View source for Akmal Rizal

{{Short description|Malaysian footballer (born 1981)}}
{{Malay name|Akmal Rizal|Ahmad Rakhli|note=on}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Akmal Rizal
| image = 
| image_size = 
| caption = 
| fullname = Akmal Rizal Bin Ahmad Rakhli
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|12|12}}<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/players/akmal-rizal-ahmad-rakhli/10692/ Ahmad Rizal Ahmad Rakhli] - Soccerway.</ref>
| birth_place = [[Jitra]], [[Kedah]], Malaysia
| height = {{height|meter=1.70}}
| currentclub = 
| clubnumber = 
| position = [[Football (association football)|Forward]]
| youthyears1 = 1998
| youthclubs1 = [[Kedah FA|Kedah FA President]]
| youthyears2 = 1999
| youthclubs2 = [[RC Strasbourg Alsace Academy|RC Strasbourg Academy]]
| years1 = 1999
| clubs1 = [[Kedah FA]]
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1999–2001
| clubs2 = [[RC Strasbourg]]
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1999–2001
| clubs3 = → [[FCSR Haguenau]] (loan)
| caps3 = 36
| goals3 = 10
| years4 = 2002–2006
| clubs4 = [[Kedah FA]]
| caps4 = 53
| goals4 = 38
| years5 = 2006–2008
| clubs5 = [[Selangor FA]]
| caps5 = 39
| goals5 = 23
| years6 = 2009
| clubs6 = [[Kuala Muda NAZA FC]]
| caps6 = 16
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2010
| clubs7 = [[Kelantan FA]]
| caps7 = 18
| goals7 = 10
| years8 = 2011–2012
| clubs8 = [[Perak FA]]
| caps8 = 45
| goals8 = 14
| years9 = 2013
| clubs9 = [[Kedah FA]]
| caps9 = 16
| goals9 = 3
| years10 = 2014
| clubs10 = [[Sarawak FA]]
| caps10 = 5
| goals10 = 1
| years11 = 2015
| clubs11 = [[Kedah United F.C.]]
| caps11 = 0
| goals11 = 0
| totalcaps = 242
| totalgoals = 107
| nationalyears1 = 1998–2004
| nationalyears2 = 2001–2008
| nationalteam1 = [[Malaysia national under-23 football team|Malaysia U-23]]
| nationalteam2 = [[Malaysia national football team|Malaysia]]
| nationalcaps1 = 24
| nationalgoals1 = 20
| nationalcaps2 = 22<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/malay-recintlp.html Malaysia - Record International Players] - [[RSSSF]].</ref>
| nationalgoals2 = 9
| manageryears1 = 2019
| managerclubs1 = [[PB Melayu Kedah]]
| manageryears2 = 2020–2021
| managerclubs2 = [[Penang F.C.|Penang]] (assistant)
| manageryears3 = 2022–2023
| managerclubs3 = [[Penang F.C. Reserves|Penang U21]]
| manageryears4 = 2023
| managerclubs4 = [[Penang F.C.|Penang]] (caretaker)
| manageryears5 = 2024
| managerclubs5 = [[Penang F.C.|Penang]]
| medaltemplates = {{medalTeam|Malaysia under-23}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Sea Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2001 Southeast Asian Games|Sea Games 2001]]|[[Football at the 2001 Southeast Asian Games|Football]]}}
| club-update = 6 January 2022
| nationalteam-update = 6 December 2013
}}

