Arif Aiman Hanapi celebrates his first goal against Selangor. - JDT FC Photo
PETALING JAYA: Arif Aiman Hanapi is beginning to assert himself as a superstar in Malaysian football.
The 21-year-old winger shone for his club Johor Darul Ta’zim when he scored a hattrick to help the Southern Tigers beat Selangor 4-0 in the FA Cup semi-final at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Monday (June 26).
The nippy winger scored in the 20th, 30th and 38th minute to help his club qualify for their second straight FA Cup final and also defend the title they won last year.
The other goal was scored by Argentinian striker Fernando Forestieri in the 47th minute.
Before the semi-final match, Arif impressed for Malaysia when he scored four goals to help Harimau Malaya beat Papua New Guinea 10-0 in a friendly on June 20.
JDT will face Kuala Lumpur in the final at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on July 22.
