PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) star Arif Aiman Hanapi has been shortlisted for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Player of the Year award, becoming the first Malaysian footballer to earn a nomination.
Arif will compete for Asia’s most prestigious individual honour against two of the continent’s biggest names - Qatar’s Akram Afif and Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al Dawsari.
The 23-year-old winger’s inclusion caps a breakthrough 2024–25 season in which he shone on both domestic and continental stages.
He was instrumental in JDT’s treble-winning campaign, helping the Southern Tigers lift the Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup.
Arif also made his mark in the AFC Champions League Elite, scoring five goals to guide JDT into the Round of 16.
His exploits extended to the international arena as well, where he remained a key figure in Malaysia’s bid to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
On Thursday (Sept 25), Arif and Co led JDT to a superb 4-0 win against Bangkok United in the Asean Club Championships Shopee Cup at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri.
