Ahmad Fakri Saarani

Ahmad Fakri Saarani

Personal information
Full name	Ahmad Fakri Bin Saarani
Date of birth	(1989-07-08) 8 July 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth	Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) [1]
Position(s)	Winger, Forward
Team information
Current team	BRM FC (Liga M3)
Number	13
Youth career
2006	Perak President Cup
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2007	Perak	4	(4)
2007–2008	Harimau Muda	24	(9)
2009–2010	Perlis	25	(13)
2011	Negeri Sembilan	14	(2)
2012	Felda United	11	(2)
2012–2013	Atlético	5	(0)
2013–2015	Kelantan	32	(5)
2016–2017	Kedah	24	(1)
2016	→ Felda United (loan)	8	(0)
2018	Melaka United	11	(0)
2019	Kuala Lumpur	8	(0)
2020–2021	Northern Lions F.C., M3 League Perlis	0	(0)
2021	Kelana United FC, Selangor League	4	(2)
2021-	BRM FC (Liga M3)	2	(2)
International career‡
2006–2009	Malaysia U-20	17	(7)
2009–2011	Malaysia U-23	28	(6)
2009–	Malaysia	30	(2)
Medal record Malaysia U-23 Sea Games Sea Games 2009 Football Sea Games 2011 Football
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 June 2018 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 November 2016

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Saarani is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Ahmad Fakri.

Ahmad Fakri bin Saarani (born 8 July 1989) is a former Malaysian professional footballer who plays for Liga M3 side BRM FC and the Malaysia national team. Fakri plays mainly as a right winger but can also play as a forward or as an attacking midfielder.

Fakri has earned 30 caps for the Malaysia national team since making his international debut on 12 August 2009 at the age of 19.

Club career

Perak, Harimau Muda

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.

— Steve Darby, former Perak coach. ^[2]

Fakri was born in Kota Bharu, in the state of Kelantan he has been raised in Batu Gajah, Perak. He started his professional career with Perak when he signed a three-year contract from 2007 until 2009. At the beginning, Fakri is a natural right winger but also can play as a forward. He played for Perak youth team during his season debut. ^[3]

Fakri was promoted to Perak first team as the senior striker, R. Surendran was away for national duty with the Malaysia national team on a playing tour of Sri Lanka. It was Steve Darby the former Perak coach who brought him into senior team. On 24 March 2007, Fakri made his Liga Super debut for Perak's first team in the 5–1 win against Negeri Sembilan. He scored a hat-trick and made one assist during that match.

On the following season, Fakri signed a one-year contract to play with Harimau Muda in 2007–08 Liga Premier. He made 24 appearances and scored 9 goals for the club.

Perlis, Negeri Sembilan, Felda United

After two seasons playing for Perlis, in December 2010, Fakri signed a contract with Negeri Sembilan. ^[4] In 2012, Fakri named as the Felda United new player. ^[5]

Atlético SC

On 8 December 2012, it was confirmed that Fakri had signed a one-year contract with Terceira Divisão side Atlético SC ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]}

Kelantan

Fakri had returned to Malaysia and signed with Kelantan after his contract with Portuguese side Atlético SC ended. ^{[10] [11]} On 19 April 2013, Fakri scored his first league goal for Kelantan in 1–2 defeat to PKNS. 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.

Kedah

On 1 January 2016, Fakri signed a one-year contract with 2015 Malaysia Premier League champions Kedah. ^[12] On 14 December 2016, after his loan stint with Felda United ended Fakri returned to Kedah and signed another one-year contract with Kedah. ^[13]

Felda United (loan)

On 16 July 2016, Fakri was loaned to Felda United on 6-month deal. ^[14]

Melaka United

On 24 November 2017, Fakri signed a one-year contract with Melaka United. ^[15]

International career

Youth

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

Senior

Fakri made his senior debut in 0–0 draw against Kenya on 12 August 2009 coming off from the bench. 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 Ashari Samsudin.

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

Personal life

Fakri has a younger sister, Nur Haniza Saarani playing for the Malaysia women's football team. ^[16]

