He was arrested for failing to attend court for a traffic summons last year, and served four days in detention after being charged by the Singapore Police Force in 2013 for going absent without official leave (AWOL) to play in a Malaysia Super League (MSL) match.
Released by Tampines Rovers at the end of the 2017 S-League season for disciplinary issues according to then Stags coach Jurgen Raab, national left-back Shakir Hamzah could have easily turned out to be one of those talented footballers who strayed and never got to fulfil their potential.
But, thankfully for the 26-year-old, he came to his senses before it was too late.
After a solid season in which he played 21 Singapore Premier League and 10 AFC Cup games - Shakir missed five matches only through injury and suspension - and scored four goals for Home United, the indefatigable defender's energetic displays have been rewarded with a one-year contract with MSL side Kedah, his first with a foreign side, and a pay rise.
Before he leaves for Alor Setar with his wife, two daughters aged two and one, and a two-month-old son on Thursday, The Straits Times caught up with Shakir on Saturday.
He shared how he decided to turn over a new leaf only when he was restrained by cable tie during last year's arrest at Changi Airport, right before his former club Tampines departed to play pre-season friendlies in Terengganu.
He said: "I forgot about my court date. Later, I was released on bail after about one hour in the station but, in that time, I realised it was time for me to become a better person.
CHANGE FOR GOOD
I see talented players like Mario Balotelli who are so good but got nowhere in their careers. If I have a similar heck-care attitude, I won't go far, and I feel I can still improve to become a better footballer.
SHAKIR HAMZAH, on his decision to turn over a new leaf and be serious about football.
"I see talented players like Mario Balotelli who are so good but got nowhere in their careers. If I have a similar heck-care attitude, I won't go far, and I feel I can still improve to become a better footballer."
There was also speculation that Shakir was going through some relationship problems, but he insisted that his 29-year-old wife Erni Maulood and father Hamzah Haron are key to his turnaround.
He said: "They had been scolding and reminding me that if I continued to be ill-disciplined, how could I further my career?
"In every relationship, there will be problems and fights. In the past, I loved to create problems which made it frustrating for my wife and I. But I thank God for giving me such a patient wife who never gave up on me. I can only repay her by being a better husband and father.
"When I was younger, I was immature and did not think of the consequences before I did something.
"Now that I'm married with three kids, I understand that there is no point getting into trouble because it affects my family and not just me any more."
National footballer Shakir Hamzah talks about turning points in his career
After seeing Shakir play nine out of 10 national team games this year - scoring one goal and contributing to three clean sheets - former national coach Fandi Ahmad is convinced Shakir will do well for Kedah.
"He is a very reliable wing-back who can play in more than one position. He is good in defence and provides an attacking option with his overlapping runs," said Fandi.
"He will surely be an asset to his new team with his tremendous fitness, speed and aggression."
Kedah coach Aidil Sharin, who was also Shakir's mentor at Home United both last season and 14 years ago at the club's centre of excellence, added: "He is Singapore's best footballer this year. His work rate and defensive stability are rare qualities in this region.
"Some coaches may have had a hard time with him, but he has been superb with me and, hopefully, we will be successful together again."
Even as those around him attest to his positive transformation, there is something Shakir will not change - the ferocity of his game that caught the eye of coach Diego Simeone after he snapped at Radamel Falcao's heels and dispossessed Diego Costa when Atletico Madrid visited Singapore in 2013.
The 1.79m, 65kg defender said: "I am not the biggest left-back around, so I have to rely on my speed and I have to be clever in how I defend against them.
"If I have to impose myself against a bigger striker, I will not hesitate to do so, otherwise they will know they can take advantage of you.
"I'm grateful to sign with Kedah. My longer-term aim is a better contract, or move on to play for a better team from a better league because I won't be satisfied to remain on the same level."
SUN 06 Jan 2019 Spanish La Liga. rivals and current leaders Barcelona in March. Santiago Solari's side can move to level on points with third-place Sevilla with victory over 15th-place
La Liga: Pressure Piles On Coach Zinedine Zidane As Real
Barcelona suffered a shock defeat at Real Sociedad to give their title rivals hope, with Wolfsburg the only other quarter-finalists who did not take three points on Saturday.
Anumanthan Kumar - Wikipedia
Olivier Giroud seeks France return to boost game time Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud wants to move back to France when his contract expires at the end of the season after growing frustrated by a lack of playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri.
Chelsea's Giroud seeks France return to boost game time
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri charged with misconduct by FA after sending-off at end of Burnley game that sparked touchline melee. Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri charged with misconduct by FA
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool's fighting spirit as he sets points target for title. Mohamed Salah ran from inside his own half to find the net for the first time in nine Klopp said: "The
Klopp sets Liverpool a huge points target and hails Anfield
Arsenal boss Unai Emery believes that his team should focus only on themselves and not on other teams. The Gunners went back to 4th place in the Premier League after defeating Southampton 2-0 thanks to goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Emery calls on Ozil to produce consistency in training
Chelsea star Eden Hazard has paid tribute to his team-mate Cesc Fabregas, who is set to depart the club after four and a half seasons.. The 31-year-old is closing in on a move to Monaco, where he will link up with manager Thierry Henry, a team-mate of Fabregas at Arsenal.
