1. Early Life and Background
Mohd Nizaruddin Yusof was born on 10 November 1979 in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
1.1. Youth Career
He began his football development in the youth system of Kuala Lumpur FA, playing for their youth academy from 1997 to 1998.
2. Club Career
Mohd Nizaruddin Yusof enjoyed a prolific career across several Malaysian clubs, where he was celebrated for his goal-scoring prowess and ability to create opportunities for his teammates.
2.1. Early Professional Career (1999-2005)
Yusof started his professional career with Kuala Lumpur FA, making 24 appearances and scoring 8 goals between 1999 and 2000. He then moved to Selangor FA, where he played from 2000 to 2003, featuring in 43 matches and scoring 19 goals. During his time with Selangor, he became an instant hit with the local fans and was a coveted player in the M-League. Following his impactful period at Selangor, he joined MPPJ FC in 2004, where he made 16 appearances and scored 4 goals, further solidifying his reputation during what was considered his prime. In 2005, he played for Public Bank FC, contributing 5 goals in 16 appearances.
2.2. Later Professional Career (2005-2014)
From 2005 to 2006, Yusof played for Negeri Sembilan FA, appearing in 9 matches and scoring 1 goal. He then moved to UPB-MyTeam, where he had a productive spell from 2006 to 2007, scoring 13 goals in 28 appearances.
In November 2007, he signed with Perlis FA. Although he did not play in the match when Perlis won the Malaysia Charity Shield, he became a key player for the club. In 2008, he had a season-long loan spell at PDRM FA, making 6 appearances and scoring 1 goal. After his contract with PDRM ended, he returned to Perlis FA in 2009. His return was highly successful, as he won the 2009 Malaysia Super League Golden Boot award by scoring 18 goals, and the team finished as runners-up in the league season.
Following a year with Perlis, Yusof continued his career with KL PLUS in 2010, playing 19 matches and scoring 8 goals. In 2011, he joined Felda United, where he scored 3 goals in 14 appearances. In April 2012, he moved to PKNS FC on a free transfer, making 16 appearances and scoring 4 goals. His next club was ATM FA, which he joined in April 2013, contributing 1 goal in 11 appearances. In 2014, he joined MOF FC as a player-assistant coach. He last played for Penjara FC in the Malaysia FAM League.
3. International Career
Mohd Nizaruddin Yusof was a significant player for the Malaysian national football teams throughout his career, known for his experience and ability to create chances.
3.1. Under-23 National Team
Yusof represented the Malaysia Under-23 national team at the 2001 Southeast Asian Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The team achieved a silver medal in the competition.
3.2. Senior National Team
His senior national team career spanned from 1999 to 2008, during which he earned 53 caps and scored 10 goals. He debuted for Malaysia during the 1999 Dubai Tour under coach Abdul Rahman Ibrahim. He was consistently selected for the Malaysian squad, making him one of the more experienced players at the time. Yusof participated in key international competitions, including the 2000 Merdeka Tournament and the 2000 ASEAN Football Championship. While he did not score a high volume of goals for the national team, he was highly regarded for his ability to produce crucial assists for his teammates.
4. International Goals
Mohd Nizaruddin Yusof scored 10 goals for the Malaysian national team during his international career.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 28 December 1999 | Dubai, UAE | Singapore | 1-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 2. | 7 February 2000 | Singapore | Singapore | 3-1 | Lost | Friendly |
| 3. | 15 February 2000 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Maldives | 2-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 4. | 27 March 2000 | Shah Alam, Malaysia | North Korea | 1-1 | Draw | 2000 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 5. | 8 April 2000 | Bangkok, Thailand | Thailand | 3-2 | Lost | 2000 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 6. | 6 August 2000 | Shah Alam, Malaysia | Myanmar | 6-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 7. | 6 August 2000 | Shah Alam, Malaysia | Myanmar | 6-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 8. | 18 December 2002 | Singapore | Singapore | 0-4 | Won | 2002 Tiger Cup Group Stage |
| 9. | 12 January 2007 | Bangkok, Thailand | Philippines | 4-0 | Won | 2007 ASEAN Football Championship |
| 10. | 20 October 2008 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Afghanistan | 6-0 | Won | 2008 Pestabola Merdeka |
5. Post-Playing Career
After concluding his playing career, Mohd Nizaruddin Yusof transitioned into roles off the pitch. He became a sports commentator for the Malaysian television channel Astro Arena, providing insights and analysis on football matches. Additionally, in 2014, he took on a dual role as a player-assistant coach for MOF FC, combining his continued involvement in the game with a coaching position.
6. Honours
Mohd Nizaruddin Yusof accumulated several team and individual honours throughout his football career.
6.1. Club Honours
- Kuala Lumpur FA
- President Cup: 1998
- Malaysia FA Cup: 1999
- Malaysia Charity Shield: 2000
- Selangor FA
- Malaysia FA Cup: 2001
- Malaysia Cup: 2002
- Malaysia Charity Shield: 2002
- MPPJ FC
- Malaysia Premier League: 2004
- Malaysia Charity Shield: 2004
- Negeri Sembilan FA
- Malaysia Super League: 2005-06
- Perlis FA
- Malaysia Super League: 2009 runner-up
6.2. National Team Honours
- Malaysia U-23
- SEA Games: Silver medal (2001)
- Malaysia
- Tiger Cup: Third place (2000)
- Pestabola Merdeka: Runner-up (2008)
6.3. Individual Honours
- Malaysia Super League Golden Boot: 2009 (18 goals)