Mokhtar Dahari

Dato' Mohd. Mokhtar Dahari AMN DSSA DIMP (13 November 1953 – 11 July 1991) was a Malaysian football player from Setapak, Selangor and had play for F.A. Selangor for a rest his life. He is considered a legendary footballer in Malaysian football history, especially with a F.A. Selangor. A prolific forward, he was nicknamed Supermokh due to his playing skills and strength.[1]

In this Malay name, there is no family name. The name Dahari is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Mokhtar.
Dato' Mokhtar Dahari
Mokhtar in 1975
Personal information
Full name Mohd. Mokhtar bin Dahari
Date of birth (1953-11-13)13 November 1953
Place of birth Setapak, Selangor, Federation of Malaya
Date of death 11 July 1991(1991-07-11) (aged 37)
Place of death Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1972–1987 F.A. Selangor 375 (323)
1988–1990 Kwong Yik Bank 13 (20)
Total 388 (343)
National team
1972–1985 Malaysia 138 (85)
1976 Malaysia Olympic 4 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He scored 85 goals in 138 full international matches for Malaysia, and helped the team reach its highest ever Elo ranking of 61 in 1977.[2][3] Mokhtar is the all-time top scorer for the Malaysian national team.[4][5]

Early life

Born on 13 November 1953 at Setapak, Selangor (present-day in Kuala Lumpur). Mokhtar is the first born son of couple Aminah Sharikan and Dahari Abeng. His father, Dahari, worked as a lorry driver but did not earn very much to support his family. His family moved to Kampung Pandan in Kuala Lumpur when Mokthar was 11 years old.[6] Upon moving, he attended secondary school at Victoria Institution in the city and began to show interest and talent in playing football at an early age. He played for his school and later for his home state, the F.A. Selangor.[6]

Career

Playing career
If you're ashamed to stand by your colours, you'd better seek for another flag!

— Mokhtar Dahari[7]

Mokhtar first played for F.A. Selangor in the Burnley Cup, which they won. He was later asked to play for the club regularly where he became the top scorer in his first season playing for F.A. Selangor. He helped the club win many tournaments, mainly the Malaysia Cup with 10 titles and scoring 175 goals altogether. To proving his loyalty for the team, he was quoted as saying: "I live and die for Selangor".[note 1] Later, he was selected to play for the national team of Malaysia. He was only 19 years old when he first played for the national team in an international game, with his first game was against the Sri Lanka national football team in 1972. He helped Malaysia to win bronze in the 1974 Asian Games and two gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games in 1977 and 1979 respectively. He even scored a double winning goals for 2–0 Malaysia League XI against Arsenal F.C. in a friendly game in 1975 that led to rumours of the English top clubs' interest in him. After the game, he had an offer from one of the European giants, the Real Madrid C.F. but declined to join because his patriotism to his country and native club of Selangor.[9][10] Known for his speed and accuracy, Mokhtar was named the best Asian striker by the World Soccer when he was 23 years old.[11][12]

Mokhtar was famous for his speed and roars of Supermokh from the crowds were common with many of the younger generation idolised him with some have tried to imitate his moves on the field. Mokhtar once scored a goal for Malaysia from the half way line beaten Joe Corrigan through an incredible shot in a 1–1 draw against England B in 1978, dribbling past half of the opposing team coached by Bobby Robson.[13] Even memorable was when Gordon Hill praised Mokhtar as "Hero Dahari" in Shoot! magazine in his column after the England B tour in 1978.[14]

Coaching career

After Mokhtar started getting injury problems, he became a local coach to help the younger generation become better footballers.

One of his trainees was a young Roshan Thiran, future Co-founder and CEO of Leaderonomics, who regularly speaks on his experiences playing under Mokhtar. Mokhtar asked his former F.A. Selangor partner, Reduan Abdullah to write a book about his life and his career. Mokhtar also coached for F.A. Selangor at times. After his retirement, he became a player and mainly a coach for Kwong Yik Bank after his career.

Retirement

Mokhtar Dahari retired in May 1986 after winning the Malaysia Cup for F.A. Selangor. After the award giving ceremony, Mokhtar went to the club's president and proceeded to give his number 10 jersey, telling the president to let the club keep the jersey for him.[6] He came out of retirement in January 1987 to play one more season for F.A. Selangor.