'''Akmal Rizal Bin Ahmad Rakhli''' (born 12 December 1981) is a former [[Malaysia]]n professional [[football (soccer)|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]]. He is well known for his finishing ability and good technique. Apart from that, he is one of the batch of [[Malaysians]] to play overseas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/others/2020/08/31/many-went---but-few-succeeded|title=Many went – but few succeeded|work=The Star|accessdate=3 August 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831061306/https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/others/2020/08/31/many-went---but-few-succeeded|archivedate=31 August 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Early career===
A product of the Kedah youth academy (Kedah [[Piala Presiden (Malaysia)|Piala President]]), Akmal with pacy and skilful talent, made his way going abroad to join [[RC Strasbourg Alsace|RC Strasbourg]]. He made his debut for the [[RC Strasbourg Alsace Academy|RC Strasbourg Academy U-21]] which ended in a 3–1 win against [[1. FC Köln II|FC Köln II]] and he successfully scored 2 goals in that friendly match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://orangkata.my/sukan/akmal-rizal-legenda-bola-sepak-malaysia-yang-semakin-dilupakan/|title=AKMAL RIZAL, LEGENDA BOLA SEPAK MALAYSIA YANG SEMAKIN DILUPAKAN|date=2 May 2019 |language=Malay|publisher=Orang Kita|accessdate=3 August 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519043308/https://orangkata.my/sukan/akmal-rizal-legenda-bola-sepak-malaysia-yang-semakin-dilupakan/|archivedate=19 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2000, to aid his development, the then 19-year-old forward joined [[FCSR Haguenau]] on loan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racingstub.com/clubs/20/season/1999/20/loans|title=Prêts 1999/2000|language=French|publisher=Racingstub|accessdate=26 September 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929035319/https://racingstub.com/clubs/20/season/1999/20/loans|archivedate=29 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>  He scored 11 goals in 22 games and  won [[Championnat de France amateur 2]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racingstub.com/clubs/20/season/2000/20/loans|title=Prêts 2000/2001|language=French|publisher=Racingstub|accessdate=26 September 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929035936/https://racingstub.com/clubs/20/season/2000/20/loans|archivedate=29 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> On 20 May 2000, during [[RC Strasbourg]] tour to Malaysia, Akmal and  [[Peguy Luyindula]] helped Strasbourg beat [[GNK Dinamo Zagreb]] 2–0 in friendly match at the [[Shah Alam Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racingstub.com/games/25620/|publisher=Racingstub.com|title=RCS - Zagreb 2-0|language=French|date=20 May 2000|access-date=26 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929025253/https://racingstub.com/games/25620/|archive-date=29 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

He also attracted the attention of  former [[1. FSV Mainz 05|Mainz]] manager, [[Jürgen Klopp]] to signing him for Mainz before he returned to [[Malaysia]] and joined [[Kedah FA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arenabolasepak.com.my/2019/06/15/mengapa-akmal-rizal-pulang-ke-malaysia-setelah-bermain-di-liga-perancis/|title=Mengapa Akmal Rizal pulang ke Malaysia setelah bermain di Liga Perancis?|language=Malay|publisher=Arena Bola Sepak|accessdate=27 December 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621005832/https://arenabolasepak.com.my/2019/06/15/mengapa-akmal-rizal-pulang-ke-malaysia-setelah-bermain-di-liga-perancis/|archivedate=21 June 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Kedah FA===
In 2002, he returned from abroad and played for his former youth academy team senior squad. Later, he won [[2002 Liga Perdana 2]].<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay02.html Malaysia 2002] - [[RSSSF]].</ref> In [[2003 Liga Perdana 1]], he scoring 10 goals in 24 games and becoming runner-up with the team at the end of the season.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay03.html Malaysia 2003] - [[RSSSF]].</ref>

===Selangor FA===
He then played for Selangor starting season [[2006–07 Malaysia Super League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/club/1569/2006_1/Selangor_Fa.html|title=General Information for Selangor FA in 2006/07|publisher=National Football Teams.com|accessdate=16 December 2017}}</ref>

===Kuala Muda Naza FC===
In the [[2009 Malaysia Super League]], he joined the new promoted club, [[Kuala Muda Naza F.C.|Kuala Muda Naza]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/club/8917/2009_2/Kuala_Muda_Naza.html|title=General Information for Kuala Muda NAZA in 2009|publisher=National Football Teams.com|accessdate=16 December 2017}}</ref>

===Kelantan FA===
On 12 January 2010, he scored his first goal for Kelantan in a 3–0 win against [[Johor FA]] and also becoming runner-up in the [[2010 Malaysia Super League|league]] at the end of the season.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay2010.html#super - Malaysia 2010-Liga Super 2010] - [[RSSSF]].</ref> Later, he finally won his first [[Malaysia Cup]] in the [[2010 Malaysia Cup#Final|2010 Malaysia Cup Final]] after Kelantan beat [[Negeri Sembilan FA]] 2-1.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay2010.html#piala- Malaysia 2010-Cup Tournaments 2010 (Piala Malaysia)] - [[RSSSF]].</ref>

