Amirizdwan Taj
{{short description|Malaysian footballer}}
{{Malay name|Amirizdwan Taj|Tajuddin|note=off}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Amirizdwan Taj
| fullname = Amirizdwan Taj bin Tajuddin
| image =
| image_size =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1986|03|30}}
| birth_place = Kelantan, Malaysia
| height = {{height|meter=1.85}}
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| position = Centre back
| collegeyears1 = 2004–2008
| college1 = UiTM
| clubs1 = UiTM
| years1 = 2008–2011
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| clubs2 = ATM
| years2 = 2012–2015
| caps2 = 48
| goals2 = 11
| clubs3 = Kelantan
| years3 = 2015–2016
| caps3 = 21
| goals3 = 3
| clubs4 =Terengganu
| years4 = 2016–2017
| caps4 = 22
| goals4 = 0
| clubs5 = PKNS
| years5 = 2017–2018
| caps5 = 11
| goals5 = 0
| clubs6 = Kelantan
| years6 = 2018
| caps6 = 2
| goals6 = 0
| clubs7 = Perlis
| years7 = 2019
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| clubs8 = Kelantan United
| years8 = 2019–2020
| caps8 = 21
| goals8 = 0
| totalcaps = 125
| totalgoals = 14
| nationalyears1 = 2011–2015
| nationalteam1 = Malaysia
| nationalcaps1 = 14
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2021–
| managerclubs1 = Mokhtar Dahari Academy (assistant coach)
| club-update = June 26, 2019
| nationalteam-update = June 20, 2023
}}
Amirizdwan Taj Bin Tajuddin (born 30 March 1986), commonly known as Taj, is a Malaysian professional footballer who plays as a centre back and capped by Malaysian national team.
Born in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Taj never seriously play football at his youth where he attended MRSM Gerik and later MRSM Kuala Terengganu. His football career began while completing his undergraduate studies at Universiti Teknologi MARA where he played for UiTM FC. During that time, Taj was commonly known by nickname Panjang which means tall in English, to describe his tall physic body compared to his other teammates. Taj was a late bloomer which was not from regular state President Cup or youth teams.{{cite web | url=http://www.fourthofficial.com/2015/19035/claim-kingdom-lost-amirizdwan-taj/ | title=Go claim the kingdom you lost, Amirizdwan Taj | publisher=FourthOfficial.com | date=18 August 2015}}
Club career
=UITM=
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.
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.{{cite web | url=http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/news/detail/item874701/High-flying-Amirizwan-eyeing-cup-glory | title=High-flying Amirizwan eyeing cup glory | publisher=ESPN Asia | date=18 October 2012 | access-date=11 November 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110212216/http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/news/detail/item874701/High-flying-Amirizwan-eyeing-cup-glory | archive-date=10 November 2013 }} 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{{cite web|url=http://match.sz2011.org/Athlete_1/MASENG.htm | title=Malaysia Universiade Athletes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125233825/http://match.sz2011.org/Athlete_1/MASENG.htm |archive-date=25 January 2012 }} 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 overlooked by the coach.
=ATM FA=
In 2012, Amirizdwan joined ATM and was given squad number 24.{{cite web | url=http://plusmorestudio.com/shekhinah/index.php/2011/12/12/a-new-look-malaysian-armed-forces-aiming-big-in-m-league/ | title=A New Look Malaysian Armed Forces Aiming Big in M-LEAGUE | publisher=Shekhinah | date=12 December 2011 | access-date=6 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208072627/http://plusmorestudio.com/shekhinah/index.php/2011/12/12/a-new-look-malaysian-armed-forces-aiming-big-in-m-league/ | archive-date=8 December 2015 | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=http://malaysiafootball2u.blogspot.my/2011/12/ambitious-armed-forces-ready-for-new.html | title=Ambitious Armed Forces ready for new season | publisher=Malaysia Football News | date=19 December 2011}} He helped his side in winning the 2012 Malaysia Premier League,{{cite web | url=http://www.bari91.com/football_stats/Malaysia,_Astro_Premier_League_Malaysia/2012 | title=Malaysia, Astro Premier League Malaysia }} 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,{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3896/malaysia/2015/04/28/11212792/transfer-news-kelantan-sign-amirizdwan-taj|title=Transfer News: Kelantan sign Amirizdwan Taj | Goal.com|website=www.goal.com}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.fourthofficial.com/2015/12856/confirmed-amiridzwan-taj-signs-for-kelantan/ |title=Confirmed! Amiridzwan Taj signs for Kelantan {{!}} FourthOfficial.com |website=www.fourthofficial.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208154225/http://www.fourthofficial.com/2015/12856/confirmed-amiridzwan-taj-signs-for-kelantan/ |archive-date=2015-12-08}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sports247.my/v1/2015/07/kelantan-struggle-to-2-2-draw-against-sime-darby/|title=Kelantan struggle to 2-2 draw against Sime Darby|date=26 July 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2015/07/25/sime-darby-down-on-their-luck|title=Sime Darby rue bad luck against Kelantan|first=JOASH EE DE|last=SILVA|website=The Star}} At the time that the Red Warriors were undergoing a severe financial crisis Amirizdwan's departure was widely discussed.{{Citation needed|date=December 2015}}
=Terengganu FA=
{{Quote box
|quote = 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
|source = — Amirizdwan Taj on signing for Terengganu.
