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Zhirkov named Russia's footballer of the year
The Russian Football Union has named CSKA's midfielder, Yury Zhirkov,
the country's best footballer of the year.
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Yury Zhirkov at Euro 2008 (AFP
Photo / Mladen Antonov)
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Zhirkov is known as one of the most consistent players in
the Russian Premier League. The left midfielder scored three goals in
28 matches for CSKA this season and helped his team grab the silver medals.
He also took an active part in Russia's Euro 2008 bronze success as he
appeared in all the games, playing in an unfamiliar position of left back.
Zhirkov, together with Andrey Arshavin, were among the two Russians present
among the 30 nominees for the Golden Ball, which is awarded to the best
footballer in the world.
He joined CSKA back in 2004 and seems satisfied with his position in the
club.
However there are rumours that Italian super club Juventus wants to buy
the player, as does Zenit St. Petersburg.
CSKA finished second in the Russian League but the army men players received
most of the awards from the Russian Football Union.
CSKA's player Igor Akinfeev was crowned number one goalkeeper of the year.
The outstanding performance by another CSKA player, Alan Dzagoyev, in
his first professional season has caught the attention of Real Madrid
and Barcelona. He was also awarded with the title of Best Young Player
of the Russian Premier League.
Brazilian star Wagner Love also was praised as the League's best scorer,
with 20 goals in just 26 games. The man wears a CSKA shirt, but may join
Chelsea during the winter break.
The award for Best Coach was split between the Russian national team's
boss Guus Hiddink, and the manager of champions Rubin Kazan Kurban Berdyev.
Stanislav Sukhina was praised as Russia's Best Referee.
Russiatoday.com,
December 16, 2008
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