KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- This year’s National Football Awards (ABK22) will see a new winner for the Best Goalkeeper category after five-time recipient Mohd Farizal Marlias’ name was not shortlisted this time.
With Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) goalkeeper Mohd Farizal, who won the award in 2015 and four years in a row from 2018 to 2021, out of contention, the trio of Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed (Negeri Sembilan FC), Kalamullah Al-Hafiz Mat Rowi (Petaling Jaya City FC) and Muhammad Rahadiazli Rahalim (Terengganu FC) will be hoping to come out tops at the ABK22, which will be held virtually on Dec 15.
Kalamullah Al-Hafiz, while admitting to being surprised to see his name shortlisted for the third year in a row, is not expecting much as he feels that the other two nominees performed better than him this season.
“I am happy just to be among the top three as the other two contenders for the award are excellent goalkeepers too.
“However, I want to dedicate my nomination to the PJ City for giving me the opportunity to play for four seasons. Without their support, I would be nobody and I wouldn’t be here (in the running for the award),” he said in a statement issued by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) today.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Rahadiazli is just proud to have been shortlisted for the first time, describing his nomination as a recognition for the hard work that he had to put in to bounce back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that he suffered last season.
“I was given the opportunity to play again and I want to thank my supporters for always motivating me with words of encouragement. However, I am a bit sad that I could not help Terengganu win any trophies this season. I hope to continue learning and become the best goalkeeper,” he said.
Ahmad Syihan, Kalamullah Al-Hafiz and Muhammad Rahadiazli are currently undergoing centralised training with the national team under head coach Kim Pan Gon as the Harimau Malaya prepare for the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup 2022 that will be held from Dec 20-Jan 16.
The ABK22 will feature 16 categories - Super League Top Scorer, Super League Top Local Scorer, Premier League Top Scorer, Premier League Top Local Scorer, Best Goalkeeper, Best Defender, Best Midfielder, Best Striker, Best Coach, Best Young Talent, Best Import Player, Best Team, Fair Play Award, the Fan XI Award, Best 2022 Malaysia League (M-League) Goal and Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.
Young JDT winger Arif Aiman Hanapi won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in ABK21 to cap an excellent season with the Southern Tigers.
-- BERNAMA
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