Mokhtar Dahari

1.1. Birth and Childhood

Mokhtar Dahari was born on 13 November 1953, in Setapak, Selangor (which is now part of Kuala Lumpur). He was the second of six children born to Dahari Abeng, a lorry driver, and Aminah Sharikan, a homemaker. The family's financial situation was modest. At the age of 11, Mokhtar's family relocated to Kampung Pandan in Kuala Lumpur.

1.2. Education and Early Interests

Mokhtar began his education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Kuantan, attending from 1960 to 1965, before continuing his secondary education at Victoria Institution from 1966 to 1970. From an early age, he showed a keen interest and natural aptitude for sports. While football was his primary passion, he also excelled in other sports such as badminton, sepak takraw, and hockey. During his time at Victoria Institution, he distinguished himself on the school's football team, which paved the way for his eventual recruitment into the youth team of Selangor FA.

2.1. Club Career

Mokhtar Dahari began his club career with Selangor FA, first playing for their youth team in the Burnley Cup, which they went on to win. His impressive performance led to him being invited to play for the senior team. In his debut season for Selangor in 1972, he immediately made an impact by becoming the league's top scorer. At the time, Malaysian football leagues operated on an amateur basis, so Mokhtar worked for the PKNS during the day and played football in the evenings.

He became a cornerstone of Selangor FA, helping the club secure numerous titles, most notably the Malaysia Cup, which they won 10 times during his tenure (1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986). Mokhtar is recognized as Selangor FA's all-time top scorer with 177 goals. He also played for other local clubs such as Kelab Sultan Sulaiman, PKNS, Talasco, and Kwong Yik Bank in the FAM Cup and Selangor League. His deep loyalty to the team was legendary, encapsulated by his famous quote: "I live and die for Selangor!". In 1982, he participated in a friendly match against Argentina's Boca Juniors, led by Diego Maradona, where both players notably wore the number 10 jersey.

2.2. International Career

Mokhtar made his international debut for the Malaysian national team at just 19 years old in 1972, playing against Sri Lanka in the Jakarta Anniversary Tournament. His career with the national team was highly successful, marked by significant achievements in major international tournaments.

He helped Malaysia secure a bronze medal at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran, where he notably scored five goals against the Philippines. Mokhtar also played a crucial role in Malaysia winning two consecutive gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games in 1977 and 1979. Additionally, he earned a silver medal in the 1975 and 1981 SEA Games, and a bronze medal in the 1973 SEAP Games. He participated in the 1976 AFC Asian Cup, scoring against China as Malaysia finished fifth.

In 1975, he scored two goals for the Malaysia League Selection team in a historic 2-0 victory against Arsenal in a friendly match, drawing significant attention from English clubs. Reportedly, he received an offer from European football giant Real Madrid CF but patriotically declined it, choosing to remain loyal to his home country and club.

Malaysia qualified for the football event at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, but the team, along with other nations, boycotted the games. Mokhtar scored a total of 89 goals in 142 international 'A' matches for Malaysia, a record that FIFA officially recognized, placing him among the highest male international goalscorers of all time. At one point, he held the record as the world's top scorer for men's national teams, surpassing Ferenc Puskás' 84 goals in 1980, a distinction he held for nearly 24 years until Ali Daei surpassed him in 2004. He also held the record as Asia's all-time top scorer for men's national teams from 1979 until 2004, having overtaken Kunishige Kamamoto's 75 goals. Mokhtar was also the youngest player to score 50 international goals for a men's national team, achieving this at 22 years and 273 days old. He officially retired from the national team after the 1981 Southeast Asian Games but made a brief return for the 1984 Merdeka Tournament and an exhibition match for the 1988 Olympic team before his final retirement.

2.3. Playing Style and Impact

Mokhtar Dahari was renowned for his distinctive playing style, characterized by his exceptional speed, powerful shots, and accuracy. His prowess on the field led to the popular nickname Supermokh. The roar of "Supermokh" from the crowds became a common and beloved chant among fans.

He was widely admired by the younger generation, many of whom idolized him and sought to emulate his moves on the field. At 23 years old, he was named "The Best Asian Striker" by World Soccer magazine, a testament to his skill and recognition on the continental stage (sources vary on the year, either 1975 or 1976).

One of his most memorable goals came in 1978 during a friendly match against the England B team, coached by Bobby Robson. Mokhtar scored a sensational equalizer from the halfway line, beating goalkeeper Joe Corrigan after dribbling past half of the opposing team, contributing to a 1-1 draw. Following this tour, English footballer Gordon Hill famously praised Mokhtar as "Hero Dahari" in his column for Shoot! magazine. Mokhtar's strong sense of national pride and commitment to Malaysian football was also reflected in his refusal of lucrative offers from top foreign clubs, demonstrating his deep love for his home country and club.

2.4. Retirement and Comeback

Mokhtar Dahari first announced his retirement from professional football in May 1986, shortly after leading Selangor FA to another Malaysia Cup victory. During the award ceremony, he symbolically handed his number 10 jersey to the Raja Muda Selangor, indicating his desire for the club to keep it in his honor. However, his absence from the field was short-lived. Driven by his passion for the game, he made a comeback in January 1987, playing one more season for Selangor FA. In 1988, he transferred to Kwong Yik Bank Football Team, where he took on a player-coach role, receiving a higher salary.

3.1. Transition to Coaching

As Mokhtar began to face recurring injury problems towards the end of his playing days, he decided to channel his vast experience and knowledge into coaching. He started his coaching journey at the local level, aiming to contribute to the development of younger footballers. He was known for his dedication to teaching the fundamentals of the game and sharing his insights.

