'I scored 22 goals, not 21' Golden Boot winner Shahrazen sets the record straight
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
HAVING taken a stranglehold on the Malaysian Super League top scorer honour for most of the just concluded season, DPMM FC hot shot Shahrazen Md Said was forced to end the campaign in a hospital bed.
Rushed to the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital's emergency room minutes after being substituted at the hour mark in DPMM's 1-0 defeat to Kedah on Saturday, the striker feared that Perak's Keita Mandjou would score against Sarawak to snatch the Golden Boot on the last day of the season.
Starting his match in Kuching with a goal less than Shahrazen, who scored 21 goals in 24 MSL matches, Mandjou in fact did score a goal.
But, the Guinean striker, who was last season's top scorer, couldn't find his second of the night and was forced to share the Golden Boot award with Shahrazen this time around.
"I picked up a hip injury after a harsh challenge from Kedah defender Cornelius Bernard Huggins late in the first half and I found it hard to run and even walk after that," Shahrazen told The Brunei Times yesterday.
"I was substituted and then rushed to the hospital ... I was disappointed not being able to continue as we were playing better in the second half and I was confident of netting at least one goal.
"I was also very worried that Mandjou might score (another goal) in Kuching and win the Golden Boot," admitted the 22-year-old Bruneian.
"But in the end I was told that he only scored one goal against Sarawak," said a relieved Shahrazen.
The striker said he actually scored 22 goals last season, but one of them was wrongly credited to (former DPMM midfielder) Ito Dan in their 4-1 victory over Melaka Telekom FC last October.
Nevertheless, the 22-year-old said he was proud to finish as the season's top scorer and that having to share the honour with the experienced, physical and talented Mandjou was nothing to scoff at.
He said the award was a bonus as his initial target was only to help ensure DPMM's survival in the MSL.
And it turned out to be so much more DPMM were not only staying in the MSL, but also scored a Top Three finish, the Bruneians were third in the 13 teams MSL table, behind champions Kedah and Perak.
Shahrazen attributed this achievement to head coach Buketa Ranko.
"I only wanted what was best for the team and it was because of their support as well as that of my family, friends and fans that I managed to end the season as top scorer.
"I joined the team in the 2005/06 season when they were in the Malaysian Premier League and only played eight games for the club then and scored two goals.
"It was hard to score more as I was involved with the Brunei national team at the time and was unable to really improve, but I gained experience and the reward has come this season," added Shahrazen..
"As for my target for the 2007/08 season, I hope we will be able to win the league and the Malaysia Cup ... and my personal aim for next season is to better last season's tally."
The Brunei Times
Rushed to the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital's emergency room minutes after being substituted at the hour mark in DPMM's 1-0 defeat to Kedah on Saturday, the striker feared that Perak's Keita Mandjou would score against Sarawak to snatch the Golden Boot on the last day of the season.
Starting his match in Kuching with a goal less than Shahrazen, who scored 21 goals in 24 MSL matches, Mandjou in fact did score a goal.
But, the Guinean striker, who was last season's top scorer, couldn't find his second of the night and was forced to share the Golden Boot award with Shahrazen this time around.
"I picked up a hip injury after a harsh challenge from Kedah defender Cornelius Bernard Huggins late in the first half and I found it hard to run and even walk after that," Shahrazen told The Brunei Times yesterday.
"I was substituted and then rushed to the hospital ... I was disappointed not being able to continue as we were playing better in the second half and I was confident of netting at least one goal.
"I was also very worried that Mandjou might score (another goal) in Kuching and win the Golden Boot," admitted the 22-year-old Bruneian.
"But in the end I was told that he only scored one goal against Sarawak," said a relieved Shahrazen.
The striker said he actually scored 22 goals last season, but one of them was wrongly credited to (former DPMM midfielder) Ito Dan in their 4-1 victory over Melaka Telekom FC last October.
Nevertheless, the 22-year-old said he was proud to finish as the season's top scorer and that having to share the honour with the experienced, physical and talented Mandjou was nothing to scoff at.
He said the award was a bonus as his initial target was only to help ensure DPMM's survival in the MSL.
And it turned out to be so much more DPMM were not only staying in the MSL, but also scored a Top Three finish, the Bruneians were third in the 13 teams MSL table, behind champions Kedah and Perak.
Shahrazen attributed this achievement to head coach Buketa Ranko.
"I only wanted what was best for the team and it was because of their support as well as that of my family, friends and fans that I managed to end the season as top scorer.
"I joined the team in the 2005/06 season when they were in the Malaysian Premier League and only played eight games for the club then and scored two goals.
"It was hard to score more as I was involved with the Brunei national team at the time and was unable to really improve, but I gained experience and the reward has come this season," added Shahrazen..
"As for my target for the 2007/08 season, I hope we will be able to win the league and the Malaysia Cup ... and my personal aim for next season is to better last season's tally."
The Brunei Times
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