Norshahrul Idlan Talaha

Norshahrul Idlan bin Talaha (born 8 June 1986) is a Malaysian former professional footballer who played as a forward. From 2007 to 2022, he represented the Malaysia national team. He is most popularly known as Mat Yo by Malaysian football fans.

Career

Perak Norshahrul was born in Besut, Terengganu. His talent in football started at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Jertih, Terengganu, where he rose up to represent Terengganu in the National Schools Sports Council of Malaysia tournament (MSSM football tournament) in 1998. Later, he attended his secondary education at Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil from form 1 to form 5. He was involved in most national under-age groups' teams and youth levels before Perak FA secured him a professional contract in 2004.

UPB-MyTeam He later signed by the newly created club, UPB-MyTeam FC. He was one of the team's key players and score 16 goals in all competition for the club.

Kelantan Norshahrul join Kelantan in late 2009. He was part of their 2010 Malaysia Cup-winning team. Norshahrul won two awards at the 2010 Anugerah Bola Sepak Kebangsaan 100Plus-FAM as the Best Forward and Most Valuable Player. He won three times in a row 2010,2011 and 2012 for Anugerah Bolasepak Kebangsaan 100Plus-FAM and Piala Supermokh Best Forward.

Johor Darul Ta'zim After spending three years in Kota Bharu, Norshahrul left the Kelantanese outfit to join Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) for an undisclosed fee. He was the highest-scoring local player throughout the season.

Armed Forces Norshahrul joined ATM FA for the 2015 season, after leaving Johor Darul Takzim FC at the conclusion of his contract at the end of 2014. He was reunited with his former coach back when he was in Kelantan, B. Sathianathan.

Terengganu After only 3 months with ATM FA, Norshahrul encountered problems with the payment of his salary. He signed with Terengganu for the remaining of 2015 Malaysia Super League season.

Felda United Norshahrul signed with Felda United after spending two years with Terengganu.

Pahang After a disappointing deal with Felda United, he went on to sign with Malaysian Super League runners up Pahang. He won Piala Fa Cup 2018.

BG Pathum United After released by Pahang, he signed a one-year contract with BG Pathum United for 2020 Thai League 1 season. With BG Pathum, he created history by becoming the first Malaysian professional footballer to won a first division league title in Thailand.

Melaka United In 2022 Norshahrul joined Melaka United on a 1-year deal. Melaka United also failed to settle salary for 6 months.

Harini FT In 2023 at the age of 37, Norshahrul made a sensational move to second tier side Malaysia M3 League Harini FT as one of the ex Malaysia national team players to join a semi-pro league. In a 2023 Malaysia Cup Round of 16 fixtures against Sri Pahang on 4 August 2023, Norshahrul scored the equaliser that level the game at 2–2 but unfortunately felt to a last minute goal where it would ended up in a 3–2 defeat. First local player won cup Champions E-games.

International career Norshahrul has played for the Malaysia national youth team for 2004 AFC Youth Championship. He win Best Player and Top Scorer Nike Cup in Thailand. Against Nepal during the tournament as Malaysia made it to the quarter finals. He is also one of the Malaysia under 23 players that won the 2007 Pestabola Merdeka. He made his full international debut against Bahrain on 28 October 2007 after coming in for Sumardi Hajalan.

On 12 July 2009, Norshahrul scored his first senior international goals in an unofficial match against Uganda. He later score his first full international goal against Lesotho on 11 September 2009.

In November 2010, Norshahrul was called up to the Malaysia national squad by coach K. Rajagopal for the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. Norshahrul scored 2 goals for Malaysia that time, one was a 5–1 loss against Indonesia and a 5–1 victory against Laos. Malaysia won the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup title for the first time in their history.

On 9 December 2012, he scored a goal for Malaysia against Thailand in 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup, as Malaysia failed to retain the title having lost to Thailand on aggregate in the semi-finals.

Norshahrul was again included by new coach Dollah Salleh for the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup squad, and played in all of Malaysia games as Malaysia advanced into the finals, only to be denied of the title by Thailand. Norshahrul scored one goal in the tournament, against Vietnam in the semi-final second leg.

Career statistics Club

International

International goals Scores and results list Malaysia's goal tally first.

U-23 team

Appearances in major competitions

Honours

Club

Kelantan FA Malaysia Super League (2): 2011, 2012 Malaysia FA Cup: 2012 Malaysia Cup (2): 2010, 2012 Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup: Winners (1): 2011

Johor Darul Takzim 2014 Malaysia Super League: Winner 2014 Malaysia Cup: Runner Up 2013 Malaysia FA Cup: Runner Up

Pahang FA 2018 Malaysia FA Cup: Winner

BG Pathum United 2020–21 Thai League 1: Winner

International 2007 Pestabola Merdeka: Winner 2009 SEA Games: Gold 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup: Winner 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup: Runner Up 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup: Runner Up

Individual 2010 Anugerah Bola Sepak Kebangsaan 100Plus-FAM: the Best Forward and Most Valuable Player 2011 Anugerah Bola Sepak Kebangsaan 100Plus-FAM: the Best Forward and Most Valuable Player 2012 Anugerah Bola Sepak Kebangsaan 100Plus-FAM: the Best Forward and Most Valuable Player Goal.com monthly Asian Best XI (Subs): January 2012 2018 AFF Championship: Best Eleven ASEAN Football Federation Best XI: 2019