Dato' Mokhtar Dahari (Supermokh)

Dato' Mokhtar Dahari was a Malaysian football player from Setapak, Selangor. Born on 13 November 1953 in Setapak, Selangor. Dato' Mokhtar Dahari was the first child to Aminah binti Sharikan and Dahari Abeng. Dahari Abeng was a lorry driver and did not earn very much. Mokhtar moved with his family to Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur at the age of 11. He attended secondary school at Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur. Mokhtar showed interest in playing football at a very young age. He played for his school and later for his home state, Selangor FA.

He was one of the best players in Asia in the 70's and is known as the best Malyasian fotballer during that time, a legend in Malaysian football. During the 1970s, Mokhtar played for Malaysia and Malaysia became a powerful team and defeated Asian giants such as South Korea and Japan.

He was nicknamed Supermokh because of his playing skills, his strength and his ability to score many incredible goals throughout his career. Although not recognised internationally, Mokhtar scored 175 goals for Selangor, 20 goals in 13 appearances for Kwong Yik Bank.

Mokhtar first played for Selangor FA in the Burnley Youth Cup, which they won. He became the top scorer in his first season playing for Selangor. He helped Selangor win many tournaments mainly the Malaysia Cup. Later he was selected to play for the national team of Malaysia. He was only 19 years old when he first played for the Malaysia Natinal Football Team in an international game.

Mokhtar helped Selangor FA win the Malaysia Cup 10 times and scored 177 goals altogether. He was the best striker in Malaysia. His first game for Malaysia National Football Team was against Sri Lanka National Football Team in 1972.

He helped Malaysia win the 1974 Asian games bronze medals and successive SEA games gold medals in 1977 and 1979. He even scored double winning goals for 2-0 Malaysia League XI against Arsenal FC in a friendly game in 1975 that led to rumors of the English top clubs' interest in him. After the game, he had an offer from European giant, Real Madrid FC but declined to join because his patriotism to Malaysia and Selangor FA. Known for his speed and accuracy, Mokhtar was named the best Asian striker by the World Star soccer magazine when he was 23 years old.

Mokhtar was famous for his speed. Roars of  "Supermokh" from the crowds were common. Many of the younger generation idolised him. Mokhtar once scored a goal from the half wat line beaten Joe Corrigan through an incredible shot in a 1-1 draw against England B in 1978, dribbling past half of the opposing team coached by Bobby Robson. Gordon Hill praised Mokhtar as Hero Dahari in Shoot! magazine in his column after the England B tour in 1978.



MOKHTAR DAHARI
(13 NOVEMBER 1953 - 11 JULY 1991)

Written by: Jeslynn (1 Delphi)