Unlucky Akmal has high hopes

2009/09/18

Devinder Singh

FOR former international Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli, it still rankles him that he has yet to win a major domestic honour.

Three second division medals with Kedah (2002 and 2006) and Kuala Muda Naza (2008) is all Akmal has to show despite turning out for some of the best teams in the country.

Unluckily for Akmal, he left Kedah for Selangor just before his hometown team embarked on their "double-treble" of 2007 and 2008.

It is not something he wants to reflect on as he looks to the future by leading unfashionable Kuala Muda to Malaysia Cup glory when the tournament kicks off on Sept 26.
Akmal Rizal left Kedah just before they embarked on their “double-treble” of 2007 and 2008.
Akmal Rizal left Kedah just before they embarked on their “double-treble” of 2007 and 2008.


Fuelling Akmal's belief in his team is the way Kuala Muda have responded to new coach Nidzam Adzha Yusof in recent friendly matches.

Kuala Muda beat Perlis (5-1) and KL Plus (3-0) and drew 1-1 with Perak and UPB-MyTeam recently and played their final friendly match against Penang in Batu Kawan yesterday.

"The management has set us a target of reaching the final and I think with Nidzam coaching us we are capable of doing it.

"We have not lost a single friendly match so far and we've played all those matches away against Super League teams.

"We may not be many peoples' favourites to make the final but we have to quality to surprise them," said Akmal, 27, who will be looking to add to his nine goals this season and make his third Malaysia Cup final appearance.

Akmal first made the final with Kedah in 2004 when they lost to Perlis 1-0 and again last year with Selangor, who were beaten 3-2 by Kedah.

Kuala Muda parted ways with their coach Stefano Cugurra after the Brazilian could only guide the club to ninth place in their debut Super League season, leaving former Kedah star Nidzam in charge.

They have been drawn in Group D with Selangor, Police and Sabah where they stand a good chance of advancing.

"We are not going to take any teams lightly and it will be wrong to think we only have Selangor to worry about. We have to take each match as it comes," added Akmal.

Source: nst.online

If you are Malaysia football follower, you will be familiar with this name. Akhmal Rizal Rakhli, 28 years old from Kedah during his teenage time playing for Haguenau FC, France based club and was link to one of the top club there. He was among the batch that was sent to oversea to gain exposure and opportunity to play there together with Rudie Ramli of Selangor and Fadzli Shaari of Pahang attached to S Wehen of Germany. Though posseses some quality techniques as footballer, he has yet to win any major honour. He has been with Kedah, Selangor and now with Kuala Muda Naza to challenge for Malaysia Cup 2009. He also has shocked many by failing to pass the fitness test,a mandatory requirement before eligible to play in MSL after just recovering from injury some years ago. He also lost his position in national team due to long injury suffered and has yet to attract K Rajagobal to be part of national team. At age 28 and with a lot of young talent coming in, I foresee the future of him to make a come back is slim.