===Perak FA===
After leaving Kelantan FA, he then joined Perak and reunited with his former national team head coach, [[Norizan Bakar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mstar.com.my/sukan/2010/11/30/akmal-rizal-sertai-perak-kerana-mahu-ikut-cikgu-jan?itm_source=parsely-api|title=Akmal Rizal Sertai Perak Kerana Mahu Ikut Cikgu Jan|date=30 November 2010 |language=Malay|publisher=M Star|accessdate=29 August 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927141848/https://www.mstar.com.my/sukan/2010/11/30/akmal-rizal-sertai-perak-kerana-mahu-ikut-cikgu-jan?itm_source=parsely-api|archivedate=27 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Kedah FA===
He made his second debut (first debut in 2002) on 7 January 2013, appearing as a substitute in a 1–0 win against [[UiTM F.C.]], and made his full first start for the club in the game against [[DRB-Hicom F.C.|DRB-Hicom Pos Malaysia FC]]. On 8 March 2013, he scored his first goal for [[Kedah FA]] in the 62nd minute against [[Kuala Lumpur FA]].<ref>http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2013&dt=0310&pub=Kosmo&sec=Sukan&pg=su_02.htm&nbsp;– {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030145/http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2013&dt=0310&pub=Kosmo&sec=Sukan&pg=su_02.htm |date=4 March 2016 }} Akmal blast the goal</ref> He made 16 appearances with [[Kedah FA]] before he agreed to join [[Sarawak FA]] for the [[2014 Malaysia Super League]] season.

===Sarawak FA===
On 10 November 2013, Akmal Rizal officially signed a one-year contract with [[Sarawak FA]] after being released by Kedah FA.<ref>http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3875/transfer-zone/2013/11/10/4396882/transfer-news-akmal-rizal-signs-for-sarawak -Akmal Rizal join
crocs</ref>

===Kedah United F.C.===
In 2015, Akmal Rizal played with [[Kedah United F.C.]] in [[2015 Malaysia FAM League]].

==International career==
He represented [[Malaysia national under-23 football team|Malaysia U-23]] for the 2001 [[Football at the 2001 Southeast Asian Games|Sea Games]] in [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Malaysia]].<ref name="auto">[https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/sea01-det.html South East Asian Games 2001 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - Match Details] - [[RSSSF]].</ref> He also represented [[Malaysia national under-23 football team|Malaysia U-23]] for the [[Football at the 2003 Afro-Asian Games|Afro-Asian Games]] Hyderabad, India in October 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asafrgam01.html|title=Afro-Asian Games 2003|date=20 August 2020|access-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928130141/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asafrgam01.html|archive-date=28 September 2022|website=[[RSSSF]]|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2002, Akmal was called up for an international friendly match against five times World Cup winners [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]. He was selected as one of the first eleven to play against Brazilian stars such as [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] and Barca's [[Ronaldinho]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/sel/brazil200203.htm|work=Dennis David Woods RSSSF |publisher=RSSSF Brasil|title=Seleção Brasileira (Brazilian National Team) 2002-2003|date=20 August 2020|access-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711072637/https://www.rsssfbrasil.com/sel/brazil200203.htm|archive-date=11 July 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/95-vs-brazil/teams/27166|title=Malaysia vs Brazil.|publisher=[[Sky Sports]] at [[Wayback Machine]]|year=2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713110943/https://www.skysports.com/football/95-vs-brazil/teams/27166|accessdate=13 July 2021|archive-date=13 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chedinsphere.blogspot.com/2013/01/brazil-lawan-malaysia-stadium-bukit.html?m=1|title=Brazil lawan Malaysia, Stadium Bukit Jalil (2002).|publisher=Chedinsphere at [[Wayback Machine]]|year=2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714011432/http://chedinsphere.blogspot.com/2013/01/brazil-lawan-malaysia-stadium-bukit.html?m=1|accessdate=13 July 2021|archive-date=14 July 2021}}</ref>

