Hattrick man Baddrol eyes Super League title for Kedah

Proud and honoured: Kedah’s Baddrol Bakhtiar (centre) together with teammate Liridon Krasniqi (left) and KL’s Guilherme De Paula posing at the 2017 National Football Awards on Friday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star

PETALING JAYA: Kedah midfielder Baddrol Bakhtiar has set his sights on winning next season’s Super League after emerging as the star of the 2017 National Football Awards.

The 29-year-old claimed a hattrick, picking up the Most Valuable Player (MVP), best midfielder and local top scorer (nine goals) honours in a glittering ceremony on Friday.

It was a night to cherish for Kedah as Ifwat Akmal Che Kassim was named the best goalkeeper, while Kosovan midfielder Liridon Krasniqi won the best foreign and most popular player awards.

The Red Eagles, who won the FA Cup and finished runners-up in the Malaysia Cup, were also winners of the best football club, best supporters club and best social media categories.

Baddrol attributed Kedah’s dominance at the awards ceremony to great teamwork and support from the fans.

“I didn’t expect to win three awards. But I had always wanted to win the MVP. The last couple of years I was nominated for the MVP so to finally win it is a dream come true moment for me,” said Baddrol.

“All these awards will spur us to do better next season.

“I hope we can win the Super League and qualify for the AFC Cup.”

The Red Eagles qualified for next season’s second-tier AFC Cup as FA Cup winners, but were forced to forfeit their place after they failed to obtain a “licence” from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) due to late submission of documents.

For the new season beginning in early February, Kedah have a new coach at the helm.

They have recruited their former assistant coach Ramon Marcote as the head coach.

Spaniard Marcote had guided Kedah to the Malaysia Cup final in 2015 as head coach Tan Cheng Hoe was away in China for a pro-coaching course.

“My target next season is to win the Super League and qualify for the AFC Cup. I believe we have the capabilities to achieve the two targets,” said Baddrol.

“We have Ramon back to lead the team. He knows the team well and we are also familiar with his coaching style.”