Arif Aiman signs off bachelor life with trophy

KUALA LUMPUR: Arif Aiman Hanapi is entering a new phase of life, and he is doing it as a champion once again.

Just days before the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) star is set to end his bachelorhood on Sunday, the national winger produced a fairytale return from injury by inspiring JDT to a 2-0 win over Kuching City in the Malaysia Cup final on Saturday.

The 24-year-old came off the bench, scored, and was named Man of the Match at the TM National Stadium in Bukit Jalil as JDT sealed a historic fourth consecutive quadruple.

But while supporters celebrated his emotional comeback, social media was already flooded with another talking point, Arif’s upcoming wedding.

A wedding invitation card involving Arif and his fiancee, Nurul Aliah Natasha Hairushahri, went viral online shortly after the final, with the ceremony reportedly set to take place in Johor Baru on Monday.

The timing could hardly have been more poetic.

On the pitch, Arif closed one of the toughest chapters of his career. Off it, he is preparing to begin another chapter entirely.

And moments after the final whistle, the winger appeared to hint exactly that.

“Next week, I will begin a new phase in my football life,” said Arif during the post-match press conference.

It was a cryptic line that instantly sparked speculation among fans already reacting to the wedding invitation circulating online.

Saturday’s triumph carried extra meaning for Arif after enduring nearly six months on the sidelines with the first major injury of his professional career.

“Almost six months I did not play. It was really a struggle for me,” he said.

“Every day in the gym was boring, but I had to go through it because this was my first injury as a footballer.

“People said after my injury I would not be able to play the same way again, that I would not regain my old rhythm.

“But my mindset has always been that I can become the same again.”

Against Kuching City, his introduction changed the tempo of the match, injecting pace, directness and belief into JDT’s attack before capping the night with a composed finish.

JDT coach Xisco Munoz later revealed just how confident the winger was before stepping onto the pitch.

“Coach, easy, no problem. I can change the situation,” Arif told him.

And he did as Munoz also paid tribute to the winger’s discipline and mentality throughout his recovery process.

“I want to say thank you to Arif because I know how he has been working for the last five months,” said the Spaniard.

“He pushed himself every single day, working alone, sometimes on the pitch, sometimes only in the gym.

“This is commitment, this is passion, this is character for the club.”

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المصدر: New Straits Times