He has also been called up by [[Malaysia national football team]] coach [[Norizan Bakar]] for the [[AFC Asian Cup]] 2007 in July, co-hosting by 4 countries [[Thailand]], [[Indonesia]], [[Vietnam]] and [[Malaysia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/1521/Malaysia_China.html|title=Malaysia vs. China 2007-07-10|publisher=National Football Teams.com|accessdate=16 December 2017}}</ref>

==After retirement from playing==
Akmal Rizal retired from playing professionally in 2016. After retiring, he was the co-commentator for live telecasts of Malaysia football in [[Media Prima Berhad]] television stations. He also opened a youth football academy in his hometown Jitra, while completing his AFC coaching course, and as of 2017, he holds 'B' license in this course.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/dekman-tekad-lahirkan-permata-baru-bola-sepak-negara |title=Dekman tekad lahirkan permata baru bola sepak negara &#124; FourFourTwo |access-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165137/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/dekman-tekad-lahirkan-permata-baru-bola-sepak-negara |archive-date=11 January 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In June 2019, he finally completed his AFC coaching course and earned AFC 'A' license.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/arena/2019/11/514646/akmal-sedia-tabur-khidmat|title=Akmal sedia tabur khidmat-Harian Metro |date=6 November 2019 |access-date=17 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106171417/https://www.hmetro.com.my/arena/2019/11/514646/akmal-sedia-tabur-khidmat|archive-date=6 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Managerial career==
On 27 December 2019, Akmal was hired to become assistant head coach for [[Penang F.C.|Penang FC]] in [[2020 Malaysia Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/arena/2019/12/529721/ujian-getir-nanti-akmal|title=Ujian getir nanti Akmal|date=27 December 2019 |language=Malay|publisher=Harian Metro|accessdate=3 August 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227115326/https://www.hmetro.com.my/arena/2019/12/529721/ujian-getir-nanti-akmal|archivedate=27 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2022, he then became head coach  for [[Penang F.C. Reserves|Penang U-21]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cakapsukan.com/2022/01/06/anak-datuk-nash-sertai-piala-presiden-penang-fc/|title=Anak Datuk Nash sertai Piala Presiden Penang FC|date=6 January 2022 |language=Malay|publisher=Cakap Sukan|accessdate=29 September 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927131950/https://cakapsukan.com/2022/01/06/anak-datuk-nash-sertai-piala-presiden-penang-fc/|archivedate=27 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 7 November 2023, he then became [[Penang F.C.|Penang]] caretaker for remaining of the [[2023 Malaysia Super League]] season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/amp/sukan/bola/2023/11/1174460/akmal-rizal-dilantik-pengendali-sementara-penang-fc|title=Akmal Rizal dilantik pengendali sementara Penang FC|date=7 November 2023 |language=Malay|publisher=[[Berita Harian]]|accessdate=7 November 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107161345/https://www.bharian.com.my/amp/sukan/bola/2023/11/1174460/akmal-rizal-dilantik-pengendali-sementara-penang-fc|archivedate=7 November 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>  He were appointed as the permanent head coach of Penang for the [[2024-25 Malaysia Super League|2024-25 season]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=ISMAIL |first1=HAKIMI |title=Akmal Rizal jadi ketua jurulatih Penang FC |url=https://www.utusan.com.my/sukan/2024/01/akmal-rizal-jadi-ketua-jurulatih-penang-fc/ |website=Utusan Malaysia |access-date=26 June 2024 |language=ms-MY |date=17 January 2024}}</ref>

