The RIGHT Back | #KaranganBolaSepak
The RIGHT Back | #KaranganBolaSepak by Patrick
Credit: DAZN
My father loves Jalaluddin Jaafar, Pahang’s Right Back for almost his entire career. Even has a jersey with his name on it. Rarely been injured. Always performed. Helped Pahang to get back into the Liga Super from the Premier League for the 2013 year. Winning the double in 2014. Malaysia Cup and Malaysia FA Cup. I was there with my family. It was a special time with my family. Jalauddin Jaafar gave his life for Pahang.
In 2015 he retired at age 40 years old.
April 2015 Pahang signed Matthew Davies at age 20 yeas old. Coming over from Perth, Australia. Spent almost five years with Pahang while being a mainstay on the Malaysian national team first team squad and the under 23 squad. Nobody knew who he was when he came over. I even asked my former college mate who is living in Perth. But sadly he is not a football fan. So information on him was limited a part from maybe YouTube clips if I recall.
During the time that he was with Pahang he show a lot of consistently that would make Jalauddin Jaafar proud. Had his movements but he always rose back up. That speaks a lot well about his mentality and attitude to be the best footballer on the pitch. Always loves a challenge sort of attitude. That Pahang FC experiment in 2016 was where I think he deserved better. But I think the series of challenges in that 2016 year helped built him better.
They should have won the double in 2017 and my family would have love see a person so dedicated earning his just rewards. But he’d had only to wait for another year when Pahang beat Selangor convincingly at a newly minted Stadium Bukit Jalil. During the FIFA World Cup. We wanted to go watch but my family had to tend on personal matters. But saw the game on TV and it was good to see them win a trophy again. Sadly he didn’t go to AFF Suzuki Up. Maybe he was injured? That year was crazy - so many football in a limited space of time. Won’t be surprised if he and others who weren’t called up was burnt out. You can see that with Malaysia in the finals of the Suzuki cup.
It was sad to see him move to Johor Darul Tak’zim in 2020. Really wish he could be like Jalaluddin Jaafar. But with what’s happening. Moving to Johor was the best move for him and his career. Just hope he comes back to Kuantan once he wins tons of trophy for club and country! Maybe become a coach? Or a pundit like Stanley Bernard. Would like to hear how he speaks about the game. Rarely to see that nowadays. Feels like a distant memory with the pandemic.
Note from padangbolasepak.com: During the Restriction Movement Order 2021 Malaysia to combat Covid19 - Padangbolasepak.com encourages you from home to write essays about our beloved game of football. Can be anything. Why you fell in love with it? Your first game watching or playing? Friendships forged? Etc. Stars the limit.
500++ words.
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