Nik Akif

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Nik Mat is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Nik Akif Syahiran. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Nik Akif Syahiran bin Nik Mat (born 11 May 1999) is a Malaysian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Malaysia Super League club Penang, and the Malaysia national team.^[2]

Nik Akif

Personal information
Full name	Nik Akif Syahiran bin Nik Mat
Date of birth	(1999-05-11) 11 May 1999 (age 26)
Place of birth	Kuala Krai, Kelantan, Malaysia
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)[1]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Penang
Number	33
Youth career
2016	Bukit Jalil Sports School
2017	Kelantan U21
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2020	Kelantan	43	(9)
2021–2022	Terengganu	17	(1)
2022	→ Kelantan United (loan)	8	(0)
2023–	Penang	19	(2)
International career‡
2017–2018	Malaysia U19	15	(5)
2017–	Malaysia U23	12	(0)
2018–	Malaysia	4	(0)
Medal record AFF U-19 Youth Championship 2018 Indonesia 2017 Myanmar
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 June 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 November 2019

Born in Kuala Krai in state of Kelantan, Nik Akif started his career at Bukit Jalil Sports School before joined Kelantan youth team in 2017.^[3]

Club career

Kelantan

On 11 November 2017, it was announced that Nik Akif has been promoted to the Kelantan's first team for 2018 season.^[4][5] On 3 February 2018, Nik Akif made his first league appearance for Kelantan in a 1–2 defeat over Melaka United coming off bench for Fadhilah Pauzi.

Terengganu

On 8 December 2020, Nik Akif officially sign 2 years contract with Terengganu FC.

International career

Youth

On 2 September 2017, Akif has been selected to represent Malaysia U19 at 2017 AFF U-18 Youth Championship in Yangon, Myanmar.^[6] On 4 September 2017, Nik Akif made his debut for Malaysia U19 in a 4–1 win over Laos.^[7] Nik Akif has scored one goal in a 1–1 draw over Thailand on 12 September 2017. On the final of Hassanah Bolkiah Trophy, Akif scored the winning goal for Malaysia defeating Myanmar 3-4.^[8]

On 31 October 2017, Akif Syahiran scored one goal in 1–4 win over Timor-Leste during the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship qualification at Paju Public Stadium.

On 23 November 2017, Akif Syahiran has been enlisted in Malaysia U22's 30-man provisional squad for the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship.^[9] On 10 January 2018, Akif made his first appearance for the Malaysia U23 came from the bench in the 88th minute in a 1–4 defeat to Iraq at Changshu Stadium.^[10]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 8 June 2023^[11]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Kelantan	2018	Malaysia Super League	18	2	2	0	4	2	–		24	4
	2019	Malaysia Premier League	14	5	1	0	4	0	–		19	5
	2020	Malaysia Premier League	11	2	0	0	1	0	–		12	2
	Total		43	9	3	0	9	2	–		55	11
Terengganu	2021	Malaysia Super League	17	1	–		3	0	–		20	1
	Total		17	1	–		3	0	–		20	1
Kelantan United (loan)	2022	Malaysia Premier League	8	0	0	0	1	0	–		9	0
	Total		8	0	0	0	1	0	–		9	0
Penang	2023	Malaysia Super League	14	2	0	0	0	0	–		14	2
	Total		14	2	0	0	0	0	–		14	2
Career Total			82	12	3	0	13	2	–	–	98	14

International

As of 16 October 2018 ^[12]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Malaysia	2018	4	0
	Total	4	0

Malaysia Under-19

Nik Akif – goals for Malaysia U19
#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	12 September 2017	Aung San Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar	Thailand	1–0	1–1	2017 AFF U-18 Youth Championship
2.	31 October 2017	Paju Public Stadium, Paju, South Korea	Timor-Leste	2–0	3–1	2018 AFC U-19 Championship qualification
3.	14 July 2018	Gelora Delta Stadium, Indonesia	Myanmar	0–2	3-4	2018 AFF U-19 Youth Championship
4.	14 July 2018	Gelora Delta Stadium, Indonesia	Myanmar	3–4	3-4	2018 AFF U-19 Youth Championship
5.	6 October 2018	Doha, Qatar	Qatar	1–1	3–1	Friendly

Honours

Malaysia U19

• AFF U-19 Youth Championship : 2018, runner-up: 2017