Maestro Midfield – Azizol Abu Haniffah & Nasir Yusof

Pasukan Harimau Malaya bertuah mempunyai pemain tengah yang berkaliber sejak dahulu lagi. Antara nama-nama besar pada era 70-80an ialah Wan Zawawi, Hamzah Hussein, Wong Choon Wah, Khalid Ali, Bakri Ibni, Ahmad Yusof, G. Torairaju, dan tidak dapat dilupakan, Shukor Salleh yang diberi gelaran Jeneral Padang.

Pada pertengahan 80an dan awal 90an, dua nama yang mewarnai kancah bola sepak negara ialah Nasir Yusof dan Azizol Abu Hanifah.

Mereka berdua bijak membaca perlawanan dan dapat mengemudi jentera di tengah padang dengan baik. Tidak hairan apabila Nasir diberi gelaran ‘Professor’ dan Azizol pula dianggap sebagai permata yang membawa sinar kepada pasukan kebangsaan. Mereka berdua terkenal dengan gerak-geri yang menarik, mengumpan tepat kepada rakan di bahagian serangan serta mengunci pergerakan lawan.

Kemudian, nama-nama seperti Radhi Mat Din, Yap Wai Loon, Ahmad Sharul Azhar, K. Sanbagamaran, Shukor Adan, Baddrol Bakhtiar dan Safiq Rahim pula meneruskan legasi pemain tengah Harimau Malaya.

Kini barisan tengah Harimau Malaya antara lainnya terdiri daripada Syamer Kutty, Stuart Wilkin, Brendan Gan, Paulo Josue, Nor Azam Azih, Endrik Dos Santos, Mohd Afiq Fazail, dan Nooa Laine.

Siapakah antara mereka akan bertapak menguasai jentera tengah padang Harimau Malaya di bawah kendalian Kim Pan-gon?

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MIDFIELD MAESTROS – Azizol Abu Haniffah & Nasir Yusof

Harimau Malaya has been fortunate to have midfielders of high calibre since long ago. Among the big names during the 1970-80s era were Wan Zawawi, Hamzah Hussein, Wong Choon Wah, Khalid Ali, Bakri Ibni, Ahmad Yusof, G. Torairaju, and not to be forgotten, Shukor Salleh, who was declared “Jeneral Padang”.

In the mid-80s and early 90s, two names who shone a light to Harimau Malaya were Nasir Yusof and Azizol Abu Hanifah.

They were both able to read the game well and were main cogs in the machine. Nasir was given the title of ‘Professor’ while Azizol was considered a hidden gem that shone brightly in the national team. They are both known for their individualistic moves, from precise passing to their teammates and locking down their opponents’ movements.

Then, players such as Radhi Mat Din, Yap Wai Loon, Ahmad Sharul Azhar, K. Sanbagamaran, Shukor Adan, Baddrol Bakhtiar and Safiq Rahim took on the legacy as Harimau Malaya midfielders.

Now, centred on the field are Syamer Kutty, Stuart Wilkin, Brendan Gan, Paulo Josue, Nor Azam Azih, Endrik Dos Santos, Mohd Afiq Fazail, Nooa Laine and more.

Who amongst them will steer the ship from midfield for Harimau Malaya, under the guidance of Kim Pan-gon?