KUALA LUMPUR: At only 22 years old, Arif Aiman Hanapi won a record of five awards at the 2023 National Football Awards on Monday.
The Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) was named most valuable player (MVP), best striker, most promising player, best M-League goal and joint top scorer (local player).
Arif, who plays for Harimau Malaya, also made the Fans XI.
He finished ahead of Selangor's Faisal Halim and Sabah's Darren Lok for the best striker award.
He also shared the Super League top scorer (local) award with Faisal with 12 goals each.
"I am grateful for this. Last year, I won the MVP award for the third straight time, and I would like to thank my teammates who have always supported me," said Arif.
"This is not an indicator of where I am but how I will improve as a footballer to become more successful.
"I would like to thank JDT and HRH Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Regent of Johor, for providing me with a valuable experience to prove my talent and a chance to play for the club."
JDT also swept the best goalkeeper (Ahmad Syihan Hazmi), best midfielder (Afiq Fazail), best foreign player (Bergson da Silva) and best FC awards.
Former Selangor coach Tan Cheng Hoe was named the best coach.
The award presentation was broadcast on a private television channel where all the acceptance speeches were recorded and aired.
2023 National Football Awards
Roll of Honour
MVP: Arif Aiman Hanapi (JDT)
Best striker: Arif Aiman Hanapi (JDT)
Best defender: Azam Azmi Murad (Ter)
Best goalkeeper: Ahmad Syihan Hazmi (JDT)
Best midfielder: Afiq Fazail (JDT)
Best foreign player: Bergson Da Silva (JDT)
Most promising player: Arif Aiman Hanapi (JDT)
Best coach: Tan Cheng Hoe (Sel)
Best Football Club: JDT
Super League
Golden Boot: Ayron Del Valle (Sel) - 23 goals
Top Goalscorer (Local): Faisal Halim (Sel) and Arif Aiman Hanapi (JDT) - 12 goals each
Best M-League goal: Arif Aiman Hanapi (JDT)
Fairplay Award: Terengganu
MFL Cup
Golden Boot: Ebenezer Assifuah (Ked) - 16 goals
Best Player: Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili (Terengganu II FC)
Fans XI
4-3-3
Coach: Tan Cheng Hoe
Goalkeeper: Ahmad Syihan Hazmi (JDT);
Defenders: Azam Azmi Murad (Ter), Jordi Amat (JDT), Shahrul Nizam (Ter), La'Vere Corbin-Ong (JDT)
Midfielders: Manuel Hidalgo (Ked), Afiq Fazail (JDT), Park Tae-su (Sab);
Forwards: Arif Aiman Hanapi (JDT), Bergson Da Silva (JDT), Ayron Del Valle (Sel).
