New milestone as Cohen retains honour

Andrew Cohen set a new milestone in Maltese football yesterday by becoming the first player to win the coveted MFA Footballer of the Year Award for the second year in succession.

Trailing Birkirkara skipper Michael Galea by a meagre two points after the vote by the members of the award's committee last week, the nimble Cohen overhauled the early front-runner in the final reckoning thanks mainly to his appearances for the national team.

While Cohen had been involved in all international matches played by Malta last season, Galea clearly paid the price for his absence from the national team's frame.

The complex formula devised by the Malta FA to determine the winner of its top individual award, attributes points to the contenders for every appearance in domestic and international matches.

Points are taken off the candidates' tally for every yellow and red card they receive throughout the season.

Cohen finished with a grand total of 45.75 points, 1.40 ahead of Galea (44.35).

Sliema Wanderers' striker Ivan Woods was third on 38.80 ahead of Birkirkara's Etienne Barbara on 37.20 and Valletta defender Branko Nisevic who finished fifth on 36.90.

"Winning such a prestigious award for the second year running fills me with pride and satisfaction," Cohen told The Times yesterday.

"I can't think of a better way to finish the season. It's a great honour, one that pays recognition to my commitment and the high level of performance I have reached in the last two seasons. It's also a great feeling knowing that I'm the first player to claim this award twice in succession."

Cohen's two-in-a-row achievement also dispels the perennial suggestion that winners of the MFA Footballer of the Year award usually struggle to maintain the same standards the following season.

"After clinching this award in 2005, many people warned me that past winners often suffered from inconsistency in the season that followed," Cohen remarked.

"I was a bit apprehensive as I didn't want my performance level to go down. I tried to remain focused on doing my best to help Hibs progress and I would like to think that by winning this award for the second year running, I have proved that I have sustained my performance standards."

Although Cohen was quite confident about his chances of placing among the top five in this year's contest, he didn't entertain high expectations of actually retaining the honour.

"When Hibs informed me that they had submitted my nomination for the Footballer of the Year award, I was optimistic about finishing in the top five," the 25-year-old Cohen, the Paolites' league top-scorer last season with 14 goals, reflected.

"Initially, I didn't really think much about the possibility of winning but my optimism rose when I learnt that I was second after the vote by the committee.

"It came as a nice surprise as I didn't even know when the vote was going to take place.

"I collected two points less than Michael Galea but knowing that that vote was not conclusive, I knew that I could challenge for the award.

"Hibs official Jesmond Abela told me that I had a distinct chance of winning it as I definitely played more matches for the national team than Galea."

Hibs' success in winning the FA Trophy last season adds to Cohen's joie de vivre.

"2005-2006 will go down as another brilliant season in my career," Cohen said.

"The season before, I won several individual accolades besides the MFA award but on a team level, Hibs finished empty-handed," Cohen said.

"This year, I've retained the MFA award and Hibs won the trophy. I can't ask for more. I would also like to congratulate my team-mate Edmond Agius who has been named the best player in youth football.

"I wish him more success in the future."

"I am thankful to God for giving me this talent to play football," Cohen, whose glittering CV also includes a Premier League winner's medal in 2001-2002, added.

"I dedicate this success to my parents, the Hibs committee, particularly president Tony Bezzina and Jesmond Abela, the fans and my team-mates.

"The sense of accomplishment that I'm feeling at the moment will not diminish my motivation to attain more success.

"I want to keep performing to the best of my abilities and help Hibs reach their objectives. The league title is my foremost goal," Cohen concluded.

2005/06 honours...

Footballer of the year - 1. Andrew Cohen (Hibernians) 45.75; 2. Michael Galea (Birkirkara) 44.35; 3. Ivan Woods (Sliema W.) 38.80; 4. Etienne Barbara (Birkirkara) 37.20; 5. Branko Nisevic (Valletta) 36.90.

Best First Division player - 1. Mark Tanti (St Patrick) 44.54; 2. Christian Calleja (Mqabba) 41.51; 3. Gilbert Martin (Marsa) 41.27; 4. Floyd Farrugia (Tarxien Rainbows) 36.98; 5. Darren Grech (Senglea Athletic) 35.69.

Best Second Division player - 1. Michael Martin (Melita) 44.89; 2. Antoine Sacco (Balzan Youths) 40.20; 3. William Borg (Mellieha) 38.72; 4. Ivan Cassar (Dingli Swallows) 38.65; 5. Melvin Farrugia (Zebbug Rangers) 37.53.

Best Third Division player - 1. Jonathan Bezzina (Rabat Ajax) 46.62; 2. Michael Abdilla (Zurrieq) 42.74; 3. Noel Tabone (Birzebbuga St Peters) 38.13; 4. David Azzopardi (Pembroke) 37.60; 5. Liam Mangion (Sta Lucija) 34.90.

Best Youth player - 1. Edmond Agius (Hibs) 66.52; 2. Dylan Zarb (Valletta) 58.75; 3. Tyrone Farrugia (Msida St Joseph) 45.40; 4. Ian Zammit (Valletta) 18.67; 5. Christian Caruana (Floriana) 10.67.

Best Woman player - 1. Marisa Deguara (Mosta) 45.18; 2. Dorianne Theuma (Hibs) 43.02; 3. Natasha Pace (Melita) 40.71; 4. Rebecca D'Agostino (Melita) 38.46; 5. Sharon Costantino (Sta Venera Lightnings) 32.63.