K UALA LUMPUR: "I'm not good enough to play in Japan or South Korea."
That was the frank and humble answer from Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) hotshot Arif Aiman Hanapi when he was asked during a "Meet and Greet" session at the JDT Fans Token launch at a shopping centre in Johor Baru on Wednesday evening.
The 21-year-old scoring sensation said he will only consider playing abroad if a team are serious in signing him.
The Super League's two-time Most Valuable Player said although he has the potential to spread his wings overseas, he said it will be really challenging.
"Playing for a club abroad is not easy. I'm still not good enough or ready to play in Japan or Korea," said Arif.
"Do you think it's easy to play there (abroad)? Their mentality isn't the same. So for now, I will stay here (in Malaysia) and improve my skills.
"It's not that the foreign clubs really want to sign our players. If when they indeed do, only then will I go. If not, I will stay at JDT."
Arif said this in response to advice by former national players and pundits that he should consider making a career move to the Middle East, Japan or South Korea.