Striker Nizaruddin chasing the elusive Golden Boot award

PETALING JAYA: Striker Mohd Nizaruddin Yusop is well inspired to knock in the goals for Perlis in the top-of-the-table Super League clash with leaders Selangor at the Utama Stadium in Kangar on Saturday.

The 30-year-old striker is the joint leader with Perak’s Razali Umar Kandasamy in the race for the Golden Boot award with 12 goals.

“I have won every medal there is to offer in the M-League but a Golden Boot is missing from my trophy cabinet. It has eluded me for more than 10 years. I have to continue scoring goals to get it this time,” said Nizaruddin from Kangar yesterday.

Among the other frontrunners for the award are Indra Putra Mahayuddin of Kelantan and Azlan Ismail of Terengganu with 11 goals each.

Nizaruddin added that the Northern Lions had surprised the field in the Super League competition with an average set of players compared to those in the more established sides like Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Kedah.

“I think nobody gave us the chance in the beginning of the season to be among the frontrunners for the title. It is a good sign for the team and we will surely give Selangor a run for their money,” he said.

Selangor have 47 points after 20 matches and hold a two-point advantage over Perlis. Kelantan are in third place on 37 points followed by Kedah (35).

The race for the title is likely to go down to the wire.

Selangor’s remaining fixtures are against KL Plus (home), UPB-MyTeam (away), Kuala Muda Naza (home), Police (away) and Pahang (home).

On the Perlis roster are matches against Negri (away), Johor FC (home), Perak (away), KL Plus (away) and Police (home).

Nizaruddin admitted that the Perlis FA, who have Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim as their president, were going through a financial crisis and they were receiving their salaries on a staggered payments.

“We understand the situation and will not let it distract our mission to go for the Super League title. The moral of the team is still high despite tough times,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/6/25/sports/4188770&sec=sports