Pahang goalkeeper Khairul bags two awards

PETALING JAYA: Mohd Khairul Azhan Khalid of Pahang won a grand double, winning the best goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player of the Year accolades at Thursday’s 100PLUS-FAM national football awards ceremony.

The 25-year-old Khairul played a key role in the Elephants’ success in the M-League this season. The East Coast side won both the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup.

“It is a great honour to win this prestigious award. This will boost my confidence to vie for the No. 1 jersey in the national team,” said Mohd Khairul, who is one of the three goalkeepers in the national squad preparing for the AFF Suzuki Cup in Singapore from Nov 20-Dec 22.

Pahang were the big winners at the awards ceremony. They bagged five of the 13 awards, including for best defender Mohd Razman Roslan, best coach Zainal Abidin Hassan and best Football Association (FA).

Terengganu striker Mohd Norfarhan Mohamed was named the best striker while Kelantan’s Mohd Badhri Radzi was named best midfielder. The best young player award went to Kedah’s Mohd Farhan Roslan.

The best foreign player award was won by Maldives striker Ali Ashfaq. He scored 22 goals to help Police win the Premier League crown.

Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) did not go home empty handed as they were named the best club and best fan club. As for Terengganu, they took the Fair Play award.

There was also a special category with the legends award going to the Harimau Malaya squad of 1974. The team, who won the bronze medal at the Teheran Asian Games in 1974, were given a standing ovation.

The players who attended the ceremony were captain M. Chandran, Namat Abdullah, Soh Chin Aun, Shukor Salleh, Santokh Singh, Syed Ahmad, Hanapiah Ali, Wong Hee Kok, P. Umaparan and Wan Zawawi Wann Yusof. The late R. Arumugan, Ali Bakar, Mokhtar Dahari, Yahya Jusoh, Wong Choon Wah and Isa Bakar were represented by their family members.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) also paid a tribute to Super Mokh, who would have turned 61 on Thursday. He was represented by his wife Datin Tengku Zarina.

2014 NATIONAL FOOTBALL AWARDS

Most Valuable Player: Mohd Khairul Azhan Khalid (Pah).
Best goalkeeper: Mohd Khairul Azhan Khalid (Pah).
Best midfielder: Mohd Badhri Radzi (Kel).
Best defender: Mohd Razman Roslan (Pahang).
Best striker: Mohd Norfarhan Mohd (Ter).
Best foreign player: Ali Ashfaq (Pol).
Best coach: Zainal Abidin Hassan (Pah).
Best young player: Mohd Farhan Roslan (Ked).
Fair play: Terengganu.
Best FA: Pahang.
Best club: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).
Best fan club: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).
Harimau Malaya Legends award: 1974 Asian Games squad (bronze).