Personal life

Before becoming a professional footballer, he played other sports such as badminton, sepak takraw, and hockey.[6] Mokhtar worked for PKNS in the afternoon and played football in the evening. He earned little during his time with PKNS. He later quit PKNS and worked for Kwong Yik Bank to gain better prospects for himself and his family. Mokhtar met Tengku Zarina Tengku Ibrahim through friends. After knowing her for 10 years, they finally got married on 24 February 1979. He then became the father of three children: Nur Azera (the eldest daughter), Mohd Reza (the eldest son) and Nur Arina (the youngest daughter).[15]

Illness and death

Mokhtar began having throat problems and went to the hospital to find out what the problem was. Doctors diagnosed him as having motor neurone disease (MND) with the discovery was only told to him and his wife.[6] He then went to London with his wife in an attempt to cure his condition. After three years battling the disease and his condition getting worsened, Mokhtar died at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) on 11 July 1991.[6] The press reported Mokhtar's suffering from muscular dystrophy as the cause of his death. His body was laid to rest at Taman Keramat Permai Muslim Cemetery in Taman Keramat, Ampang, Selangor.[6] His life journey and the real cause of death was only revealed for the first time in a documentary called "The Untold Truth About Supermokh" in the National Geographic Channel on 30 August 2010, about 19 years after his death.[16]

Honours

Club
F.A. Selangor
Champion: 1984
Winner: 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986
Winner: 1985, 1987

International
Winners: 1973, 1974, 1976, 1979
Winners: 1977, 1979
Runners-up: 1981
Bronze Medal: 1974

Individual

Orders

Career statistics

International goals

Throughout his international career, Mokhtar score a total 125 goals in 167 appearances for Malaysia (including against club sides, national 'B' teams and selection teams). Against other nations' national 'A' team, he made 138 appearances scoring 85 goals.[21]

