Hazwan crowned country’s best at National Football Awards
THE STAR
Giant step: Selangor’s Ahmad Hazwan Bakri jumping over Kedah’s Bang Seung-hwan during the Malaysia Cup final on Oct 30. He was crowned the M-League’s Most Valuable Player at the National Football Awards last night.
PETALING JAYA: Ahmad Hazwan Bakri is now a Giant of Malaysian football.
The 25-year-old Selangor forward was a winner of two categories – Most Valuable Player (MVP) and best striker – at the National Football Awards last night.
He will be playing for Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) next season. It was also a rewarding night for Hazwan’s new team-mate at JDT – Safiq Rahim – who was named the best midfielder for the fourth straight time.
The best goalkeeper award was won by Khairul Fahmi Che Mat of Kelantan for the fifth time. He also won from 2010 to 2013.
Kedah were the winners of two awards with Tan Cheng Hoe bagging the best coach title and Rizal Ghazali being named the best defender.
Cheng Hoe led the Red Eagles to the Malaysia Cup after a 6-5 win over Selangor in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 extra-time draw. Kedah also finished third in the Super League and reached the FA Cup semi-finals.
“I must thank the players for the hard work and dedication they put in this season.
“This award is for the players, the Kedah Football Association (KFA) and the coaching staff,” said Cheng Hoe.
In the battle for the best young player award, Safawi Rasid of Terengganu FC II was the winner. The 19-year-old will feature for JDT next season.
Both the top scorer awards for the two divisions were won by foreigners. JDT’s Jorge Diaz of Argentina netted 18 goals to win the Super League category while Malacca striker Ilija Spasojevic topped the Premier League class with 24 goals.
Diaz also won another award for the best M-League foreign player.
The Football Association of Malaysia also presented Penang’s Faiz Subri with a special award for being shortlisted for the FIFA Puskas Award for the best goal of the year.
ROLL OF HONOUR
Most Valuable Player: Ahmad Hazwan Bakri (Selangor)
Best Striker: Ahmad Hazwan Bakri (Selangor)
Best Midfielder: Safiq Rahim (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Best Defender: Rizal Ghazali (Kedah)
Best Goalkeeper: Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (Kelantan)
Best Coach: Tan Cheng Hoe (Kedah)
Best Foreign Player: Jorge Diaz (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Best Young Player: Safawi Rasid (Terengganu FC II)
Fair Play Award: Negri Sembilan
Best Player (women): Dandree Rofinus (MIFA)
Super League top scorer (Local): Fazrul Hazli Mohd Kadri (Perak), 7 goals
Super League top scorer (Foreign): Jorge Diaz (Johor Darul Ta’zim), 18 goals.
Premier League top scorer (Local): Abdul Malik Mat Ariff (Kuantan FA), 10 goals.
Premier League top scorer (Foreign): Ilija Spasojevic (Malacca), 24 goals
Best Football Club: Johor Darul Ta’zim
Best Supporters Club: Malacca
Best Social Media: Johor Southern Tigers
Best Website: Johor Southern Tigers
Community Award: Subadron Aziz Football Academy and Kindness Malaysia
President’s Cup Special Award: Kelantan Youth Cup
Special Award: Bukit Jalil Sports School Under-17 team
Special Welcome Award: MISC MIFA and PKNP FC Special Award: Faiz Subri (FIFA Puskas Award)
Special Award: The late Ah Wa (Perak fan)
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