Favourite: Arif Aiman Hanapi is likely to complete his hattrick as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: All-conquering Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are expected to dominate, this time off the field, as they are primed to sweep most of the honours at the National Football Awards organised by Malaysia Football League (MFL).
Leading the fray will be in-form young player Arif Aiman Hanapi who is likely to complete his hattrick as the Most Valuable Player (MVP), after winning the award over the last two seasons.
The JDT winger is also likely to secure the honour as the best striker and the ceremony, which will be held in December, could be a grand occasion for Arif as he is also the frontrunner to clinch the Best Young Player award.
JDT trio Bergson Da Silva, Fernando Forestieri and Jordi Amat are in the running for the best foreign player award.
National first choice goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi also looks to be the favourite in his category but could receive a surprise challenge from Terengganu custodian Suhaimi Husin.
A total of 16 awards are up for grabs this year where only a handful are likely to slip from JDT.
JDT are assured of their crown as the best team while Esteban Solari should also walk away with the accolade as the best coach.
MFL stated that a total 398 from 782 players plying their trade in the domestic football have been shortlisted for the awards.
The selection will be done with casting of votes by 14 head coaches and captains from Super League and MFL League (second tier) as well as 29 media representatives.
THE NOMINEES
(Nominations of selected categories)
Best goalkeeper: Syihan Hazmi (JDT), Izham Tarmizi Roslan (Pah), Kalamullah Al-Hafiz (Ked), Nazul Izamil Zulkifli (Ter II), Ramdhan Hamid (Police), Samuel Somerville (Sel), Sikh Izhan Azman (Nse), Suhaimi Husin (Ter), Syakir Danial Hajri (Ked), Zulhilmi Sharani (JDT II).
Best defender: Azam Azmi Murad (Ter), Dominic Tan (Sab), Feroz Baharudin (JDT), Kamal Azizi Zabri (KL), La’Vere Corbin Ong (JDT), Matthew Davies (JDT), Quentin Cheng (Sel), Rizal Ghazali (Sab), Shahrul Nizam Ros Hasni (Ter), Sharul Nazeem Zulpakar (Sel).
Best midfielder: Afiq Fazail (JDT), Brendan Gan (Sel), Endrick Dos Santos (JDT), Hong Wan (JDT), Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi (Sel), Azam Abdul Azih (Pah), Paulo Josue (KL), Sergio Aguero (Pah), Stuart Wilkin (Sab), Zhafri Yahya (KL).
Best striker: Arif Aiman Hanapi (JDT), Darren Lok (Sab), Engku Shakir Engku Yacob (Ter), Faisal Halim (Sel), Gabriel Nistelrooy (JDT II), Haqimi Azim Rosli (KL), Nabil Ahmad Latpi (Police), Shahrel Fikri Fauzi (NSe), Syahmi Zamri (Ter II), Wan Zack Haikal (Prk).
Best foreign player: Abu Kamara (Kuching), Ayron del Valle (Sel), Bergson Da Silva (JDT), Fernando Forestieri (JDT), Ivan Mamut (Ter), Jordi Amat (JDT), Kpah Sherman (Pah), Luciano Guaycochea (Prk), Manuel Ott (Ked), Saddil Ramdani (Sab).
Best coach: Anuar Udin (Police), Datuk Ong Kim Swee (Sab), Esteban Solari (JDT), Fandi Ahmad (Pah), Hairuddin Omar (Ter II), Mariano Raul (JDT II), Nafuzi Zain (Ked), Tan Cheng Hoe (Sel), Tomislav Steinbruckner (Ter), Yusri Che lah (Prk).
