Ahmad Fakri bin Saarani (born 8 July 1989) is a former Malaysian professional footballer who played for the Malaysia national team. Fakri played mainly as a right winger but also as a forward. 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 was born in Kota Bharu. 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 was a natural right winger. He played for Perak youth team during his season debut.In Person | Ahmad Fakri Saarani http://www.seladang.net/2008/02/in-person-ahmad-fakri-saarani
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 the senior team. On 24 March 2007, Fakri made his Liga Super debut in a 5–1 win against Negeri Sembilan. He scored a hat-trick and made one assist during the match.
In the following season, Fakri signed a one-year contract with Harimau Muda A in 2007–08 Liga Premier. He made 24 appearances and scored 9 goals for the club.
Perlis, Negeri Sembilan, Felda United After two seasons for Perlis, in December 2010 Fakri signed a contract with Negeri Sembilan.Senarai Pemain Negeri Sembilan http://www.n9kini.com/senarai-pemain-negeri-sembilan-pemian-perak-tidak-rasmi In 2012, Fakri was named as Felda United's new player.Liga Super 2012 : Review Pasukan Felda United http://bolasepakm.blogspot.my/2012/01/liga-super-2012-review-pasukan-felda.html
Atlético SC On 8 December 2012, it was confirmed that Fakri had signed a one-year contract with Terceira Divisão side Atlético SC.Fakri mungkin kembali ke Liga-M http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/Sukan/20130225/su_01/Fakri-mungkin-kembali-ke-Liga-M
Kelantan Fakri had returned to Malaysia and signed with Kelantan after his contract with Atlético SC ended. 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 in a 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 the 2015 Malaysia Premier League champions Kedah.Kedah Ikat Amar Rohidan, Fakri Saarani Setahun http://www.mstar.com.my/sukan/bola-sepak/2016/01/01/kedah-ikat-amar-rohidan On 14 December 2016, after his loan stint with Felda United ended, Fakri returned to Kedah and signed another one-year contract.Fakri kekal 2017 https://www.facebook.com/kedahfa.my/photos/a.179849612047524.40613.179345575431261/1366410180058122/?type=3&theater
Felda United (loan) On 16 July 2016, Fakri was loaned to Felda United on a 6-month deal.Fakri media temper http://www.sinarharian.com.my/sukan/fakri-sedia-gempur-1.541827
Melaka United On 24 November 2017, Fakri signed a one-year contract with Melaka United.Ahmad Fakri ubati kekecewaan MU https://www.bharian.com.my/sukan/bola/2017/11/354881/ahmad-fakri-ubati-kekecewaan-mu
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 ruled out by injury during the 2010 Asian Games. He was 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.
Statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPerak2006-07Malaysia Super League440000––00Total440000––00Harimau Muda2007-08Malaysia Premier League2490000––00Total2490000––00Perlis2009Malaysia Super League1370000––00Perlis2010Malaysia Super League1260000––00Total25130000––00Negeri Sembilan2011Malaysia Super League1420000––02Total1420000––02Felda United2012Malaysia Super League1120002––114Felda United (loan) 2016Malaysia Super League800000––80Total1920000––00Atlético SC2012–13Terceira Divisão500000––50Total500000––50Kelantan2013Malaysia Super League1111010––131Kelantan2014Malaysia Super League1140203––09Kelantan2015Malaysia Super League1013060––191Total3260203––011Kedah 2016Malaysia Super League1016100––162Kedah 2017Malaysia Super League1404051––231Total24110151––393Melaka United2018Malaysia Super League1101000––120Total1101000––120Career Total158370000––00
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsMalaysia200990201030201150201241201320201441201520201660Total352
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 competitionNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition116 October 2012 Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong 3–03–0 Friendly25 March 2014 Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates 2–12–1 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
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
External links Ahmad Fakri Saarani at SoccerPunter.com