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Dubai: UAE and Al Wahda club striker Mohammad Al Sheh'hi was selected as the best UAE footballer for the season 2007-2008.
Al Sheh'hi was honoured at the football association and Etisalat Gala Dinner held on Monday night at Sharjah Radisson SAS to celebrate the end of the last amateur season. The professional league kicks off in the coming September.
Al Sheh'hi said that it was a surprise for him to be named the best footballer. "I think Faisal Khalil of Al Ahli or Hilal Saeed of Al Ain showed an excellent performance during last season and they deserved to win it. If I was the one who gives the ward, I would give it to Hilal who presented an outstanding season with the national team and his club," said Al Sheh'hi.
Al Sheh'hi contributed to the UAE reaching the final round of the World cup qualifiers, and also helped his club Al Wahda reach the semifinals of the Asian champions league.
The UAE best footballer said that he would like to play professional in Europe. "I am still young and I have first to achieve success with my club and the national team before I go to Europe," he commented.
Top goalkeeper
Esmail Rabea, the Al Shabab (league champions) goalkeeper, was named the best keeper of the season.
Rabea's brilliant savings in crucial matches helped his club clinch the league title after a 13 year absence. "I expected to win the award as the best goalkeeper. I played very good with my club Al Shabab leading the standings from the first week to clinch the league title in style," said Rabea.
Faisal Khalil of Al Ahli and Brazilian Anderson of Sharjah club, won the top goalscorer award with 16 goals each.
Mohammad Mal Allah of Al Khaleej club, the second division champions, was named the best second division player and Yousuf Abdul Rahman of Ittihad Kalba were the best goalkeeper in the same division. Diyara of Ivory Coast who played last season with Ajman was the second division top goalscorer, he netted 44 goals.
The FA and Etisalat Gala Dinner was attended by Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi FA board chairman, Yousuf Al Sarkal the Asian football confederation vice president and other FA and clubs officials.
Special guests
Jebril Al Rajoub, Palestine FA chairman, and Nedhal Al Hadid, the Jordan FA deputy president, also attended.
Al Rumaithi in his speech said he hoped for the national team to reach the 2010 world cup finals. He also expressed hopes for the coming season to see a successful implementation of the professional league, and developing the standard of soccer in the country.
A film about FA activities and best players during last season was shown. The former board chairman, members, election committee, appeals committee, winning clubs, beach soccer team and coaches were also honoured.
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