Malaysia
Scores and results list Malaysia's goal tally first.
Key
‡ = Goal scored by penalty
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 5 June 1972Jakarta, Indonesia Sri Lanka3–03–01972 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament[22]
2 9 June 1972Jakarta, Indonesia Laos2–12–1[23]
3 15 June 1972Jakarta, Indonesia Burma2–02–2[24]
4 19 July 1972Perak Stadium, Ipoh Khmer6–16–11972 Merdeka Tournament[25]
5 20 November 1972Bangkok, Thailand Thailand2–02–01972 King's Cup[26]
6 28 November 1972Bangkok, Thailand Thailand1–01–0[27]
7 1 August 1973Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Thailand2–02–21973 Merdeka Tournament[28]
8 4 August 1973Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur India4–04–0[29]
9 12 August 1973Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Kuwait1–13–1[30]
10 3–1
11 7 September 1973Kallang Stadium, Singapore Singapore2–03–01973 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games[31]
12 23 September 1973Seoul, South Korea Thailand4–15–11973 President's Cup[32]
13 1 November 1973Saigon, South Vietnam South Vietnam15–11973 South Vietnam Independence Cup[33]
14 2
15 3 November 1973Saigon, South Vietnam Singapore2–02–1[34]
16 20 December 1973Bangkok, Thailand Khmer1–03–21973 King's Cup[35]
17 2–1
18 3–2
19 23 December 1973Bangkok, Thailand Thailand1–01–0[36]
20 25 December 1973Bangkok, Thailand South Korea1–21–2[37]
21 7 June 1974Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia2–33–41974 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament[38]
22 3–3
23 27 July 1974Perak Stadium, Ipoh Hong Kong1–01–01974 Merdeka Tournament[39]
24 1 August 1974Perak Stadium, Ipoh Thailand1–01–0[40]
25 7 September 1974Tehran, Iran Philippines2–011–01974 Asian Games[41][42]
26 3–0‡
27 7–0
28 9–0
29 10–0
30 10 December 1974Bangkok, Thailand Thailand2–02–01974 King's Cup[43]
31 20 December 1974Bangkok, Thailand Khmer2–03–0[44]
32 3–0
33 16 March 1975Bangkok, Thailand South Korea2–12–11976 AFC Asian Cup qualification[45]
34 16 June 1975Jakarta, Indonesia South Korea1–11–1
(5–4 P.S.O)		1975 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament[46]
35 29 July 1975Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur South Korea1–31–31975 Merdeka Tournament[47]
36 4 August 1975Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Thailand1–01–0[48]
37 6 August 1975Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Bangladesh3–03–0[49]
38 8 August 1975Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Hong Kong2–03–1[50]
39 10 August 1975Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Burma2–12–1[51]
40 9 December 1975Bangkok, Thailand Thailand1–11–1
(3–4 P.S.O)		1975 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games[52]
41 13 December 1975Bangkok, Thailand Burma1–01–0[53]
42 16 December 1975Bangkok, Thailand Thailand1–21–2[54]
43 5 June 1976Tabriz, Iran China PR1–01–11976 AFC Asian Cup[55]
44 7 August 1976Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur South Korea1–02–11976 Merdeka Tournament[56]
45 12 August 1976Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur India2–05–1[57]
46 3-0
47 14 August 1976Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Indonesia4–07–1[58]
48 5–0
49 17 August 1976Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Burma1–03–1[59]
50 22 August 1976Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Japan1–02–0[60]
51 2-0
52 11 September 1976Dongdaemun Stadium, Seoul South Korea4–14–41976 President's Cup[61]
53 13 September 1976Seoul, South Korea Singapore3–02–0[62]
54 4–0
55 18 July 1977Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Thailand2–03–01977 Merdeka Tournament[63]
56 26 July 1977Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur South Korea1–1‡1–1[64]
57 29 July 1977Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Indonesia1–15–1[65]
58 21 November 1977Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Philippines2–05–01977 SEA Games[66][67]
59 4–0
60 23 November 1977Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Brunei3–07–0[68]
61 25 November 1977Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Burma2–09–1[69]
62 3–0‡
63 4–0
64 7–1
65 8–1
66 26 November 1977Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Thailand2–02–0[70]
67 14 July 1978Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Singapore1–06–01978 Merdeka Tournament[71]
68 4–0
69 16 July 1978Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Thailand1–02–0[72]
70 19 July 1978Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Indonesia1–01–0[73]
71 2 May 1979Bangkok, Thailand Sri Lanka1–03–11980 AFC Asian Cup qualification[74]
72 3–1
73 5 May 1979Bangkok, Thailand Indonesia4–14–1[75]
74 29 June 1979Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Burma1–04–11979 Merdeka Tournament[76]
75 2–0
76 3–0
77 23 September 1979Senayan Stadium, Jakarta Singapore2–0‡2–01979 SEA Games[77]
78 30 September 1979Senayan Stadium, Jakarta Indonesia1–01–0[78]
79 15 October 1980Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Morocco2–0‡2–01980 Merdeka Tournament[79]
80 20 October 1980Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Thailand1–02–2[80]
81 27 October 1980Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Kuwait1–12–1[81]
82 30 October 1980Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur New Zealand1–02–0[82]
83 5 April 1981Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Singapore1–0‡1–11981 Ovaltine Cup[83]
84 9 September 1981Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Indonesia1–02–01981 Merdeka Tournament[84]
85 15 September 1981Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur India2–12–2[85]

Malaysia Olympic team
Scores and results list Malaysia's goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 15 February 1976Jakarta, Indonesia Papua New Guinea1–010–11976 Olympic Games qualification[86][87]
2 7–0
3 21 February 1976Jakarta, Indonesia Singapore2–06–0[88]
4 6–0

Legacy

Several places and honours were named after him, including:

  • The Mokhtar Dahari Community Square (Dataran Komuniti Mokhtar Dahari), a community hall located at Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur was named after him where Mokhtar used to stay, occasionally playing football there.[89][90]
  • There is a futsal court called Gelanggang Mokhtar Dahari (Moktar Dahari Futsal Court) located at Putrajaya Futsal Complex in Putrajaya.[91]
  • There is a national football academy was named after him, Mokhtar Dahari National Football Academy (Akademi Bola Sepak Negara Mokhtar Dahari) located at Gambang, Pahang was established on 10 April 2014.[92]
  • The Shah Alam-Batu Arang Highway which connecting Shah Alam and Puncak Alam was renamed Persiaran Mokhtar Dahari in 2014.[93]
  • In 2014, Google celebrates his 61st birthday.[94] There is also a theatre showcase his legendary football career in Istana Budaya called "Super Mokh" portrayed by Malaysian actor named Awie.[95]

