SINGAPORE - A day after meeting English superstar David Beckham, cerebral palsy footballer Khairul Anwar added another long-range stunner to his resume in Singapore's 4-2 win over Malaysia at the Asean Para Games on Monday.
The result was inconsequential as the Causeway rivals are already booked for the bronze play-off game at the National Stadium on Wednesday, at 1pm. Favourites Thailand and defending champions Myanmar will contest the final.
That did not deter 29-year-old Khairul from entertaining an effervescent crowd of around 500 at the National Stadium.
Given time and space just past the halfway line, his trusty left foot unleashed a looper that dipped just beneath the Malaysian goal.
It was the Republic Polytechnic student's fifth goal of the tournament - all from long distance.
Team-mate Shahidil Saidi also impressed with a clinical brace, while Taufiq Baharin capped off the scoring.
Coach Mohamed Zainudeen said: "We rested a few boys who were injured, and so did Malaysia too. I told Khairul to stay back more today. It's difficult to tell players not to play well, he still found a way to score. He's a special player, and meeting Beckham has certainly boosted his confidence."