Meyer Recognized
Clément Meyer became Grilled's first foreign Player of the Season since Alex Fonseca eleven seasons past, as the Birds honoured the 31 year-old Frenchman at their end-of-season gala.
Tian Yonghang had been odds-on for a three-peat, but the committee overruled the fanbase in acknowledging Meyer's consistency.
"It was a tough decision to take, but we thought it was a fair one." committee head and board member Lai Zhongxuan said. "Tian had many great moments, but this title was won from midfield, and few did more than Clément from that department. He was notable in not having any off days, and that deserves recognition."
Tian, who had already received the award four times, was genuinely delighted at the outcome. "Meyer deserves it. I mean, I think I did okay too, but he has been quite the force in midfield, somebody I could always rely to deliver, whether in attack or on defence."
If that particular choice came as a not completely unpleasant surprise, there would be more to come, as both
Moey Xin Seng and
Neeraj Muthyala were overlooked for the Young Player of the Season award. Instead, Chicken Wings forward-cum-wingback Chu Xin Lee, who had played all of six games at youth level, was selected.
The teenager appeared as stunned as anybody as he made his way onto the stage, with those in attendance clearly suspecting that the choice was made more to emphasize Moey and Muthyala's underperformance, than anything. Head scout Tham Beng Li was quick to downplay these thoughts later on.
"Chu was picked on his own merit." Tham explained. "He has some of the best potential as a striker that I've come across - and I include Mohd Safri, Tian, Fang and Kazuto here - and is simply capable in any role. The boy has a spark in him, and if he were but a year younger, would be counted in the very top bracket of talent."
Almost as if to provide a contrast, the Farmer Bunnies went with the obvious choices in their own version, as free-scoring
Enzo Paolo Panzarino and national youth teamer
Lau Chang Wan picked up the prizes. There was little competition in either category as Panzarino overperformed again and Lau put together a magnificent breakout season; new head coach
Sikong Darong, himself capped at U-20 level, took pains to caution against complacency.
"I hate to have to repeat this, but we didn't even win our Division Four league this year." Sikong said. "That has to be our yardstick nowadays. Oh, and special mention to
Milán Bolgár. He had a great season and would probably have gotten it most times, but Enzo was just too outstanding."
Interestingly, his Grilled counterpart
Djan Bacelar was rather more circumspect when asked about defending their title. "Honestly, it was a nice bonus, but I wouldn't say it's a top, top priority. We want to win, of course, but top three while transitioning to the next generation wouldn't be bad at all."