Footnotes
  1. Original: "Hidup dan mati saya untuk Selangor".[8]

References
  1. Akmal Hakim (10 September 2020). "Malaysian Football Hero, Mokhtar Dahari Is The World's 3rd Top Football Scorer In History". The Rakyat Post. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  2. Samantha Khor (3 February 2016). "Road To Moscow 1980: The True Story Of Malaysia's Football Team That Inspired 'Ola Bola'". Says.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  3. Eric Samuel (31 August 2017). "Halcyon days of Malaysian football". The Star. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  4. "Google Malaysia papar seni lakaran 'Supermokh'". Bernama (in Malay). Astro Awani. 13 November 2014. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  5. Amin Khairuddin (13 November 2014). "Google celebrates SuperMokh's 61st birthday". The Malay Mail. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  6. Alan Teh Leam Seng (14 July 2018). "Supermokh: Remembering our greatest footballer". New Straits Times. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  7. Gary Lugard (11 July 2017). "Mokhtar Dahari, Lagenda Bola Sepak Kebanggaan Malaysia" (in Malay). Semuanya Bola. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  8. Shaukei Kahar (21 December 2016). "Legasi Mokhtar Dahari usah dilenyapkan" (in Malay). Stadium Astro. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  9. Stephen Wagg (1995). Giving the game away: football, politics, and culture on five continents. Leicester University Press. ISBN 978-0-7185-1677-2.
  10. Bill Murray; William J. Murray (1998). The World's Game: A History of Soccer. University of Illinois Press. pp. 136–. ISBN 978-0-252-06718-1.
  11. Rashvinjeet S. Bedi (7 October 2013). "Striking fear into their opponents". The Star. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  12. Zazali Jamian (14 November 2014). "SuperMokh kekal dalam ingatan" (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  13. Zinitulniza Abdul Kadir (2013). Mokhtar Dahari: Lagenda Bola Sepak Malaysia (in Malay). Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia. pp. 263–. ISBN 978-9-674-30370-9.
  14. Zinitulniza Abdul Kadir (2013). MOKHTAR DAHARI: Legenda Bola Sepak Malaysia (in Malay). ITBM. pp. 57–. ISBN 978-967-430-370-9.
  15. "Mohd Reza Bangga Nama Mokhtar Dahari Masih Diingati" (in Malay). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  16. "Documentary on Supermokh to premiere on Aug 30". The Star. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  17. Sasha Ray (1 September 2016). "Malaysia's Best Athletes Over the Past 59 Years". Red Bull. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  18. "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat".
  19. "Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin ketuai senarai". Fuad Hadinata Yaacob (in Malay). MyMetro. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  20. "Datukship for football legend Mokhtar Dahari". Utusan. 24 October 2000. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  21. Mohamed Mokhtar Dahari - Century of International Appearances
  22. The Straits Times - 8 June 1972
  23. The Straits Times - 10 June 1972
  24. The Straits Times - 16 June 1972
  25. [https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/nysp19720721-1.2.40.8.1 半運會歷史重演馬大破吉蔑士氣如虹·勝來漂亮 - 南洋商报, 21 July 1972]
  26. New Nation - 21 November 1972
  27. The Straits Times - 29 November 1972
  28. The Straits Times - 2 August 1973
  29. The Straits Times - 5 August 1973
  30. The Straits Times - 13 August 1973
  31. The Straits Times - 8 September 1973
  32. New Straits Times - 24 September 1973 (Page 20)
  33. New Straits Times - 2 November 1973 (Page 12)
  34. The Straits Times - 4 November 1973
