PETALING JAYA: Scoring the winner for Kuching City in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Kelantan at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium on Friday should have left midfielder Daniel Amier Norhisham (pic) purring with satisfaction.
But the 28-year-old on loan from Johor Darul Ta’zim had a lot of mixed emotions to deal with.
His 20th-minute strike from the edge of the box not only secured three vital points – it also marked his first goal since the end of the first round of Super League fixtures, a drought that had lingered longer than he would have liked.
“The goal brought a lot of mixed feelings,” Daniel admitted.
“It was emotional and important because I hadn’t scored since the end of the first round.
“Coming into the second round, my aim was to score, so it was really meaningful for me.
“I’ve done a lot of work behind the scenes on my finishing and shooting, and it finally gave me the chance to score,” he said.
Since arriving in Sarawak, Daniel has gradually grown into a more central figure in the team. Deployed as a box-to-box midfielder, he has been given the freedom and responsibility to influence both ends of the pitch.
“As a player, I’m the kind of person who likes to be everywhere. I want to start attacks and stop them.
“The coach wants me to be a box-to-box midfielder, which helps my game and lets me express myself to help the team.
“It’s been good for my development and my confidence.”
But perhaps the biggest transformation in Daniel’s life has happened beyond football.
Married and now a father to a young son, his priorities have shifted and with them, his mindset on the pitch.
“Right now, being married and having a son is shaping me into a responsible man,” he said.
“It affects the way I play and how I think about the game.
“The aim now is to provide for my family, that’s the biggest thing that has changed my game.”
