Amirizdwan Taj
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Amirizdwan Taj bin Tajuddin | ||
| Date of birth | 30 March 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Kota Bharu, Kelantan, | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre back | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004-2008 | UiTM | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008–2011 | UiTM | 62 | (10) |
| 2012–2015 | ATM | 48 | (11) |
| 2015 | Kelantan | 9 | (1) |
| 2016 | Terengganu | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2011– | Malaysia | 14 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 December 2015 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 2 December 2015 | |||
Amirizdwan Taj Tajuddin[1] (born 30 March 1986) commonly known as Taj is a Malaysian footballer who plays as a centre back. He is currently a free agent. He spent his career at UiTM FC, ATM FA, Kelantan FA, and recently Terengganu FA. He also plays for Malaysia national team.
Amirizdwan is a product of UiTM where he started his football career. During that time, he was commonly known by his nickname Panjang, means 'tall' in English, to describe his tall physic body compared to his other team-mates.
Amirizdwan joined ATM at the start of the year after three seasons with UiTM and immediately tasted success after helping his side winning the Malaysia Premier League, and gain promotion to the Malaysia Super League.[2] He also won Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup in 2013 with ATM.
Amirizdwan was a complete and versatile player; he was gifted with excellent technical ability, vision and passing range. He was also a strong, tall, tenacious, influential, hardworking, and physical player. He has played much of his career as a centre defender, but has also been used as a holding midfielder at early of his career.
He represented Malaysia in 2011 Summer Universiade[3] alongside K. Reuben. Malaysia finished 12th in the tournament.
Amirizdwan made his international debut for Malaysia national football team in 2011 at the age of 25. He was called up to the national squad just before he made the move, but as soon as he started helping the Armed Forces dominate the Premier League in 2012, his regular inclusion in the national set-up was a no-brainer. Despite play for Harimau Malaya occasionally, he never gets a chance to play for big tournament due to injuries and being over looked by the coach.
He was a late boomer. He didn’t come through regular State President Cup teams. Instead, he was a product of the UiTM football team, while completing his undergraduate studies. Though he was highly rated with them, Amirizdwan’s stock mainly went up, as soon as he made the move over to ATM in 2012.[4]
Early life
Born in Kota Bharu, Amirizdwan never seriously play football in his youth age. He attended MRSM Gerik and later MRSM Kuala Terengganu.
Club career
UiTM FC
Amirizdwan further his study at Universiti Teknologi MARA in Sport Science. He then join UiTM football team to play for IPT League. His series of good performance caught the eye of several coach from other club and one of them was former coach of Kelantan, B. Sathianathan in a friendly between UiTM Fc and Kelantan. When B. Sathianathan appointed as ATM, he signs Amirizdwan.
ATM FA
In 2012, Amirizdwan joined ATM and was given squad number 24.[5][6] He helped his side in winning the 2012 Malaysia Premier League,[7] and promotion to the Malaysia Super League for 2013 season. At the start of his ATM's career, Amirizdwan usually used as a midfielder but later switch his position to central defender.
2015 Season
In April, they removed B. Sathianathan from the head coach position, sparking an exodus of players. Amirizdwan finally decided to end ties with ATM and return to his home state. A fresh start, was what he was ultimately craving for.
Kelantan FA
Amirizdwan signed with Kelantan FA in April 2015,[8] The signing was announced on the Red Warriors' social media accounts, which also added that the Kota Bharu-born former UiTM FC player would be wearing number 42 on his kit for the remainder of 2015 season.[9] Amirizdwan has been linked with home state team for the past few years, after his rise from university-level football. He scored his first goal for Kelantan with a header against Sime Darby FC which ended 2-2 that night.[10][11] At the time that the Red Warriors were undergoing a severe financial crisis Amirizdwan's departure was widely discussed.[citation needed]
Terengganu FA
To be honest, I didn’t leave Kelantan because of salary payment issues. There were several other problems that I’ll keep confidential, out of respect to them
— Amirizdwan Taj on signing for Terengganu.
Despite interest from other clubs, Amirizdwan signed with Terengganu FA on 2 December 2015.[12] He will be given number 3 in the squad.[13] A few weeks ago though, speculations of his departure became rife, with Kelantan’s well-documented financial issues dominating the narrative. Taj though after signing his contract with the Turtles yesterday claims that his departure was ultimately fueled by other reasons.
Amir was released by Terengganu without making any appearance after just 6 month signed for the club.[14] The former UiTM, ATM and Kelantan player has always grappled with long-term injuries.[15]
International career
Playing for the national team is the biggest honour for any football
— Amirizdwan Taj
In October 2011, he was called up by K. Rajagobal for the national team's training session for an international friendly against India.[16]
Personal life
Amirizdwan is a Kelantan supporter.
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played on 09 December 2015.
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Malaysia Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| ATM | 2011-12 | Malaysia Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012-13 | Malaysia Super League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2013-14 | Malaysia Super League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2014-15 | Malaysia Super League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 11 | ||
| Kelantan | 2014-15 | Malaysia Super League | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| Total | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 1 | ||
| Terengganu | 2015-16 | Malaysia Super League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 57 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 57 | 12 | ||
International
- As of match played 8 September 2015.
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | 2011 | 4 | 0 |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 17 | 2 | |
Honours
Club
- ATM FA
- Malaysia Premier League : 2012
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup : 2013
- Kelantan FA
- Malaysia FA Cup: 2015(runner up)
References
- ^ "Amirizdwan Taj". National Football.
- ^ "High-flying Amirizwan eyeing cup glory". ESPN Asia. 18 October 2012. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
- ^ "Malaysia Universiade Athletes". Archived from the original on 25 January 2012.
- ^ "Go claim the kingdom you lost, Amirizdwan Taj". FourthOfficial.com. 18 August 2015.
- ^ "A New Look Malaysian Armed Forces Aiming Big in M-LEAGUE". Shekhinah. 12 December 2011.
- ^ "Ambitious Armed Forces ready for new season". Malaysia Football News. 19 December 2011.
- ^ "Malaysia, Astro Premier League Malaysia".
- ^ http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3896/malaysia/2015/04/28/11212792/transfer-news-kelantan-sign-amirizdwan-taj
- ^ http://www.fourthofficial.com/2015/12856/confirmed-amiridzwan-taj-signs-for-kelantan/
- ^ http://www.sports247.my/v1/2015/07/kelantan-struggle-to-2-2-draw-against-sime-darby/
- ^ http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2015/07/25/sime-darby-down-on-their-luck/
- ^ "Amiridzwan Taj on the verge of sealing Terengganu move". Fourthofficial.com. 1 December 2015.
- ^ "Official: Terengganu secure three major signings for 2016". Fourthofficial.com. 2 December 2015.
- ^ "PBSNT TAMAT KONTRAK AMIRIDZWAN TAJ". Stadium Astro. 1 June 2016.
- ^ "Terengganu terminate Amiridzwan's contract one day after his birthday". Goal.com. 31 May 2016.
- ^ "xclusive: "Go support our national team," - Amirizwan Taj rallies the fans ahead of cruncher against Indonesia". Yahoo! Sports. 30 November 2012. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2013.