Singapore cerebral palsy (CP) football captain Khairul Anwar etched his name into the record books on Saturday when he scored thrice in their 5-3 loss to Myanmar at the 8th Asean Para Games (APG).

With his goal-scoring feats, the 29-year-old became the first local footballer to score a hat-trick at the new National Stadium. It is a feat that only Brazilian superstar Neymar and Arsenal's Chuba Akpom have managed. Neymar scored all four goals in a 4-0 thrashing of Japan in a friendly last year, while Akpom scored three out of four goals in a win over the Singapore Select XI in the Barclays Asia Trophy in July this year.



All three strikes were of the highest order as well, as the defender displayed impeccable technique to score from distance with his sweet left foot in front of a 4,251-strong crowd.

The first came after three minutes, a stunning lob straight from kick-off to equalise after Myanmar had taken the lead. Khairul’s second was a similar strike in the second half that arched into the top right corner, while his third came from a precise free-kick.

Khairul, who also hit the woodwork twice with two long-range attempts, has now scored all four of Singapore’s goals in the competition. He scored a last-minute winner in their opening 1-0 win against Indonesia on Friday.

‘Special’ player

Unsurprisingly, Singapore coach Mohamed Zainudeen lauded his skipper as a “special” player after the game. “Khai is a talented boy,” he said. “He’s got very good technique, the best in the team.”

Khairul himself played down his goals and preferred to focus on the effort put in by his side, which he praised despite going down to the defending champions.

“Football has been my passion and whatever it is, three goals or four goals that I score, for me the team always comes first,” he said.

“It was tough. [Both teams] played really well. I think every one of us worked for the country. It was a fantastic game, a good experience for all of us and everyone put in everything.”

Myanmar, who beat Singapore 1-0 in the previous APG last year to clinch gold on home soil, proved too strong again this time.

They took an early lead on two minutes through a scorcher from captain That Naing and Wai Yan Min Tun made it 2-1 in the sixth minute after Khairul briefly levelled for Singapore.

In the second half, Tin Mg Latt’s charges stormed to a four-goal lead as Hein Htet, Kaung Myat Naing and Min Tun added further strikes. Khairul sparked a rally with a late brace, but it was too little too late.

“Our strikers’ performance was the best part of the game,” Mg Latt said. “We are just pleased with the result. There are great expectations on us, because in 2014 we got the gold. We are expecting another gold this time.”

Despite defeat, Zainudeen remained “proud” of his players’ performance and hailed their strong character, as they came off the pitch to a standing ovation and applause from the home crowd.

View photos 8th ASEAN Para Games 2015 - National Stadium, Singapore - 3/12/15 Cerebral Palsy Football - Round Robin - Singapore v Indonesia - Singapore's Khairul Anwar Bin Kasmani (C) celebrates after winning the match APG2015 Mandatory Credit: Sport Singapore / Action Images via Reuters Livepic More

Myanmar player like a ‘normal’ player

However, Zainudeen also noted that some of the Myanmar players appeared to be of a lower classification than their ability indicated.

In CP football, players are categorised into different classifications based on their level of disability - the lower the number, the more severe their impairment. Each team has to include at least one C5 player, while being restricted to one C8 player.

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