Latest news with #MalaysianFootballAwards
The Star
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Gong drums up Feroz's resolve to recover from painful setback
PETALING JAYA: Feroz Baharudin (pic) was fast becoming the gold standard among Malaysian centrebacks with his commanding displays for Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) on both the domestic and continental stages. But just as the 25-year-old was reaching new heights, his journey took a painful turn. In January, Feroz suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, a moment he calls the lowest point of his career. Yet, as the curtain fell on the season, Feroz has found light amid the darkness, winning the best defender award at the Malaysian Football Awards on April 24. Emotionally charged and humbled by the honour, Feroz admitted the accolade was bittersweet. 'Deep down, I'm truly grateful for this recognition. But I'm happy and sad at the same time,' said Feroz. 'Suffering an ACL injury was the saddest thing that has ever happened to me. But to end the season with an award like this? I'm thankful to everyone who prayed for me.' Feroz was a mainstay in JDT's three-man backline under coach Hector Bidoglio before the injury struck, showcasing maturity and intelligence far beyond his years. In the Super League, he started 13 matches and was a standout in ball recoveries, averaging nine per game – a testament to his excellent reading of the game and positional sense. His continental credentials were also on display in the AFC Champions League Elite, where he featured in two matches and netted once. In the Malaysia Cup, which JDT won on Saturday, Feroz made only two appearances but he played five times and scored twice in the FA Cup – a competition which the Southern Tigers also ruled in a season where they completed a third straight quadruple. Though sidelined for the second half of the season, Feroz's impact was undeniable, and the award serves as recognition for his early-season excellence. 'This has been my best season so far. Unfortunately, midway through, luck deserted me. But this award will drive me to come back stronger. My goal is to bring pride to the nation and my club.' As Feroz works his way back to full fitness ahead of the 2025-2026 season, there is little doubt he will return with even more hunger, ready to reclaim his place as one of Malaysia's finest defenders.
The Star
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Fans can expect Bergson to do the samba if JDT rise to the occasion
Get down on it: Bergson Da Silva (right) doing the Samba moves with the now retired Diogo Santo after their Super League match against KL in 2023. PETALING JAYA: Every time Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) striker Bergson Da Silva finds the net, he entertains the fans with his one-of-a-kind celebrations, which involves knee slides and Samba moves. And the showman promises more as the Southern Tigers eye their third consecutive Malaysia Cup victory when they take on Pahang at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow. The mercurial Brazilian striker is even more motivated after winning two awards during the Malaysian Football Awards night on Wednesday and is hoping to end the season in a fantastic style. Da Silva won the best import and Super League Golden Boot to cement his reputation as a fearsome striker in Malaysia. 'Winning the awards gives me more reason to be more excited and happy,' said the 34-year-old, who has scored six golds in the Malaysia Cup so far. 'I want to work harder to achieve another title. We push each other for this reason and hope to end the season with the Malaysia Cup. 'Every year in Malaysia, the hunger and responsibility to achieve success gets stronger. I am grateful to the boss (Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) because he has helped me change as a person. 'Why do I thank him? He is always behind us. He wants us to be better, to be competitive and change our mentality to play for this club. It is a pleasure.' This year, Da Silva has helped JDT win the Charity Shield, FA Cup and Super League. Meanwhile, Pahang's experienced centreback Fadhli Shas, who once donned the JDT jersey and lifted the trophy with them, had mixed feelings. 'It was the sweetest moment with JDT in 2017 when we won against Kedah 2-0 in 2017. We brought back the Cup after Johor last claimed it in 1985 and 1991,' reminisced Fadhli. 'I'm excited to be back in the final but it's a bit different this time because I'm with Pahang and JDT are stronger than before,' said Fadhli, who was quick to affirm that his team would rise to the challenge. 'I have extraordinary teammates in Pahang. They are highly motivated, and I'm amazed with their spirit. We will put our best performance.'
The Star
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Arif will continue to roar for JDT after topping award chart again
PETALING JAYA: Footballer Arif Aiman Hanapi is not done yet, not by a long shot. And he plans to stick with Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) to achieve more success. The JDT winger made history by clinching a record fourth consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) title at the Malaysian Football Awards night on Wednesday, further cementing his status as the face of Malaysian football. The 22-year-old also took home the best midfielder and best goal awards, adding to a growing list of accolades that now totals nine throughout his career. Yet despite all the silverware, Arif remains hungry to achieve more with JDT. Fans have long called for him to test his mettle abroad but Arif said he would remain grounded and loyal. 'My dream is to stay at JDT. The challenge here is already massive. I know how tough it is to keep a place in this team,' said Arif, who made his professional debut for JDT in 2020. 'People talk about going overseas, but I don't think many clubs are seriously looking at players from Malaysia yet. 'Until I reach the level I aim for, I'll continue to fight here.' His sights are set on the season's final prize, the Malaysia Cup, where JDT will take on Pahang in what promises to be a blockbuster clash at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow. 'It's been a long season, but the final is everything. I'm ready to give it my all,' said Arif. The young hotshot added the award would spur him on. 'Winning this award doesn't mean I'll stop working hard,' said Arif. 'In fact, they will only inspire me to push harder in the seasons to come.' Arif's dominance in Malaysian football is unmatched. Since 2021, he's won the MVP title every year, alongside previous nods as best striker and best young player – three times each. But for him, the 2024-2025 season has been his most meaningful yet. 'This was one of the toughest seasons for me. I started off struggling with form and injuries, but coach Hector Bidoglio stood by me. His belief in me, on and off the pitch, gave me the strength to find my rhythm,' Arif shared. 'I'm always pushing myself. I don't settle. Even now, I don't feel like I'm at the level I want to be. I'll keep working until I'm genuinely proud of myself.' His numbers back up the ambition – 13 goals and 14 assists in 31 domestic matches, and a further five goals and two assists in the AFC Champions League Elite. On the international stage, Arif has earned 32 caps and scored seven goals for Malaysia.
