KEDAH COMPLETE TREBLE AS HELMI WINS MVP

Northerners Kedah, who had won the treble for the 2006/2007 season as well, had earlier won the Malaysian Super League and then the FA Cup in the middle of the year.

And last night in front of more than 50,000 fans at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, the hijau kuning outfit came from behind to beat Selangor.

Selangor had taken the lead in the 18th minute off Frank Seator before Kedah replied in a six minute blitz to put themselves in the driver’s seat.

Kedah scored off Marlon Alex James (32nd minute), Nelson Sam Martin (33rd) and Fadly Baharom (38th) before Selangor replied off Mohd Safee Sali in the 77th minute for the final scoreline.

In the meantime at the 100PLUS-FAM National Football Awards 2007/2008 held in the at the Grand Millenium Hotel, Helmi Eliza Elias’ consistent performance throughout the M-League 2007/2008 season have impressed fans when he was chosen as the Most Valuable Player.

In a glittering ceremony which was attended by His Royal Highness Tuanku Sultan Ahmad Shah, the president of the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and other FAM officials, Helmi was also chosen as the Most Popular Goalkeeper of the season in a voting process which lasted for more than a month.

Football fans from around the country voted through the FAM official website (www.fam.org.my) to select the winners as treble chasing Kedah dominated the proceedings following their consistency when they captured the Malaysian Super League crown and the FA Cup earlier in the season.

“Voting through the website has proven to be very effective and for this year, we have also enlisted the participation of the National Coaches’ Association and the Media in selecting the nominees,” said Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad, the general secretary of the FAM.

“Certainly, through this awards ceremony it has allowed the fans to be a part of the Malaysian League.”

Also in attendance was Datuk Kamal Harun, National Corporate Affairs Manager, F&N Coca-Cola (M) Sdn Bhd who said: “the players are the stars in our league. Each week, they play their hearts out and give their very best for their respective teams apart from fulfilling the expectations of their fans. And fans are certainly not easy to please, their expectations are always very high.”

“This is why, we at 100PLUS, together with the FA of Malaysia, have chosen to embark on this prestigious National Football Awards. These awards’ very purpose is to recognise the efforts of the players and officials who have worked tirelessly throughout this season to bring honour and glory to their respective clubs and states. Our hope that the continuous efforts will eventually contribute to the success of our football.” he added.

Victor Andrag, the captain and defender for Kedah took the Most Popular Defender award while Malaysian international Khyril Muhymeen Zambri emerged ahead of the others for the Most Popular Midfielder award.

Former international striker Liew Kit Kong’s win of the Most Popular Striker provided the only break to Kedah’s domination as they went on to win the Most Promising Player category which went to Fazli Baharom.

Kedah completed their domination of the award ceremony when Marlon Alex James won the award for the Most Popular Import Player as head coach Mohd Azrai Khor Abdullah took the accolade as the Most Popular Coach award.

The award for the Best Fan Club which went to the Perak Football Fan Club and the Best Football Association which was awarded to the Negeri Sembilan FA was decided by FAM.