Statistics

Club

As of match played 26 June 2018. ^[17]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Perak	2006-07	Malaysia Super League	4	4	0	0	0	0	–	–	0	0
Total			4	4	0	0	0	0	–	–	0	0
Harimau Muda	2007-08	Malaysia Premier League	24	9	0	0	0	0	–	–	0	0
Total			24	9	0	0	0	0	–	–	0	0
Perlis	2009	Malaysia Super League	13	7	0	0	0	0	–	–	0	0
Perlis	2010	Malaysia Super League	12	6	0	0	0	0	–	–	0	0
Total			25	13	0	0	0	0	–	–	0	0
Negeri Sembilan	2011	Malaysia Super League	14	2	0	0	0	0	–	–	0	2
Total			14	2	0	0	0	0	–	–	0	2
Felda United	2012	Malaysia Super League	11	2	0	0	0	2	–	–	11	4
Felda United (loan)	2016	Malaysia Super League	8	0	0	0	0	0	–	–	8	0
Total			19	2	0	0	0	0	–	–	0	0
Atlético SC	2012–13	Terceira Divisão	5	0	0	0	0	0	–	–	5	0
Total			5	0	0	0	0	0	–	–	5	0
Kelantan	2013	Malaysia Super League	11	1	1	0	1	0	–	–	13	1
Kelantan	2014	Malaysia Super League	11 [a]	4	0	2	0	3	–	–	0	9
Kelantan	2015	Malaysia Super League	10	1	3	0	6	0	–	–	19	1
Total			32	6	0	2	0	3	–	–	0	11
Kedah	2016	Malaysia Super League	10	1	6	1	0	0	–	–	16	2
Kedah	2017	Malaysia Super League	14	0	4	0	5	1	–	–	23	1
Total			24	1	10	1	5	1	–	–	39	3
Melaka United	2018	Malaysia Super League	11	0	1	0	0	0	–	–	12	0
Total			11	0	1	0	0	0	–	–	12	0
Career Total			158	37	0	0	0	0	–	–	0	0

1. League appearance for 2014 might inccorect, data based on infobox only

International

As of 13 November 2017 ^[18]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Malaysia	2009	4	0
	2010	2	0
	2011	5	0
	2012	4	1
	2013	2	0
	2014	4	1
	2015	2	0
	2016	6	0
Total		29	2

International goals

As of match played 9 November 2017. Malaysia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Fakri goal.

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	16 October 2012	Mong Kok, Hong Kong	13	Hong Kong	3–0	3–0	Friendly
2	5 March 2014	Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium, United Arab Emirates	20	Yemen	2–1	2–1	2015 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Honours

Club

Perak U-21

• Malaysia President Cup: 2006–07

Kelantan

• Malaysia FA Cup: 2013; Runner-up 2015
• Malaysia Cup: Runner-up 2013

Kedah

• Malaysia Cup: 2016
• Malaysia Charity Shield  : 2017
• Malaysian FA Cup: 2017

International

Malaysia U-20

• AFF U-20 Youth Championship  : runner-up 2006, 2007

Malaysia U-23

• SEA Games (2): 2009, 2011

References

1. Ahmad Fakri Saarani - Player Profile https://asia.eurosport.com/football/ahmad-fakri-saarani_prs261496/person.shtml
2. "Perak coach Darby to unleash teen striker Fakri against Negri". The Star. 24 March 2007. Archived from the original on 21 May 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
3. In Person | Ahmad Fakri Saarani http://www.seladang.net/2008/02/in-person-ahmad-fakri-saarani Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine
4. Senarai Pemain Negeri Sembilan http://www.n9kini.com/senarai-pemain-negeri-sembilan-pemian-perak-tidak-rasmi Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine
5. Liga Super 2012 : Review Pasukan Felda United http://bolasepakm.blogspot.my/2012/01/liga-super-2012-review-pasukan-felda.html
6. "Ahmad Fakri sah wakili kelab divisyen tiga Portugal – Sukan". Sinar Harian. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
7. "Fakri Saarani set to sign for Portuguese side Atletico S.C". Goal.com. 27 December 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
8. "Ahmad out to prove Malaysians can perform in Europe (Malay)". Sinar Harian. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
9. Fakri mungkin kembali ke Liga-M http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/Sukan/20130225/su_01/Fakri-mungkin-kembali-ke-Liga-M Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine
10. "Fakri Saarani signs with Kelantan FA, Dimitri Petratos to return for AFC Cup". Goal.com. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
11. "Dickson and Fakri to play for Kelantan in MSL". Goal.com. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
12. Kedah Ikat Amar Rohidan, Fakri Saarani Setahun http://www.mstar.com.my/sukan/bola-sepak/2016/01/01/kedah-ikat-amar-rohidan
13. Fakri kekal 2017 https://www.facebook.com/kedahfa.my/photos/a.179849612047524.40613.179345575431261/1366410180058122/?type=3&theater
14. Fakri media temper http://www.sinarharian.com.my/sukan/fakri-sedia-gempur-1.541827
15. Ahmad Fakri ubati kekecewaan MU https://www.bharian.com.my/sukan/bola/2017/11/354881/ahmad-fakri-ubati-kekecewaan-mu
16. Oleh Ajitpal Singh (16 August 2017). "Semangat Haniza Saarani sentiasa membara" (in Malay). BN online. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
17. "Fakri Saarani". Soccerway.com. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
18. "Saarani, Ahmad Fakri". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 25 November 2017.

External links

• Ahmad Fakri Saarani at SoccerPunter.com
• Ahmad Fakri Saarani at Soccerway
• Ahmad Fakri Saarani at National-Football-Teams.com