as the ‘Tauke’ (Boss) of Malaysian football, Soh Chin Aun was a stalwart in defense. His partnership in defense was key for Malaysia during the 70s and early 80s.

3. Safiq Rahim

Stats: Played over 80 times for Malaysia, scoring more than 30 goals from midfield.

Renowned for his free-kick prowess and pinpoint passing, Safiq played a crucial role in leading Malaysia to the 2010 AFF Championship title. His club achievements with Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) include multiple Malaysian Super League titles.

4. R. Arumugam

Stats: Approximately 150 caps for Malaysia.

‘Spiderman,’ as he was affectionately called, was a charismatic shot-stopper. His agility and reflexes in goal are still remembered by Malaysian football fans. Sadly, he passed away in a tragic car accident at the age of 35.

5. Ahmad Shaharuddin

Stats: Played for the national team in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Shaharuddin was a vital part of the team that competed in the 1972 Munich Olympics. His robust playing style and ball-winning ability in the midfield gave Malaysia a strong backbone.

6. Akmal Rizal Rakhli

Stats: 43 goals in over 80 appearances for Malaysia.

Burst ing onto the scene as a promising young striker, Akmal was known for his clinical finishing. He played a pivotal role in the 2001 Southeast Asian Games where Malaysia won the bronze medal. The Games are still incredibly popular in Malaysia today, with 90,000 fans attending in Kuala Lumpur in 2018

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7. Norshahrul Idlan Talaha

Stats: Over 50 goals in nearly 100 appearances for the national team.

Fondly known as ‘Mat Yo,’ Norshahrul has been one of Malaysia’s most consistent forwards in recent times. His versatility allows him to play anywhere across the front line, making him a manager’s delight.

8. Lim Teong Kim

Stats: Integral part of the national team during the late 1980s.

Lim was an important member of the Malaysian squad that won the 1989 SEA Games gold medal. Post his playing career, he went on to have a successful coaching stint, notably with the Bayern Munich youth academy.

9. Subramaniam Badrul Hisyam

Stats: Key figure in the Malaysian defense during the early 2000s.

Known for his no-nonsense defending and leadership qualities, Subramaniam was an essential component of the Malaysian defense for nearly a decade.

10. Khairul Fahmi Che Mat

Stats: Over 100 appearances for the national team since making his debut in 2009.

‘Apek,’ as he’s popularly known, has been Malaysia’s first-choice goalkeeper for many years. He’s best remembered for his heroics during the 2010 AFF Championship.

Bonus: Top Malaysian Football Player to Look Out for in 2023: Darren Lok 

Stats: At 31, he’s made significant contributions, with 6 goals in 20 appearances in 2023. Internationally, he’s capped 17 times for Malaysia, netting 3 times. Historically, he’s been productive with Petaling Jaya City FC, scoring 15 in 33 games. 

This overview provides a snapshot of Darren Lok’s performance in the 2023 season and his overall football career. He seems to be a promising player with consistent performance both in club football and for the national team. 

• Date of Birth: September 18, 1991
• Place of Birth: Hailsham, England
• Nationality: Malaysian
• Position: Centre-Forward
• Current Club: Sabah FC, Malaysia Super League
• Joined: December 1, 2022
• Height: 1.74m

Career Stats:

• Caps/Goals for Malaysia National Team: 17/3
• Market Value: €200k

2023 Season Stats:

• Total Appearances: 20
• Total Goals: 6
• Total Assists: 2
• Total Yellow Cards: 1

Breakdown by Competition:

Malaysia Super League:

• Appearances: 18
• Goals: 6
• Assists: 1
• Yellow Cards: 1

Piala Malaysia:

• Appearances: 1
• Assists: 1

Malaysia FA Cup:

In concl­usion

Malaysia has been a breeding ground for many skilled footb­allers throu­ghout the years. The list provided here only begins to unveil the immense talent that the country posse­sses historically and football players to look out for in 2023. From outst­anding goalscorers to formi­dable defen­ders, the football scene in Malaysia is consis­tently thriving. These remar­kable players not only bring pride to their nation but also leave an indelible mark on the global stage of football.

Categories: News
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/