|align = right
|quoted = 1
| width = 33%
}}
Despite interest from other clubs, Amirizdwan signed with Terengganu FA on 2 December 2015.{{cite web | url=http://www.fourthofficial.com/2015/25328/amiridzwan-taj-on-the-verge-of-sealing-terengganu-move/ | title=Amiridzwan Taj on the verge of sealing Terengganu move | publisher=Fourthofficial.com | date=1 December 2015 }} He will be given number 3 in the squad.{{cite web | url=http://www.fourthofficial.com/2015/25384/official-terengganu-secure-three-major-signings-for-2016/ | title=Official: Terengganu secure three major signings for 2016 | publisher=Fourthofficial.com | date=2 December 2015 | access-date=9 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217030920/http://www.fourthofficial.com/2015/25384/official-terengganu-secure-three-major-signings-for-2016/ | archive-date=17 December 2015 | url-status=dead }} A few weeks ago though, speculations of his departure became rife, with Kelantan's well-documented financial issues dominating the narrative. Amir 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.stadiumastro.com/ms/article/2016/05/31/pbnst-tamat-kontrak-amiridzwan-taj | title=PBSNT TAMAT KONTRAK AMIRIDZWAN TAJ | publisher=Stadium Astro | date=1 June 2016 | access-date=13 July 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820033348/http://www.stadiumastro.com/ms/article/2016/05/31/pbnst-tamat-kontrak-amiridzwan-taj | archive-date=20 August 2016 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }} The former UiTM, ATM and Kelantan player has always grappled with long-term injuries.{{cite web | url=http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3889/main/2016/05/31/24136072/transfer-news-terengganu-terminate-amiridzwans-contract-one | title=Terengganu terminate Amiridzwan's contract one day after his birthday | publisher=Goal.com | date=31 May 2016 }}
=PKNS FC=
Amir signed for PKNS FC for 2017 season.{{cite web | url=http://www.stadiumastro.com/ms/article/2016/12/12/terima-kasih-kerana-beri-saya-peluang----amiridzwan | title="TERIMA KASIH KERANA BERI SAYA PELUANG" -- AMIRIDZWAN | publisher=Stadium Astro | date=12 Dec 2016 | access-date=13 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220101230/http://www.stadiumastro.com/ms/article/2016/12/12/terima-kasih-kerana-beri-saya-peluang----amiridzwan | archive-date=20 December 2016 | url-status=dead }}
International career
{{Quote box
|quote = Playing for the national team is the biggest honour for any football
|source = — Amirizdwan Taj
|align = right
|quoted = 1
| width = 33%
}}
In October 2011, he was called up by K. Rajagobal for the national team's training session for an international friendly against India.{{cite web | url=https://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-support-national-team-amirizwan-taj-rallies-fans-235600230--sow.html | title=xclusive: "Go support our national team," - Amirizwan Taj rallies the fans ahead of cruncher against Indonesia | publisher=Yahoo! Sports | date=30 November 2012 | access-date=11 November 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110214205/http://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-support-national-team-amirizwan-taj-rallies-fans-235600230--sow.html | archive-date=10 November 2013 }}
Managerial career
On 1 February 2021, he was hired to became assistant coach for Mokhtar Dahari Academy to aid producing quality young players from the grassroots development program.{{cite web|url=https://www.vocketfc.com/norhafiz-zamani-misbah-sertai-barisan-jurulatih-akademi-mokhtar-dahari/|title=Norhafiz Zamani Misbah Sertai Barisan Jurulatih Akademi Mokhtar Dahari|lang=malay|author=Sulaiman|publisher=Vocket FC|date=1 February 2021|access-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019004619/https://www.vocketfc.com/norhafiz-zamani-misbah-sertai-barisan-jurulatih-akademi-mokhtar-dahari/|archive-date=19 October 2022|url-status=live}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played on 13 December 2018.}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="5"|ATM
|2012 |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2013
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2014
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 11 | |
| rowspan="2"|Kelantan
|2015 |9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| rowspan="2"|Terengganu
|2016 |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| rowspan="2"|PKNS FC
|2017 |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| rowspan="2"|Kelantan
|2018 |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| rowspan="2"|Perlis
|2019 |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| rowspan="2"|Kelantan United
|2019 |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| colspan="1"|Total
!colspan="2"|Career total !65 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 67 | 12 |
=International=
{{updated|match played 8 September 2015.}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|Malaysia
|2011 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 4 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 17 | 2 |
Honours
=Club=
;ATM FA
- Malaysia Premier League : 2012
- Malaysia Cup : runner-up 2012
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup : 2013
;Kelantan FA
- Malaysia FA Cup : runner-up 2015
;Kelantan United F.C.
Personal life
Amirizdwan is a Kelantan supporter. He married longtime girlfriend Anna Syahida Tamsir when they were student at UITM Shah Alam. He also an excellent student during his school days when he enrolled in Mara junior college. He also has siblings that played football professionally, amir ikhwan taj played for uitm fc, amir izham taj for felda utd u21.
Amir himself admired that he's not planned to play football professionally. He never involved in any football pyramid like others do. He didn't went to youth academy, neither sport school. But during his college years where he just play for his residential college for inter-college games, a coach spotted him and called him to be trained with UiTM Fc. That seems to be cinderella story for him when coach B.Sathianathan whom are head coach for Kelantan that season offered his to play in Malaysia Cup campaign but that deal seems impossible when rules only applicable to those who are played with super league or premier league team that failed to qualified for that competition since Uitm Fc are in FAM League.
2011 is a breakthrough year for him when he selected in national team friendly match with India. Maybe the only player from FAM league and only UiTM Fc player being able to do so.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.facebook.com/amirizdwan.taj Official Facebook Profile]
- [https://twitter.com/amirizdwantaj24 Official Twitter]
{{Kelantan United squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taj, Amirizdwan}}
Category:MARA Junior Science College alumni
Category:Malaysian men's footballers
Category:Malaysia men's international footballers
Category:Malaysia Super League players
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Footballers from Kota Bharu
Category:21st-century Malaysian sportsmen
Category:Armed Forces F.C. players
Category:Kelantan F.C. players