Sport | Football
Salem and Ma'danji selected as best local and foreign players
The UAE and Al Shabab's striker Sorrour Salem and Iran and Al Shaab's Mehersad Ma'danji were selected as the best local and foreign players in the first round of the Etisalat First Division Football League in a poll conducted by Abu Dhabi Sports Channel in which thousands of fans took part.
- By Yasir Abbasher, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:08 February 18, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- The Al Wasl fans were selected as the best supporters.
Abu Dhabi: The UAE and Al Shabab's striker Sorrour Salem and Iran and Al Shaab's Mehersad Ma'danji were selected as the best local and foreign players in the first round of the Etisalat First Division Football League in a poll conducted by Abu Dhabi Sports Channel in which thousands of fans took part.
Salem, who made his way to the national team, won the poll as the best local player with 48 per cent of the vote with his colleague in the national team and Al Ahli's striker Faisal Khalil second with 32 per cent and the UAE and Al Jazira right wingback Ahmad Dada third with 20 per cent.
First defeat
Ma'danji's performance with Al Shaab, in particular against defending champions Al Wasl when he led his team after trailing 4-2 in the first half to winning 5-4 and against Al Shabab inflicting the first defeat upon the leaders 2-1, played a big role in winning first place as the best foreign player with 53 per cent of the votes.
He was followed by his countryman Eman Mobali, Al Shabab, with 33 per cent and Toni, of Al Jazira and Ivory Coast, with 14 per cent.
Brazilian Cerezo, of Al Shabab, was the best coach with an overwhelming 67 per cent of the votes followed by Tunisian Lutfi Al Banzarti of Al Shaab with 25 and Egyptian Ayman Al Ramadi of Al Dhafra with 8 per cent.
Al Shabab, the leaders of the first round, were selected as the best team in the competition with 47 per cent while Al Shaab came second with 43 and Al Jazira third with 10 per cent.
UAE Fifa referee Ali Hamad was the best referee with 57 per cent of the votes followed by Mohammad Omar 22 and Fareed Ali 21 per cent.
The Al Wasl fans were selected as the best supporters followed by the fans of Al Shaab and Al Shabab's supporters in third.
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