3.2. Coaching Philosophy and Influence

Mokhtar Dahari's coaching philosophy emphasized discipline, hard work, and instilling a strong sense of national pride in his trainees. He notably coached a young Roshan Thiran, who would later become the Co-founder and CEO of Leaderonomics, and who frequently speaks about the invaluable lessons learned under Mokhtar's guidance. Mokhtar also maintained his connection with his former club, Selangor FA, often assisting with coaching duties. After his retirement from playing, he served as a player-coach for Kwong Yik Bank (now part of RHB Bank), where he continued to impart his skills and tactical understanding to the players. He even encouraged his former Selangor teammate, Reduan Abdullah, to write a book about his life and career, further demonstrating his commitment to documenting and sharing his football journey.

5.1. Diagnosis and Treatment

In 1989, Mokhtar began experiencing persistent throat problems. Upon seeking medical attention, he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). This diagnosis was a closely guarded secret, known only to Mokhtar and his wife, Tengku Zarina. In an effort to find a cure or alleviate his condition, Mokhtar traveled to London, England, with his wife to seek specialized treatment.

5.2. Death and Aftermath

Despite efforts to combat the disease, Mokhtar's condition worsened over three years. He passed away on 11 July 1991, at the age of 37. His death occurred at either the Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) or the University of Malaya Medical Centre (Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya). At the time of his death, the press widely reported that he had been suffering from muscular dystrophy. His body was laid to rest at the Taman Keramat Permai Muslim Cemetery in Taman Keramat, Ampang, Selangor.

The true cause of his death remained a mystery to the public for nearly two decades. It was finally revealed in a documentary titled The Untold Truth About Supermokh, which premiered on the National Geographic Channel on 30 August 2010. This documentary, made with the cooperation of Mokhtar's family and friends, shed light on his life journey and the precise nature of the illness that led to his untimely passing, approximately 19 years after his death.

6.1. International Goals

During his international career, Mokhtar Dahari scored a total of 125 goals in 167 appearances for Malaysia, which includes matches against club sides, national 'B' teams, and selection teams. Specifically against other nations' national 'A' teams, he scored a FIFA-recognized 89 goals in 142 appearances.

Scores and results list Malaysia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Mokhtar goal.

7.1. Club Honours

Selangor FA

• Malaysian League: 1980, 1984
• Malaysia Cup: 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986
• Malaysia Charity Cup: 1984, 1985, 1987

7.2. International Honours

Malaysia

• Pestabola Merdeka: 1973, 1974, 1976, 1979
• King's Cup: 1972, 1978
• SEA Games: Gold Medal (1977, 1979); Silver Medal (1975, 1981); Bronze Medal (1973)
• Asian Games: Bronze Medal (1974)

7.3. Individual Awards and Records

• National Sportsman Award: 1976 (also cited as 1978 by some sources)
• World Soccer magazine: The Best Asian Striker (1976, also cited as 1975 by some sources)
• AFC Asian All Stars: 1982
• AFC Century Club: 1999
• IFFHS: Men Best Malaysian Players of the Century (1901-2000)
• IFFHS: Men's All Time Malaysia Dream Team: 2022
• OCM Hall of Fame: 2004
• Ex-State & Ex-National Footballers Association of Malaysia Honour: 2011
• FourFourTwo's Top 25 Malaysian Players of All Time (1st Place): 2014
• Goal.com: The best Malaysia XI of all time: 2020

Records

• Selangor all-time top scorer: 177 goals
• Malaysia national football team all-time top scorer: 89 goals
• Southeast Asia all-time top scorer for men's national teams: 89 goals
• Asia-Pacific all-time top scorer for men's national teams: 89 goals
• 20th century all-time top scorer for men's national teams (1901-2000): 89 goals
• The youngest player to score 50 goals for men's national teams: aged 22 years 273 days
• Former all-time top scorer for men's national teams between 27 October 1980 until 16 June 2004, after surpassing Ferenc Puskás' 84 goals.
• Former Asian all-time top scorer for men's national teams between 2 May 1979 until 16 June 2004, after surpassing Kunishige Kamamoto's 75 goals.

7.4. National and State Orders

Mokhtar Dahari received several prestigious national and state orders, recognizing his contributions to sports and the nation.

• Malaysia:

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    Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (AMN) (1977)

• Pahang:

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    Knight Companion of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (DIMP) - Dato' (2000 - posthumously)

• Selangor:

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    Recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal (PJK) (1977)

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    Knight Companion of the Order of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (DSSA) - Dato' (2001 - posthumously)

8.1. Places and Institutions Named After Him

Several locations and institutions have been named in honor of Mokhtar Dahari, cementing his place in Malaysian history:

• The Mokhtar Dahari Community Square (Dataran Komuniti Mokhtar Dahari^Malay), a community hall located in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur, is named after him. This was a place where Mokhtar used to reside and occasionally played football.
• A futsal court named Gelanggang Mokhtar Dahari (Moktar Dahari Futsal Court^Malay) is situated at the Putrajaya Futsal Complex in Putrajaya.
• The national football academy, the Mokhtar Dahari National Football Academy (Akademi Bola Sepak Negara Mokhtar Dahari^Malay), established on 10 April 2014, in Gambang, Pahang, bears his name.
• The Shah Alam-Batu Arang Highway, connecting Shah Alam and Puncak Alam, was officially renamed Persiaran Mokhtar Dahari in 2014.

8.2. Cultural Impact

Mokhtar Dahari's life and achievements have had a profound cultural impact, inspiring various forms of popular culture and public recognition:

• In 2014, Google celebrated his 61st birthday with a special Google Doodle, honoring his contributions and legacy.
• A theatrical musical showcase titled "Super Mokh" (SuperMokh^Malay) was performed at Istana Budaya, with Malaysian singer-actor Awie portraying Mokhtar Dahari, further immortalizing his legendary football career.