Mohd Amirul Hadi Zainal

Muhammad Amirul Hadi bin Zainal (born 27 May 1986) is a Malaysian former professional footballer who last plays for Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim II and the Malaysian national team as a central midfielder. Born in Alor Gajah, Malacca but raised in Klang, Selangor, Amirul is the son of former top Selangor player in 1990s, Zainal Nordin.

Club career

Pahang FA Amirul Hadi joined Pahang from Selangor ahead of the 2013 season. For Pahang, he played as a central midfielder. He was man of the match as Pahang took a one-goal lead in the quarter-final of the 2013 Malaysia Cup against PKNS, and on 3 November 2013, he assisted Pahang to defeat Kelantan 1–0 in the Cup Final which ended the team's 21-year drought in the Cup. In the 2013 Malaysia Super League season, he scored once in 19 appearances. After reviving his career with Pahang FA and helped them to lift the long sought trophy, he decided to not extend the contract with them for the upcoming season as he joined Johor Darul Takzim FC later for the new challenge down south.

International career Amirul has represented the Malaysian under-23 side for the 2008 Olympic Games qualifier. He scored a brilliant solo goal against the Hong Kong under-23 teams in the qualifier.

Amirul made his senior debut against Bahrain in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Malaysia lost their first match of the qualifier 4–1 before drawing 0–0 at Shah Alam. Amirul also represented the Malaysia XI squad against Chelsea F.C. at Shah Alam Stadium on 29 July 2008. He was one of Malaysia's more impressive player in the match after getting three attempts on goal but failed to score. The Malaysia XI eventually lost 0–2. However, Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari praised the Malaysia XI for giving a good fight against his team.

Amirul scored his first international senior goal against Myanmar in 2008 Merdeka Tournament. He was also part of the 2009 Southeast Asian Games winning squad.

In November 2010, Amirul was called up to the Malaysia national squad by coach K. Rajagopal for the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. Amirul scored in the final group game against Laos in a 5–1 victory. Malaysia won the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup title for the first time in their history.

On 14 July 2016, Amirul announced his retirement from international football after 34 'A' international caps and 7 'A' international goals.

International goals

Under-23 Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 7 March 2007 Mongkok Stadium, Hong Kong 2008 Summer Olympics qualification 2. 3 December 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand 2007 SEA Games 3. 8 December 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand 2007 SEA Games 4. 2 December 2009 New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane 2009 SEA Games

Senior team Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 23 October 2008 National Stadium, Bukit Jalil 4–0 (W) 2008 Merdeka Tournament 2. 11 November 2008 Thuwunna Stadium, Myanmar 4–1 (L) 2008 Myanmar Grand Royal Challenge Cup 3. 29 November 2008 MBPJ Stadium 2–2 (D) Friendly Match 4. 11 September 2009 MBPJ Stadium 5–0 (W) Friendly Match 5. 7 December 2010 Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium 5–1 (W) 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup 6. 9 February 2011 Shah Alam Stadium 2–0 (W) Friendly Match 7. 18 June 2011 Sultan Mohammad IV Stadium 2–0 (W) Friendly Match

Honours

Club Selangor Malaysia Super League: 2009, 2010 Malaysia Charity Shield: 2009, 2010 Malaysia FA Cup: 2009

Pahang Malaysia Cup: 2013

Johor Darul Takzim Malaysia Super League: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Malaysia Charity Shield: 2015, 2016 Malaysia Cup: 2017; runner-up 2014 Malaysia FA Cup: 2016 AFC Cup: 2015

Johor Darul Ta'zim II F.C. Malaysia Challenge Cup(1): 2019

International Pestabola Merdeka: 2007 SEA Games : 2009 Gold AFF Championship : 2010