PETALING JAYA: Kedah emerged as the biggest winner by sweeping nine out of 22 categories on offer at the 2017 National Football Awards in Bandar Utama on Friday.
Kedah midfielder Baddrol Bakhtiar was the star by winning the most valuable player, top local goalscorer (in Super League) and best midfielder awards.
The national player helped Kedah win the FA Cup and Charity Shield in the recent season.
Ifwat Akmal Chek Kassim, who was part of Malaysia’s 2017 Sea Games silver medal team, was named the best goalkeeper while Kosovo-born Liridon
Krasniqi won the best import and most popular player awards.
Kedah also took the best team and best supporters awards.
Pahang right-back Matthew Davies was honoured as the best defender while B. Sathianathan (Felda United) was named as the best coach.
Perak SEDC’s Shahrel Fikri Fauzi and Selangor’s Adam Nor Azlin took the best striker and most promising player awards, respectively.
Mohammed Ghaddar was the only Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) player on the list of winners. The Lebanese was honoured with the overall Super League top scorer award with 23 goals.
• Roll of honour
Most valuable player: Baddrol Bakhtiar (Kedah)
Best goalkeeper: Ifwat Akmal Chek Kassim (Kedah)
Best defender: Matthew Davies (Pahang)
Best midfielder: Baddrol Bakhtiar (Kedah)
Best striker: Shahrel Fikri Fauzi (Perak SEDC)
Best import: Liridon Krasniqi (Kedah)
Most promising player: Adam Nor Azlin (Selangor)
Best coach: B Sathianathan (Felda United)
• Top goalscorer awards
Super League
Local: Baddrol Bakhtiar (Kedah)
Foreign: Mohammed Ghaddar (JDT)
• Premier League
Local: Abdul Malik Mat Ariff (Kuantan FA)
Foreign: Guillherme de Paula (Kuala Lumpur)
Most popular player: Liridon Krasniqi (Kedah)
Most media friendly player: N. Thanabalan (Felcra FC)
Community: Sunny Shalesh (Pan-Disability Football Malaysia)
Fair play: T-Team
Best supporters: Kedah
Best team: Kedah
Best website: Selangor Kedah
Welcome award: UKM FC and Felcra FC