Eden Hazard says goodbye to 'great friend' Cesc Fabregas as
Klopp denies Liverpool's lighter schedule is title advantage Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp denied on Friday that his Premier League leaders will have the upper hand over Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the title race despite a lighter schedule after crashing out of both domestic cup competitions.
Klopp denies Liverpool's lighter schedule is title advantage
Los Blancos are out of the Champions League as their title defence came crashing down at the Bernabeu courtesy of a 4-1 defeat against the Dutch side. Real had been leading 2-1 from the first leg
Son calls for patience as Koreans turn to youth for 2022
Liverpool Back On Top With Newcastle Win But Lose Salah Liverpool's Premier League title challenge remains alive after Divock Origi scored an 86th-minute winner in a dramatic 3-2 victory at
Liverpool returns to Premier League top as Salah injured
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has vowed to "isolate" his players from politics at the Asian Cup, which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates during a diplomatic crisis between the countries. The tournament represents the first visit by the Qatari national side to the UAE since the beginning of a row that has transformed the Gulf and left
Qatar coach to 'isolate' team from Gulf politics at Asian Cup
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga
Soccer: Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
Man Utd's Martial, Lingard to miss Chelsea, Liverpool matches Manchester United will be without Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard for Monday's FA Cup clash at Chelsea with both sidelined for up to three weeks after picking up injuries during Tuesday's Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain.
Football: Man United's Martial, Lingard to miss Chelsea
Agree he should be sacked but he won't be. Player power has been a problem at Chelsea for years, all the players have been replaced many times over so it must be in the culture of the place. Won't change as Ambramovich has shown over and over again that the players are more important and have more power than the manager.
MILAN: European football governing body UEFA said Friday that the correct anti-racism protocol had not been followed during the Italian league game between Inter Milan and Napoli midweek amid repeated abuse of Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming
super soccer tv live streaming persib
watch coppa america live streaming indosiar
watch coppa america live streaming qatar
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch soccer online free streaming live arabic
watch premier league live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch champions league live streaming espn
watch premier league live stream hd
watch live premier league football streaming online for free iraqgoals
watch champions league live streaming kenya
watch soccer games live stream free app
watch coppa america live streaming online free
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
super soccer tv live streaming indonesia
best site to watch live soccer streaming
watch champions league final live streaming online
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
watch soccer live streaming jamaica
watch champions league simulcast live stream
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming sub eng
watch soccer games online free streaming live
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online
watch champions league live streaming now tv
watch champions league draw live stream total sportek
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch soccer live streaming xbox
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming totalsportek
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
www.watch premier league live stream.com
watch coppa america live streaming vivo
watch live stream soccer games online free
watch soccer live stream links
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
where to watch champions league live streaming
watch soccer live streaming xfinity
watch premier league live streaming video
watch soccer online free streaming live espn
watch english premier league live streaming hd
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch champions league live streaming cricfree
watch soccer live streaming qatar vs philippines
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming online
watch soccer live streaming zimbabwe
soccer tv live net stream
watch usa soccer live stream
watch premier league matches live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch live soccer game today
cpl 2018 live streaming watch caribbean premier league t20 2018
watch coppa america live streaming xbox one
watch live english premier league online free streaming
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online india
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch indian premier league live streaming
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming hotstar
how to watch uefa champions league live streaming
watch premier league live streaming youtube
watch champions league live streaming bt sport
watch premier league games live stream
watch soccer live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch soccer live streaming mobile
watch soccer live streaming qatar
watch the champions league live stream
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch live streaming soccer games
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo 7
watch coppa america live streaming juventus
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
watch champions league draw live streaming
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch soccer online free streaming live english
watch soccer live football streaming - ronaldo7.net
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch soccer live - live football streaming
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming free online
watch soccer online free streaming live in english
watch coppa america live streaming vf
watch coppa america live streaming english
#footballmemes #realmadrid #gym #premierleague #insegreto #footballdubai #conference #Celtic #freekick #beatifulgame #arsenalfantv #portsmouthfc #juventus #hoffenhiem #GarageCafeDxb #roadtrip #Barca #bayern #golazo #gooners #PartyTime #seriea #meunier #tokyo #commento #leomessi #lionelmessi #footballfans #championship #433skills #zinedinezidane #livestreaming #paulmcartney #romania #panini #sunderlandafc #football #cristianoronaldo #goodday #Barcelona #footballmeme #thebeatles #livestreams #golf #noelgallagher #coyg #lovefootball #liverpoolfans #ballondor #valcea #manunited #bayervshoffenheim #boxing #liverpool #champion #livesports #knuckleball #Liamgallagher #pagani #londoncity #arsenalnews #klopp #BMW #kickoff #winner #chocolate #afcnews #gunners #adidasslipon #Vip45 #trollfootball #football #chocolatecoffee #Fcb #mensnightout #Liverpool #battuteepiche #manchestercity #MSport #bestshishacafedubai #ronaldo #villarealcf #mane #oasisofficial #uefanationsleague #MyDubai #footballstreaming #24x7 #neymar #Suarez #comico #salah #championsleague
No comments:
Post a Comment