BANGI: Perak football team captain and attacker Ahmad Daniel Hakimi Ahmad Azmil has left a huge impression in only their first match at the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
It is easy to see why.
The 21-year-old is blessed with a wonderful left foot like his idol Lionel Messi, and a mazy dribbling style inspired by local hero Arif Aiman Hanapi.
Fittingly, Daniel got his campaign off to a fine start when he curled home a superb free-kick to hand the Seladang a 1-0 win over Kelantan in their Group D encounter at the UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam on Friday.
“My international idol is Messi, and locally, I’d say Arif Aiman,” said Daniel, who is making his second appearance in the Sukma.
“I feel that being left footed is an advantage, and I train on it every day.
“Every time before or after training, I’ll do extra work on it. But I can also use my right foot.”
A product of SK Panglima Bukit Gantang in Ipoh, Daniel represented his school before enrolling at the Mokhtar Dahari Academy (AMD) from Form One to Three.
He then returned to Ipoh to complete his secondary education at SMK Anderson.
It was during Form Four that he first sensed his potential to go professional.
“That was around when I felt I had potential. But football isn’t a permanent career, so I try to improve myself in other areas as well,” he said.
Perak will look to make it two wins from two when they face Melaka at the UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam today, with all eyes on their captain marvel to conjure more magic with his left foot.