  35. New Straits Times - 21 December 1973 (Page 11)
  36. New Straits Times - 24 December 1973 (Page 11)
  37. New Straits Times - 27 December 1973 (Page 10)
  38. New Nation - 8 June 1974
  39. The Straits Times - 28 July 1974
  40. New Straits Times - 2 August 1974 (Page 13)
  41. 馬足球隊大敗菲軍 贈球十一粒創紀錄 - 星洲日报 (Sin Chew Jit Poh) 10 September 1974
  42. New Straits Times - 9 September 1973 (Page 12)
  43. New Nation - 11 December 1974
  44. 名次戰大馬凈勝吉蔑三球得季軍席 - 南洋商报 (Nanyang Siang Pau) 22 December 1974
  45. Berita Harian - 18 March 1975 (Malay)
  46. The Straits Times - 16 June 1975
  47. The Straits Times - 30 July 1975
  48. The Straits Times - 4 August 1975
  49. The Straits Times - 7 August 1975
  50. The Straits Times - 9 August 1975
  51. The Straits Times - 11 August 1975
  52. The Straits Times - 10 December 1975
  53. Sin Chew Jit Poh - 15 December 1975 (Mandarin)
  54. The Straits Times - 17 December 1975
  55. The Straits Times - 7 June 1976
  56. The Straits Times - 8 August 1976
  57. The Straits Times - 13 August 1976
  58. 故技重施•长传急攻 大馬痛挫印尼 - 星洲日報, 16 August 1976
  59. The Straits Times - 18 August 1976
  60. The Straits Times - 23 August 1976
  61. Korea Football Association - Year 1976
  62. The Straits Times - 14 September 1976
  63. The Straits Times - 19 July 1977
  64. The Straits Times - 26 July 1977
  65. The Straits Times - 30 July 1977
  66. New Nation - 29 November 1976
  67. 五比〇取胜的足球赛 大马碰到菲律宾蛮劲 费了极大气力才过关 - 星洲日報, 23 November 1977
  68. Berita Harian - 24 November 1977 (Malay)
  69. The Straits Times - 26 November 1977
  70. The Straits Times - 24 November 1977
  71. The Straits Times - 15 July 1978
  72. The Straits Times - 17 July 1978
  73. Berita Harian - 17 July 1978 (Malay)
  74. The Straits Times - 3 May 1979
  75. The Straits Times - 6 May 1979
  76. The Straits Times - 30 June 1973
  77. The Straits Times - 23 September 1979
  78. New Nation - 1 October 1979
  79. New Straits Times - 16 October 1980 (Page 16)
  80. New Straits Times - 21 October 1980 (Page 14)
  81. The Straits Times - 28 October 1980
  82. The Straits Times - 31 October 1980
  83. The Straits Times - 6 April 1981
  84. New Straits Times - 11 September 1981
  85. New Straits Times - 17 September 1981
  86. The Straits Times - 16 February 1976
  87. 世運足球亞洲區外圍賽序幕戰我隊哀兵作戰意外迫和印尼馬大勝巴布亞新幾內亞 - 南洋商报 (Nanyang Siang Pau), 17 February 1976
  88. The Straits Times - 23 February 1976
  89. "Dataran Komuniti Mokhtar Dahari Kenang Jasa Super Mokh" (in Malay). Selangor Kini. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  90. Suresh Nair (11 July 2016). "Remembering 'SuperMokh' 25 years later". Sports247.my. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  91. "Penghormatan buat Mokhtar Dahari" (in Malay). Kosmo!. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  92. "PM rasmi Akademi Bola Sepak Mokhtar Dahari" (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. 11 April 2014. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  93. Nurul Ain Mohd Hussain (8 July 2014). "SuperMokh Diabadikan Pada Jalan" (in Malay). mStar. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  94. "Mokhtar Dahari's 61st birthday". Google Doodle. 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  95. "Supermokh Sebuah Muzikal Restaging" (in Malay). Istana Budaya. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.

Bibliography
  • Mokhtar Dahari Wira Bolasepak Negara. Zabidi Ismail. (in Malay). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (1999). ISBN 9-836-24959-1
  • Mokhtar Dahari: Legenda Bola Sepak Malaysia. Zinnitulniza Abdul Kadir. (in Malay). Institute of Translation & Books of Malaysia (2013). ISBN 978-9-6743037-0-9

Further reading
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