Ahmad Fakri Saarani

Ahmad Fakri Saarani
Personal information
Full nameAhmad Fakri Saarani
Date of birth8 July 1989
Place of birthPengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, Malaysia
Height1.76 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionStriker, Right Winger
Club information
Current team
Kelantan FA
Number13
Youth career
2006Perak President Cup
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2007–2008Perak FA4(4)
2008–2009Harimau Muda24(9)
2010–2012Negeri Sembilan FA14(7)
2012–2013Atlético S.C.8(0)
2013–Kelantan FA31(13)
National team‡
2006–2009Malaysia U-2017(7)
2009–2011Malaysia U-237(4)
2009–Malaysia26(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 October 2014.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16 November 2014
This is a Malay name; the name Saarani is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Ahmad Fakri.

Ahmad Fakri Saarani (born 8 July 1989) is a Malaysian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Kelantan in the Malaysia Super League.

Career

Born in Pengkalan Chepa but bred in Ipoh, Fakri made his senior debut for Perak in the Malaysia Super League match against Negeri Sembilan on 24 March 2007. He scored a hat-trick and had an assist in this game, which was won by Perak 5–1.

He was promoted to Perak first team from President's Cup team (the reserve team) as the senior team striker, R. Surendran was with the Malaysia senior on a playing tour of Sri Lanka. Perak coach Steve Darby talked about his decision to give Fakri his debut:

“Fakri has been training with the senior team for the past two months. And I think the time is right for him to come into the picture. This is the right time to blood him although many may question my decision. It does not matter if we are playing at home. The fans may not like it if he makes mistakes but I have faith in the youngster. Fakri seems to handle pressure well and is confident of his game. He played for the national Under-19 team in a tournament in Brunei recently. I try to bring in the young players at the proper time. This is Fakri's chance to prove his worth under my rotation system. I have been losing players to the national squads at all levels and we have to learn to cope without them.”

[1]

Atlético SC

On 8 December 2012, it was confirmed that Fakri had signed a one-year contract with Portuguese Third Division side Atlético S.C.[2][3][4]

Kelantan FA

Fakri had returned to Malaysia and joined 2012 treble winner, Kelantan FA after the Portuguese Third Division ends.[5][6] On 19 April 2013, Fakri scored his first league goal for the team in 1–2 defeat to PKNS FC. On 31 August 2013, he scored his first Malaysia Cup goal for Kelantan in 1–2 defeat to Negeri Sembilan. Fakri played as a substitute in the 2013 Malaysia Cup final against Pahang FA.

International career

Malaysia under-20 national team

He is former Malaysia Under-20 member squad. He has participate in ASEAN Football Federation Youth Championship 2006 and ASEAN Football Federation Youth Championship 2007. He also play in 2007 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy. In 2008, Ahmad Fakri was seconded to Harimau Muda, a Malaysian Premier League team made up of members of the Malaysian Under-20 national side.

Malaysia senior national team

2010 AFF Suzuki Cup

In November 2010, Malaysia coach, K. Rajagobal called up Fakri for the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, but he was later ruled up by injury during the 2010 Asian Games. He was later replaced by Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin.

2012 AFF Suzuki Cup

He was selected by Malaysia coach, K. Rajagobal for 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup campaign. However, he only come in as a substitute in Group B match against Indonesia.

International Goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 16 October 2012 Mong Kok, Hong Kong  Hong Kong 1 3–0 (W) Friendly
2 5 March 2014 Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium, Al Ain, UAE  Yemen 1 2–1 (W) 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Honours

Perak President Cup Team

Kelantan FA

International

References

  1. ↑ "Perak coach Darby to unleash teen striker Fakri against Negri". The Star. 24 March 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  2. ↑ "Ahmad Fakri sah wakili kelab divisyen tiga Portugal – Sukan". Sinar Harian. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  3. ↑ "Fakri Saarani set to sign for Portuguese side Atletico S.C". Goal.com. 27 December 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  4. ↑ "Ahmad out to prove Malaysians can perform in Europe (Malay)". Sinar Harian. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  5. ↑ "Fakri Saarani signs with Kelantan FA, Dimitri Petratos to return for AFC Cup". Goal.com. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  6. ↑ "Dickson and Fakri to play for Kelantan in MSL". Goal.com. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.

External links

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