==International Senior Goals==
{| class="wikitable"
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || 8 March 2001 || [[Hong Kong]], [[Hong Kong]] || {{fb|HKG}} || 2–0 || Won || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)]]
|-
| 2. || 8 March 2001 || [[Hong Kong]], [[Hong Kong]] || {{fb|HKG}} || 2–0 || Won || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)]]
|-
| 3. || 25 March 2001 || [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] || {{fb|PLE}} || 4–3 || Won || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)]]
|-
| 4. || 25 March 2001 || [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] || {{fb|PLE}} || 4–3 || Won || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)]]
|-
| 5. || 11 December 2002 || [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Malaysia]] || {{fb|CAM}} || 5–0 || Won || [[Friendly (sport)|Friendly]]
|-
| 6. || 18 December 2002 || [[Singapore]], [[Singapore]] || {{fb|SIN}} || 0–4 || Won || [[2002 Tiger Cup]] Group Stage
|-
| 7. || 20 December 2002 || [[Singapore]], [[Singapore]] || {{fb|THA}} || 3–1 || Won || [[2002 Tiger Cup]] Group Stage
|-
| 8. || 12 July 2004 || [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Malaysia]] || {{fb|SIN}} || 2–0 || Won || Friendly
|-
| 9. || 21 June 2007 || [[Petaling Jaya]], [[Malaysia]] || {{fb|UAE}} || 1–3 || Loss || Friendly
|}

==Honours==
===Club===
'''FCSR Haguenau'''
* [[Championnat de France amateur 2]] : [[Championnat de France amateur 2|2000]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racingstub.com/persons/9217/|publisher=Racingstub|title=Rizal Akmal|language=French|date=26 September 2017|access-date=26 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926212454/https://racingstub.com/persons/9217/|archive-date=26 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Kedah FA'''
* [[Liga Perdana 2]] : [[2002 Liga Perdana 2|2002]]
* [[Liga Perdana 1]] : runner-up [[2003 Liga Perdana 1|2003]]
* [[Malaysia Premier League]] : [[2005–06 Malaysia Premier League|2005-06]]

'''Selangor FA'''
* [[Malaysia Cup]] : [[Malaysia Cup|2008]] runner-up
* [[Malaysia FA Cup]] : [[Malaysia FA Cup 2008|2008]] runner-up

'''Kelantan FA'''
* [[Malaysia Super League]] : runner-up [[2010 Malaysia Super League|2010]]
* [[Malaysia Cup]] : [[2010 Malaysia Cup|2010]]

===International===
'''Malaysia U-23'''
* [[Southeast Asian Games|SEA Games]] : {{SilverMedal}} silver [[Football at the 2001 Southeast Asian Games|2001]];<ref name="auto"/> {{BronzeMedal}} bronze [[Football at the 2003 Southeast Asian Games|2003]]

===Individual===
* [[Southeast Asian Games|SEA Games]] Top Scorer : [[Football at the 2001 Southeast Asian Games|2001]]

===Manager===
'''Penang U-21'''

*[[Sukma Games]] : {{SilverMedal}} silver 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/akmal-rizal-bangga-pasukannya-menang-perak/|title=Akmal Rizal bangga pasukannya menang perak|date=23 September 2022 |language=Malay|publisher=Buletin Mutiara|accessdate=24 September 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924125033/https://www.buletinmutiara.com/akmal-rizal-bangga-pasukannya-menang-perak/|archivedate=24 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{NFT player|id=4117|name=Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070715163847/http://selangorfc.com/pemain/arkib/akmal-rizal-ahmad-rakhli.html Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli's Profile at selangorfc.com] {{in lang|ms}}

{{Malaysia Squad 2007 AFC Asian Cup}}

[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Kedah]]
[[Category:Malaysian people of Malay descent]]
[[Category:Malaysian men's footballers]]
[[Category:21st-century Malaysian sportsmen]]
[[Category:Malaysia men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Malaysian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany]]
[[Category:Malaysian expatriate sportspeople in Germany]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France]]
[[Category:Malaysian expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:RC Strasbourg Alsace players]]
[[Category:Kuala Muda Naza F.C. players]]
[[Category:Kelantan F.C. players]]
[[Category:Selangor F.C. players]]
[[Category:Perak F.C. players]]
[[Category:Sarawak FA State Football Team players]]
[[Category:Kedah Darul Aman F.C. players]]
[[Category:2007 AFC Asian Cup players]]
[[Category:Malaysia Super League players]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:SEA Games silver medalists for Malaysia]]
[[Category:SEA Games bronze medalists for Malaysia]]
[[Category:SEA Games medalists in football]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 2001 SEA Games]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 2003 SEA Games]]