Arif Aiman Grateful For Comeback After Tough Recovery

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- Sensational Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi has expressed gratitude after returning to action following a six-month layoff due to a serious injury.

Arif Aiman, who made his competitive return in the 2025-2026 Malaysia Cup final against Kuching City last night, admitted the recovery process had not been easy.

The national player said he had to endure a demanding daily training and rehabilitation routine to ensure he regained full fitness to return to the pitch.

“First of all, Alhamdulillah, I am grateful after being out of action for about six months. I really struggled to make my comeback. Spending every day in the gym was boring, but I had to go through it because this was the worst injury of my football career.

“I took it as motivation. After the injury, I gave myself time to rest, did not put pressure on myself and took the time to recover because I believed that one day I would make a comeback like today,” he said at the post-match press conference after the final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here.

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SPORTS-FOOTBALL (ARIF AIMAN) 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR

Arif Aiman suffered a hamstring injury during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying match between Malaysia and Nepal here on Nov 18 last year.

In last night’s match, Arif Aiman delighted Southern Tigers supporters when he came on in the 65th minute before scoring his team’s second goal in the 90th minute to help JDT defeat Kuching City 2-0 and retain the Malaysia Cup title for a fourth consecutive season.

The 24-year-old was also named Player of the Match.

Meanwhile, Arif Aiman confirmed that he will soon tie the knot, with media reports previously stating that his wedding to fiancée Nurul Aliah Natasha Md Hairushahri is scheduled to take place in Johor Bahru tomorrow (May 25).

“Alhamdulillah. This is the most meaningful gift after six months out of action. So, I will begin a new phase in my life,” said the four-time consecutive National Football Awards Most Valuable Player.

-- BERNAMA