Mohamad Hanafi bin Mohd Akbar (born 7 February 1995) is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Singapore Premier League side Tampines Rovers and the Singapore national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mohamad Hanafi bin Mohd Akbar | ||
| Date of birth | 7 February 1995[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Singapore | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Tampines Rovers | ||
| Number | 2 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2008–2013 | National Football Academy | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014–2017 | Balestier Khalsa | 12 | (0) |
| 2018– | Tampines Rovers | 0 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2021— | Singapore | 0 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:57, 23 November 2014 (UTC) | |||
Career edit
Youth career edit
Hanafi represented the Singapore national under-14 team at the 2009 Asian Youth Games, and was part of the national under-15 team which won the bronze medal at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics.[1] He attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and Juventus FC for his exploits at youth level.[2]
However, he failed to capitalise on his talents, choosing the influence of bad company instead, Hanafi skipped training with the National Football Academy and quit the team in 2013.[3]
Balestier Khalsa edit
He eventually signed a two-year contract with S.League club Balestier Khalsa in December 2013 after being written off as a "rebel" by many coaches.[2][4][5]
However, he was arrested for drug use in 2015 and was eventually sentenced for a year's imprisonment.[2][6] Hanafi rejoined the Tigers in 2017 after his release and made his return to football in a S.League game against Garena Young Lions on 2 April 2017. Coming on as a half-time substitute, Hanafi showed his early promise by playing a part in his team's solitary goal of the game. Hanafi controlled the ball on his chest before sending a glorious cross-field volley to teammate Hazzuwan Halim, who squared the ball for Myanmar forward Aung Kyaw Naing to slot home the winner from close range.[6]
Honours edit
Singapore U15
- Summer Youth Olympics: bronze medalist, 2010 [5]
References edit
- ^ a b "Singapore finalises squad of 18 for AYG". Football Association of Singapore. 15 June 2009. Archived from the original on 23 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ a b c "Hanafi Akbar arrested for drug offences". The New Paper. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ Wang, Meng Meng (14 April 2013). "Hanafi's making up for lost time". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ Kasim, Ali (29 November 2013). "A new beginning for Hanafi". The New Paper. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Balestier Khalsa Football Club have signed playmaker Mohamad Hanafi Bin Mohd Akbar from NFA Under-18 squad for 2014 football season". Balestier Khalsa FC. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Hanafi impresses on return after 3-year absence". The New Paper. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
External links edit
- Hanafi Akbar at Soccerway
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