A Malaysian Footballer

Bintang Sukanku oleh Artis Rahimah Rahim

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Born in Setapak, Mokhtar showed interest in playing football at an early age. He played for his school and later for his home state, Selangor FA. He attended secondary school at Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur from 1966 to 1970 and established the Piala Mokhtar Dahari (Mokhtar Dahari Cup) which is still being played for until today. He was only 19 years-old when he first played for the Malaysia national football team in an international game. Mokhtar helped Selangor FA win the Malaysia Cup 10 times and scored 177 goals altogether. In international games, he helped the Malaysia national football team score a total of 125 goals in 167 caps. He was the best striker in Malaysia. His first game for Malaysia national football team was against Sri Lanka national football team in 1972.

The Merdeka Stadium was his second home. Mokhtar was famous for his speed, accuracy and dribbling. Roars of "Supermokh" was all over the crowds including the young generation who tried to imitate his move. Mokhtar once did the "The Goal of the Century" like Diego Maradona except Maradona weave through six players and Mokhtar only weave through 3 players.

Along with goalkeeper R Arumugam, defenders Santokh Singh and Soh Chin Aun, midfielders Reduan Abdullah and Shukor Salleh and Mokhtar's partner upfront Isa Bakar, Mokhtar Dahari's Selangor FA and Malaysia national football team were powerful forces in the '70s.

In 1975, he represented the Malaysia national football team against English giants Arsenal. Malaysia national football team won the game 2–0, with Mokhtar scoring both goals. After the game, Mokhtar was rumoured to have been offered a chance to play for the Gunners. He also famously scored a goal in a 1–1 draw against England in 1978, dribbling past half of the opposing team coached by Bobby Robson. Paul Mariner was on the scoresheet for England that day.

Wikipedia