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Hariss ready to seize long-awaited Europe chance

SINGAPORE — He has experienced great success at club level, with four Malaysian Super League (MSL) titles and an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup crown.

With each passing year, Hariss Harun knew time was running out for him to fulfil his European dream, but he never set a deadline on it. Photo: Nick Tan/TODAY

With each passing year, Hariss Harun knew time was running out for him to fulfil his European dream, but he never set a deadline on it. Photo: Nick Tan/TODAY

SINGAPORE — He has experienced great success at club level, with four Malaysian Super League (MSL) titles and an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup crown. 

On the international stage, Hariss Harun lifted the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship in 2012 and is vice-captain for Singapore with 71 caps.

But there was always a piece of the puzzle missing for the midfielder, who emerged in 2007 as a 16-year-old prodigy. Europe was the dream for Hariss, but a move never materialised for the talented teenager, who turned down an offer from Portuguese top-flight side Rio Ave in 2013.

(Hariss holding the AFC Cup at a post-final celebration in 2014. Photo: Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page)

With every passing year, Hariss knew time was running out for him to fulfil his dream — but he never set a deadline on it. “I have always said that when I train and play games, I will try to maintain a level … that can help me to play at the highest level — that target was to play in Europe or maybe the higher levels of Asia,” he told TODAY. 

“As I got older, it might be a bit more difficult, but I just kept training, just gave my best and hopefully, one day, something will happen.” 

FALSE DAWN, THEN DREAM MOVE

That breakthrough seemed to finally arrive last December when his club, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), announced he would be loaned for a year to Portugal or Japan.

But there was no transfer in sight as the end of January loomed, with the European transfer window closing. 

Without a move, Hariss could end up going at least six months without competitive action as JDT had already filled up their foreign import quota.

“Of course, as we got into the middle of January, I was getting a bit unsettled,” Hariss admitted.

“In all honesty, if it didn’t work out, I would have probably looked to some other team in the region.”

So when he was informed about a move to Spain last Friday, Hariss felt a huge sense of relief. 

It did not matter that it was to CE L’Hospitalet, a club in Spain’s third-tier Segunda Division B that is currently two points adrift of safety with 14 games left.

“I got a call and was told there is this team in Spain, near to Barcelona, that I could go to,” he recalled. 

“It was a dream come true to actually know I’ll be going to Europe — even though it’s only the third division, I believe that in Europe and especially in Spain, they have a certain culture and standard.”

While it has taken him almost 10 years to grab his chance, Hariss does not feel like he has to make up for lost time.

“Even though I am turning 27 this year … for me, it’s about proving to myself that I can play at that level and also to give our people, our young footballers, the belief that we can be up to the challenge,” he asserted.

UNFAZED

It will not be easy though — a fact Hariss readily acknowledged as he waits for his work permit to be sorted. 

“I was told (it would take) a week at the end of last week, so I am hoping by the end of this week or early next week, I will be there,” he explained.

Hariss has been to the Catalonia region before. 

At 17, he had a training stint at La Masia, FC Barcelona’s famed youth academy, and was named Most Valuable Player. 

L’Hospitalet’s Estadi La Feixa Llarga stadium is 15 minutes away, but Hariss admits he does not know much about the club. 

“I know they have an artificial turf in the stadium, that’s about it — I’ll find out more when I am there,” he smiled. 

He will also go into the squad as a mid-season signing trying to dislodge established starters, while at the same time having to get to grips with a new language and a different culture. 

The league itself is physical, with plenty of players out to prove they are capable of playing in the above two divisions. 

Hariss is not fazed, though.

“I take it as a challenge that I have to start from the third division,” he asserted. “Mentally, I am prepared …  physically, I am fine (too). 

“Of course, it’s another level and I have to push myself all the time to maintain and improve.”

The possibility of impressing scouts from higher-division clubs has crossed Hariss’s mind, but the priority is to help his new side avoid relegation.

“I’ve always been a team player … not the one to do all the tricks and flicks and all that kind of stuff,” he said. 

“I am just going to go there and really work hard, and when given the chance, to try to make the most of it.”

Hariss revealed that he is looking to get his wife and their two-year-old son and two-month-old daughter to join him once he settles down.

The humble, soft-spoken star is also motivated by the support from Singaporeans after the news of his impending Spanish move broke.

“I really thank them and I hope to do them proud,” he said. 

“I want to give them something to be happy about, to represent them in the best possible way, and hopefully we can achieve good things.”

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