TNP Player of the Season: Defender Safuwan

SINGAPORE - He was so sure he would not win The New Paper's Player of the Season gong that he left his table for a quick toilet break as the "Big awards" were being announced.

But, like he did throughout the recently- concluded Malaysian Super League (MSL) season, LionsXII defender Safuwan Baharudin showed impeccable timing to return just as his name was called.

Wearing a sheepish look, the 21-yearold centre back raced to the stage to receive the trophy from TNP Editor Dominic Nathan, at the LionsXII victory dinner organised by The New Paper and Gayatri Restaurant on Sunday.

"To win an individual award like this is a real honour for me," said Safuwan.

"It's rare for a defender to win the Player of the Season award because it normally goes to strikers, playmakers or midfielders. I didn't expect it at all - I thought Isa (Halim) would win it. I have to thank my coaches, teammates and the fans for pushing me all the way."

Safuwan's consistency at the back was key to the LionsXII's MSL triumph earlier this month and he was the TNP sports desk's unanimous choice as the team's best performer.

The LionsXII conceded just 15 goals in 22 games, with Safuwan achieving the team's highest average rating of 7.39 (out of 10) based on TNP's player ratings each match.

In April, he was also named the team's main man in TNP's mid-term report card. The Player of the Season trophy wasn't the only "award" Safuwan won on Sunday night.

Tongue-in-cheek

He also bagged the Iron Man award for Indefatigability - an Iron Man action figure - as part of TNP's tongue-in-cheek look back at the season.

Safuwan has played through the pain barrier more than once this season and even vomited before the start of the LionsXII's 1-1 draw against Johor Darul Takzim last month because he was suffering from nausea.

The players lapped up the wacky awards in good spirit, ribbing one another as they were given items that reflect their personality both on and off the pitch. Even coach V Sundramoorthy was in the mood for jokes.

Just before he delivered an impromptu speech on stage, "the Dazzler" noticed winger Gabriel Quak furiously signing autographs for some eager young fans.

"Gabriel, keep quiet and listen to me lah," quipped Sundram, to raucous laughter. "On the pitch and off the pitch, you are the same."

Gabriel himself took to the stage and revealed his talent on the microphone, belting out the Bee Gees' hit "I Started A Joke" and even Malay rock song "Sejati" by the band Wings.

TNP sports editor S Murali said: "It was great to see the fans mingling with the LionsXII. One fan came up to me and said he fulfilled a lifelong dream of taking a picture with his hero Sundram. TNP is proud to have played a part in making that happen."

msazali@sph.com.sg

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